Fourteen year old Marco took a steadying deep breath and carefully lowered himself over the edge of the railing. He held tight to the fat rope and carefully repelled down the side of the Santa Maria. She had been falling behind over the past two weeks at sea. The other two ships were able to cut through the water much faster. Barnicles on the bottom of the Santa Maria were slowing them down. The crew had drawn straws to determine who would scrape the great hulls underbelly. Many of the sailors could not swim, Marco however could. He had volunteered, hoping that in taking the initiative, it would elevate him in the crews esteem. They had clapped him on his back and cheered him. Then they had given him a sharp blade and tied a rope about his waist.

He gingerly lowered himself into the water, thankful they were still in warmer waters. He placed the knife between his teeth as he submerged himself in the water. Taking a deep breath he dove beneath the deep blue water. He opened his eyes and the salt stung but he needed to see. He placed one hand on the bottom of the ship and began to scrape away the barnacles. He worked until his lungs began to burn and then pushed away and kicked for the surface. He gasped as his head broke the water and then gagged as a wave struck him in the face. Five crewmembers leaned over the railing, watching. One of them, a big burly Spaniard hauled on the rope and pulled Marco up out of the water. "Are you alright boy?" He asked.

Marco coughed and spit as he regained his breath. "Yes Sir I'm okay. You can lower me back down now.

The Spaniard lowered him back into the blue his large arms bulging and the great cords in his neck straining.

Marco quickly dove back underneath the ship and again began scraping off the barnacles. The current pulled at him and pushed him against the hull. His arm caught on a nasty barnacle and he flinched at the burning pain as it drew blood. The saltwater caused it to sting terribly and he pushed away once more to break the surface.

He took a great gulp of air and then dove back into the waves. The sooner he was finished the sooner he could rest. He was getting closer to the center of the ship each dive he was cutting almost a three foot section through the sharp growth. On his tenth trip beneath the hull he saw movement below him. He froze with his hands upon the ship his legs slowly kicking to stay upright. He was afraid to move and yet he needed air desperately. The dark shape lurked closer. It was nearly the size of the Santa Maria! Marco kicked madly for the surface, his fear adding speed to his arms and legs. He released a great whoosh of bubbles as he neared the surface, still so far from the surface and running out of air. He burst through the waves and sobbed in relief as he pulled air into his lungs. "Pull me up!" He shouted. "Pull me up!" The crewmen had turned from the railing, passing a bottle between them.

Marco sobbed and, unable to resist knowing what was beneath him ducked his head underwater for a look. He just had to know what surely was about to take him from below. The dark shape had grown closer, the monster had silver spots across its grey-blue skin. Its mouth was a gaping maw that could have easily swallowed a horse. The fins where easily as big as a lifeboat and the great tail cut through the water effortlessly. Marco clasped his rosary as it drew closer to the surface.

Suddenly his body was yanked from the water, the Spaniard had seen the dark creature approaching and pulled Marco to safety.

The Captain Christopher Columbus stood among the men and watched as Marco retched seawater and babbled about the great beast. The captain called for quill and ink so the boy could sketch a picture, then made sure he had warm soup and a dram of rum to calm his nerves.

The following weeks passed in relative monotony. The three ships kept within sight of one another, their white sails billowing upon the horizon like giant clouds. Marco remained in the cabin for the most part, with his newfound respect for the great monsters of the deep that he had once scoffed at.