PROLOGUE
The young mouse sat with his back to the mast. He was the last one left now aboard the great ship Reefrider. The rest of the crew had died of thirst. Captain, cook, lookout, deckhands, quartermaster, steersbeast. All dead. It was just him, the cook’s assistant. It had been less than two and one half moons since they had set off from their home in England, heading toward what the humans called the New World. After about two moons the ales, wines, beers and juices ran out. Seven sunrises after that, the water. Earlier that day he had consumed the last of the food brought from England. Now there was nothing.
The young mouse groaned softly. The small pebble he had found in the ballast heap was doing little to slake his thirst. Oh, how he wished for good, clear drinking water! Hopefully he would reach shore soon. Though the mouse was weary he knew he should check for any sign of land.