127.

   I looked up and saw Catamites filling the air. High-pitched screams rose out of the awakening CEOs. The sea boiled with their churning shapes. The El Telo rocked and bobbed.
   “Row for your life!”, Conrad shouted. As we pulled frantically at the oars, our eyes were riveted to the melee before us. The CEOs seemed to lift themselves out of the water above the steamer and bat at the diving Catamites. I could see the crew swinging the loading masts over the sides like spears to stab at the boiling pod. The Catamites landed on the CEOs and lanced their hides. If they weren’t quick enough, an oily hand grabbed them and crushed them into a ball of shattered bones and ripped flesh. Some of the freaks were trying to climb up onto the ship, pounding and tearing at it as they shrieked and screeched. All four of us looked at each other, fearing for our friends.
   “I’ve been through this before. We must help them.”, I groaned.
   Nanette put a paw on my leg. “The captain put us overboard for a reason.”
   Pat looked up at me. “Oliver, we will die if we go back.”
   “Just row!”, yelled Conrad “Don’t think! Just row!" We rowed into the night as the sounds of battle slowly faded away.
   I lost track of time. The only thing I was aware of was the sound of the oars dipping into
the moonlit waves. Sometime in the night Conrad called to me. “Oliver. I thought I’d lost you when that hood went over my head!”
   I was shocked to look over and see his face contorted in pain. I reached over and brushed his bald pate. “Just row, Conrad. Don’t think, just row.”