Chapter 1
In the far distance the coast of Sicily appeared like a mirage drowning in the motionless horizon. It teased us by staying the same distance away for hours.
The sails hung loose on the masts, like slumped puppets. The heat enveloped us like a shroud, sticking our clothes to our bodies and taking our breath away. We had gone up on deck to get away from the torrid heat of the cabins only to find identical temperatures. I put down my fan, concluding that it was totally useless.
Becalmed. I heard the word pass from mouth to mouth with increasing agitation which culminated in the order for the oars to be used. My thoughts ran to the chained prisoners who would drag the ship's entire weight through that incandescent inferno with the strength of their arms. Naturally I did not give v
