Chapter 6 – The New World

"Vines are never as sturdy as they may appear."

'30th July 1777,

My service in the Caribbean grows more exiting by the day, and although the HMS Lowestoffe is not the sturdiest vessel I have ever been upon, it is certainly manned well under the orders of captain William Locker. It is strange to think that my time in the navy has only just begun and twice I have already crossed the Atlantic and ventured into the uncharted waters of the Arctic. That incident with Collingwood and the polar bear will no doubt be spoken of for decades to come. I now plan to explore the jungles of the great new world, a place so full of mysteries and secrets yet to be unveiled…'

The clear crystal water of the Caribbean Sea was full of marine life, and the sweet ocean breeze aroused Horatio Nelson as it caressed his nostrils. Today was a good day in Nelson's eyes, for only this morning he was granted permission by captain Locker to lead an expedition group, including Nelsons ship-partner Cuthbert Collingwood, into the un-ventured jungles that covered the new world. To make things better, the entire crew was in a lively mood, most likely because of the promise of proper drink and rest at the Jamaican settlement as reward for their hard work. Despite the offer, Nelson only had eyes for the Caicos Islands, where he had great opportunity to explore his new fledging interest in science.

'Collingwood, lower the boats.' Nelson ordered.

'Aye-Aye Nelson.' Collingwood had always felt compelled to call him 'sir' or even 'captain' because of his natural leadership. A few other seamen fiddled with some ropes and began hoisting the ten-manned rowboat into the calm blue water below. Collingwood was nearly the same age and height as Nelson, he was of a slim build but his shoulders were wide and muscly. His thick blonde hair reached down to his shoulders and his fringe would droop over his face until he brushed it out of the way. Collingwood's eyes were brown, like the bark on a tree, his mouth was wide and a short beard sprouted from his chin and square-edged jaw line.

As the boat was being readied, Nelson gathered his things. A collection of jars, a magnifier glass, writing tools, notebooks, water, food and some other items that were of less importance. With everything accounted for, Nelson followed his fellow seamen down the rope ladder over the side of the ship and into the compacted rowboat.

The clear blue water was sweet and slim silver fish darted around below the surface. With Nelson and Collingwood pushing the oars the team soon arrived on the soft white sand of the Caicos Islands. Nelson stepped into the water before the boat had even touched the shore and he immediately searched for a place to set up camp. He was only allowed two days to find whatever he was looking for and so he wasted no time. Nelson rushed from the beach and began pitching a tent for himself on a flat area of grass while the rest of the team unloaded the supplies into a stockpile at the centre of the camp. After thirty minutes of unpacking and pitching tents the camp was set up. Nelson had already wasted too much time and was overly eager to head into the island. When he could wait no more he gathered his rucksack and filled it with his jars and journals and pencils. Nelson led the group with Collingwood and three others behind him, the others stayed at the camp.

Never before had Nelson ever experienced a place like this, the dense undergrowth was so thick is some areas that he had to use his sword to cut through it. What truly amazed him were the animals, numerous types of insects that bit and stung his bare flesh, the sound of their flight was almost overwhelming. Then there were the snakes, green snakes and yellow snakes, brown snakes the size of his arm and little black and red snakes that were only the length of his finger. The group collected what they could from the wide display of samples so that they could be further studied later.

Soon the team reached a clearing near the centre of the island, and as they all rested Nelson took the time to write in his journal about a strange little bird he had found fluttering about one of the tall trees on the edge of the clearing. The bird was very small, with a white belly and a blue head. Nelson had decided to name it the White-Necked Jacobin. He jotted down some observations of the bird feeding on nectar from the pink and white flowers in the tree canopy, and then he drew a picture of the bird as best he could.

At midday the group continued through the captivating green island jungle, wondering around the island until a few hours before sundown when Nelson began to lead the party back to camp. Nelson walked several paces ahead with Collingwood beside him, and as they walked he caught sight of something unnatural within the thick jungle screen.

'Do you see that?' Nelson asked Collingwood. He strode over to the ledge of a steep muddy slope so that he had a better view of what he thought looked like a ruined temple, but it was hard to tell because of the moss and jungle growth that surrounded the rocky shape.

'I think it's a temple.' Nelson stated in a quiet voice. As he spoke a small piece of the ground gave way beneath his feet and toppled down the wet slope. Nelson used the roots in the ground to maintain his footing.

Collingwood didn't care for the temple, and was only concerned with stopping his leader from sliding to his death, 'Sir, are you sure you should be standing on the ledge like that?' He cautioned in an apprehensive tone.

Nelson continued to lean forward, 'Yes I'm sure, and you needn't worry, these roots are a strong and firm as the rigging on our ships.'

Suddenly Nelson was cut off as the roots gave way under his weight and sent him plummeting down the muddy hill. Collingwood watched as Nelson toppled and rolled through mud and leaves, as well as being whip-lashed by the branches of living plants that were unfortunate enough to stand in Nelsons path of descent.

Collingwood knew that his friend was in trouble, but deep down he found the whole incident a little humorous, that was until he suddenly lost sight of Nelson at the bottom of the descent.

Nelson had fallen into a hole or a ditch. He wasn't sure. But the initial landing hurt and he fell face down onto a cold, hard surface. Nelson winched and grouched in pain as he attempted to push his broken body into a sitting position. After a long moment he was able to break his dazed condition and found that he was in fact sitting in the centre of a room. The only visibility was of the thinning sunlight that glistened through the hole above him. Nelson immediately noticed that his clothes, face and hair were completely covered in mud and his entire body reeked of rotten undergrowth.

The room around him was dark and crumbling, there were four perfectly square pillars decorated with a straight lined pattern that Nelson had never seen before. On one end of the room was a heavy sealed door made from rock, he wasn't getting out that way, and on the other side was some kind of altar. Nelson pulled himself onto his feet and approached the forgotten stone platform, there was something on it, a round metal disc that was about two inches in diameter and half a centre meter thick with a smooth hole in its midpoint. Upon the altar were more etchings, and it appeared to be some kind of writing that Nelson could not read.

He could not help but pick the disc up and examine it. As he lifted the object he found that it was much lighter than he had expected it to be, and then suddenly it began to glow. The disc was consumed by a green digital pattern that gleamed bright in his hands. Then, as if set off by some chain reaction, the same pattern appeared glowing green-blue across the pillars, floor and walls.

Nelson was completely captivated, the sight that was before him stood beyond reasoning and he began to question whether or not he was dreaming, he even pinched himself to make sure. Suddenly, almost as quickly as it had started, the lights switched off and all was dark. Nelson was then able to hear the sound of voices above him.

'Nelson, are you there? Can you hear us?' It was Collingwood.

Nelson quickly slipped the disk into his muddy jacket pocket and then responded. 'I was wrong, the roots were not as strong as I thought they were.'

Above him Nelson heard the bellowing laugh of Collingwood, followed by his other companions. 'You crazy bastard.' He shouted down, 'Get ready and we'll throw you a rope.'

As he said, a thick ravel of rope dropped to the ground at Nelsons feet and he gripped it firmly with both hands and began to climb. After only a short struggle he was once again on the surface, and near the entrance to the temple that had gotten him into this entire mess.

By now the sun had fallen and it was almost completely dark. 'Come, let's return to camp.' Nelson said sorely, 'I've had enough of this place anyway.'

Nelson needed to use Collingwood and another person to support him as he limped all the way back to camp.