Coughing and spewing saltwater, Demo suffered the torments with little grace. As they reached the shallows off the island he quickly dismounted, swam toward the waiting beach.
The shark swam with him, circling ahead and behind, and occasionally taking a playful nip at Demo's heels. Amazing how playful nips at one's heels improves one's swimming skills!
As he waded toward the shore a sudden wave roared in. Massive torrents of water tore over him, knocked him to his knees. When he groggily arose he saw before him, in all his oceanic splendor, a figure of majestic proportions.
"You are on an errand for Zeus, are you shipmate? And may I inquire to what port ye are bound? I may well give thee favorable winds and gentle seas, if it so please me."
"Sire, I seek the master of the deeps, Poseidon himself. I have this missive to convey to him."
"Well, now, you've laid your course well, and have made already landfall. Lower your sails, matey, for I be Poseidon, he whom you seek. Let me look upon this important missive. My, my, from Zeus himself!"
Demo proffered the missive, astonished at his good luck in so quickly completing his task.
Poseidon opened the package, pulled out a long roll of papyrus.
"Well, a letter from Zeus! I didn't know he could write!"
He read the Zeus' letter, looked contemplatively out to sea, then read it once more. "Have you read this missive, my good lad?"
"Oh, no, Sire. It would not do, you know!"