Sebastian Darke: Prince of Pirates Read Online Free PDF

caravan and ran back towards the cave entrance where, Sebastian could see, Leonora was waiting for him.
     
'After them!' growled Cornelius. 'Come on, man, don't just lie there!'
     
Cornelius moved off in hot pursuit and Sebastian followed, still trying to get his thoughts in some kind of order. As he passed Max, he saw to his amazement that the buffalope was still sound asleep and snoring contentedly.
     
Adam and Leonora ran into the cave and Cornelius followed close on their heels, reaching for his sword as he did so. Sebastian experienced a powerful jolt of dread at the sight. He didn't want any harm to befall Leonora, and he quickened his pace to try and intercept the little warrior.
     
'Cornelius!' he yelled. 'Wait, don't do anything rash!'
     
Adam and Leonora raced straight through the main part of the cave and into the gloomy tunnel beyond. After running a short distance, they ducked to their left, through a small opening. The cavern beyond appeared to be in total darkness, so Cornelius pointed to a burning lantern on the wall, which was out of his reach.
     
'Pass me that light!' he growled.
     
Sebastian did as he was told and took the opportunity to speak. 'Cornelius, calm down a moment,' he said.
     
'Calm down be blowed! That rascal was trying to get the treasure map out of my pocket.'
     
Sebastian stared at him. 'But . . . how would he know about it?'
     
Cornelius gave him an accusing look. 'A very good question. Come on, bring that light!'
     
They stepped through the opening and found themselves in a small circular cavern. No other exits appeared to lead off from it and yet there wasn't a sign of Adam or Leonora.
     
'What witchcraft is this?' cried Cornelius in disbelief. 'I saw them come in here with my own eyes.'
     
'There is a way out,' said Sebastian, raising the lantern. 'Look – there!' He indicated a small opening a few hands' height from the floor. Beyond it, when they stopped to look, they could see a narrow trail leading into the forest undergrowth. Items of clothing were scattered in front of the opening and Sebastian recognized the cloak that Leonora had been wearing.
     
'It's too small for them to fit through,' protested Cornelius. 'Even I would have a tough time getting out.'
     
'Well, where else could they be?' said Sebastian. 'We both saw them come in here. And why did they leave their clothes behind?'
     
Cornelius frowned and turned away. 'I can only surmise that their wizardry is more powerful than we imagined.' He glared at Sebastian again. 'What happened after I went to bed?'
     
'Nothing! Well, not very much. We just sat around and . . . talked.'
     
'And I suppose you told her all about the map.'
     
'Of course not!' Sebastian was indignant. 'You must think I'm stupid! I never breathed a word about it.'
     
Cornelius was evidently far from convinced. 'Oh, so Adam just guessed that I had something worth stealing, did he?'
     
Sebastian shrugged. 'He must have. Anyway, he wasn't around; he went off to bed and left me alone with Leonora. So . . .' He noticed the despairing look on Cornelius's face and spread his arms in a gesture of helplessness. 'What?' he cried.
     
'You amaze me,' said Cornelius. 'Do you know that? One moment you're being all lovesick and pathetic about Queen Kerin, and then you're bewitched by the very first woman you clap eyes on!'
     
'Nonsense! I'm not bewitched. I just . . . we had a pleasant conversation, nothing more.'
     
'Oh yes. And what did you talk about exactly?'
     
'Umm . . . well, we . . . we . . .' Sebastian frowned. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't remember a single thing they'd talked about. 'It's all a bit fuzzy,' he admitted. 'Probably the wine—'
     
'Wine, my backside!' growled Cornelius. 'Obviously she put some kind of enchantment on you. You probably told her everything. That's exactly why I didn't want you lingering in that cave.' He turned and strode towards the doorway.
     
Sebastian followed with the lantern. 'Well, it's