Chapter three
August 17, 1740. Today we reached the port in Spain. A colorful city it was and the air: full of life and vigor. This will be the first time visiting the Spanish country. I took a walk with a few other mates once the loading was finished and graced a few small taverns to enjoy a meal and hearty ale before once again heading back. Everyone is in good spirits and the weather is fair. Perhaps we may reach our destination sooner than we had anticipated.
"Batten down the hatches! Secure the mainstays! Step lively men! We haven't much time!" commands screeched over the terrifying winds that had suddenly sprung from the sky and descended upon our small vessel. The sails above our heads whipped back and forth, snapping in protest to the formidable gusts. Every man moved with lightening speed to carry out the orders they were given.
I was set to securing the mainsail along with a few other wide-eyed men. This new weather was one I'd encountered many times before in my sea-faring days. However, even the most seasoned, bravest sailor has been lost to the forces of nature's fury. With that thought in mind, I rolled up my sleeves, fixed myself to the lines, and focused on accomplishing the tasks ahead of me.
Rain soon began to pelt down upon us, making our hands slick and slippery. The sky darkened not long after and soon lightening sporadically illuminated the sky as each of us strained our limbs to make sure the ship didn't capsize. More commands were being shouted over the howling winds but before the sounds could even reach our ears, they were eagerly stolen by the storm and carried away from the ship itself.
My muscles soon began to ache with the effort of tying wet rope into secure knots and climbing up and down the rigging. Suddenly another command was called and I ran to secure a forestay which had come loose with the winds. I had just gotten the rope tight when suddenly my name was called out above the tumultuous storm.
"Buchanan!" The first mate cried. I turned and squinted through the torrents of rain, just managing to see were his arms waving at something behind me and his mouth moving rapidly to warn me of something. Unfortunately, before I was able to ask what he was saying, a piercing light blazed through my brain and an excruciating pain shot through the back of my head. My eyes closed and my muscles went limp as I went careening towards the side of the ship and fell overboard.
