Journal II: The Lotus Eaters
I have chosen a new first mate, Eurylochus, who is, in my opinion, no replacement for my old first mate, Parnassus. He was named for the great mountain of Delphi.
In our hasty departure it was discovered that we had left many provisions behind and our food stores were beginning to run low. I ordered all food and drink to be rationed in hopes that it would get us to the next place where we could stop, but to no avail. Zeus had been angered by our ravaging and had called up a strong wind that blew us off course which soon transformed into a great storm. Though we were able to land, there was nothing there. We waited for the storm to blow itself out, but after two days we were forced to continue on. We were unprepared for this incident and the giant waves swept away the last of our hope.
After four days of the storm I could control the men no longer. There was chaos and in the ensuing hours the last of the provisions were either eaten or hoarded by greedy sailors. Most wandered aimlessly about the deck, holding on to the railings when the immense waves spilled over the sides and flooded the deck. All the while, I gathered what men I could that were still able to work to keep control of the ship. Many times it had almost overturned. I soon organized shifts and with a skeleton crew was able to somewhat control my beautiful ship, the Cytherea as she was buffeted by the waves. As we had no food we had to resort to hunting for the rats that always seem to occupy a ship, but they, being as thin as we were made a poor meal. Six days later we found that there was land in sight and that the waters had quieted. We landed there in great need of food and drink. Eurylochus took two others with him and went to explore and search for food. When they did not return I and my men became desperate and we followed their well-marked trail. We discovered them devouring a great feast and Lotus Blooms alongside the Lotus Eaters. We had been carried to their land. I was greatly angered at Eurylochus, but I decided to wait and allow the rest of the starving men to eat their fill. I warned them not to eat the Lotus flowers for we had all heard of their strange affects. The Lotus Eaters were a very calm and gentle people, and treated us with all kindness. They offered us their Lotus and I kindly refused, but Eurylochus, and his two partners did not. As soon as the repairs to the Cytherea were finished and we had restocked I thanked the Lotus Eaters and called the crew to gather in order to leave. Eurylochus and his two partners would not hear of leaving and begged to be let to stay there forever. I would have gladly left Eurylochus and his partners there, but I knew I could not so I had the three dragged to the ship, and forced them to row. They howled and wept the entire way back to the ship and were heard to moan to themselves for several days after. So was our stay with and departure from the lands of the Lotus Eaters.