A Steampunk Guide to Hunting Monsters 12 | Page 12

Keep unwanted spiders out of
from the sky , crashing to the ground , which dashed their guts out-right ! However , what was to become of Thunderboy and Percy ? I was most horrified to imagine their bodies falling from the sky and breaking against the metal surface of the island !
But there at the top of the vent ' s outer lips were anchored the remains of the Automaton First Mate , arms embedded most thoroughly into the metal . And underneath each arm was one of those beloved boys ! It seems the automaton had grabbed ahold of the two men and when the blast of steam was released , it dug its mechanical arms into the metal . The steam blew them upwards , but the arms remained planted , tearing the metal upwards , as a child would take a stick and draw a line in the sand . It never let go , but its body was blown quite apart . The two men were a little worse for wear , wet , slightly steamed , and their hair a frightful mess . But they were safe above ground , relatively unharmed !
" Oh thank you so much !" I said , pulling the automaton ' s head quite off .
" It is my duty to protect the welfare of this vessel and all on-board ." It replied .
I helped Percy and Thunderboy to their feet and gave them as many kisses as propriety would allow . I am pleased to report that the Mayor also survived our separation , and stood triumphantly over a pile of dead arachnid limbs smoking a cigar .
Wednesday , July the Twenty-First
The rest of our travels on that mechanical island consisted of enjoying the amusements of the park , which included a steam powered camel for riding , a shooting gallery , and carousel , as well as hunting the remaining spiders , at which Missus Mister proved quite adept .
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