RICK JOHNSON

A JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

by: Rick Johnson
PO Box 40451
Tucson, Az.
85717
RikJohnson@juno.com

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LONDON

Ruth and I watched the crowd humiliate the speaker from the back of the lecture room. The Royal Society, filled with the great names of academia, saw this titleless upstart as fair game and took every opportunity to ridicule his theory. The fact that he had done more, seen more than many of the men in this room mattered naught to them. THEY had the titles and degrees and he did not and so nothing he said was worthwhile. Of course, the fact that he HAD been allowed to speak at all showed his determination and drive and that impressed me.

“Ruth,” I spoke to the woman at my side in Romanian. “I believe that we have found our man.”

“Are you certain? Listen to this room. They hate him, make fun of him. They think he is a fraud.”

“Exactly, my love, and this is why I want him. A man like that will do whatever it takes to win the respect of these fools. He must force himself to succeed when another would fail. Besides he is desperate and I prefer my men to be somewhat desperate. They try so hard to please me when they are. Come, let us have lunch and allow our target to calm down a bit. I want him relaxed enough to avoid taking his frustrations out upon us but not so relaxed as to be able to find a solution. When dealing with men, this balance is delicate and well worth finding.”

We left the hall, the men bowing to us as they recognized from out dress that our station was above theirs. At least they understood manners… to an extent.

I hated London. It was the ending of the 1800’s and London was a cesspool of filth. Few cared to clean after their horses who defecated in the streets as casually as the people cast their garbage into the streets, alleys and rivers. Daily a horse or ten would die, to be stripped of its tack and left to rot in the streets, only to be butchered by hoards of men with knives who ate the choicest parts, selling the rest to those unscrupulous butchers who would label said cuts as fine beef. Jack was carving trollops in the alleys and it was believed that he was related to the King who protected the Ripper. In some parts of the city, one could not wade through the garbage in the streets or survive the muggers in the alleys. The police were generally corrupt and any man in a tavern near enough to the water risked impressment. And the Summer heat simply aggrevated the stink.

However, the opera and museums were among the best in the world and nightlife here was to die for.

We had our lunch and planned our actions then, when finished, approached the residence of my target. It was a small apartment, a testament to his ability to earn money but not enough to hire a servant so as I rang the bell, the door was answered by his assistant.

“The Duchess Janice Obrien wishes to call upon Mr Samuel Harkins, if you would please announce me!”

He stared at me and my card, the latter gold embossed and carrying the Arms of both Obrien and Kolchek, the former because my most striking aspect is my bosom and I dressed to enhance that part of my anatomy. Finally he was able to tear his attention from both and saw the rest. I am a woman of average height, maybe 5’4” to 5’6”, depending on my mood, strawberry-blonde hair and wealthy enough to afford and enjoy the best clothing and jewelry though I flaunted neither.

Ruth was some 20 years of age, black hair and that large nose that announced her Jewish heritage. She had recently taken to allowing her hair to flow free, counter to the dictates of her Orthodox Jewish heritage, though she still wore a hat in deference to her Faith. She was my adopted daughter whom I had met while being hired by the Ottoman Empire to remove her back to her family.

We both attracted attention for it was rare, almost unheard of even now for a Jew and Pagan to travel together. But wealth and title did wonders and we were quickly ushered in to wait within the tiny entrance as the assistant fetched his master.

We heard words though could not understand them and as quickly were ushered into the salon to meet our host. “Duchess…” he took my offered hand and after a moment’s hesitation, kissed it. “To what do I owe this amazing honor?” He motioned to a couch upon which but I and Ruth sat as he motioned to his assistant who left to rush to a shelf to recover some glasses and a bottle of wine. I waited until our host had poured the glasses then raised and examined mine, then sipped.

“Mister Harkins, we attended your talk and found your theory .. worthy of investigation.”

“Really, Duchess Obrien? Then you believe in the idea that the Earth is hollow and is permeated with a cavern system that will enable man to reach the inner world?”

“I am aware of the belief that the world is hollow. And as I had heard of your theory from a few other sources, I find that it is a topic worthy of discussion.”

“No doubt from that quack, Von Hardwigg!”

“Among others, Mr Harkins. Lindenbrock in Hamburg, Sturluson in Iceland, Innes from America. And a few others. Currently, you are in the lead for my purposes.”

“Your purposes, Duchess?”

“My dear Mister Harkins, you are seeking financing to explore your theory. To date, with little success. How much would it cost to outfit such an expedition?”

He discussed this with his assistant, then they argued quietly as we sipped our wine and examined the room. There were geological fossils and stone on every surface and maps upon every wall, most with notes and arrows to indicate my host’s explorations and wises. Finally they stopped, he turned to me and said, “Duchess, I can outfit an excellent expedition for the sum of… 25,000 Pounds!” He waited for my explosion.

I laughed, then countered, “Considering your discussion and your frequent glances to my card, I suspect that you have padded the amount in the hopes of getting more than you need, but are willing to bargain. Thus I believe you would gladly settle for 20,000 Pounds.”

“You are an astute judge of character, Duchess. 20,000 would be most appreciative and I can guarantee your name in history…”

“Please, Mr Harkins,” I raised my glass for a refill then continued. “I am in contact with your competition. Professor Von Hardwigg has funding from the Royal Society and is seeking additional funding from me and has made a most generous offer. Professor Lindenbrock is also most persuasive to his supporters. Mr Innes in America is exploring the possibility of exploring the interior with Mr Perry’s amazing Iron Mole to whom I have wired funds. Please do not treat me as a fool and do not patronize me.” I opened my purse and removed a number of bundles that I placed upon his table. There were five of them, each containing British Bank Notes and each wrapped with a band that described the contents as 10,000 Pounds each. Here was twice what he had sought to cheat me of.. and he stared more at the money than at my boson as I leaned forward.

“The money is yours upon a few conditions.

“First, my husband has followed Arne Saknussemm journal seeking such fossils as I see around your room. Although your desire to explore the inner world is admirable, the finding and rescue of my husband is first on the list. After that, you may do as you wish.”

“And who, Duchess, is your husband?” he asked. His eyes never left the money. I like an honest thief. I know where I stand.

“An American, Doctor Phillip Paul, a paleontologist or one who studies the fossils of long extinct creatures. We met upon a similar exploratory journey. He entered the Snæfellsjökull crater in Iceland some months ago and I would have him back safe.”

“An admirable quest, Mrs Paul. And one I readily agree to.”

“I prefer my own name of Obrien if you would. I may love my husband but he does not own me. Second, you agree to listen to my suggestions. I do not require you to obey, just listen with an open mind. I have traveled much and you may find my experiences of some value.”

“Agreed, Mrs Obrien. I will listen but as I am the leader of the expedition, any decisions remain mine.”

I nodded then gave the dealbreaker, “Third and last, I accompany you along with my daughter Ruth!”

He froze, the snapped, “Outrageous! A woman on such a dangerous journey! Impossible! Why the hardships alone would destroy most men. That I cannot agree to. No, Duchess, I can agree to all you have said and more but will no, cannot, must not allow you to go along with me!”

“I fully understand your viewpoint thought per condition two, I must remind you that I have traveled much in Europe, Asia and many other places, many that you will not recognize and in few of these did I find such lodgings as I find in your city. But I shall give you a day to reconsider. You will find my hotel upon the reverse of my card. Good day, Mr Harkins.” And we rose to leave.

“Your money?” he asked for I had made no effort to retrieve that fortune.

“I shall leave it for you as an incentive. Shall we say noon tomorrow? My hotel? I shall be dining at their excellent restaurant and will await your agreement or my money. And one thing more, Mr Harkins,” we had reached the door and I waited for his assistant to open it for us, “I prefer your company but if need be, will finance Von Hardwigg or Lindenbrock. There is a race, Mr Harkins. I wonder which of your three will win.”

In the street, Ruth asked, “Mother, he doesn’t believe in us He’ll refuse just as they treated us in Romania.”

“Of course, my sweet, but just as did the Turks, he will come around to accept us and our abilities. He has no choice.”

“That’s why you brought up the others? To force him to act without thinking?”

“Of course. Now, I’d love to see that opera tonight so let us go shopping for appropriate attire.”

“Clothes that we’ll wear once and never see again, I suspect.”

“My love, I may never see that money I left behind either and do I care? Money is easy to earn and as easy to spend. And our lives prove that wealth is, at best, useful. But never a necessity.”

“Of course mother. He will be so suprised when we reveal what we really are to him.”

“That. Dear child, is an understatement.”

THE DOCKS

We ate our meal, knowing that it would be the last decent meal for some time and waited our guest. He did arrive, he did place a bundle on our table and he did apologize. “Duchess, as much as I need the money, I cannot in all good consciousness risk your life and the life of your daughter in such a dangerous task.”

From his stance and tone he expected me to back down like any feeble female in this city. “I completely understand, Mr Harkins. Please, have dessert with us and then accompany us for a ride?”

He agreed, sat and under the effects of a very good bottle of wine and dessert, “I think we will need to do a lot of climbing to remove this from my hips,” I laughed, relaxed.

“I’ve asked around, Mrs Obrien. No one seems to know much of you other than your are wealthy, a fanatic about the Irish Problem, and a noble.”

“In Ireland, we call it the British Problem. And to me the only thing about which I am more fanatic is my family. My daughters and my husband being of the highest priority.”

“And yet, you’d expose your daughter to such hardships?”

Ruth laughed, her English still being studied, “Mr Harkins, I doubt that you can show me greater dangers than My Lady and I have faced.”

“Enlighten me, if you would, Miss Obrien.” It was the first time anyone had used that name to her and she paused… then smiled.

“Moorish pirates in the Mediterranean, a .. “ she laughed, “werewolf in Bulgaria, vampires in Romania. The Inquisition in Italy and always, bandits and murderers and Turks who sought our lives and wealth and bodies.”

“Surely, Miss Obrien, such an enlightened person as yourself cannot believe in vampires and werewolves?”

“Mr Harkins, I am from Romania where Mr Bram Stoker wrote his novel debasing a hero to my people. I was born but a few leagues from Castle Dracul and in my country, we know that your Western Science rarely accepts the truth of the world.”

“Science is all we can trust, Miss Obrien.”

“Then, Mr Harkins, why should we believe you when your cherished science proves that the earth is solid all the way through?”

“Science evolves, Miss Obrien. And we must always be willing to accept new facts.”

“Indeed, Mr Harkins, like the new facts that the Earth may be hollow? Or the new fact that a woman may be as capable as a man in many situations? Or the new fact that archaeosours that died out millions of years ago may still live underground? Or the new fact that vampires and werewolves are as tangible as that Iguanodon that was exhibited at the Crystal Palace?”

Both I and Mr Harkins raised our glasses to the child. He for her logic, me in admiration for her skill and wit!

I interrupted, “But now, Mr Harkins, our carriage awaits, will you accompany us on a short trip. Oh, and you may wish to carry that bundle, if only to protect we poor women from a mugger from your British alleys.”

We had to pause to allow a quadracycle to pass, belching smoke and terrifying the horses. Mr Harkins snapped, “Disgusting devices, they should be banned!” But his eyes never left the machine. Men and their toys.

“I suspect that these monstrous machines are the wave of the future. You would do well to invest in them.”

“How can such a thing be as you believe, Duchess? No, I think that they are a fad, nothing more.”

“So they said when Robert Fulton played at steam in America. And now trains and steamships have all but replaced the sail and carriage.”

“My mother generally knows what she speaks, Mr Harkins. I have found her to be very rarely wrong. Of course, Condition Two simply requires that you listen to her, not believe her words.”

“Condition Two applies, Miss Obrien, only if I accept and so far, you have shown me only that you are both pampered ladies, unable to endure the rigors of the inner world.”

“If we cannot, Mr Harkins, I grant you the right to leave us behind and continue on without fear for our safety.”

“I could not, in all good consciousness, do that.”

“But, Mr Harkins, were my husband or my daughter’s lives be at risk, I would gladly abandon you. The fact that I am willing to take Ruth along should indicate what faith I have in my and her abilities.”

“Your faith in yourself is admirable, though misplaced for I have seen many women who failed at physical efforts when they sought to prove otherwise. You must admit that you are, after all, only women.”

I laughed at that. “Mr Harkins, I have filled entire cemeteries with men who believed that of me. But consider this. I am a Noble. You are a Commoner. And many of my Class wonder at the ability of those of your Class to mimic human speech, much less pretend to read. So if the Nobility can be so wrong about the Common Masses, can not the male gender be also wrong about the female sex? Personally, I find that most people are capable of far more than is believed, if only they would be encouraged.”

He looked at Ruth, a Jewess, someone whom his faith saw as little more than an animal and yet, obviously his equal in at least some ways. All I had asked was for him to think about it. “Ah yes, we have arrived.”

He looked around for we were at the docks, a place that no woman would approach save under strong and armed guards or a trollop searching for customers. Yet, Ruth and I walked as if we owned the place. “This way Mr Harkins.”

I nodded to the burly man leaning at a door who bowed to me and opened said door, handing Mr Harkins a lit lantern. “Enjoy your candy shoppe, Mr Harkins.”

The man stared, then rushed to crate after crate, picking open toy after another as I explained, “The best and most modern equipment money can buy. In some cases, so advanced your noble opposition can not even find their equal. The money I have placed in your trust, consider it a bribe for I shall purchase whatever you feel we shall need. Have we an accord, Mr Harkins?”

“Duchess,” he was drooling now, “There will be little privacy and you will be required to carry your own packs as you will have few servants to do your work for you.

“Of course, Mr Harkins, assuming that you do not expect me to carry a pack loaded for a burly man. If you can carry a 20# pack, we will carry a 15# for a woman is only 75% as strong as a man. But aside from that concession, plus I expect whatever privacy is possible under the local situation, I will expect you and your companions to accord the both of us every respect.”

“Agreed, Duchess, but I must impress you with the hardships and lack of privacy that we will suffer.”

“Shall I disrobe and move these crates, naked, to prove my willingness?” I began to unlace my dress. Ruth stared at me, then with a shrug and reddened face, began to undress also. “My husband’s safety is far more important to me than any false modesty and physical labour.”

“Please, Mrs Obrien,” he turned away. “That won’t be necessary. Please cover yourselves. Ok, I submit. You can accompany us but please, dress appropriately.”

“We shall, Mr Harkins.” I waved and introduced the new arrival. “Mr Samuel Harkins, this is Captain Cosgrove. He owns the _Maiden of the Waves_, a fast steamship that will take us to Iceland. He has given me an estimated arrival time and we leave whenever you are ready. Here is an inventory of the equipment in these boxes, please add to it as you will. Captain, a ten percent bonus for you and your crew for every day you arrive ahead of schedule.”

We left the men to work out their details and entering the cab, returned to our hotel to pack. “Mother, isn’t there any easier way to rescue Philip than this?”

“I wish there were, but so far, we are bound by Law and Convention. Paul came here and then to there so must we.

***

We received a message from Mr Harkins that showed the Maiden to be leaving in the morning at 6am and we should be there or he’d consider us to have changed our minds. “A test, Ruth. He hopes that we will be unable to arise and dress that early.”

She laughed, “He’s never slept outdoors in Romania then. I’ll have our bags sent over. Mother?” she asked.

“Yes child.”

“Thank you for bringing me along.”

“Anytime, my love, anytime.”

ICELAND

We were waiting for our guide as he arrived. “Please Mr Harkins, welcome. Now, as neither Ruth nor I had much sleep last night, I shall leave you men to your work as we nap below.”

“Duchess, I’m surprised that you are here but I doubt that those clothes are suitable for mountain climbing or caveing.”

“No they are not, Mr Harkins. But they are suitable for sea travel.”

***

The trip took five days and I suspect that the Captain had to rebuild his boiler when we arrived, so desperate was he for his bonus.

I spend much of the time watching Ruth play with the whales that accompanied our ship, the crew praising our good fortune and none realizing that Ruth was calling tem to her.

We put into Iceland and I paid the captain in cash, then each sailor who lined the deck and we left the ship in Reykjavik.

We spent the night there as Mr Harkins hired guides and Ruth and I toured the city. ”Like Lebanon, Iceland was once a forest. But as Solomon turned Lebanon into a desert to build his Temple, so did the Vikings deforest this island to build their homes, never thinking for the future. Iceland is the oldest Democracy in the world, so far as they define Democracy for even here, as in America and ancient Greece, women have no vote.”

“Sometimes, Mother, I wonder how any nation survives if they grant ALL men a vote. Most, I find are too stupid to run their own lives, much less a nation or even make decisions.”

Laughing, “That my sweet, is why the Gods invented women, to tell men what to do.”

“And Jason?” she asked. “Does he need a woman to rule his life?”

“Of course, my love,” I kissed her on her lips. “More than anyone else. That is why we have daughters!”

***

In the morning, Mr Harkins entered our room unexpectedly and caught us dressing. Ruth was ready, having a lot of experience wearing men’s clothing and not wearing make-up.. or wearing very little. Me? I could wear pants and boots easily, though I preferred a dress. It was the girls that caused me trouble. A corset looked wonderful under a dress and when all you had to do was walk around looking lady-like, it offered the confinement and support the girls required. But neither corset nor dress were suitable for mountain climbing and caving so I had to change my attire.

And in a shirt, my large breasts bounced free and any shirt large enough in the bust to fit decently, was too baggy elsewhere so I had had to have a dozen shirts made especially for my figure. And without a corset, I also had to practically invent the brassier myself.

Ruth was sitting on the bed, laughing, “Mother, sometimes I feel so inadequate and ugly standing next to you but today, I am so glad my bosom is so small and easily contained.”

I was standing on my toes, then falling to my heels to encourage my breasts to bounce as I watched and checked for a proper fit. Then I’d bend over to touch the floor with my legs straight (Yoga did wonders) and jiggle and shake to see if the girls fell out or remained safe and secure within their nest. It was while doing this that Mr Harkins entered and stared.

“Good morning,” I called from between my legs, my breasts almost in my face as my upper body was upside down and my lower standing straight up. “Do these pants make my arse look fat?”

“ah…” the man was turning red. “Oh… What in Heaven’s Name are you doing, Mrs Obrien?”

I stood, checked the fit to ensure my brassier remained as secure as my bosom. “Dressing, Mr Harkins. Surely, as a man of the world, you have watched many a woman dress? Or do you focus on undressing them and leave them the difficulty of redressing alone?”

“I’m, I’m not accustomed to such a sight, Mrs Obrien.”

“As you said, Mr Harkins,” I undid my shirt, checked the laces in the mirror as our guide stared, open-mouthed. “There will be little privacy and the girls must be protected. I’d hate to fall from a ledge because Beauty and Grace were bouncing around, throwing me off my balance.”

“Beauty and Grace?”

“Do you not name your penis, Mr Harkins? I believe that is so a man will be on a first name basis with the one who makes their decisions. Well, Mr Harkins, I name mine as well. Mr Harkins, please meet Beauty and Grace.” I motioned to my left and right breast, still partially exposed through my open shirt. “I’m afraid the Countess and her Court are unable to receive visitors at this time.”

He ran from the room as Ruth fall onto he bed laughing, “Mother, you are soo evil! He’ll be afraid to look at you for days.”

“Perhaps the next time he will knock before entering.” I replied.

***

We quickly packed and entered the lower room as all the men stared. “I’m sorry, have I forgotten anything? Should I redo my make-up?”

“Mrs Obrien, I.. we are not used to women wearing man’s clothes.”

“Really? I don’t think that these are men’s clothes, I had them made specially for us. Just because they are pants and a shirt-like blouse… I can assure you that no man would be caught in these clothes. After all, no man’s outfit would fit the female form where we are large in hip and bust but narrow at waist. A shirt large enough for me in the chest would be baggy at back and belt. So rest assured that neither of us are ursurping your fashion. We are simply wearing clothing that is more suited for our journey. Now, Mr Sigurdssen, would you please ask our host to pack our breakfast to eat on the road and perhaps store our trunks until we return? Here is more than enough gold to ensure at least five years storage fees. Thank you. No, what we are taking is already on the wagon, what I am leaving are our dresses and other lady-like objects that are inappropriate for the trip but necessary for the trip home.”

Embarassed, for men, especially 19th century British men, do not enjoy discussing female attire or anatomy in the presence of said female, the subject was quickly changed. “Duchess, how long will it be until your things are packed for the trip, I’d like to leave in enough time to catch the sun over the crater.”

“Our things are already packed and a glance through the window shows them on the wagon. We readied matters last night to be as little a burden as is possible.” Then I smiled, “Are these five men to accompany us? And you denied me my own servants. For shame Mr Harkins.”

Again, how that man survived the constant flushing of his face. “Please understand that we were trying to dissuade you from a dangerous and uncomfortable journey. For your own safety, of course.”

“Of course, I do not doubt your motives, just your beliefs. I believe, Mr Harkins, that you will find that we adapt very quickly to adversity. Although I enjoy fine dining, excellent hotels with a soft bed, beautiful clothes and jewelry and even servants, I do not need them. I have probably spent more nights under the stars upon a single blanket than have you. Ah, my breakfast is ready.” We both took a basket and approached the door, “Mr Harkins, I was under the impression that we were on a time constraint. Ruth and I shall await you upon the wagon.”

One of the Icelanders rushed to open the door, for which I thanked him in his own language. The first words I learn in any language are ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. If these men would accompany us,. I’d need to learn their language quickly. Snorri Sigurdssen was our main guide and translator though he’d loose the first capacity as we entered the caves.

As we rode on, I noticed that all eyes save those of the drivers were on my jiggling bosom which had popped a couple buttons. I pretended to ignore the stares though I was glad that my dressmaker had ensured adequate lace to my brassier. If they wished to look, I should be happy that their covert glances were worthwhile.

“Mrs Obrien, I fear that you are exposed a bit,”

“Yes, Mr Harkins, and I shall have words with my seamstress about this. I pay good money for my clothing and hope that the rest are more durable.”

“I notice that you are making no effort to either blush nor adjust your garments.”

“If you are correct, none of us will have any anatomical secrets from each other over the days and weeks. We may as well start now.”

“Again, I am amazed that you are so willing and have made no complaints about the ride or accommodations. Generally, from my experience, the wealthy and Nobility are made of… softer stuff.”

I laughed at that. “As much as I enjoy my money,” I slammed a boot on the edge of the wagon. It was well-made and extended to mid-calf and probably cost more than his entire wardrobe. “I find that there are only two valid reasons to possess wealth. First is to have comfortable clothing made for I learned the hard way that you cannot run from danger while bouncing naked and on blisters. Thus I put a great deal of money into my boots and my brassier.”

“Heels? Are those appropriate?”

I glanced to my 2 inch boot heels. “I will NOT wear flats! And second, it allows me to purchase the services of men like you.”

“Purchase, Duchess? You make me sound like a common…”

“Whore? Mr Harkins? We are all whores. The honest among us admit it. The truth Mr Harkins, you do not want me here, you have made every effort to dissuade my presence. So the only reason I am here is because you need my money and you are willing to .. accommodate my uncomfortable presence for that money.. That makes you a whore. But for my needs, I have never shied from that term for we nobility sell our children to strangers for titles and position. How many of your own Kings and Queens married people they met on their wedding day? Sold and purchased like a common street drab but willing to sell their bodies and souls for a throne or lesser title.”

“Your cynicism is refreshing Mrs Obrien. Doubtless because you married for love.”

“Yes I did, Mr Harkings.. this time. But my first marriage was one of whoredom. I sold myself to my first husband for his title and wealth. So when Alexii died, I swore to allow my children the freedom I never had. And when I met and fell in love with Paul, I went against tradition, for the man is a penniless Commoner, far beneath my station or status. He has never asked for a penny and loves my insides, not the body I wear.”

“I’m confused about that last statement, Mrs Obrien.”

“Look at me Mr Harkins. I see your stares, All men stare at me. I am attractive, my skin creamy and translucent and without blemish. My bosom large and firm and well worthy of admiration. I have been painted by many artists whose names you will readily recognize and pursued by many others. Although I feel that I am but attractive, many men have called me beautiful and do so often enough to shower me with jewels and other baubles that would purchase many a nation.

“But the truth is, Mr Harkins, I am a fraud. All that you see is fake. A façade. I study men and see who they chase and watch. Then I study those women and practice their looks and mannerisms. I pay people to dress me and do my cosmetics and hair. My original hair is mousy brown, I am actually quite flat-chested, I have no sense of fashion, and were you to see me without all these superficial enhancements, you would not give me even a first look.

“But Paul, he saw the physical beauty but complimented my actions. He saw the person inside and he made me feel… beautiful for the first time. Other men come to me and say ‘Great tits’ or ‘did it hurt when you fell from heaven’ or some other insanity as if such crude remarks will unlock my thighs. Paul admired how I had survived in the wild and never ceased to compliment me on the paper I made or the notes I took or how I helped him in his profession. Oh, he appreciated this body, often thrice a day to leave me weak in my knees and sore to sit… But he LOVED the person within and were I still that flat-chested mousy plain person without a penny to my name that I once was, he’d still love me.

“And for that reason, Mr Harkins,” I leaned forward to give him a good look at the girls and that third button that popped into his lap, “I shall enter the bowels of Hell and face a maddened megolosaur with but a stone knife to find and rescue my husband. And I shall allow NOTHING and NO ONE to interfere with my search.”

He actually looked to my eyes this time and said, “Mrs Obrien, had I found a woman like you, I’d have long ago married and now be happy. My only wonder is how your husband managed to tear himself away from your side.”

“Mother,” Ruth interrupted that embarrassing query. “Who do you think those wagons belong to ?”

THE RACE

Ahead and on another road that converged with ours, were other wagons. They had seen us because they quickened their travel. Samuel searched for his field glasses and swore, “Excuse my profanity, Mrs Obrien.”

“Think nothing of it. You shall probably hear worse things from my own lips as the journey progresses. May I ask what you see?”

“Lindenbrock! Or maybe Von Hardwigg, the distance is too great. They seek the center before us. Sigurdssen! Whip the steeds, we must reach the peaks before they do.”

Scared, I called to him, “A moment Mr Harkins. The road is rough and a crippled horse will do more damage than an hour of careful trotting. Allow him the danger and we shall pass him as he sleeps!”

He ignored me until Snorri called back, “The woman is correct. I dare go no faster.”

Samuel sat back, angry and watched the other team pull away. Ruth watched too then asked me in Romanian, a language only we spoke so allowed for confidence. “Mother, why is he so upset? Is being the first so important?”

“For a man, it is. Men run a race to win and despite the ribbons, being second still means that you lost.”

“Why? Isn’t finishing enough?”

“My sweet love, Women cooperate, men compete. When we lived in caves and wore animal skins, women had to cooperate to dig the farms and raise the children. But men were the hunters and had to get the best deer to feed their family. And they competed not only with other hunters but also with lions and wolves. We are a product of our evolution. They must be first, the best, the grandest. When you married, what did your husband think when he learned that you were no longer a virgin?”

She looked down, “He was not kind to me. It was his right. I was a whore and deserved his scorn. Had you not given me such wealth for a dowry, I’d still be an old maid. I’m sorry that you adopted such a whore as am I.”

“Oh now, my love,” holding her was difficult in the rocking wagon. “If you are a whore for the rare, very rare lover, each of whom you cared for, then what must you think of me who lay with dozens of women and men, often forgetting their names the next morning?”

“Oh Mother! I could never think ill of you! Please, you are so, wonderful and perfect, I could never…”

“Shush, my child. If you cannot think ill of me who am a hundred times more promiscuous than are you, then you must not think ill of yourself.. or your sisters. My point was not to cause you pain but to explain matters. Your husband wanted a virgin. He wanted to be the first the best for you. Consider the Christians… when their god wished a son, he did not seduce a woman and wine and dine her. No, he chose a young girl and raped her in her sleep. She had no idea of what had been done to her or why or even who did it. No, she was a virgin who knew not what sex was. And then this stranger enters her bedroom in the dark of night, does.. something to her… then leaves without even a ‘thank you’ or a ‘good evening’. Then, months later when she is growing fat and unable to understand why, the god who raped her in her sleep didn’t even have the courage to tell her directly. No, he had an angel do the dirty deed for him.

“Such are many men. They wish a virgin so we cannot compare them to other lovers and find them wanting. Our host, whose name I will not mention for fear he will know we discuss him, does sleep with the whores he pays to lay for him. Yet, despite his perversion, he still believes that he deserves a virgin bride and will divorce the woman if she fails to bleed like a pig when deflowered. He will demand from his bride that which he will not give her.

“It’s simple competition, my love. He must be the first between a woman’s thighs and he must be the first across that finish line and he must be the first to the interior. And because those fools in the academic world laugh at his lack of credentials even though he is probably smarter and more capable than most of them, so desperate is he for their praise and acceptance that he will kill himself and us to be first.”

“I still don’t understand why being first is so important. Isn’t being there enough? You were not a virgin when you met Phillip yet he loves you so.”

“And Paul sometimes wishes I were a virgin for my past makes him insecure. He fears that I compare him to my other lovers and find him wanting. Paul is neither the biggest nor the best and he knows that, but he doesn’t understand that to a woman, to most women I should add, being in love MAKES even the worst lover grand. Fortunatly, Paul IS grand in that area so I have never failed to be satisfied.

“Tell me, my sweet. Who was the second Jew into Israel? Who was the second man to land in America? Who is the second man on the moon or the second to climb Everest or the second…? History records the first. Only the first. And our host has always been lost in history. This is his one chance to be famous, to make a name for himself to be accepted. And he sees it slipping away. We need to find a way to pass our competition. But not for us, for him else he will take dangerous steps that risk our lives to pass that man.”

“So we must aid Mr Har… to be certain that we live? That doesn’t seem fair. Like virginity, if you are in love, it shouldn’t matter.”

“Welcome to the real world.”

“Mother, I.. I never compared men. I just enjoyed them and basked in their love for me. Even that... first… The one who first seduced me and laughed at my love so I killed him. I can hardly remember his face but, I never compared him to others… later. Do you?”

Absently, “No my sweet child. I focus on my pleasure and rarely on that of my companion. I suppose that now I can easily but during the act, I forget to do so and enjoy the act.”

“I thought I was different for men compare women all the time.”

“That, my love, they do.”

“And does Jason?”

I glared, then relaxed. “Yes he does. And before you ask, he also rates his love for his children, knowing exactly which he loves more and why.”

“Then… “

“Sweety, I do not. I love you all the same. I love you as much as I love my own son I bore and I love you both as much as I love Jason’s daughters. And I will not tell you what you wish to know. Be content with the fact of our love.”

“yes mother.” But even a part of her smiled, another part was sad. She had never been formally adopted. She simply moved into Jason’s house and when I was around, mine. Both of us called her our ‘daughter’ and she called both of us ‘mother’ but by Law, she was still a Romanian Jew belonging to her Romanian Jewish father who had disowned her as a monster.

***

We reached the summit long after our competition, passing the other wagons as they returned. The Icelanders exchanged greetings and then Snorri explained, “They unloaded and left the others on the summit but don’t know which crater they entered.”

“Damnation!” Samuel swore. We’ll have to wait for the clouds to part to find the right crater and that could be days!

We unloaded and the wagons left as we explored the summit. The sun would rise on the Kalends of July and mark the way. But we had three choices and the wrong one could cost us days. Then one of the Icelanders called out!

“He says that the others went down there! He found their tracks.” Looking down with field glasses, he remarked, “I see them, They are almost to the bottom. Quickly, then,” Samuel cried, “we must follow and pass them.”

“Mr Harkins, wouldn’t that be dangerous so soon in the journey. Surely we can advance at a brisk pace and slowly overtake them?”

“I don’t expect a woman to understand this but we must pass him quickly or loose the race.” Race, my only race was to find Paul before he died. The man was fine in his university museum but lost in the field. Or lost in a field where the old rules failed.

Samuel was packing his bag and directing the Icelanders to follow the other trail when Ruth called out, “Mr Harkins, I believe that they chose the wrong crater.”

He paused then looked at me as I lifted two fingers. Condition Two required that he listen to us, not obey us. “Very well, Miss Obrien, why do you say that?” He sighed in irritation but did listen.

“There, see those shadows. Bats live there. If there were a cave or tunnel, they’d roost deeper. But that crater has more bats and they are deeper into the bowels. That is the way down.”

“Hr Harkins, I believe Ruth. She has a talent for this sort of matter, a talent that has saved my life on many an occasion.”

He strode back and forth, muttering to himself then looked at Snorri who shrugged. He got paid even if we got lost. “Ok, Mrs Obrien. I didn’t see any cloud break while he was up here so he didn’t use the sun for a guide. And he is so far ahead that I’d never catch up dragging two women so… I’ll take a chance and if you are right, we win. If wrong, we are days behind. Would you care to wager on this?”

“What stakes?”

“If you are wrong, then you two return to England and we keep the gear and money.”

“And if she is right?”

“I put your husband’s welfare above my own.”

“Done and Done, Mr Harkins!” I pulled a knife from my belt and cut my wrist then handed the blade to him, offering my wrist. He sneered, “I’m no barbaric Irish! My word as an Englishman should be enough.”

That was the first time I came close to pushing that vile man over the edge. I even took a step forward but Ruth held me with a whisper “we need him” and I forced a smile. “It will do, Me Harkins,” I replied In a cold voice. A woman has a thousand ways to punish a man and I would explore them all.

THE DESCENT

While Samuel and Snorri conferred as to the best way to drop the gear to the bottom, Ruth and I placed strong leather gloves upon our delicate hands then strapped a belt about our waists. From the back of this belt was a loop which we passed between our legs to clip to the buckle at our bellies. Thus secured, we then tied our ropes to a convenient tree, passed a loop of this rope through a hole in the t-buckle and over the ‘t-crossbar’ and pulling this taught, we backed to the ledge. While leaning back, the rope holding us from falling, I called, “Mr Harkins, we shall see you at the bottom,” and as he yelled to us, “back away from that edge…” we leapt backwards and fell with scream.

Partway down, we pulled the dangling rope to slow our fall and as the rope tightened to cause us to fall into the side of the crater, we bent our legs to absorb the shock then pushed off again, releasing tension on the rope as we fell, It took some half dozen of such leaps before we reached the bottom, Ruth laughing, “Mother that was so much fun! Can we do it again?”

Unfastening the rope from my t-buckle, I said back, “No doubt my sweetheart but this is NOT a race. Mr Harkins? Are you planning to spend the day and night up there or would you like to join us down here?”

“Mrs Obrien, you live?”

Ruth began to make ghostly sounds as I called back, “Join us and find out!”

“We’ll lower the packs. Stand back.”

“May I suggest that we tie the rope off and you slide them down the rope one-at-a-time?”

“An excellent suggestion, Mrs Obrien. Call when you are ready.”

I sent Ruth up the far side of the crater to tie the end of our rope to a convenient rock then we had a loop at the bottom to catch and slow the bags as they fell and tried to rise. “Whenever you are ready, Mr Harkins.”

The first one slid down, reached the bottom, almost dragging, then slid up the rope to the knot to slow, stop and drift back where we untied it. “Ready for the Second, Mr Harkins.” I called.

It took a very short time to get all the bags down. It took much longer for the six men to lower themselves by rope, not having the advantage of our repelling harness that I had had made. “An amazing invention, Mrs Obrien. Have you many more?”

“As many as I need, Mr Harkins. Though I believe the climb up will be far more difficult and much slower than the ride down. Ruth has found the cave down and a sign, if you will?”

Ruth showed him the rune carved into the rock. It looked like the letter “R”

“R?” Samuel asked. “Who the devil is ‘R’?”

“Not ‘R’, Mr Harkins, ‘Raidho’! Did you not say that the Way to the Interior was discovered by an Icelander, Arne Saknussemm, around 1100? Back then Iceland did not use the Latin Alphabet but preferred the Viking Runes! This is a Rune, not a letter.”

“And the difference being what? Mrs Obrien.”

“Letters are sounds. Runes are sounds or numbers or objects or symbols, all determined by context. Raidho is the ‘r’ sound but it also means ‘wagon’ and symbolized ‘journey’. If I wanted to mark my way, I’d use an arrow pointing the way I went or the way back. But a Viking wouldn’t do that, he’d carve this symbol to say ‘the journey goes this way’.”

“So your daughter was right and we are on the right trail. They,” he pointed back, “Are going to be very lost. Let’s pack up and move on.”

“Mr Harkins, shouldn’t we send a message to them so they don’t accidently get lost and die?”

“That, Miss Obrien, is not our concern. They take the same risks as do we and wouldn’t help us. Let us pack and move on!”

As we did he glanced and commented, “Mrs Obrien, I notice that you have changed your shirt?”

Laughing, “I felt that my appearance could distract you all at a dangerous moment and so took advantage of the privacy offered by our separation. Will you not reconsider warning the others?”

“I will not, Mrs Obrien. They would not assist us. Will my refusal alter our agreement?”

“Not at all, our agreement is to find my husband. Aiding the competition is simply a moral choice. I may not agree with you but will not argue. A lava shute. The trail shall be slippery but easy for some time I imagine.”

Lava often forced itself through cracks in the rock, melting its way through and forming round tunnels that could go for miles. Often they are straight but as often, they wind going as the path of least resistance allows. Thus this tube was going down at a decent angle to allow an easy walk, but it could easily change to vertical or horizontal at a moment. I felt the walls and they were smooth but cool. “Mr Harkins, have you ever been in a lava tube?”

“Many times, Mrs Obrien. Some are cold and filled with ice, others hot and filled with steam. Please watch your step.”

“We shall, Mr Harkins. I made certain that our boots were well soled for smooth rocks.” And with electric lanterns that required regular cranking to generate the glow, we passed for what seemed like hours. We mostly went down at an angle that changed from almost horizontal to almost vertical and in the latter, we drove a piton and lowered ourselves by rope the dozen or more feet to the next change. The tube appeared to twist about until I was certain that we were descending as a corkscrew straight down.

At one such drop, one of the Icelanders found a rusted piton. Too far gone to use but evidence of a prior visitor. This discovery made our host very happy and he would have danced had he room. “Proof! This proves that we are on the right track!”

I commented to Ruth in Romanian, “No it doesn’t. It only proves that someone came this way before. But was it a random explorer or Mr Sturlson on his journey? And if it was driven by Sturlson, was it on a blind exploration or on the true path.?”

“Mother, if he carved that Rune at the entrance, and if you are correct in the meaning, then this must be the way down. Wouldn’t he carve a different Rune at the wrong paths?”

“Probably. So let us assume that you are correct and that Mr Harkins knows his job.”

We slept twice and rested often as the heat dropped then climbed. Samuel explained during one rest, “This tube must be passing near lava or ice tubes. This would explain why the temperature changes so often.” Then he lectured as was his way.

I asked Ruth, “Am I that pompous when I talk?”

“No mother, you make life interesting, his makes it dull and boring.”

“There were two men by the name of Arne Saknussemm. The first in the 12th century, I believe who discovered the way to the interior. His writings were preserved by Snorri Sturluson and the second in the 16th century who followed his ancestor. The second was persecuted for heresy and his writings burned. Thus we have no first hand accounts of the way in. But two men at least entered and exited safely.”

“Mr Harkins,” Ruth asked. “If these two Saknussemm people entered, does this not mean that you will be third?”

He gave her a dirty look then added, “Miss Obrien, the Vikings first discovered America centuries before Columbus, yet it is Christopher Columbus who entered history. It is not always the first, but the one who returns and reports his findings that gets the credit.”

She turned to me and switched to Romanian, “So, our host has already lost the race yet seeks some way to justify his continued running?”

I laughed back, “Exactly. And the fact the Both Paul and I spent a year inside the Hollow Earth and the fact that Paul in within right now is carefully ignored by his ego. No matter, I never sought fame so allow the fool his glory. I will be happy enough to lie within Paul’s arms again.”

“I wonder why the others chose that crater?” I said in English.

“Does it matter, Mrs Obrien?” Samuel replied without interest.

“I am a woman with a woman’s curiosity. I dislike unsolved mysteries for even a minor missing detail will spoil the meal. They hesitated not, they climbed, they descended and they continued on. They had a reason, Mr Harkins. I wonder why.”

Samuel dismissed my questions with a wave. It was enough that we were on the right trail. For me, I wondered why the others sought to descend into that chimney? Were there two entrances? I recalled a theory that the Earth was like swiss cheese or a sponge with many caverns and tunnels all over the world. The dinosaurs in Brazil discovered by Maple White or those in Mexico by that American Circus or the ones in central Africa could not be survivals. No creature lives that long. Most die long before a century, a few like some whales and turtles can life for almost 400 years but millions? Never! And any land small enough to remain undiscovered could not contain a breeding population of dinosaurs.

Thus, the theory went, there were many entrances to the inner World and what living dinosaurs we see are simply those that wandered into a cave and got lost, to eventually exit upon the surface of the Earth. Jason read a paper on that so perhaps both of these craters entered the Hollow Earth with a different explorer finding a different way down similar to one volcano spewing lave through many vents in the same cone.

We stopped for dinner, having hiked through lunch and as the Icelanders cooked our meal, Ruth and I excused ourselves and walked up the tube some ways until we were lost in the dark. I wished privacy for when we voided our bowls and found a slight dip that would prevent our urine from flowing to the dining spot. “Mother, I do so hope we return by a different path.”

Then we returned to the group to pass the bearers who appeared to have the same thoughts. At least their laughter up the tube showed that they had found our own toilet.

We ate in silence save one question, “Mr Harkins, how long do you think this tube will run?”

“I have no idea, Mrs Obrien. Perhaps around the next bend, perhaps days of hard travel.” And so after eating, we cleaned our teeth as best as possible, water being too valuable to waste on even a sponge-bath, and then moving a bit down the tunnel, lay our packs to form a barrier of sorts and removing our clothes, slept on a blanket in relative privacy.

We awoke with the call of Samuel who was shouting for us to get dressed. I was half into my pants before I realized that the only way he could know we were naked (safe for a light shift) was if he approached to wake us, saw our near nudity and returned to the group to shout us awake. I chose to ignore that unpleasant thought and once dressed in a new set of clothing to allow the previous day’s attire to air, we joined the group for breakfast and another day of travel.

Three days we performed that mind-numbing walk. We strode down, ever down, sometimes driving a piton and climbing down a rope, rarely level, and would break only when Samuel felt tired. Neither Ruth nor I dared make any request for rest, fearing that he’d take that as an admission of weakness and send us back so on we walked, dead to the world and asleep on our feet. At the rare rests, we would collapse and not even remove our packs. Goddess! I had thought that I was in good shape and would walk him into the ground.

“Tired, Mrs Obrien?” he asked on the fourth day.

“Very much, Mr Harkins. But I will confess that I wish that you had taken the opportunity to bring a change of clothes for the single outfit you wear reeks of sweat!”

Ruth laughed and offered in her native tongue, “And when it falls apart from that sweat, we can watch him naked, a sight that will force us to lead the way.”

DAY FOUR

It was near the end of the fourth day (according to Samuel’s watch) that we left the lava tube and found a crack in the wall. The tube continued but to the right the wall broke as if the heat had touched cold and shattered. Samuel peered within using his electric torch and asked, “Now which way?”

We searched around and finally one of the Icelanders found the mark, partially covered by limestone. By now both Ruth and I could understand much of what they said though we had difficulty speaking. Despite my partial Danish ancestry, thanks to the Viking invasions of my native land, I had difficulty with the Nordic languages. Iceland speaks Icelandic, a form of Old Norse though Danish is also spoken and English is making onroads. Still, when we arrived in the island, I was often mistaken for being Danish because of my stature and hair.

But the mark was there, another “R” carved into the entrance to the crack with a “H” for Hagalaz carved on the floor of the tunnel. “Mrs Obrien, what does this mean?” Samuel asked.

“Haglaz, Hailstones. Danger I believe.”

“Then, Mrs Obrien, We shall enter that cavern.”

“I agree, Mr Harkins. I am so tired of this tube.”

Forcing ourselves in, the Icelanders struggling through the narrowness but Ruth entering easily, I commented, “Water! Stalactites and Stlagmites. All formed by water dripping through limestone. There is a seabed above our heads Mr Harkins.”

“I hope it remains there. Your knowledge of arcane facts is little short of amazing.”

“I read a great deal, Mr Harkins and I listen for men love to talk about their work. I wonder if this is a dry or wet cave? I hope the latter.”

“And why is that, other than our water reserves are running low.”

“I could use a bath. Mr Harkins, and so do you.”

“What is that smell?” Ruth asked.

“Ammonia!” Samuel sniffed. “Have you ever been in a bat cave?”

“I try to avoid them, Mr Harkins,” I commented.

“Bat caves smell like this… the waste from the bats collects on the floor and generates ammonia and guano that is mined for fertilizer and gunpowder. Yet,” he scanned the uneven floor with his lantern then raised it high, “I see neither bat nor guano.”

I turned to Ruth who was standing there with her eyes closed, then she opened them, ‘No bats. No bugs. Nothing!”

“What else generates that smell?” I asked.

“Many things, but nothing that should exist down here. Let’s move on.”

The cavern was large, but not in the soap-bubble large sense. More like the ‘lots of caves and smaller caverns that are interconnected large’ and we soon lost our way until Samuel had the Icelanders stand one in sight of the opening with a lantern and another at the limits of sight. And so we created a human chain of light. Samuel found another tunnel, more like an elongated cave with smooth floor but rocks on ceiling and walls and he suggested, “this way!.”

“Do you see the Rune?” I asked.

“No need, Mrs Obrien. This is the only way.”

Ruth froze, then backed away. “no..” she whispered. “Bad.”

“I think we should search further, Mr Harkins.”

“I lit a match and there is a breeze from this tunnel. It’s also where the ammonia stink originates. Come along.”

We watched the group enter then followed. The alternative being to remain behind. “One moment, Mr Harkins,” I called as Ruth and I pulled from our packs a series of poles that we assembled into a seven-foot shaft each. On the end we stuck our hollow-handle belt knives. Then, as we walked with spears in hand, the roof and walls became narrower until we were crouching. We almost bumped into the group who was waiting ahead. “What?”

“Look!” he said, his lantern showing something white stretching across the floor. He and I approached until we saw a white string from wall to wall. There were more ahead.

Samuel took my spear and touched the string. Instantly a large spider ran from concealment along the string. Its body was the size of my fist with legs so long that it was easily a foot long and 8” across. Samuel killed it with my spear then flung the thing ahead to strike another web. Another spider ran out to attack the body and then dragged it back to hiding.

“Well, they don’t seem to be very many of them so if we are careful…” And he stepped over the first then the second web and continued on. The rest of the men followed. I looked to Ruth and asked, “Is this?”

She nodded and said, “I can control them, I think. But there are so many….”

“Just be careful sweety.”

The further we went, the lower the roof until we had to separate Ruth’s spear into two smaller crutches to avoid falling over. Then we bumped into Sorri who whispered, “Up ahead a bundle, like spider prey but larger than a man.”

I worked my way to the front to see Samuel peering, the lantern hanging from the tip of my spear. “I still can’t see but it’s huge.”

The Icelanders talked then one moved past, carefully stepping over the webs until he was almost kneeling over the body. He tapped on it then worried at the web until he called back, “Human. A man. Desicated like a dried husk found in the icy wind. He must have tripped over the webbing. There is another one ahead.” He moved then before anyone could scream, a spider far larger than the others, a body the size of a football and legs a foot long ran out. It stopped in attack position inches from the man as Ruth whispered, “We must leave.” She could hold that monster all day if she had to but why force her. Then it moved an inch as she began to sweat. “There are so many… hungry… eight eyes… I see through countless groups of eight eyes.” she mumbled.

By then most had left but the one at the furthest end stepped on a web trying to avoid three of the monsters. Two broke Ruth’s spell and before she could stop them, they had sunk their fangs into his leg. Then they ran back under her mental control. “I’m sending them images of a giant spider… hurry.”

The first took three steps then froze.. shuddered and began to shake, disturbing strings and Ruth was hard put to stop them all. One of the Icelanders turned back to help his friend and they almost made it out until the first collapsed, dragging his friend down onto a dozen strings. A dozen spiders ran out to stop, frozen then the second screamed and beat at his legs. All broke and ran save Ruth who fought to keep them away, me and Samuel who approached to fetch them. Then the giants arrived, biting the men and then freezing as Ruth took control.

“It’s too late Ruth, they are both dead, just hold them off while we escape.” I told her.

We moved back, more spiders approaching us then we broke and ran, dragging the child with us.

At the opening, we collapsed, Ruth crying in Romanian, “I tried. Too many. I saw through their eight eyes. Hungry… so viscious… I tried.. I….”

I held her, stroking her hair, “That’s ok baby, mommy’s here. Shhh, sweety, everything will be ok. Let mommy take care of you,” as she whimpered.

I barely heard the Icelanders swear in anger. “We couldn’t see the bodies but knew they were here.” Finally Snorri brushed away some dust crying, “Here it is!”

“Mrs Obrien, It’s ok, even the strongest men would run in terror at those monsters. There is nothing wrong with your daughter being so scared.”

I wanted to slap that man’s face off screaming into the hollow shell of his skull… “You fecking idiot! Ruth saved us all by controlling those spiders so we could escape. You are so lucky she was able to stop most of them.” Instead I asked, “What does it look like?

“The ‘H’ and a stick with a sideways v..”

“A thorn on a stick?”

“Exactly, Mrs Obrien. What does it mean?”

“Thorn or giant. Hagalaz and Thurisaz. Danger and giant. Giant danger that captures.”

“Couldn’t he had just said ‘giant spiders ahead’?” Samuel asked, angry with the loss of two of our men.

“I believe he did, Mr Harkins. I believe that he did.”

Snorri was arguing with his countrymen and finally said,. “The others return. I go with you but not them.” They left, taking some of the supplies but leaving most with us. I never learned if they made it out. And now we were four. Samuel Harkins, Snorri Sigurdssen, Ruth and myself.

“Mrs Obrien, you should go back with them and take your daughter. She shouldn’t stay here.”

“NO!” she screamed. “Mother, please don’t.”

“Mr Harkins, we still must find my husband. We shall continue on.”

“Is there anything I can say to dissuade you?”

“There is, Mr Harkins. Tell me that you found my husband on the other side of the pillar.” He actually looked.

COAL

Looking around, Snorri found two more openings, one with the “H-Th” rune and one with the “R” rune. As we prepared for the entrance to the correct tunnel, I asked, now calmer, “Mr Harkins, that spider tunnel DID lead someplace. The tunnel narrowed but it did continue on. Something comes from that tunnel up that shaft to this cavern. Something worth those spiders laying in wait. I do wonder what it is?”

“Mrs Obrien, if you wish to face that horror to see, I promise by God’s Grace, that I shall bind you and your daughter and carry you kicking and screaming to the surface.”

“Still, I dislike an unanswered mystery.”

“I imagine that you have gotten yourself into a lot of trouble with that feline curiosity, Mrs Obrien.”

“More than you can imagine, Mr Harkins. And often to my dismay and regrets. Who shall lead?”

“I will,” he stated, “with Snorri in the rear and you two between where we may protect you.” Then he added, “Snorri went into the other tunnel a bit and found it opens into a coal vein. So rest your curiosity.”

An hour into this and we found coal deposits then more coal until we were in a large cavern of coal that had been opened up by a vast quake. “We are far from the volcanoes of Iceland,” Samuel commented, “else this coal would have burned with the heat of the magma. This is probably the same one as the other tunnel but leads elsewhere.”

“Mr Harkins,” I called to him. “Do not coal miners carry canaries into the depts. To test for noxious fumes?”

“They do, Mrs Obrien, but without such warning, we can only pray.”

After another day the crack in the coal ended at a solid wall of granite. For a brief moment Samuel was tempted to blow a hole in the wall with a stick of dynamite that he carried but sanity returned and after an hour of futile searching, the two men gave up and we began the arduous task of reclaiming the distance lost. “I cannot understand it, the Rune said to go this way.” He muttered then called out, “HERE! Look a falling of the coal. It hid the path!” and with some work, we cleared that opening and following it, soon reached the granite wall that led us ever downward.

“How long do you think that crack was filled,” I asked our host.

“Not long, Mrs Obrien. It was cleared quite easily and so must have fallen within weeks, perhaps days. It is quite probable that it was open when your husband passed and sealed later.”

“Why do you suppose? The volcano has been extinct since the 1500s.”

He shrugged, “This volcano may be extinct but occasionally I feel the rumblings through the rock of others that remain active. Something happened, the roof fell and we cleared it. Is it important?”

“Only in that I dislike a mystery.”

We followed that new opening until we felt the temperature rise. Steam was ahead and was condensing along the walls to run to the floor and then downwards. “The walls are quite hot,” Samuel commented as he pressed his hand to the sides.

We moved forward in the humidity, I laughing, “Ruth, your sister would often pay a great deal for a steam room like this. And here we have the benefit of steam and exercise. The excess pounds shall melt away and we will be as thin as a model.”

“Those models, mother, are far too skinny. They need some meat upon their bones.”

“I agree. But that is what sells. Be glad that neither of us must starve ourselves to attract a man.” I laughed back. “Though this steam is ruining my hair.”

“Not to mention our clothes,” she said. It was true, all of us were dripping and soaked and I feared heatstroke. So hot was I that I was forced to loosen my brassier and shirt for the men had long ago accomplished that very feat. I did have a wish that I was wearing light silk over coarse and heavy linen and I also wished that one of the men would offer to carry my backpack, but the agreement was that we would carry our own and so we suffered.

The floor was slick with run-off and the temperature steadily rose until we could barely see through the steam. “Have you any suggestions, Mr Harkins?” I asked.

He thought a moment then suggested, “Remain here while I explore.” And then left us to vanish in the steam.

Shortly we heard him swear as if he were a sailor and picking ourselves from the dry areas we found, rushed forward.

THE WELL

When we arrived, we found a jet of steaming water rushing from a hole in the wall, to condense and run down the corridor. What we suffered was the hot steam rushing upward. Samuel was swearing again, throwing pieces of rock down the corridor that was covered with running water.

“These rocks!” he shouted. “They are freshly broken. And look! Marks of a pick! Someone was here before and opened this wall to the water.”

We let him rant for awhile then I offered, “Then we must be certain to catch up with them as they rest.” Initially, the steamy water sprayed the opposite wall ad as the steam moved uphill, it soaked the walls and ceiling to condense and run to the floor, creating a stream down the center and making both wall and floor slick.

Although most steam rushed upwards, enough went down to soak the walls and ceiling along our path and this caused a danger as we descended. After some feet, the steam vanished and the walls dried as the water ran down the center of the tunnel, sometimes as a quick narrow torrent, other times as a broad river and always there were rapids and falls. It was an outerworld river in miniature determined by the features of the floor of the tunnel, but always, slick and dangerous.

And so we followed for two days. Occasionally finding the remains of their meal and once, their toilet. We had to go slow, despite Samuel’s insistence, for the water was made the walking slippery and dangerous and more than once, one of us would slip and fall. Once occasion, Samuel himself slipped and was carried down the tunnel for some distance into the darkness until we heard a scream. He had struck a rock in the floor that had prevented further progress and when we carefully reached him, he was sitting on the side of the tunnel, well soaked and rubbing his thigh.

Finally we reached a crevasse into which the stream fell. The thing was huge and the sides rough but Samuel commented that they formed a staircase of sorts “It’s beautiful,” Ruth commented.

“That it is,” Samuel added, rubbing his thigh. I believed that he was thinking how lucky we was to have struck that rock else he’d be falling with the water into that bottomless crevasse. He quickly found the “R” rune and we proceeded into the depths of the earth.

***

The going down wasn’t difficult, though neither was it easy and for three days we descended into that abyss. We slept when we could find an area large enough though I admit that I feared rolling to my doom were I to toss and turn in my sleep. Fortunatly, we found no area large enough for all to sleep together and so slept and rested spread up and down nature’s stairwell. Once I climbed down to find Samuel peeing over the side into the stream laughing as he did. “Drink this, you bastard!” I could barely make out his form and so returned to Ruth and suggested that we refill our canteens only when we had Mr Harkins in sight and clothed.

For days we descended, rushed by Samuel who swore at the group ahead often whenever he found evidence of their trail but we continued on at a, to my mind, dangerous pace. Yet, on a number of occasions, one of us would slip and fall, almost going over the edge. These incidents only inflamed Samuel who was upset at the time it took to save the unfortunate. “Perhaps, Mr Harkins,” I suggested, “were we to go slower and more carefully, we could avoid the time lost to rescue?”

He just glared in the lamplight and rushed on. And so the lower we climbed, the more often the missteps became as we became more and more exhausted and made more and more mistakes.

We slept only when Samuel was exhausted and then as the abyss changed direction from down to a slope, I confronted Samuel for my patience was long gone, “MISTER HARKINS!” I snapped, looking up to him. “We are all exhausted. A dozen times we came near to falling to our deaths. My feet hurt, my back hurts, I am starving and faint with hunger. If you persist in this madness, then do so without us. We, Ruth and I shall rest here for a day or more until we can continue on. Then we shall follow as best we can. Leave us if you will but at least be so kind as to mark your trail!” I knew he would refuse to rest, he barely listened to my words.

He sputtered, raved about the group ahead and through it all I stared at him as if he were a servant I wished to beat. Finally he stated, “Very well, Mrs Obrien, if you cannot continue on, ….” He paused, looked around and continued in a rush, “then remain here and catch up when you are able!” then he turned and the two were gone!

“Dammit!” I swore. “I thought I had him.” I took a deep breath, my wet shirt clinging to my frame, then sighed, “Ruth, sweety, set camp and we shall regain our strength and move on alone.”

“Mother, can we? Do you know how to travel underground?”

“I suppose that we shall learn, my dear. I suppose that we must learn.”

As we set our dinner out, Ruth asked, “I am surprised that Mr Sigurdssen left with Mr Harkins.”

“Mr Harkins pays Mr Sigurdssen’s wages.”

“With the money you gave him, mother!”

“He does, but still the money comes out of Mr Harkins’ pocket and not our purses.”

“Sometimes, mother, you are so… nice. If I could I’d infest his clothing with fleas and crickets.”

ALONE TOGETHER

I have no idea as to how long we remained there, resting. We removed our boots and clothes, washed them in the stream and lay them on rocks to dry as we slept for a very long time in our shifts. We awoke when refreshed, ate, talked and slept some more. But as for time…

We had packed: socks, medical supplies, canteen, enough lipstick and mascara for a year, more socks, soap, journal and pen & ink, change of clothes, sewing materials, electric torches, food, still more socks, revolver and ammunition, our knives and many other necessities but the one thing that I forgot, was a watch. And this far underground, time was determined by the pocket watch carried by Samuel Harkins. But established by his desire to eat and sleep and awake regardless of the face of his pocket-watch.

We did have plenty of water and found a depression that filled so were enjoying a bath when we heard a sound as of something scraping upon the rocks. “Mother” Ruth whispered.

“I hear. Fetch our weapons as I attract their attention.” And I began to sing as I splashed in the dim light. We were saving our bulbs and lanterns so kept them low. Since Ruth could not sense the visitors, they could not be animals for Ruth could sense and control animals and insects and birds. It made things nice for she would send away any vermin in the area and we never suffered the fleas and ticks that other travelers endured.

But there were worse things underground than bugs. The fey lived here and Knockers and Kobolds and other such creatures shared the caves with demons and the occasional humans trapped underground and long gone mad. There were stories of a reptilian race that had come from the stars and, abandoned by their fellows, had moved underground to take humans as slaves. Other stories told of people driven underground to escape danger and trapped, grew blind and pallid and mad, consuming the flesh of whatever bugs they caught enhanced by the occasional explorer who fell into their clutches. And here was I, unarmed and naked.

REUNITED

“Mrs Obrien,” a familiar voice called.

Rolling over, I called back, “Is that you Mr Harkins?”

“It is. I… I apologize for leaving you as I did. It was beastly of me and I beg your forgiveness.”

“I suppose that your reasons felt proper and thank you for returning. Ruth and I are rested and ready to continue if…”

“If, Mrs Obrien? More conditions?”

“Just one, Mr Harkins. Would you and Mr Sigurdssen please turn away that I may dress?”

I didn’t need light to know that they both were embarrassed, Snorri less so for Icelanders often bathed in hot springs ignoring the sex of their companions. The British, like we Irish, were far less cosmopolitan. But they turned around and left me to leave the pool, naked as the day I was born, and then I dried and returned to our nearby camp to dress.

“He came back!”

“I suspect that it was more because he became lost and needed us. Still, we will not present those thoughts and be grateful that we have regained our guides.” Then whispered, “But if we find any fleas along the journey…” She laughed at the thought and soon we both were dressed and calling to Samuel, “Mr Harkins, you may attend. We are packing our kit and will be ready shortly.”

“As you wish, Mrs Obrien. May we beg a bite of your left-over meal?”

“Please help yourselves.” I offered. Then we adjusted our knives and revolvers at our hips, and rolled our bedding as they ate.

***

Despite our agreement, Samuel rushed us and we allowed this, and as the path was smooth and we had plenty of water, we emptied our canteens to lighten our load and in a week, resting when necessary, not desired, and entered a vast grotto.

It was here that our good fortune deserted us. Not that we were attacked by monsters or giant insects or such, it was that our relatively smooth travel became very rough and we spent more time climbing up and down than forward. Often Snorri would climb ahead, tie a rope off and we’d cross some crack tied to a fragile bit of hemp. This exhausted us and lasted for days and days uncounted, and we continued only because at odd times, we would find the Runes carved to show us the way. Some indicated danger, others blocked passages but it was the “R” that we followed faithfully.

Finally we reached a place where we were able to rest and as the lanterns were turned off to save our torches, Ruth commented… “Mother, I hear something.”

“What?” I asked.

I’m not certain. Maybe breathing, maybe wind.”

“Do you sense any animal?”

“None, Lady. But I rarely sense people so mayhaps there are monsters down here that I cannot influence.”

“I suggest then, that you check your revolver and knife. Mr Harkins?”

“Yes, Mrs Obrien,” he replied, sleep in his voice.

“Ruth hears something as if a wind or breathing. And notice that glow in the distance?”

He was awake instantly. “Shhh, it may be their torches you see! Wait here and I’ll explore. We may have caught up with them.”

We heard Samuel walk off, his boots on the rocks, Ruth asking, “Isn’t that dangerous? What if the others we saw racing to the summit are as adamant as is our Mr Harkins?”

“Perhaps, my love,” I cautioned, “But I doubt that it will come to more than a few blows. Even fame isn’t worth murder. But if that glow indicates Nagas, then we are at grave risk.”

Moments later, or perhaps hours for in that stygian darkness we could tell no time and moments would seem like forever, Samuel returned laughing. “What is it, Mr Harkins?” I asked the light from his lantern.

“Everything, Mrs Obrien. Sleep for we shall need all our strength in the morning.”

Shrugging, I whispered, “place your revolver under your pillow and loosen your knife and have it handy. It there are Nagas, then they may be immune to your powers and possess similar abilities upon humans.”

“Shouldn’t we set a guard?”

“If Mr Harkins is calm, then I believe we have little to fear. But if he cautions us on the strength we shall need, then sleep we must have. Good night my love.”

“Good night mother.”

***

In the morning, we awoke to Samuel actually making breakfast, a chore he generally relegated to women. “Ah, awake I see. Snorri has gone ahead to explore and as soon as you are fed and ready, so shall we. Tea?”

We moved into the gloom to adjust our clothes for we had slept in our clothing, unlike previous ‘nights’. “You are in a very good mood today.” I commented, adjusting my brassier.

“Very! This alone will make my name famous. Come, come, we are wasting daylight. Eat quickly!” This was the old Samuel Harkins pushing to the fore.

We ate as quickly as we could, avoiding wolfing the meal as Samuel gathered our things for us. “I apologize for manhandling your belongings but I cannot wait. Please, follow the glow when you are able.” And he left immediately.

“What a curious action?” I commented.

“Whatever is at that glow must be important. Do you think he murdered the other searchers and wishes time to hide their bodies?”

“I certainly hope not for then we would be placed in the position of choosing to arrest and drag the two back the way we came, or execute them on the spot for our own safety.”

I sipped my tea, so unlike my brother who would have rushed to see. But a possession of a weaker woman’s body forced me to take my time and evaluate the situation. Ruth, however, was anxious and packed the stove and bedding so I finished my tea, clipped my tinned cup to my pack and lifting the load, we moved into the light.

WATER!!

What we saw took away our breaths. We passed through a narrow opening to find ourselves blinded by the light and when we could see, we stood upon a rocky beach backed by a cliff. But some 200 yards ahead the rocks had turned to sand and then, .. a sea! The water stretched forever! It was gently lapping the sand and to the right and left the cliff towered to meet the roof of this mega-cave. We felt the breeze, a welcome sensation and occasionally, the cliff or walls would move to the sea as if they were ranges of hills to break the smoothness. The sight was, after our long days and weeks in the caves, beautiful.

Looking up we saw the source of the brightness. The very clouds themselves were ablaze with lightening and flashes constantly.

“You are a poet, Mrs Obrien?” Mr Harkins offered.

“A poor one at best. It’s beautiful, far more than my feeble words could describe.” We walked forward to the water.

“The water is fresh, and look at these shells, Ammonites! Trilobites! Extinct on the outer world for millions of years, but here, fresh! What other wonders will we find?”

“Mother, if these still live, could not the greater beasts of the past also survive?”

“I’m counting on that, Miss Obrien,” Samuel called back as he ran to the sea.

I smelled the air, “Fresh! A welcome change after breathing the musky caverns. I had forgotten what real air smells like. I wonder if it will rain?”

I found an area where the water lapped to the shore and tasted the water.. “fresh” then I scared a living trilobite. Jason discovered a Sirrush in the Congo, a Diploverdobron and a yard-long scarlet centipede in Japan and a megalodon in the waters off Australia. I caught the hand-sized living fossil and lifting it, saw the dozens of legs waving beneath. Then, carefully, set it back and watched it shoot across the bottom into the sea.

“MOTHER!”

I dropped my pack and rushed to my child, having pulled my Japanese short sword from the pack as I lost the weight. Running to her voice, I slowed, and then stopped. Ruth was standing in the sand, looking at a forest of white trees.

But what a forest, each plant was not a tree but a mushroom of gigantic size. Easily ten yards high and growing so close together that no light could penetrate beneath. The floor, as far as I could see, was composed of rotting fungus and moved slowly in the darkness.

Snorri was happily munching on a smaller mushroom that was growing away from the forest and I resolved to observe the man for ill effects before I consumed any. “Mother, it’s… it’s…”

“Yes it is! The floor moves!”

“Crickets, mother. Millipedes, other insects. Would you like to see?” and before I could respond, she raised her arm and seconds later a number of giant insects appeared. Not large enough to be a threat but the crickets were easily a couple inches long, the millipedes a yard. They moved slowly weighed down by the rule that if you double the size of an animal, you double its strength but the weight increases four times. It doesn’t take much growth to crush an insect under the weight of its one mass. These were larger than on the outer world and only the density of the atmosphere allowed them to breathe, but they could neither hop nor run and crawled about. Ruth waved and the bugs returned to their feast.

“I wonder what eats these?” I asked. Ruth shrugged, not able to detect any other creatures.

“Stand back, Mrs Obrien,” Samuel called out.

“They seem harmless,” I replied.

“Perhaps, but..” he picked up a sizable rock and threw it to the stem of a giant and as it struck, a cloud of spores fell down, to cause us to retreat from the cloud lest we suffocate.

“Thank you for the warning and demonstration,” I called. “I hesitate to ask, but have you observed any signs of humanity?”

“That I have, Mrs Obrien, that I have. Over there, I found the R-Rune facing across the sea. And here, signs of a raft recently constructed and launched so recently that the marks in the sand remain.”

“I find your happiness at being behind to be.. at odds with your previous determination.”

“Not at all, Mrs Obrien. A raft is a poor craft to take upon that sea. And I possess something that they do not. Something that shall allow me to overtake the others.!”

“And what is that, Mr Harkins?”

“You!”

“Me, I fail to understand.”

“Oh Mrs Obrien, you understand all too well. This entire trip you have been listening, making suggestions that indicate that your knowledge is far greater than mine. Your former husband was a shipping magnate, and according to your occasional comments you near ran his businesses and investigated every aspect of his life. So I conclude that you know far more about many subjects than you let on. I also conclude that you possess the knowledge to build a true boat that can easily overtake and pass that poor raft that was made from semi-fossilized woods.”

“Easier said than done, Mr Harkins. I can and have made boats that were able to cross an ocean, but I had tools. Today we possess your axe, my kukri and a few knives. I can, but it will take time.”

“How much?” now he was sounding like the Samuel Harkins I knew.

“It depends on the materials. Let us explore for resources. Note all that you see, grasses for rope, woods and plants, reeds, inventory everything if you would.”

He nodded and left with Snorri while Ruth and I explored on our own, each taking a different direction.

I picked up a bone, probably a thigh bone, then tossed it aside. The ground was littered with ammonite shells, trilobite casts bones and the occasional shark tooth. “Paul would love this beach,” I commented.

“Perhaps, mother, he does. Look ahead!”

There was a hut, thatched above the tide-line and resembling… I caught my breath and forced myself to not run, then muttered, ‘fuck-it!’ and ran with all my strength, Ruth following.

I burst into the hut to find no one. But the walls resembled the ones I had built in Pellucidar, down to the triple grass walls. The furniture wasn’t much and primitive to the extreme but then… I picked up the shirt and smelled the sweaty musk of my husband. “He’s here!”

“Phillip? Dr Paul!” Ruth called out as I joined her. But nothing.

“He’s here!” I insisted. “Jut out exploring. He’s like that, digging some bone from the earth and forgetting all about time. Quickly, we must recover our packs and ready dinner for the man.”

We were happily cleaning and readying the hut, me putting extra attention to the bed, when we heard Samuel outside calling. “Von Hardwigg? Liedenbrock? Is that you? Damn you! Come out!”

I went to the door, “Welcome to our home, Mr Harkins. Would you like to come in?”

“Mrs Obrien!? What are you doing here?”

“This, Mr Harkins, is the hut built by my husband. Don’t worry, I shall keep my promise to you as soon as he returns.”

“How can you be certain? That shirt you carry could be that of a thousand men.”

“Mr Harkins, have you ever been in love? I have spent many a night with my nose in Paul’s armpit as he drove me to the heights of passion. Place this shirt in a laundry of a dozen regiments and I shall still know my husband’s scent. No, Mr Harkins, Paul is here. Doubtless out digging some bone fragment, oblivious to time. He shall return when hungry and I shall be here for him. Once he arrives, your contract to me shall be considered to be fulfilled.”

“And our boat, Mrs Obrien?” he was dead inside. Without my help, he’d have to build a raft and his boatbuilding skills were poor which would put his further behind.

I laughed at his dismay, “Fear not Mr Harkins. I am a poor housewife and detest the cooking, cleaning and other chores a good wife requires. Fortunatly, Ruth does those and I excel at other… wifely duties. So while Ruth was cleaning, I examined my husband’s journals and found this!” I showed him a drawing.

“A tree?”

“A Balsa Tree, Mr Harkins. Found in the wilds of central America, they need good drainage, warm weather and lots of rain. And for these gifts, they provide a wood that is light, floats well and is soft enough to carve easily. Once Paul arrives, we will ask him to show us the balsa grove, we shall fell a few trees and I shall quickly build you a double-hull boat that Cook described as the fastest sailing vessels in the world.”

***

We didn’t have long to wait before we heard footsteps in the gravel. “Quick, how do I look?”

“Beautiful as always, mother.”

“Do I need..”

“You are perfect! The man won’t even notice if you are wearing a bag and bald. Relax!”

I tried to be casual, pretending to cook when the door opened and.. ..

I fear I knocked him to the ground as I flung myself onto him, covering his face with my kisses. From a distance I heard Ruth say, “She’ll be busy for an hour at least, we should seek that grove and make ropes.”

***

I lay there, under my husband, listening to his heart beat, slowly calming, he speaking, “Well, that was… “

“It has been a very long time, my love,” I whispered. The I pushed him up and slapped him. Or tried. It was awkward with his weight laying upon me. My legs around his hips. “How dare you run off here without me!”

He rose to his arm-height replying, “You were gone, as always! I sent a message. So don’t blame me!”

I pushed his arms out, allowing him to fall back upon my breast. “Well, perhaps I’ll forgive you this time.”

We were still kissing, me feeling him grow hard again when Ruth called out, “Mother, are you finished yet? Mr Harkins grows impatient!”

“Cac!” I swore. “That man is such a fecking ballbag!”

“Janice!” Paul admonished, “Your language!”

“I’m sorry, but he does have terrible timing.”

“As much as I want to keep like this, perhaps Ruth is right. It does get dangerous out there at times so what are your plans?”

“Aside from dying happily underneath you? Make him a boat, send him away, settle in here like before.”

“A boat? To cross the sea? How? Not that I have any doubts, I’m just curious.”

“Balsa Wood Catamaran!”

“How do you… my notes!”

I kissed him, “Exactly my love. Do we have time for…?”

“MOTHER! If you are done in there….”

“I’m coming!” I called back. Then to Paul, “But not with the passion that came before.” He swatted my behind as I rose to dress. “Careful, love, or you’ll be doing that tonight.”

Outside, Snorri grinning, Samuel red with embarrassment, Ruth said in Romanian, “I had to get them away, you are so noisy, mother. But we found that grove and some bamboo.”

I kissed her, “Wonderful, my dear. That will save us time. Now if you will grab your axe and my kukri, I’ll see if I can still walk.” Samuel and Paul both turned red.

We hiked to the grove, Samuel watching Paul and wondering what I saw in the man. He was neither tall nor broad of shoulder nor particularly handsome. But he made me feel free and wonderful inside and in bed, I screamed like a cat in heat. He was only the second man that I had desired in that way, for I was still a lesbian and wished that there were a woman or two along.

I quickly chose a couple trees and they were felled within minutes due to the softness of the wood. Then we limbed the trunks and dragged one to the shore while Ruth cut bamboo and rattan. “Won’t she be at risk?” Samuel gasped as we dragged the monstrous lumber to the shore. “We saw evidence of huge archaeosaurs in the forest.”

I panted back, “Ruth is safer than would all of us were we armed with the best rifles money could buy.”

As we were chopping the trunk into shape, Ruth arrived riding a mammoth that was carrying a load of bamboo. Another mammoth was dragging the other balsa trunk. “I found help, Mother!”

Samuel stared, his eyes about to pop when I explained, “My daughter has a way with beasts. It was she who saved us from the spiders. Ruth, over here, sweety!”

I continued to shape the hulls as the others cut the bamboo and rattan to length and made ropes. Then I lay a rattan log into a groove along the top of my hulls and I lashed that down and attached cross-braces to connect the two hulls. On top of this we lashed more bamboo and soon had a raft riding on two hulls. “With such a craft, the Polynesians sailed circles around the ships of the British Navy though this one will cross that ocean but little more. Now for the mast and sail.”

I directed them to weave grass into mats which were sewn to bamboo battons and soon we had a Chinese junk Sail. “With this sail, you can damage half the canvas and still sail. With a flat sail like we use in Europe, and that of the previous raft, a small hole will tear and ruin the entire sail. Now, Mr Harkins, I have told you and Snorri how to sail this craft and I can promise you that were the competition within sight of the farther shore, you could still overtake them.

“As for our business, I am happy that we found my husband alive and safe so your contract to me is fulfilled. I shall remain here with Ruth. You may keep the money and gear I left behind. Thank you, Mr Harkins for your valuable assistance.” I held my hand for him and he didn’t kiss it but he wanted to.

“Thank you Mrs Obrien and again, had I met a woman like you, I’d never have thought of leaving her for a trip such as this.”

Then he loaded aboard his sailboat and Ruth had the mammoths push it into the sea and past the surf until the wind took over.

We watched him for a moment, Samuel scratching his head and sides, than I turned to Ruth, “You didn’t?”

She shrugged and laughed, “There are fleas here, mother. I gave him something to remember us by and as a gift for abandoning us earlier.”

I laughed at that too, then before he could ask, there would be time for conversation later, asked my husband, “Paul, Would you like a hot meal before or after?”

“After what?”

“After me of course. I have had a long dry spell and intend to exhaust you terribly.”

As I ran to the hut, I heard Ruth Call out, “Mother! I’ll need a house of my own if you.. oh forget it, you aren’t listening anyway.”

END

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by: Rick Johnson
PO Box 40451
Tucson, Az.
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