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The Island of Gold

My dreams of finding the secret route have gradually dissipated from my thoughts

these past few days. It feels like it has been over a year since we embarked from our home in

Portugal, but I continue to tell my men everyday to not lose hope. However, Im beginning to

doubt my own optimism. The last time the Goldenrodtouched land was over two weeks ago.

Finding any signs of civilization would give us newfound desire to continue our search.

A little after sunrise one morning, a sailor by the name of Jacob began howling in joy

like a lunatic.

I see an island! About a couple miles up north! he shouted. Everyone including

myself rushed up to the deck excitedly to where Jacob was jumping up and down. The clear

and sunny sky made it possible to discern all the verdant features of the island. Exotic trees

standing over fifty-feet tall circumscribed most of the island and everything beyond it was

invisible to the naked eye.

Set sail to the island, my lads! I ordered my men.

Yes, Captain! they responded enthusiastically.

We landed ashore and before long, half the crew was already exploring the outskirts of

our oasis. The sand across the beach was as white as pearls and the water that washed up

against it was as clear as the morning sky. There were no signs of humans or animals, but

nobody seemed to notice. As the men continued to explore the island, we came to the

realization that the towering trees appeared to conceal a hidden treasure.

Gold, gold! Tons of gold! Were going to be rich! shouted the screaming voices of

my men. The rest of us quickly followed the shouting voices and we were shocked in

disbelief. Behind the protection of the trees a blanket of gold covered the ground. There was

probably enough gold to match the Kings wealth.

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Samson, go back to the ships and retrieve all of the digging equipment. Were going

to dig out all of this gold until we cant find anymore, I ordered. With this everyone cheered.

By sunset, nearly every inch of gold was dug out. We would live like kings forever

and our names would be as well known as Christopher Columbus. But I also had some

doubts about everything. Why do I have to share this immense fortune with my entire crew?

Ive worked so long and hard and have sacrificed everything in my life for a moment like this.

The thought of sharing this wealth was absurd. I concluded that there could only be one man

leaving this island with all that gold, and that was going to be me.

That night, all of my men celebrated boisterously. They sang unceasingly and

consumed almost all of our rum. It was not long before the poison that Id placed in their

drinks took effect. By midnight, there was only silence. I carried every last corpse out of the

Goldenrodand buried them. I was civilized.

As dawn approached, I set sail across the ocean and headed back home. Manning the

ship alone was somewhat difficult but I had done it before. A week later, I arrived home in

Lisbon, Portugal. I anchored the Goldenrodin the harbor and felt like a king.

Captain Smith! Why, it has been so long since you left. I thought you and your ship

got wiped out in a storm! exclaimed a man.

I turned to face the voice and smiled majestically.

I never lost hope, Miguel and now I am rich beyond my dreams, I proclaimed.

Miguel looked across my boat looking rather puzzled.

Captain, where are all your men? asked Miguel.

I looked back toward the ocean mournfully and covered my eyes.

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