Part twenty two: The joke

Wild Ride

“This is a bad leprechaun’s joke,” shouted Tauren. “Give me an oar!”

Suddenly, Jon awakened to the reality that the strong current was carrying the rowboat downstream.

“That is an eddy!” he replied as the row boat was caught up in swirling water. “This is no joke!”

“Hang on!” Tauren shouted, as the two men struggled to gain control of the rowboat. “Lean the other way!” he said to the children.

Timothy, Prince and Kelly who were standing on the island now formed at the base of the old schoolhouse chimney could only watch.

It turned into a wild ride for everyone on the rowboat.

Molly and Moe hung on for dear life. 

Tauren and Jon struggled with the oars and finally managed to break free of the swirling water.

“There are two children, Kelly,” said Prince, relieved to see two adults  with them, as well. “They may be changelings.”

Prince tossed the rope to Tauren, but they were still too far away and the rope drifted downstream. Prince threw it again.

This time, Tauren caught it and tied it to the rowboat.

“We’ll pull you in,” hollered Prince, beckoning the others to help. He wondered if anyone knew how close the rowboat had come to capsizing.

“Thank you,” said Tauren, relieved to have survived the current for a second time.

Jon jumped out and tied the rowboat to a rock beside the fireplace. Kelly and Prince helped the children to get out of the rowboat and hugged them gently.

Timothy, true to his good, fun-loving leprechaun nature immediately pulled a gold coin out from behind Moe’s ear and handed it to him.

“This rose is for you,” said Molly.

“Thank you,” said Kelly, smiling because it had a new bud. "That is so pretty!"

“My third wish has been fulfilled,” Kelly whispered to Prince. “I wished for children.”

“But I am too young to be a father,” thought Prince. He knew that now, seven people needed rescuing and counting the men on the lifeboat, there were more.

Timothy, Tauren and Jon gazed at each other in sheer amazement. They were almost the same size, but a leprechaun, a gnome and a troll. 

“We brought food for you,” said Tauren.

“Thank you,” replied Timothy. “We really do appreciate your help.”

“And a few other things, as well,” said Jon, handing him all of the items Tauren had given him. 

For the moment, they were stranded.