A
500 word short story by Scott A. Gese
Harlen
Jacobs found himself in a predicament. He was adrift in the waters of
Micronesia. Ten miles North of the Marshall Islands. There were many
populated atoll's in Micronesia, but the one he was heading for
looked deserted.
The
day started with a slight morning breeze. By mid-morning it was gone.
His boat was equipped with a small engine and he used it periodically
to keep within the prevailing current as he headed toward his
destination.
All
was well until late afternoon when his engine decided to go as dead
as the morning breeze. Harlen retrieved his toolbox and went to work
on the engine checking the wiring for shorts, cleaning the spark
plugs, filters, fuel lines and making minor adjustments wherever
possible. Nothing he did seemed to work.
The
sun was getting low and the tide was getting high. In the distance he
could see a sandy shore as well as a smattering of hazardous jagged
rocks. That didn't bode well for him or his boat, The Antebellum.
Harlen
wasn't having much luck with the engine. The rocks were getting
closer. Soon the waves would pull him toward danger.
His
boat was equipped with halogen lights. In a few minutes he would need
them.
Once
the sun had set he stopped working long enough to turn them on. He
strained to see past their reach, but was useless. They didn't shine
out far enough. He could only hear the waves in the distance as they
beat against the rocks.
He
recalled a clearing between the rocks and hoped he was drifting
toward it. If he was lucky, he would skirt the danger zone and make
it to the beach unscathed. But that was a big if.
He
was running out of time.
Not
finding a problem with the engine itself, he started troubleshooting
the fuel lines and valves leading to the engine. Maybe
something was clogging them.
Another
few minutes and he'd be hitting the rocks. He switched the fuel valve
to the spare tank. He tried to start the engine. No go.
In
a last ditch effort he disconnected the line from the valve and
shoved it directly into the tank. He tried to start the engine again.
It sputtered, then died. He was getting dangerously close to the
rocks. He tried to start the engine again. It sputtered again, then
took off.
Harlen
focused the light toward the bow. The rocks were directly ahead.
There was no room to turn around so Harlen headed for the shore. He
quickly maneuvered to the starboard side of the closest rocks and
skirted them but the boat glanced off a rock on the port side. A
narrow passage opened up ahead and Harlen steered for shore.
The
following morning he checked the Antebellum for damages. She had a
few scratches and a broken keel but she was still seaworthy. He could
slowly limp her into port to get the needed repairs while he enjoyed
his stay on the Marshall Islands.
©
Copyright 2018 by Scott A. Gese All Rights Reserved.
