The Yellow Sea

     The upland pond smoked continuously, or at least James thought it did.  Or at least it looked like smoke.  Or at least he thought it was a pond.  What was once a spark of relief had now sizzled into decrepit disappointment.  What he had seen was, in actuality, just more sand.  He should've known better.  He hadn't had anything to drink for at least a day and a half, and his back was so red it could've been mistaken for a fire truck.  The severe sun stroke he was experiencing was the sole reward given to him for withstanding the punishing fiery rays of the angry melon in the sky.  But he had seen the pond, even if it was smoking - it had to be here somewhere.  James collapsed onto his knees, sinking into the yellow sea.  After a moment an incredible realization struck the pirate:  mirages were dumb and he would take no further part in them.  It was utterly ridiculous, but it was enough to keep him going...