In this dramatized reading of Chapter 16, “At the Bottom of the Ocean,” from the novel How To Be A Pirate, Isaac Letchford voices the main characters—Hiccup, Toothless, Fishlegs, and Alvin the Treacherous—as they find themselves trapped in an air pocket beneath a sinking ship. The scene opens with Hiccup’s panic as he is tossed underwater, then rescued into a breathable pocket. The group discovers the overturned Lucky 13, a barrel‑vaulted hall of water and floating debris, and realizes they are alone except for a limp, green Alvin trapped under a bench. Hiccup dives to rescue Alvin, sparking a chaotic exchange about treasure, loyalty, and past betrayals. Alvin’s frantic pleas to find a hidden treasure clash with Fishlegs’ cold dismissal and Hiccup’s urgency as the air pocket shrinks. The excerpt blends vivid underwater description, rapid dialogue, and character‑driven tension, highlighting themes of survival, mistrust, and the looming danger of a diminishing air supply.
Chapters
Chapter 16, At the Bottom of the Ocean. Hiccup's first thought was that he was going to drown. He was turned over and over, somersault after somersault, down, down, down, in such a rush that he felt like his head was bursting. A strange, calm sensation of no longer really caring came over him, and then he was roughly grabbed by the shoulders and dragged, coughing and spluttering, to the surface of the water. and into an air pocket trapped beneath the sinking ship. The boat was still traveling downwards with such rapidity that Hiccup's ears popped again and again, but at least he could breathe.
My turn to save your life!
gasped Toothless. Oh, yes, said Hiccup sarcastically once he'd gotten his breath back. And I suppose the reason I'm here in the first place has nothing to do with you. If you hadn't gone rushing after Alvin, we wouldn't be on board the other boat by now!
Didn't you hear me shouting?
Fishlegs blushed.
Couldn't hear anything, actually.
Just in time for us to discover that you're a berserk, grumbled Hiccup. Fishlegs blushed even deeper.
Do you think that's what it was?
he asked shyly. He was secretly extremely proud that he had these Yes, I do, said Hiccup. Anyway, my life isn't exactly saved yet, is it? It's not like we're tucked up safely in bed in the hooligan village. I mean, where are we? The boat finally stopped its descent and settled gently on the seabed.
At the b-b-bottom of the ocean!
said Toothless as he floated by. Crouched in an upturned outcast helmet like a maleficent eagle sitting on its nest, his eyes glowing like candles. One of the only interesting features of the common Organn dragon is that its eyes light up in the dark.
The boat turned over and we seemed to be trapped underneath in some sort of air pocket, explained Fishlegs.
Hiccup peered Up the length of the upturned Lucky 13. Sure enough, all the benches were now the ceiling of what looked like a long, low, barrel-vaulted hall with water for the floor. Chairs, oars, and cushions floated by, but as far as he could see or hear, there was no one else trapped with him. No furious outcasts? Everyone else must have jumped off in time, said Fishlegs. Hang on a sec, said Hiccup. Somebody seems to be stuck under a bench down there. He dived below the surface, his legs kicking Swampingly, Fishlegs, and Toothless in a small tidal wave. He was gone for nearly a minute and a half. When he finally resurfaced, he was holding a very limp and green Alvin the Treacherous.
What did you save? What are you saving him for? He ate me! Rat! Rat! Rat! Toothless killed him! If you like!
He said, cheering up to no end, his claws extending towards the sleeping Alvin. As he heard these words, Alvin opened his eyes. His face crumpled up and he cried like a baby.
My treasure!
he cried.
My treasure! Gone! Gone! Gone! I'm not interested in your treasure, said Fishlegs coldly. What about the fact that not half an hour ago you were about to put the entire Hooligan tribe into slavery? Not to mention serving up poor old Hiccup here as a starter. If it wasn't for your stupid treasure, we could all be sitting in one of Gubbins the Belcher's classes, staring vacantly out the window while he bangs on about frightening foreigners.
We can still find it! said Alvin urgently, trying to peer into the water below him. It's down there, somewhere! Somewhere... the ground isn't far beneath me... Help me! And we shall live like kings!
Shut up, you madman!
snapped Fishlegs. We haven't got time! interrupted Hiccup. This really is our lucky day. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this air pocket is getting smaller. Hiccup was right. The air pocket was getting smaller.
