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This scene was removed from the book altogether. In fact, while it may have been at this time that Wlter’s mother died, he would find nothing out about it until much later in the story.
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Quickly, I was back in the battle. This time, just after I’d taken the two children out, I noticed a pirate getting the better of Bart. I tried to throw one of the knives at him, and it missed so badly, I wondered how I aimed it. I threw another with no effect, and as it, too, missed, I saw the pirate lung his sword toward Bart. I screamed loudly, and then woke with a start.
The sky was still dark, although I could now see the lightening that brought morning with it. I tried to return to sleep. Once more into the breach. Once more into the melee of the pirate’s battle. I remember my dream character thinking aloud, ‘Why me? Why must I die on the water? Why must Bart die on the water?’ In my dream, I saw my Mother, of all people, issue an answer that would resonate in my mind for the rest of my trip was, “If you don’t want to die on these waters, then what brings you out? ‘Tis a foolhardy boy that doesn’t recognize Death travels with everyone and takes his opportunities. And Death loves the Ocean. You’ve been lucky so far, Walter. But you’ve now pushed your luck a third time. Are you willing to risk it again?”
With that, I woke screaming, “NO.” I knew that I didn’t want to continue taking the chances, but part of my screaming was also because my mother’s appearance told me that she was dead, and that resonated true in my heart, and I wasn’t ready to face that reality. My heart was beating very rapidly, my eyes widely open. Yet, I was still vulnerable to all of the feelings that washed through my body. I knew my father was alone now. I knew I should grieve for both of them, and yet I didn’t. My father had made his own decisions, and needed to live them out. My mother had chosen to love and support my father, but she had finally decided it was not worth the fight any longer. I empathized with her, and felt that same feeling towards the sea.
