Pollo

Daniel De Jesús
May 8, 2012

Two weeks had passed since Tintin, the young red-headed reporter, had defeated Sakharine and found the Old Dutchman’s gold mine. The dazzling, yellow ore had caused the deaths of more treasure hunters and schemers than Tintin wished to remember. But Tintin now sought to leave the treasure-hunting in the past . . . at least for the moment. He was determined totake a few days off to deal with his late grandfather’s property, which he had inherited as sole beneficiary. Tintin felt that he had procrastinated long enough as he rummaged through his grandfather’s traveling trunk. Then something caught his eye.
“Great snakes! This is a map signed by Sir Francis Drake pin-pointing the location of a treasure,” gasped Tintin, as he carefully held atime-weathered old sheep-skinned document belonging to his late grandfather.
Tintin’s mind was awhirl with the thought of a new adventure.
“I shall leave early in the morning,” he said to the trusty white terrier napping on the grandfather’s bed.
Soon, Tintin had made all the arrangements for the following day.
Before the morning lark had warbled its tune, Tintin had had his tea and crumpets—a veryun-Belgium breakfast to say the least—and had walked down to the docks to meet up with Captain Haddock.
“Blistering barnacles, Tintin,” said the Captain upon seeing Drake’s map. “It says that the treasure is found near the island of Puerto Rico. We have a long trip ahead of us, matey,” added the old sea salt.
It was about 6:30 in the morning when Tintin and Haddock found themselves on a ticketline to board the Bloody Mary, a rusty steamer that had seen far better nautical days.
“Are you sure we should search an island all the way in the Caribbean?” asked the aged Captain Haddock.
“Absolutely!” replied his adventurous sidekick.
Haddock frowned as he pondered the idea of going to Puerto Rico.
When they finally boarded the Bloody Mary, Haddock caught a glimpse of fleetingshadows, which disappeared behind stacked crates on the foredeck.
“We’re being followed, Tintin,” the Captain warned.
Tintin was too excited to think straight. Anyway, who could possibly know about Drake’s map?
“Nonsense, Captain,” replied the flaming redhead.
Just then, as Tintin turned towards the foredeck, he noticed two hooded figures following them.
“Captain Haddock, I have an idea: Yougo right and I go left. If you catch one, come and find me. I’ll do likewise.”
As they went in different directions, their stalkers did likewise. Seeing that his man was at his heals, Haddock entered a nearby restroom. Captain Haddock pressed his back towards the door wall as he tensely awaited the hooded figure, who was now slowly opening the creaking door.
“You squawking popinjay! theCaptain yelled, as he grabbed the mysterious figure by the neck. “Who are you, and what do you want?”
“Let go of me, Haddock!” said the man in domino attire.
“How do you know my name?” the Captain growled, as he kept his prey at bay.
Haddock tightened his bear-like grip around his pursuer’s neck.
“Tintin, Tintin, where are you?” yelled Haddock.
Soon, Tintin’s head was popping in at therestroom door, to Haddock’s relief.
“For the love of God, Haddock, ease up on the neck, will you? It’s me, Detective Thomson,” said the full-nelsoned hooded figure on the verge of collapse.
Tintin smiled: The Thomson’s were two clumsy detectives who were always arresting the wrong person at the wrong time.
Finally, Haddock let the gasping detective collapse to the floor.
“Tintin. going onanother adventure, I see,” Thomson coughed. “And as usual, with the outlaw, Haddock,” he added.
“Haddock has done nothing for you to accuse him of,” argued Tintin.
“ He did, lad, he did. He shot a civilian while under the influence of alcohol,” replied the detective, as he made an attempt to get on his feet.
“I won’t allow you to take him away!”
“But we have to, Tintin, it’s the law; we...