“Who are you? Where are you?” The captain and Tuvia stormed into the hallway, looking for the mysterious intruder

In the first series of The Treasure Hunts (Issues 797-804), an exciting mashal, we met Tuvia and the captain, who were together when they found “the lost island,” a place that they thought was filled with hidden treasures. What they found instead was an old man who had spread the false legend. Hernan Corent, the explorer-turned-philosopher, explained that he was trying to teach others that there are greater treasures in life than gold and silver. Tuvia vows to teach the captain about the importance of Torah and mitzvos, the greatest treasure, and they leave the island to return home to Tuvia’s family.

Meanwhile, somewhere out in the open seas, Captain Cutthroat and a thug named John are also alive, and are seeking something of a different sort. Also aboard Tuvia’s ship is Kotty, the goofy, well-meaning assistant to the captain when he was searching for the Lost Island. Kotty helps Tuvia and the captain escape when they are prisoners aboard Cutthroat’s ship.

***

The day Tuvia and the captain prepared to leave the lost island, dark clouds appeared in the sky. A rumble of thunder sounded in the distance and they could already feel gusts of wind soaring across the ocean and blowing past their faces. Was it an ominous warning of danger to come, or simply an approaching storm like any other?

“Maybe we should stay here a few more days, Captain.” Tuvia squinted into the distance. “There’s no rush, after all.”

“No rush? Of course there is! Your parents must be worried sick about you! You’ve been separated from them for far too long.”

“Worried sick? I don’t think so… My parents have probably accepted the fact that I’m dead already. There’s no chance they think I survived.”

“All the more reason to return you to them as soon as possible. Hernan said we can use his ship. Let’s see what condition it’s in.”

*******

Hernan’s ship looked like a haunted shipwreck that had not been used for centuries. Vines and moss covered the once majestic hull and the sails were almost in tatters.

“Tell me it looks better on board…” the murmured.

“It doesn’t.” Hernan shrugged.