Three of the sailors manning the main mast sails looked at him like he had gone mad, but he yelled it again as he began to run. “The rowboat, starboard side, now!”
He scanned the deck and saw Scotty Rollins at the far end. “Rollins, fetch the spears and throw them in the boat.” Will continued to run and saw Mr. Drake near the edge of the deck. “Mr. Drake, take the rest of my watch.” He turned toward the helmsmen. “Mr. Stevens, no matter what, keep us on course.”
The helmsman agreed, and the few passengers on the edges of the deck were now staring at Will, but he didn’t care. Not a second could be wasted if this were to work.
Jack popped out of one of the hatchways just as Will ran by. His strong Irish voice bellowed at a startled sailor. “Ye heard him, to the boat!”
Two of the seamen finally snapped into order as Jack ran toward Will.
“What in heaven’s name has gotten into ye?” Jack whispered quietly.
“You’re coming with me,” Will replied. “Grab a net and meet me on the starboard.”
Jack stared but did as he was told. When the net, spears, and Will and Jack were loaded in the rowboat, Will motioned for the men to let them down. TheWindermerewas moving at a good speed, and Will prayed they’d be able to meet back up with the ship. They couldn’t afford to slow her down, not when they needed every mile to get them closer to land as quickly as possible.
He was taking a huge risk, launching into the sea without staying connected to the ship. But they needed to get out into the open water.
“Row with me,” he said to Jack and pointed in the direction of the dolphins.
Once they were a good distance from the ship, Will leaned forward at the bow of the small craft and pulled out his spyglass again. “They are nearly upon us.”
“Ye’re going to try to kill one of them, aren’t ye?” Jack yelled as he continued rowing. “I’d say I’m a right faithful friend to follow ye out here when we could die.”
“I wanted you along before you could think me daft. Wearegoing to have dolphin for dinner, Jack!” Will lowered his spyglass. “Keep rowing! We need to keep up speed!”
“Ye areright mad.” Jack pumped his arms faster, his loud voice ringing out over the chop of the oars through the water.
Glancing toward the ship, Will surveyed their position. For one brief moment, he thought he saw Ann there, watching from the edge of the ship, but the sound of splashing behind him drew him away.
The largest pod of dolphins he’d ever seen was nearly upon them now, moving fast enough that the rowboat needed to gain more momentum before the pod came upon them if they were to stay with them at all.
“Row harder!” Will yelled as he grabbed the oars again, moving rapidly in the same direction as the dolphins.
“Now, our best chance is to keep up with them,” Will said, his breathing heavy. “When they draw near, you keep rowing, and I’ll get the harpoon and give it my best go.”
Jack shook his head but continued to row dutifully. They moved at a fast pace; Will just hoped it would be enough. When the dolphins seemed to be only fifty yards off, he prepared the three harpoons, tying the rope portion to a small cleat on the side of the boat.
“Okay, Jack, keep it steady now,” said Will, standing and getting into position. He lifted the first harpoon over his shoulder like a Greek javelin. The first tips of dorsal fins passed by them, and Will thrilled seeing the majestic animals. If the ship’s provisions weren’t in so dire a situation, he would have loved to sit and observe them. But he had an important task at hand. He sucked in a deep breath as every muscle in his right arm went tight. Mentally he counted to three and released the harpoon. It went crashing into the water, missing the dolphin as the creature dove into the blue.
The other dolphins on either side of him bolted away as well. The pod was massive, there had to be nearly fifty swimming together, and he didn’t want to startle them and lose his chance. He waited as more swam around him.
“Stop rowing,” he called to Jack over his shoulder. He needed every chance he could for his spear to stick. Lifting the second one, he silently said a prayer and drew in another breath. This time he threw to the other side of the boat, but he overthrew it by a hair. The spear twisted and plummeted down. He watched for more dorsal fins and plumes of water, but the dolphins seemed to be growing fewer in number, probably spooked and aware of the boat.
He had to act fast if he were to have any chance. Jack started to pull on the rope to bring back the other two harpoons, but Will stopped him. “Not yet, that will upset the waters.”
Jack assented, and Will lifted the third and final harpoon. He listened as the sound of “phffff” echoed around him as the last few dolphins took in air. With every bit of strength and precision he possessed, Will angled his arm toward the closest of the dolphins, a large one near the back of the disappearing pod. He closed his eyes and then opened them, turning his complete focus on the animal.
Holding his breath one more time, he threw his harpoon. It landed squarely in the animal’s flesh, just below the dorsal fin. Almost instantly, the head of the spear broke off into its skin like it was made to do, and the rowboat lurched forward from the momentum of the dolphin still moving.
“Grab the other spear,” called Will, but Jack was already reaching for it. The dolphin hadn’t lost strength yet, and Will wondered what would happen when the other animals realized one of their pod had been injured. Using the taut rope as leverage, Will pulled the boat closer to the struggling animal, who still swam through the water. Hand over hand they came closer to the dolphin, until they were nearly upon it.
Will glanced at Jack, whose face was tense with focus as he hefted the retrieved spear.
“Ye ought to do it,” Jack said, placing the weapon in Will’s hand.
His hands closed around the shaft, knowing what he had to do, but his heart ached for the beautiful animal. “Forgive me, magnificent creature,” he said, and he thrust the spear right behind the animal’s eye.
The beast struggled against the rope a few more moments and then his fins and tail started to still.
