Chapter 42Harrat Al ’UwayridWe clustered around the computer. Reynolds stood back so
that we could all see the screen.
“Ready?”
“Get on with it, John. Don’t keep us in suspense!”
declared Whittaker, searching for his glasses. Reynolds leaned forward and
pushed a key. Suddenly, the screen started to flutter as the many readings
he had taken began to appear as a downward march of black images. As they
bunched together, slowly the outline shape of a vessel appeared before us.
In the centre, the long, main beam. Radiating from this, the timbers forming
the side-ribs. Even the holes were revealed that showed the planking had
been stitched with leather ties. The course of time had taken the craft out
of true; some of the ribs were missing, others strewn to one side. Adjacent
to the s
