The Forgotten Map by Cameron Stelzer Page B

shook his head. ‘No, I’m afraid we haven’t seen any boats in this part of the ocean … wherever this part of the ocean is. I feel we may have drifted a little off course.’
    â€˜Where were you headed?’ Horace asked.
    â€˜We were circumnavigating the Isle of Aladrya,’ Mr Tribble said, fumbling with his pen. ‘It was meant to be an educational voyage for the children during the summer holidays. All the other students are away with their families each year but Eaton and Emmie stay at school with me. This year I thought I would give them a treat – an ocean adventure. I spent my life savings on a lovely blue boat and off we went.’
    Horace gave Whisker a guilty look.
    â€˜So what will you do now?’ Whisker asked.
    â€˜Our boat is gone,’ Mr Tribble said wearily. ‘So I guess we’ll head back home. You can probably drop us off at a seaside town and we can beg a ride back to Oakbridge. The children were so looking forward to an adventure, but what can we do? ’
    Whisker knew that a pirate ship wasn’t the most appropriate vessel for a school field trip, but he hoped the Captain wouldn’t just turf them out at the first opportunity.
    â€˜The journey’s not over yet,’ Horace grinned. ‘Besides, none of the other students can say they’ve been on a real pirate ship for their holidays.’

    As the mice settled into their new environment, the crew prepared to turn into the Northern Passage. The long outcrop of Pointer Island loomed in front of them like a shadowy finger against the dusk sky. It was the first island Whisker had seen since coming aboard and he suddenly missed the feel of earth beneath his toes.
    â€˜Light no lanterns,’ the Captain ordered. ‘I want total darkness as we proceed through the passage. We sail due west, and with any luck the eastern trade winds will speed us past Lighthouse Rock unseen. The moon will not rise until mid-evening, so we have until then to get through.’
    The Captain hadn’t moved from the helm since the mice incident, but Whisker could tell by the tone of his voice that he was much calmer.
    The Pie Rats took turns monitoring the sails throughout the night as the mice slept. The sky was clear and speckled with stars. The wind was brisk and constant. The only sign of life in the silent wilderness was the beam of the lighthouse to the south of the passage.
    When the mice awoke at dawn, the ship was safely inside the vast, sheltered Crescent Sea. Now that it was daylight, the eyes of the Blue Claw navy would be watching every inch of the coastline. As the sun moved across the sky, the crew went about their duties in silence. The mice stayed below deck. Emmie drew pictures with Uncle Pete’s coloured pencils and Eaton read with Mr Tribble. It was only in the hour before sunset, as Sea Shanty Island came into view, that the ship’s crew began to relax.
    â€˜Lower the sails,’ the Captain commanded, ‘and drop the anchor. All paws are to report to the mess room in ten minutes. Smudge, you’re on lookout duties.’
    Six rats and three mice gathered in the mess room. After an early dinner of strawberry pies, the Captain spoke.
    â€˜This evening we will dock outside the small harbour of Sea Shanty Island. I have a suspicion that something is not quite right and have opted to dock in darkness and at a safe distance to remain as inconspicuous as possible. The purpose of this expedition is to gather supplies and information regarding a … unique item we wish to acquire. As you have all been at sea for some time, I am granting permission for everyone to go ashore. That includes the mice, who may remain on the island if they wish to do so.’
    Mr Tribble shook his head.
    â€˜Very well,’ the Captain agreed. ‘We will all be reboarding.’
    Whisker was surprised at the turnaround in the Captain’s attitude. Instead of threatening to drown the