A Voyage to Remember the Adventure

By Max Smith

A Voyage to Remember The Adventure is a continuation of A Voyage to Remember a story about a young man from Australia who wanted to see the world before settling down to run the family businesses. Tom Thorp felt like he was missing something and needed to see the world while he was still young enough to sail his boat around the world. However he did not count on such an adventure when he set out.
After fighting pirates, endures storms and even a shipwreck Tom find much more than love on the high seas. The Adventure picks up his story as he sets out again on his voyage with his wife by his side.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483622897

Max Smith

About the Author Max was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma during the time most of our great actors were just getting started in the movies. His imagination put him right in the middle of their adventures. Max grew up during the time that the United States was recovering from the great depreciation of the 1920's and 1930's. His greatest pastime was reading. Each book put him in another adventure as he went with the characters and let his imagination run wild. Max did not start his writing career until he was past seventy years of age. He continues to write and at this time has some twenty plus books he has written in various stages of publication.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Tom and Koelina had just finished packing for their voyage to America. Tom was checking to make sure they had everything they would need. Logan and Susana Tom’s mother and dad came in.

Logan asked Tom is there anything that I can get for you before you sail? You know like a few bottles of our best wine? After all you are on your honeymoon and you can’t go off without taking along something to celebrate with.

Yes dad we have already stocked the wine cooler on the boat with an ample supply. I know you and mom will enjoy Paris and Owen and Arilia’s hospitality. You enjoyed their company while they were here so just be yourselves and enjoy their home.

Yes Koelina said my mom and dad have already started planning for your stay so you will be very well entertained. We didn’t see that much of Paris while Tom and I were there but when we get back from our voyage we intend to see most of the city and country.

Logan asked Tom have you put Owen and Arilia’s part of the treasure on your boat?

Yes dad all safe and secure the way I have it in there. I have it lined with lead sheeting so that it can’t be detected.

While they were talking Skip and Teresa came by and they greeted each other with a hug. Skip said Tom and Koelina, we are going to miss you. Just like before Tom, but now we will miss Koelina also. We have a sister now that is if you don’t mind me calling you sis. You take good care of my brother and your new husband.

Oh Skip Koelina walked over and hugged him and said I would love for you to call me sis. You and Teresa are part of my family now. I would also love to refer to you as my brother and sister. Koelina and Teresa were busy talking and looking over the boat. Skip walked over and started talking to Tom.

Tom we didn’t get much time to talk about your stay on that Island. I know the storm hit and you were busy trying to take care of Roland when your boat got beached. It was really a blessing that you or the boat didn’t get hurt. I saw the cabana you and Koelina made and it was great.

Tom said well we managed to get what we needed from the boat. As you know I had bought that fifty-caliber and my rifle with me. Plus I had my pistol and a machine gun and if I hadn’t we wouldn’t be here now.

I know we saw those graves and there were about nine of them. Did you kill that many Pirates?

No Skip there was three leopards that I killed plus those Pirates and a large Python that dropped on Koelina as we walked through the jungle. I also had to kill two Baboons. We had quite a time there.

Well how was it you found the treasure? Skip asked.

Quite by accident, we had walked along the beach and came to a little cove and decided to go swimming. When I dove in I noticed an underwater cave and swam into it. I found that it opened up into a larger cave. Once inside the cave, I could get out of the water and walk around. I turned around and swam back to where Koelina was and brought her to the cave so we could explore it.

You mean you just accidentally found the cave where the treasure was? Skip said.

That’s about the way it was and after we got in there we could see that the cave went back some ways. We explored it and found there were some old markings on the walls of the cave. So we kept on searching. We found two traps that could have killed either of us but we were able to get around them. We figured that anyone setting traps like that was trying to hide something, so we continued to search the cave. That is when we found those chests of gold and jewels. Then of course you know the rest. After we got rescued we all went back to the island to get the treasure. You and I went in and blew out the end of the cave so we were able to get the treasure out.

When can we start to find out where the treasure was stolen from? You mentioned that we should see if we can find out where those crowns and things like that came from so we can return them to the different countries.

You can start looking by getting on your computer. Go to each country and go back to the sixteen and seventeen hundreds. I believe that was the time that they started pirating the waters in the area of our island. From then on up into the eighteen hundreds I don’t think there were any pirates in the sixteen hundreds but you never know.

And what do we do if we find out where some of these things come from do we just send them to their museum?

NO, do not let anyone know what you are doing. Call me if you find out anything but don’t say anything over the air about what we are talking about. There are people that can and will be listening to the short wave radio and they will hear what we are saying. If someone like those Pirates who were trying to attack Koelina and me were listening it could be bad for us.

Skip then asked what are we going to do when we do contact these countries? These crooks will find out about the treasurer then, how can we get it to the different countries without them knowing?

We use a lawyer to negotiate the transaction. Once we have distributed to each country all the things that belong to then, the fun starts. Because when we start to sell the jewels and the gold there will be a mad scramble to find out where it came from.

Then Skip said then why don’t we use a lawyer to sell all this stuff?

It isn’t that easy Skip we would have to use a more diplomatic way of liquidating the coins because they would have to be auctioned off. We would need to sell them in lots instead of selling them individually. However, we may be able to use a lawyer to set it up so that we would not be implicated.

Skip said Tom this might get real sticky if people find out you have this treasure. We will need an army to protect it if the word got out.

"You might be right so we have to be very careful how we do things. We need to be sure that no one finds out until we have things ready to dispose of it.’

Koelina spoke up and said we could claim it under right of domain that way it would be protected. The courts would have to rule on it, but that way it would be ours and all we would have to do is fight off all the robbers and grafters. We could get hold of a copy of the Admiralty Law and Salvage statutes and find out where we stand. I think that any ship that has sank or abandoned and no attempt to salvage it has been enacted on its recovery then it is up to whoever salvages it. In our case the treasure will be ours and we can return all the things that we can identify, and do whatever we want to with the remainder.

Tom said I knew I married the right woman. Thank you Koelina you just answered the sixty four thousand dollar question. And that is how we can dispose of the treasure and not worry except for people that want to steal it and those that want hand outs.

Tom asked Logan if they were going to see Owen and Arilia soon.

Well we were thinking on going after you and Koelina left.

And I will need you to go with me to do some shopping before we go okay dad?

Sure son what are you looking for?

To tell you the truth I think I will need a Bazooka just in case I run into those Pirates.

Well I know just where to get one Logan said and they left to get all the things that Tom wanted. When they stopped Tom noticed that it was an Army surplus store and said I didn’t know this store was even here.

Well I don’t tell all my secrets to my only son.

Correction dad your oldest son remember Skip you adopted him and he is my brother. Maybe not a blood brother by you and mom but by our love for each other.

I stand corrected son and you are right. I also love that boy and I know he loves you and so does Teresa. I must tell you that you are very blessed to have two friends that care for you like that.

While there Tom saw some hand grenades and said I think I will buy some of these.

Logan said are you going to start a war

Come to think about it I already have plenty. I forgot I bought some before I left on my trip. If you were with me when those Pirates came after me out at sea and on that Island you would understand. Without that fifty-caliber I would not be here. That gun saved my life. By the way dad how is the TV Stations doing now that I haven’t been here to help you? I know how the store is doing and I am proud of Teresa she is quite a woman?

Logan said the stations are doing very well. They can run themselves with the people that we put in charge and the winery is also doing fine.

You know dad you and mom might want to move to France after you see what they have there. Owen and Arilia have a great place, a beautiful mansion and the country is beautiful not as harsh as it is here. And you won’t have to worry about money so you can do whatever pleases you.

Well we will look it over and see. Who knows that might be a possibility. I will let you know after we see what the country is like. I have never been there and neither has your mother.

I tell you what dad you will like the country. I just don’t know about the weather however. I hear it gets foggy there in the winter and they have a little more rain than we do. Logan asked Tom if he needed anything else and Tom started to say no but caught himself and said we need to go to my store and pick up a wet suit and scuba gear for Koelina.

How does she do in the water? Logan asked.

Like a fish Tom said she can almost catch me and that is good. If you put her up against Skip she would probably win and you know how good Skip is. Koelina swims like I do with her feet and legs using a Dolphin’s tail and she can really go.

Son I really like that girl. She suits you to a tee and I see how she looks at you it is like Susana and I were.

You mean still are don’t you dad. Mom looks at you like you are the only man in the world and you likewise. Now don’t even deny it. Am I right?

Yes son you are totally right. Your mom thank God is not only my best friend and help mate but she loves me unconditionally and I do the same. I would be totally lost without her.

"I know dad that is how I feel about Koelina. I know she is new in the Lord but she has the ability to see things that most people take years to see in learning about our Lord. You know Dad because we live our life according to His teachings, He provides us with the things that are necessary for our growth in Him.

Now let’s stop at the store and pick up a diving outfit for Koelina. Then we should have everything we need to go on our voyage."

When they reached the store Skip and Teresa came out to meet them. Tom said we just stopped to get a wet suit and scuba gear for Koelina.

Teresa asked Tom if he knew her size and Tom said yes I sure do its thirty eight twenty four thirty six is that ok.

Boy Skip said you don’t waist any time big brother. I won’t ask how you know I will just take your word.

Tom looked over at Teresa and saw she was blushing and put his arms around her and said sis you stack up like that also. She looked up at Tom and just smiled.

Skip said you know Tom you and I are the most blessed guy’s in all Australia to have these two women love us like they do.

Yes but you forgot dad. He and Mom are in with us. I have been very blessed to have parents like these two to love me and raise me in the ways of the Lord.

Yes Skip said and I have been blessed to have a friend and brother like you and my new mom and dad to teach me about the Lord.

Well just so you know little brother my love for you is even more than a brother’s love. It comes from your love for our heavenly father and this I treasure.

Tom you are the finest man I know and to have you as my brother is a true blessing from our father in heaven. I likewise love you like that. and hugged Tom.

Yes I know Skip that is why we are close. I can see your love for me and it touches my heart and that is why I set it up for you and Teresa. I knew that you wouldn’t take advantage of anything that you thought was mine. But I wasn’t in love with Teresa and I knew you were but were too shy. I saw your love for her and that is what I wanted for you.

You know brother that is why I love you like I do Skip said there isn’t a selfish bone in your body.

Logan had been looking at some of the things that Tom had stocked in his store and came back to where he and Skip were talking and said ok boys what are you two talking about.

Nothing much dad Skip said we were just discussing the world in general and how the wind blows and started laughing and hugged Tom and they were both laughing.

Well it must have been a good blow Logan said for it to make you both silly and joined them laughing.

CHAPTER 2

When they returned home Susana asked Tom when they were leaving and he answered and said we want to get away in the morning so that we can get a good start. I checked and the weather is supposed to be fair for the next few weeks.

That night as they all sat around the dinner table Skip said "I would like to make a toast for the coming years. With my family all here and around me, this is for you. The toast is that no matter where we are we will keep in touch and see each other at least once a year. If you all agree lift your glass and drink with me as I love you all dearly.

Hear, Hear Tom said and you can add to that should any of us not come the rest will go after them and bring them together with us.

Logan said I’ll drink to that and say Amen.

Tom asked Skip and his dad to join him in the study to go over some things. When they were all seated Tom said dad have you made any provisions for someone to stay here and watch the house and the new tasting room?

Well no I haven’t as yet what do you suggest?

I was thinking about Skip and Teresa staying here while you and mom went to see Owen and Arilia. In that way things here would be looked after. What do you both think and forgive me Skip as I hadn’t even asked you if you wanted to do this.

Tom you know that this is family and if that is what is needed I will do it and besides I like dad’s place. I know where mom keeps her frozen pies so it won’t be that much of a burden.

Tom and Logan just laughed and Tom said Skip you are a wonder. I could look the world over and never find a friend like you.

Well Skip said after all we are family and I just wanted to show you that my heart was in accordance.

Teresa spoke up and said Tom and Dad, we would love to stay here and watch over things while you and mom are gone. That way you can enjoy your stay there and not worry.

Koelina went over to Teresa and hugged her and said I am going to miss you sis. I have been so blessed with having you as my new sister. I grew up without a sister and now I have one. Tom and I will be gone for a few months and I want you to keep in contact with me.

Teresa gave Koelina a kiss on her cheek and said "you are just what Tom needed and me too. I have sisters but they are not like you and you and I are real sisters so hurry back. Skip