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Opting for safety, the friends took the longer route. Along the way they found a man who was changing into dry clothes, his soaking shorts on the ground. He was Toni Bajada, the hero of the sieges on Birgu and Senglea, who would swim between the two cities at night, passing important messages to the Knights and Maltese people, then swim back to continue his mission for another day. His bravery helped Malta win this war.
Toni knew every inch of the shore and led them back through parts of the tunnel used as living quarters as poor people would be allowed to live in these dark, damp spaces. Ancient remains, including pottery, tools, weapons, and letters about the Siege, gave them a glimpse into the lives of the Maltese centuries ago, deepening their understanding of the historic and human aspects of the sieges, eventually leading them to the surface.
Emerging from the tunnel they had a sudden feeling that they were home. The smells and sounds were familiar, but now they saw them differently. Looking back, they noticed that the entrance to the tunnel had closed up and they knew they wouldn't be able to continue their adventure but they did not care. Their experience in the tunnels had deepened their appreciation for their shared history. They would never walk down an alley without thinking of those who had walked there before them. They all agreed, that was a good thing.
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