The Righteous Smuggler by Debbie Spring

Author:Debbie Spring [Spring, Debbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV016060
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2005-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

MERMAID

THE STORM HAD PASSED AND THE SEA WAS CALM. In the past, Pieter and Jacob both had come fishing with me. But this was a new adventure for Malka. She was so excited and wanted to know everything about the boat. I took pleasure in teaching her. She sure smelled nice, like freshly baked bread.

Jacob interrupted. “Hendrik, give me a hand.”

I put worms on my friends’ hooks. Malka turned pale when I stabbed the worm with the hook. “Let me show you how to cast.” I pulled in a fish too small to keep, but she looked so impressed that I put it into the bucket of water. Fortunately, I caught a keeper next, so I threw the small one back when Malka wasn’t looking.

“Did I ever tell you about how my boat got its name?” asked Old Sea Dog.

“Tell us,” we all said together.

Old Sea Dog lit his pipe and took a puff. The smoke swirled from his mouth.

“One day, long ago, when I was just a boy, I heard singing in the mist. That could only mean one thing.”

He paused, while we all asked, “What?”

“Mermaids. Lonely mermaids sit on rocks combing their long hair, singing to lure fishermen to the rocks. Their boats hit the rocks and sink. When the fishermen begin to drown, the mermaids save them, giving them the kiss of life. But in return, they must remain under the sea forever as mermen.”

“Then how come you’re still here?” Pieter asked.

“I heard singing, but I knew about the fate of those who followed the beautiful voices. This time the voice was not so beautiful. The song was sad and forlorn. In my nets, amongst the fish, I had accidentally caught a mermaid. Her tail was emerald green, her hair long and blond. I listened carefully to the words of her song. She sang of swimming free and returning to her kingdom below. She promised to bring me pearls from the clams and sunken treasures lost at sea, to make me a rich man, if only I would set her free.

“‘I will free you,’ I said, ‘but not for coins or jewels. Protect me and my boat forever. That is what I ask for.’

“She agreed and I set her free. She flicked her tail and the other mermaids came to embrace her. Then, in an instant, they were gone. I’m an old man now, and I have been out at sea almost every day of my life and have never been shipwrecked. Sometimes, on a misty night, I can hear the song of a mermaid. That is why I called my boat, the Mermaid.”

Suddenly Malka’s fishing rod began to move and bend. “I caught a fish,” she shouted.

Old Sea Dog talked her through it. “Give her more line, that’s it. Reel her in slowly. Not jerky, take your time.” He grabbed a net and helped her land the cod. “Not the biggest I’ve seen, but a decent size to be sure. Certainly the most special, because it’s your first fish.

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