After the introductions, I excused myself so that I could assist Grandpa with the preparations.I hopped on the boat and found Grandpa below checking t...he engine's fluid levels. I asked, "Where do you want me to start?"Grandpa replied, "Go ahead and get the rest of the covers off while I finish this and get the engines started."I dashed up the ladder and began removing and folding the boat covers. The passengers were chatting away on the pier bench and occasionally looked my way. It was clear. Yet I pushed on. If I found nothing, the sand might as well claim mycorpse. My 'expedition' had been a failure, though in truth it neverexisted. I had no funding. Only a fool's hope and a death wish.The locals had been polite, yet must have laughed at this silly foreignerbehind my back. "There's nothing there, sir. Just windswept rock andfaded spirits."Nevertheless, the desire for discovery --hope for connecting with thehoary past-- had burned in me, ever after I had pricked my hand on. “One cannot carry a rack around with one and whipping is no substitute.”“Dear lord mother he wants to shoot a few birds,” Miss Eliza sighed, “And yet you suggest he shoots our servants and takes your daughters to his bed.”“To be fair she only suggested I take you to bed Miss Eliza,” Mr D’arcy argued.“And shall you?” Eliza enquired.“Alas no, the thought of my progeny having your countenance and wit entirely repulses me,” Mr D’arcy replied.Mrs Bennet recoiled at the sentiment, “So have them sent. ..ugh...that's too tight." Not yet it aint, princess," Carlos laughed.He had pulled the leather lasso closed so tightly that it already looked like my balls were detached from my body. They looked like a couple of bright pink plums ready to burst.I groaned as the breath went out of me and felt nauseous."What...what are you doing?" I cried, when I was able to catch my breath. I was panicking, and not even trying to control it this time."Sshh," my wife said, smoothing my hair back like a mother.