Twisted Cross: Adventure in a New World

“Will you walk away from another friend? Brother David needs your help,” Sal heard Blas’s ghost beg him to stay.

“God will forgive you, no matter what you do,” Brother David said. “But we would welcome your help, Sal.” He reached out a hand to give Sal a blessing. “Let the men take the dinghy to those pirates. We need you: please stay.” The dinghy glided toward the open sea. The native men pushed it as they swam close to the waterline.

Sal, paddling like a dog behind them, tried to keep afloat. “Tule,” a native pushed a hollow reed toward Sal, showing him how to use it like a straw to breathe underwater.

The dinghy cut a path through the reeds, on a direct course toward Jean Paul’s ship. Beds of kelp surrounded the boat, hiding the natives and Sal. He knew Blas’s spirit wanted him to stay. Another part of Sal knew this might be his last chance to escape.