The Hourglass Treasures

By Teddy Garcia

This is the story about a boy, a girl and her dog. But it isn’t just about that. It’s about the discovery of love and of hidden treasures. It’s about the relationship between the young characters and their loving mischievous dog named Gigi. It’s about the adventures they had together involving evildoers of past and present. And finally, it’s about pirates in America...and so it begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483560625

Book preview

ISBN: 978-1-4835606-2-5

A story about young love, hidden treasures and adventures in the high seas.

This is bound to entertain young and old with the spirit of adventure and the love of the sea.

Written by:

Teddy Garcia

To my daughter

PREFACE

This book started many years ago when I was a child in Cuba. I remember how fortunate we were then, to be one of the few families in our neighborhood to get a brand new black and white television set. It was an Admiral, I remember, and it was layered in beautiful wood veneer on a metal frame and it was big and full of wonder and excitement. Very few families could boast of having one of these high tech devices in their homes, able to bring the magic of the movies right into our living rooms; also a variety of shows not on just one, but three channels!

I remember staying up until late at night, turning the big TV knob from one channel to the other, adjusting the rabbit ears for a better reception while my parents and older brother slept soundly. I watched late into the night until finally the test pattern would show up, telling me that it was time to turn off the TV and sadly go to bed.

It was during one of those nights that I saw a movie about a boy and a girl who lived by the sea, went exploring, and found a treasure on the side of a hill overlooking the ocean. To a child, the idea of pirates and hidden treasures, has always been an exciting one and to me it was even more.

So it was many years later, that I decided to re-live that exciting black and white movie into a book.

Here is my story.

Contents

Chapter 1: An Enigma

Chapter 2: Two Friends

Chapter 3: The Buccaneer

Chapter 4: Just Friends

Chapter 5: Old Friends

Chapter 6: Water!

Chapter 7: The Boutique

Chapter 8: Bad Wolf

Chapter 9: Two of a Kind

Chapter 10: History Lesson

Chapter 11: The Plan

Chapter 12: The Things You do for Love

Chapter 13: Back to the Cave

Chapter 14: The Voyage

Chapter 15: The Gold Ring

Epilogue

INTRODUCTION

This is the story about a boy, a girl and her dog. But it is not just about that. It’s about the discovery of love and of hidden treasures. It’s about the relationship between the young characters and the loving mischievous dog named Gigi. It’s about the adventures they had together involving evildoers of past and present. And finally, it’s about pirates in America...and so it begins.

Prologue

Old Ship Found In Pirate`s Cove

April 26, 1987 United Press International

ORIENTAL, N.C.-Archaeologists announced Saturday, they have found an old sail buried in the mud on Teach Cove, where the infamous pirate Blackbeard was known to hide.

A North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Unit uncovered in shallow water, the time-ravaged hull during a routine inspection soon after a dredging permit was issued for the project. It is said, that the ship’s hull is buried in about two feet of water and mud, and that it has been well eaten by marine life. The archaeologists estimated the vessel to be about 100 feet long, with a beam of 25 feet and a draft of 8 to 12 feet. The discovery was made last December, but officials kept the find a secret, fearing treasure hunters and souvenir seekers would swarm into the area and tear the wreck apart.

The marine archaeologist is said to have come forward with the story because rumors had begun to circulate, which he wanted to stop, that Blackbeard’s treasure had been found.

The discovery was made in Green Creek, which is part of Teach Cove. The cove is named after Edward Teach, who was the notorious Blackbeard. Legend has it that Teach Cove was one of his many hideouts.

Blackbeard’s treasures, if there are any, could be worth in the millions of dollars. Many suggest they may be buried somewhere on the coast of North Carolina, where he called home.

1

An Enigma

A seventeenth century Brigantine sailing ship is calmly anchored off of a deserted beach. The vessel’s square sails are tied down with loose hemp ropes, seen flying gently in the wind. The schooner had once been a merchant vessel operating in the Mediterranean Sea, but had been converted into a ship of war. On its dried-bleached decks are rows of long wooden oars used to propel the vessel in calm weather. Untold number of coiled rope, chains and a large rusted anchor lay on its forecastle, together with numerous wooden barrels secured to the gunwales. Upon closer inspection, one could see that the gunwales have been cut and modified to allow for the outside exposure of large 8 inch bore cannons. A total of twelve black cannons, are seen mounted on wooden carriages, and each is secured to the gunwales with wide hemp ropes for recoil. Each cannon was accompanied by numerous tools for maintenance, as well as pyramids of cannon balls, and wooden barrels full of grapeshot. Two small brass swivel cannons, covered in green patina, are seen mounted on both sides of the bow’s gunwales.

From the ship’s starboard side, one could see a small island in the distance, seemingly floating on a crystalline green sea. Two rowboats are seen resting on the hard wet sand. Further up, past the sand dunes and the wild oats, a huge boulder; a leftover oddity from the Pleistocene ice age in North America, a group of men are seen standing forming a circle. In the center of the group, a young man is excavating a large hole in the sand. The young man’s face shows much perspiration, as he struggled under a hot blazing sun. As he digs in the soft dry sand, he occasionally looks up at tall man who appeared to be in charge.

Not deep enough Mate! Said the tall clean-shaven man wearing a light color three-cornered hat with a long ostrich feather attached to its side. The man’s clothing were light color, clean and elegant, however suited for the hot environment of the island, and in marked contrast with the men who are watching the young man’s progress. These men were dressed in an odd array of clothing, baring no resemblance to one another. The only thing in common they had with one another, was their soiled and ragged appearance, and because each man wore long and rather unkempt beards. Also, each man carried an array of weapons, from cutlasses to knives and flintlock pistols stuck in the belts of their pants. Their faces showed a common similarity in that they had a terrifying and menacing look to them.

Capt’n, I say the lad is not much of a digger! Said a man sitting on a large wooden chest, who was wearing a red Monmouth cap from which stringy long blond hair fell down on his sweaty face.

Right Capt’n! Said another one leaning on a long musket. What say we were to put a few balls in the lad just to speed him up? Said another one with a wooden peg that went above his left knee. The man reached down to his waist, retrieving a flintlock pistol that he aimed at the terrified young man. Har, har, har laughter echoed from the group. Har, har. har, har! More laughter is heard, as a loud explosion reverberated in the desolate island.

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Jamie woke up wide-eyed in panic, with his face and his pajamas soaked with perspiration. The nightmare was still vivid in his mind, as he looked to his right at the alarm clock on the nightstand, showing that it was six in the morning. It’s early! He thought, wiping the sweat from his face with both of his hands and trying to drive away the vivid vision of the pirates and their horrible laughter. The young man wondered what day of the week it was and why he needed to wake up so early on a Sunday morning? Then he thought about the mysterious marking that he and Emily found on a large rock by the shore, while they were exploring by the sea cliffs. For weeks, Jamie has been researching about the meaning of such a strange marking, but the more he researched it, he thought, the less sense he could make out of it.

I must get up! He told himself and quickly he got out of bed. He put on some old pants and tennis shoes that were lying on the floor by the side of his bed. On his way out of his room, he grabbed a clean white t-shirt with a logo that said, Surfing USA which he put on in one quick move.

Breakfast for Jamie, consisted of hot milk with instant coffee. Cafe con leche was a popular Cuban breakfast that his father learned to have back in his old country. He filled his cup with milk and placed it in the microwave, once the milk was hot he added the instant coffee and dark sugar as he had seen his father do many times before.

Jamie’s father was a doctor practicing in the town of Beaufort, where he had his office and specializing in general practice. His patient’s loved him because of the excellent care and attention he always gave them but also because he was rather vocal, and much engaged when in issues concerning the community and the country as a whole. He always said that it was his right, as well as his obligation, to speak his mind or, How else would we know what’s on other people’s minds? Jamie’s mother was a teacher at a high school in town, teaching History and Humanities.

Drinking his café con leche. Jamie thought about his father, who he has not seen in a while due to his busy schedule at his new office. His father, in addition to a physician was also an inventor, and was always tinkering with different ideas, from a revolutionary cleaning mop, to an ear-cleaning device which he had successfully marketed nationwide. He was always coming out with new ideas, some of which were a total fiasco. Oh well, he would say, if you never try you will never find out. Dad, thought Jamie, is getting very eccentric in his old age. Maybe he should write a book. Thought Jamie. Being fourteen years old and the first of two boys, his relation with his father was very special. Ever since he was a young boy, the two of them enjoyed doing things together, particularly anything having to do with nature. However, their time together was getting scarcer as he was becoming more and more involved with his new office expansion in town.

Jaime walked out to the garage to retrieve his bicycle and brought it out to the driveway. He stood on his driveway, holding on to his bike, as he looked at his neighborhood and saw how deserted and lonely it looked at that time of the morning. He climbed on his beach cruiser and took a deep breath of the cool morning air and began pedaling out of his driveway, turning left and toward the rising sun in the horizon.

Jamie rode his bike effortlessly, at a slow pace, enjoying the cool air and the first sunrays just beginning to lift the morning dew. He took a short cut through an opening on a fence by the side of a road. He pedaled his bike down a familiar dirt path through an open field. He remembered the radio announcer say that the temperature was going to be sixty-five degrees with a promise to be in the high seventies later in the day; he also said there would be a twenty-five percent chance of rain in the afternoon. Jamie looked at the distant horizon where the sun was raising, and saw dark threatening clouds hovering above the ground. He saw flashes of lightening coming down from the clouds, at the same time that a light breeze brought the smell of musky wet ground to his nose. He smelled the air with satisfaction and smiled.

It did not take long before Jamie was able to see Emily’s white colonial house in the distance, sitting by itself next to the tall Royal Oak tree. The large wooden house, with its overhanging porch, always looked inviting to Jamie. When I build a house, said Jamie It will be just like that!

2

Two friends

Clink—the sound was heard. Clink, clink. It was coming from outside! Thought Emily. Clink and then clank—a louder sound. Someone was throwing something at the windowpane! Is it a dream? She thought half opening her eyes. Clank, clank, clank in a row. She heard.

Coming out of a deep sleep, with her eyes now wide open, Emily realized it must be Jamie who was throwing rocks at her windowpane, trying to communicate with her. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, trying to orient herself, and then she bolted out of her bed wide-awake.

She ran to the bedroom window, certain that she would see her friend standing in front of the house looking up at her bedroom window. It was Jamie! She grabbed the bottom of the window, pulling it upward as she inhaled the fresh morning air.

What Jamie, what do you want? Not upset, but actually glad to see Jamie’s glowing smile. Can’t you see it is Sunday? You’re going to wake everyone up!

Jamie was a rather handsome boy with light brown hair, who was much taller for his age. He was beginning to show a few fuzzy patches of facial hairs he was secretly shaving. His body was wiry and muscular, with clumsy large feet, which suggested much future growth.

Afraid that he might upset Emily, but glad to see her glowing face looking down at him, he said, I need to talk to you. It’s important!

Emily, showing some frustration in her voice said. Well, go ahead! What is it Jamie? And keep your voice down! It’s only seven o’clock, you know."

Sorry to wake you up Emily, but I had to talk to you.

OK then, what do you have to tell me? And keep it quiet. She said looking down at him.

I can’t tell you now Emily, I need you to come down.

Well, I don’t know... Said Emily, thinking out loud. It’s seven o’clock and my parents are still asleep Jamie. Then realizing she was never going to convince him, she said in resignation, OK, I’m coming down!

Emily left the window and ran to her closet, where she quickly dressed in her favorite shorts, an old t-shirt and tennis shoes with no socks. She then headed toward the door of her room—when she suddenly stopped, realizing. I’d better comb my hair and brush my teeth! She thought. Although she would not admit it to herself, she was becoming more aware of how she looked in front of Jamie. In fact, she was beginning to feel a strange attraction to her old friend. She finished brushing her teeth and combing her hair, and thought about applying some lip-gloss, but decided against it. She then bolted down the stairs, being careful not to make any loud sounds on the old wooden stairway that might awake her parents. She opened the front door of her house and lightly closed it behind her.

Hi, Jamie! She said running toward him, feeling like hugging him, but instead she tried to maintain a proper distance from her friend.

What’s up? Said Jamie who was very glad to see her come down stairs.

Hi Emily! said, Jamie taken back by her unexpected cheerfulness

Well, nothing. For a moment, Jamie had forgotten why he asked Emily to come down.

Emily was a young and strikingly beautiful 14-year-old girl soon to be fifteen. She had flowing dirty blond hair and hazel blue eyes. She was rapidly turning into a woman, while showing no awareness of her fast changing looks. Being an only child made her confident and outgoing in her personality.

I just wanted to talk to you about what happened the other day when we were exploring down by the cliff. He said rather apologetically.

Yes? She asked.

Well, I have been doing some research down at the library Emily. Said Jamie picking up enthusiasm.

You mean about the old pirate stuff?

Yes! He said glad to see his friend becoming interested in the subject.

The more I read about it Emily, the more I realize we might be onto something here.

OK? Go on.

Sit down please, let me explain!

Emily looked around for the nearest place to sit, and finding an old tree stump close by, she sat down on it. Then, looking up at Jamie who was nervously shifting his feet in front of her, she said. Shoot!

OK! Do you remember the other day when we were exploring that old trail leading up to that dangerous cliff overlooking the breakers?

Yes, I remember us finding that rock with the strange carving on it.

Right. Now, do you remember what the sign was like?

For some reason that carving caused a great impression on you. Said Emily looking at him with curiosity.

Yes, it has! But do you remember it looked like an hourglass?

Yes I do Jamie.

Well, then, I have been doing some research on that subject.

You mean on the subject of hourglasses?

Well, yes! I found out it is a pirate symbol, or rather one that was used by pirates!

You don’t say. Said Emily looking around seeming unenthusiastic.

I mean, the hourglass was a common nautical tool used back then.

Of course! Said Emily, looking at her shoes.

The hourglass as we know it, Emily. Has really not changed much since its use became popular in medieval Europe. He said pausing for emphasis.

However, its origin is said to date back to when the first glass vessels were created. Continued Jamie. The measure of time, as you can imagine, has always been very important then as it is now. In fact, before the hourglass was invented, the water clock and sun dial were the tools used to measure time.

What about the use of the hourglass on ships?

Yes, I’m coming to that. The hourglass, also called sand glass, became common on board ships, as the most dependable measurement of time at sea. The motion of the ship, while sailing, did not affect the hourglass, which usually was kept hanging and allowed to swing with the rocking of the ship. Seamen found that with the hourglass they were able to determine not only the time measured by the grains of sands falling through a narrow mid section of the vessel, but also they were also able to determine, the latitude!

So the hourglass was the high tech tool of its time!

Yes, indeed! The compass, and later on, the sextant, became essential tools for navigation. But, hourglasses were inexpensive, since they required little technology to manufacture, and of course their content was not hard to come by since they were filled with sand. With time, the manufacturing of these hourglasses became more common, and its use became a more practical instrument particularly in moving vessels.

What about longitude?

Right! Said Jamie. The east-west coordinate known as longitude, was an enigma to most sailors and much of its calculation was done mostly by dead reckoning. The solution to that problem came much later, like centuries later. The reason being that it required astrological knowledge as promoted by Galileo Galilee.

He was an Italian scientist and astronomer.

Right! He’s considered to be the father of Astrology.

So, in other words, ships knew how far south they traveled, but not know how far they were in regard to the east or west destination? Inquired Emily.

Correct! Navigation was more of an art than a science then. Consequently there were numerous sea disasters.

Trying to take the guesswork, or, out of sea travel and to avoid loss of vessels at sea, the British government established the board of Longitude, to encourage innovators by granting prices to whoever could solve this problem!

John Harrison! Wasn’t he the British clock maker who devised a marine chronometer that won that price?

Yes! Said Jamie much surprised at her comment.

I know a few things myself! Said Emily, with a cocky smile in her face.

I’m impressed! He said.

I’m not stupid, you know. She responded arrogantly.

Jamie smiled and said. Of course, just because you’re a blond doesn’t mean you’re dumb.

OK, enough about longitudes! What about pirates and the use of the hourglass? Emily distracted, looking at a mocking bird that was singing perching on a tree branch.

Well, said Jamie, nervously looking at her distracted by the bird. I found out that the hourglass was also a common symbol used by pirates!

OK, but what meaning did they ascribe to it? She asked becoming restless.

They used it to convey danger, Emily! Said Jamie. You see, it was a warning they gave to their victims.

You mean the unsuspecting victims?

Anyone who saw the sign was in danger of his or her life. He said—adding, Kind of decent of them, don’t you think? Who would have imagined that pirates would give their victims a fair warning?

So why do it, then?

Well, you see Emily, when pirates were in pursuit of merchant vessels and wanted to make their intentions well known to their