SARGASSO SAILS

CHAPTER 14

PROCESSION



   We watched as the last remnants of the Konkers made their way towards the Green Flash. Their island was of no use to them now. If they survived, perhaps they would grow tolerant of the natural elements once more. Evolution is a powerful force. Regardless, they would still have to blend back into the harmony of the Summerlands. The Islanders might not know time, but they will likely remember the treachery of the Konkers for many a top and bottom day.
   Our forces gathered onshore and found they had sustained considerable losses. But life would go on. The island was much flatter now, and the victors all went on an expedition to tidy up the place. I stayed on board and used Sargasso's fresh water supply to feed the Jahstamoments. Bunky came onboard and I gave him a tour of the boat. He was very impressed with all the instruments, even though most were not working at the time.
    -A barometer...splendiferous notion...now one can tell if their bar is getting empty. We need a bamometer on Coco Key...by the way, do you have any Bam lying around?
    Disappointed, Bunky paddled off to explore what was left of Konkerland. Meanwhile, Nelligan and Kayaya were sharing a peanut butter sandwich. She was still distraught over the loss of Akviro and didn't have much of an appetite. At least the peanut butter kept Nelligan quite for a while, but when he was finished, he was back to singing about porridge and Bam. He was interrupted by Kayaya as she exclaimed:
   -Akviro has returned!
    He must have been underwater for close to an hour...a true Aquanaut. Everyone was cheering... Akviro had the Golden Shell. I helped Kayaya into Scarface and we paddled ashore to help Akviro carry the Golden Shell up to where Oopslop's throne once stood. And then Akviro cautiously opened it.
   It was empty! Time and salt water had done their business. There were no energy cells...no communicators or augmenters...no gold doubloons or pieces of eight. Akviro seemed surprisingly relieved. It was if a legend could finally be set to rest. He would not have wanted any of the obligations that power would have imposed on him. We decided to leave the Golden Shell there, as a sort of monument to those who were foolish enough to disrespect Mother Nature.
   Now Bunky emerged from one of the bunkers. He had evidently found the forge and was wearing a sort of metal helmet that he had just made. The Islanders were coming out of the Stone Age. What would the consequences be? He started his spiel:
   -Step right up...get 'em while their hot. One size fits all...never again be afraid of passing out under a coconut tree. Bunky continued, now looking more like the Tinman than the Scarecrow:
   -There's more folks. I've invented the mirthometer. It measures how happy we are. You see it's full of mirthocules. When you're happy, the mirthecules get excited and then the mirthometer rises. something like when Shahairy dances and I start to...
   -Spare us Bunky, the cry went out. At that point, more Bamboozlers and Irogators emerged from the bunker with all manner of shiny brass instruments. The ones with slides were called 'Bambones'. One could play them and drink from them at the same time. There were curled ones he called 'Jahstaphones' and long ones called the 'Hornygators'. Bunky was not finished:
   -And now for the piece de resistance: a brand new Scarface. We watched in amazement as four Irogators emerged from the bunker carrying a metal canoe. They dragged it down to the water where it promptly sank, amid groans from the assembled multitude. Back to the drawing board. However, he had redeemed himself by fashioning a lovely hair clip for Shahairy.
   Then one of them got the idea of trying to build an artificial reef where the canoe sank. Boulders and chunks of lava were deposited in an effort to lure underwater life back to the island.
   It was time to return to Mangroville. Our armada made a dignified procession. The Islanders were anxious to try out their new instruments. Even Nelligan had a new instrument...the bellowphonium. Before long, they were all blowing contentedly and discovering new harmonies. Having depleted their supplies of liqour on the Konkers, it was indeed a new experience for them to perform sober.
   Back on Mangroville we unloaded the Jahstamoments and then everyone was off to the Herb Pit. I took a pass. Something was telling me that it was time to try and get back to the other side. All but Akviro tried to convince me that I had just arrived that day. But it had been a long day. I cut my goodbyes short. Something was luring me back towards the Mist.


ON TO CHAPTER 15 "RETURN THROUGH THE MIST"
GET ME OUTTA HERE...MY MIRTHOMETER IS FALLING