~The Daily Coconut~ Dark and Stormy

The open air of the sea is intoxicating, and I am so excited as our journey progresses. About a week out of port we encountered strong winds and high seas. A furious gale headed out of the west and carried off one of our topgallants. Walt was in the Crow's Nest as he was told not to earlier. He was so excited by the spirit of danger, he had snuck up there when no eyes were upon him. He had been shouting at the storm himself, caught up in the immense power of freedom. I've never seen such confidence in the face of danger, as displayed by our Captain during the storm. I was on the other side of the wheel, with Sawyer just before the sail finally let go. "Woo!!! Hold on Now! Get a move on boys! Down off that mast now!!" His eyes widen, and he looks right at me and yells, "Hold this wheel right here now Boy and dont you let it move an inch you hear me?! Hold this course!" I take a deep breath, and clench up for it. Captain Sawyer springs down the deck onto the focsle, and then I see Walt beginning to slip and get caught up. Sawyer catches one of the loose ropes and swings like freakin' Tarzan over to the the rigging just in time to catch Walt. "You all right?" Walt nodded his head very seriously, and then they both had quite the laugh.