The Pirate's Will

"This letter is a clue to the treasures of Eagle Sea that once triumphed in the Straits of Malacca. Rainbow painted walls by day on the dead island. I ask for burning oil."

"What a strange letter," Vista said after reading the letter. That night, Red Hat Detective was arrived by Mr. Bo who stated that he had received a will from a pirate. Mr. Bo is a former treasure hunter, a close friend of Major Dud. He said the will was found stuck to the inside of an ancient kris frame he had bought at a flea market.

"This is a no-nonsense clue," said Mr. Bo. He invites Red Hat Detective to hunt for the treasure.

But Major Dud hesitated. "Why are you so sure this letter is really a clue to the treasure?"

"It is not in the story that many pirates keep their loot," replied Mr. Bo. The ragged paper was still intact, only turning a yellowish color. In addition to being old, the kris is also exposed to rust, maybe. Snot and Vista studied the paper which Major Dud was holding.

"If it's a will, we can be very rich," said Snot.

"It's an illicit treasure," said Major Dud. "Even if it is found, it must be handed over to the state."

"But the one who finds it gets a prize, right?" asked Snot. Major Dud laughed.

"Uncle, do you know where the Dead Island is?" asked Vista.

"Maybe in the Thousand Islands cluster. But we have to trace it further, because Indonesia has more or less 13,000 islands. If we go one by one it will take years."

"Don't digress. How checked the islands one by one? We'll find out for sure where the Dead Island is!" cried Snot.

"Dead Island. What a strange name," said Vista.

"Maybe you mean an uninhabited island," said Mr. Bo.

"Perhaps it was previously inhabited, after the inhabitants left it was called the Dead Island!" cried Major Dud.

"Or get hit by a tsunami," continued Pak Bo. "The word tsunami comes from Japan. You know what that means?" Snot and Vista shook their heads. Mr. Bo laughed. "Tsunami comes from two words 'tsu' and 'nami'. Tsu means bay or harbor, while nami means big wave. What is meant is a large wave that washes over land or an island, usually due to a large-scale earthquake that occurs at sea." Snot and Vista nodded.

"Are you sure this is the key to the treasure?" asked Major Dud again.

"Very sure. Look at the sentences in the letter, they are secret words," said Mr. Bo. They reread the letter carefully.

"What is meant by the phrase 'I ask for burning oil', are those also secret words?" asked Snot.

"Maybe," replied Mr. Bo. "What if Major Dud finds out at Police Headquarters. Look for records about a pirate named Sea Eagle. I'm grateful to be able to get a map of the Dead Island," suggested Mr. Bo. Major Dud didn't react to his friend's words, instead staring intently at the will in his hand. My God! The lights went out, Snot and Vista confused.

"The lights went out, how about this? There's a candle?" asked Snot.

"You stay where you are, let me look for it," said Major Dud, then went to look for a candle. No candle was found so he lit oil lamp, kerosene. The lamp was brought into the living room. They see the letter again. "Not bad, quite bright." Almost an hour the power went out, after turning it on they flocked to see the letter again. "Uh, my hands were wet with kerosene. The will is a little tarnished," Major Dud complained. "But it's not broken, really!"

"Look at the grease-stained paper! There is a faint line!" Vista exclaimed when she saw the streak of line tips in the oil-soaked will. Snot watched it too.

"Try, wet all paper surfaces with kerosene! Who knew it was a map drawing!" Mr. Bo ordered Major Dud to take kerosene and cotton wool, then slowly moisten the cotton with oil and spread it evenly on the letter paper. The letter paper becomes somewhat transparent, similar to plastic. The writing did not disappear, and beneath it appeared a thin line of maps of the sea and islands.

"That's right? I'm pretty sure it's a treasure map!" exclaimed Mr. Bo.

"The passphrase 'I ask for burning oil' has been answered, it turns out to be a clue to finding the map," said Major Dud happily. It seemed that he had changed his mind, no longer in doubt. Now he is very interested in hunting for the treasure. "If we found it, we will definitely be famous, because we are in the newspapers and television."

"Oh, you want to be an artist?" asked Vista. Major Dud laughed. The map shows that Dead Island is in the Java Sea, to be precise north of Karimunjawa Island, Central Java.

"All we have to do is find out, was it true that there used to be a pirate group called the Sea Eagles," said Mr. Bo who was increasingly convinced that he would get the treasure.

"There is still another puzzle, namely the phrase 'A wall with a rainbow in broad daylight'," said Snot.

"There's no way the writing was just a fad."

"This password seems to only be cracked when we reach the Dead Island," said Mr. Bo. In the following days, Major Dud looked for information about the Sea Eagle to the National Police Headquarters. But the information they got made them discouraged. There is no recorded group of pirates named Sea Eagles.

"Maybe it's just not recorded, or they have never been caught by the security forces!" said Mr. Bo.

"Try asking the names of the pirates recorded. Who knows there is a similar name." Reluctantly Major Dud contacted his friend again. Then scribble with a pencil on the paper. Then handed it to Mr. Bo. Snot read along. "This is it, Hawk Ocean!" exclaimed Mr. Bo cheerfully. "I'm pretty sure it's the same group of pirates."

Snot and Vista stared at the cheerful Mr Bo. "You know what that means?" asked Mr. Bo, Snot and Vista shook their heads. "Hawk Ocean similar with Sea Eagle, because another name for an eagle is hawk! Whereas ocean means sea! Obviously it's the same name." Mr. Bo danced happily. "We will have lots of treasures, gold, diamonds, and gems!"

"Sigh, it should be left to the state!" said Major Dud.

"Fine, that's fine with me," said Mr. Bo. He is already rich. But he loves adventure hunting for treasure. The Sea Eagle pirate inheritance treasure puzzle was extremely soul-challenging again.

****

The Blackbeard is a legendary world pirate who came from the Caribbean Islands in the Pacific Ocean in the 18th century. Black Beard and his men intercepted merchant ships sailing from America and Europe or vice versa. At first they only defended their islands from the threat of European sailors who were currently working to colonize other countries. It's just that in their development they are targeting ships that contain valuable goods. Seize the cargo and do not hesitate to kill the crew. Why do pirate ships always wear a flag with a skull and crossbones on it? Because to scare potential victims. Let it be scary. Such a navy flag was called the Jolly Rouge and was always red. Because the meaning of jolly rogue itself is red in French. Black Beard and his gang became fugitive navies of many European countries. But what caught him was the British navy. The leader of the sea gang was sentenced to death and his head was beheaded and mounted on the ship's fountain, the mast of the ship's deck as a warning to other pirates. Are there no more pirates after that? Until now pirates still exist, even more sophisticated. Shipping in the Malacca Strait has always been haunted by pirate action. They are aiming for targets in the world's most crowded strait.

****

"You guys are on holiday, right? We're leaving tomorrow. Tell your parents that you are on vacation with Major Dud and Pak Bo," said Mr. Bo. Having gone with Major Dud, their parents didn't mind. It turned out that Mr.Bo chartered a helicopter and piloted it himself. They headed towards Central Java.

"I used to be a helicopter pilot for an offshore oil company," said Mr. Bo. Of course that amazed Snot and Vista, and it was the first time they'd been on a helicopter. They stay in Semarang. The next day they set off again by helicopter to the sea. From a height they saw the Java Sea.

"That's Karimunjawa Island, we are further north," said Major Dud.

"Maybe it's Dead Island!" exclaimed Snot, when he saw a small island without inhabitants, visible former buildings that were destroyed. Snot could see there was a reflection of light from the island.

"Let's see if there is a place to land the helicopter," said Mr. Bo. The helicopter maneuvered around the small island. It turned out that there was a place that was quite spacious, Mr. Bo carefully landed the helicopter. They descended both hopeful and nervous.

"There's an ancient building," said Vista.

"Maybe it was used as a place for Dutch officials to vacation. The building is in European style," said Major Dud.

"I saw the reflection of light from this island, maybe it's his treasure," said Snot.

"I saw it too," said Mr. Bo.

"It's impossible, if the treasure was seen, it would have been taken by someone. I think this island has also been visited by people. It's not just us," said Major Dud.

They circled the island, there were only dozens of coconut trees. A few coconuts that were buried in the sand started to grow. They approached the building.

"How did they bring the building materials here?" said Vista.

"Of course by ship, wasn't the Netherlands very powerful at that time? They can mobilize the natives to do all they want. Including building buildings on this island," said Mr. Bo. The building has no roof, there may have been a big storm that destroyed it. The solid walls are porous here and there.

"Look, it looks like they made a pool too," said Vista. "At the bottom of the dead pool there is a mirror."

Snot jumped down into the pool and watched the mirror tilted toward the wall of the building. Snot tried to take the mirror, couldn't, it turned out that the mirror was firmly stuck to the bottom of the pool. "In cement. So this mirror reflects the light."

"I think so too," said Mr. Bo. "Why would they build a pond on an island surrounded by sea like this?" asked Vista.

"To accommodate fresh water or rain water as drinking water," said Major Dud.

"What about treasure clues?" asked Snot. Mr.

Bo takes the pirate's will and reads it. "A wall with a rainbow in broad daylight. What does that mean?"

"We are waiting for the rain, who knows there will be a rainbow," said Vista.

"But how many days we've been here, and there's no sign of rain."

"A wall with rainbows in broad daylight, a strange riddle," muttered Major Dud. "In fact there will never be a rainbow without rain."

"Yes, it says broad daylight here. It means the weather is bright," said Mr. Bo. "We are looking, who knows if there is a side wall of the building that is painted in rainbow colors."

They eagerly walked along the walls of the building to find signs of the rainbow colors. Nothing was found, only a few former swallow's nests. The search was also difficult, because the moss had covered the surface of the walls. Mr. Bo and Major Dud scraped the moss.

"Who knew the paint was covered in moss. Isn't that will very old," said Mr. Bo. But not found. Even until late in the evening they found no clues. They spend the night on the island. Major Dud had time to fish and caught some fish. "Let's burn it, aren't there some dried coconut leaves near the building?" said Mr. Bo.

Then they made a bonfire out of dried coconut leaves and fronds. The fish is cooked and they eat it. "Not salty, not fun," said Vista.

"Bring salt or not, sir?"

"No!" said Mr. Bo, laughing.

"Just dip your fish in seawater, so it's salty. Actually we can make our own salt," said Snot.

"I can't believe you can make salt," said Vista.

"It's easy, just take the sea water and then we dry it. Tomorrow I will prove it. That I can make salt like the Madurese!" cried Snot. "In the helicopter I saw a small bucket."

"That bucket just in case you get airsick," said Major Dud, laughing. They sleep sitting in helicopters, lulled to the rhythm of the waves. Snot could not sleep at first, but eventually fell asleep. In fact, if Vista doesn't wake up, it might be delayed until noon.

"Come on saltman, wake up!" joke Vista. "Prove yourself if you can make salt!"

"Okay, boss!" said Snot, chewing the bread. When the bread was finished he took a small bucket and panted to lift the sea water into the pool. Having had enough, Vista and Snot waited for the pool. The sun shone brightly and burned their bodies. Major Dud and Pak Bo were busy tracing the walls of the building, scraping the moss for signs of the rainbow.

"Couldn't we have been on the wrong island," Major Dud grumbled.

"No, only this island is to the north of Karimunjawa Island," said Mr. Bo. "Shall we just start digging?"

"Digging how? Digging an island this wide you mean?" asked Major Dud. "How many months to complete!"

Mr. Bo did not comment on Major Dud's words. "Where are the children?" ask Mr. Bo then

"Just let them have fun playing. It's calculated to take them on vacation on a deserted island," said Major Dud, still wry, disappointed that the treasure had not been found.

Vista and Snot were still by the pool, Vista couldn't wait to see Snot's salt. "You filled too much water, so it won't dry quickly," Vista grumbled.

"It takes patience to make salt," says Snot. After all, even though the sun is getting hotter, there is no sign of the pool water drying up. Snot lay staring at the wall of the building, his eyes wide when he saw the rainbow colors on the wall near the pool.

"Look, there's a rainbow!" cried Snot, and hastily rose from his slumber. Vista looked at the direction Snot was pointing. That's right, there are rainbow colors on the walls of the building. It's not that big, but it really is a rainbow. The rainbow is only an inch long.

"There's a rainbow!" Vista shouted to Mr. Bo and Major Dud who were lying on the sand.

"Is it right?" shouted Mr. Bo. Major Dud and Mr Bo then ran towards the pool.

"There's a rainbow on the wall! Look at that!" Snot said.

Mr. Bo and Major Dud were amazed, "Oh my God, that's right!" shouted Mr. Bo, grinning happily.

"Hey don't be happy just yet!" cried Major Dud, reminiscing. "Shall we take the rainbow?"

"Of course not, how can the rainbow be taken!" said Mr. Bo. "But this is a real clue!"

"Why can there be a rainbow on this wall, wasn't there yesterday?" asked Snot.

"I know it's because of you," said Major Dud.

"Me?" asked Snot, full of questions.

"That's right! Don't you know how rainbows form in the sky?" asked Major Dud, then answered himself. "Rainbows are formed because the sun's rays are reflected off raindrops. So that rainbows only appear when there is rain or thin clouds."

"How about this rainbow, right, it's not raining here?" asked Vista.

Major Dud laughed. "The rainbow on the wall is because of the sun's rays reflecting off the mirror at the bottom of the pool," said Major Dud.

"Since yesterday the mirror has been there, how come yesterday there was no rainbow?" said Snot, still not satisfied with Major Dud's statement.

"Because you haven't filled this pool with water!" cried Major Dud. "There must be water covering the mirror, then a rainbow will form."

"So we can make an artificial rainbow?" asked Vista.

"It's very easy, fill a bucket with clear water and place the mirror in the water. Expose the mirror to the sun's rays, reflecting it on objects. A rainbow is formed," said Mr. Bo. "When we were in junior high school, we were taught by the teacher, but we forgot. Good thing you're here."

"Why is the rainbow in the sky curved?" asked Snot.

"Because the earth is round," said Mr. Bo. "Come on, now let's raid the treasure!"

Then, they dug the ground under the rainbow mark with makeshift tools. After a depth of more than a meter, they found a rusty iron box, with a large and rusty iron lock. They are both happy and curious, is it true that the treasure is in it? What if it's just marbles? With difficulty they lifted the iron box up.

"How about now, we force open it?" asked Mr. Bo.

"Don't! We are waiting for the authorities to come here," said Major Dud. He contacted the Central Java Regional Police and several mass media, sharing their findings and providing clues to their whereabouts. A few hours later a helicopter and patrol boat approached Dead Island. Police and journalists scattered from helicopters and patrol boats. The iron box was forcibly opened. Truly a treasure, in the form of gold bars. The treasures are taken to the patrol boat. After that, they together left the Dead Island and headed to Semarang.

The discovery was investigated, it turned out to be pure gold. "You guys are great, you can find treasure that has been hidden for a long time," said the police chief to Major Dud's entourage.

"These two boys found it, sir!" said Mr. Bo, pointing to Snot and Vista. "Without the two of them, at most we'd only get dried coconuts."

"Are you Red Hat Detective?" asked the police chief. "I've often heard of Red Hat Detective helping the police."

"That's right, sir!" said Mr. Bo. "These three are Red Hat Detectives."

"That's great, it's said that you are twin."

"Right," replied Major Dud. When the electronic media was to shoot them, Major Dud asked Snot and Vista to stay away. "You said that we wanted to be famous," said Snot. In a quiet place.

"Shh, if you on television, a lot of people will recognize Red Hat Detective. Didn't we promise that the whereabouts of the Red Hat Detective were kept secret, except to those who were interested," said Major Dud, explaining.

Vista and Snot laughed. "Wow, we can't be soap opera stars!" groaned Vista. They stayed again in Semarang, and they became special guests of the Central Java Police Chief.

When in the helicopter headed to Jakarta, Mr. Bo asked, "Who has the idea to fill the pool water?" "Me!" Vista replied quickly. "I want to be told how to make salt!"

"But that fills my water!" Snot said. "Then I can open the clue!"

"But without my idea, how could you fill the water!" mocked Vista.

"The first idea is by Major Dud. Wasn't he the one who fished, so you asked for salt," said Mr. Bo, laughing. "You guys are a team, so you have to help each other!"

"The firt idea is by the pirate. Without his will, we would never have gone to Dead Island," said Major Dud.

"What do you think we'll get?" Vista asked, closing her eyes imagining the gift she was about to receive.

"This trip is our reward, because the police have replaced the round-trip helicopter rental. So, our walks are free!" said Mr. Bo, laughing. Snot and Vista laughed. When they got home, Papa Vista and Mama Snot were surprised, because their twins rushed to bring big plastic buckets into the yard. Fill water and put a mirror in it. "What are you doing?" asked Mama Snot, curious.

"Let a rainbow appear in our house, Mom!" replied Vista, with a flowery heart.

"Yes!" continued Snot.

"How beautiful rainbows you are...!" Papa Vista and Mama Snot laughed, "As long as you don't keep fighting over the rainbow!" said Mama Snot. (*)