“You’re only adding to your punishment, Duran.”
He hated Clark. Hated him more than he’d ever hated anyone. He swung again, and again Nick easily dodged the attack. But then, as Duran turned, Clark had the audacity to kick him in the backside. Duran fell to the deck.
“Two weeks of extra cleaning duty.”
Duran stumbled to his feet. “You’ll get yours one day. You’re just as much a murderer as—” He realized he’d been about to implicate himself and backed off. “You didn’t deserve to live. One of these days, the men of thePolariswill come and take you down to the depths.”
He barely managed the steps down to the sleeping quarters. He sat on the edge of his bunk, listening to the snores of the other men. Duran fumbled with his boots and finally managed to get them off before falling back against his bed.
One of these days he was going to kill Nick Clark.
Nick saw Elise and her father walk up the gangplank just before the watchman sounded eight bells.
“Welcome back, Captain,” Nick announced in greeting.
“Nick,” the captain said with a nod. “Thanks for managing the loading. Any problems with the coal?”
“None at all, Captain.”
Wright smiled. “Is there anything else to report?”
“Duran returned just two hours ago and drunk. He took two swings at me, and I kicked him in the backside, knocking him to the deck.”
Elise giggled. “I suppose it isn’t kind to laugh, but I would have liked to see Duran put in his place. But, for now, I’ll leave you two to your discussion.”
Nick smiled and watched as she made her way to the deckhouse.
“Is that all?” the captain asked.
“I assigned him two weeks of extra cleaning duty.”
“Good.” Captain Wright’s manner was no-nonsense. “I’ll speak to him after breakfast and make it clear that he’ll be put off the ship if it happens again.” He rubbed his eyes.
“Didn’t you sleep well, Captain?”
“I’m afraid not. My daughter surprised us by being at her uncle’s house. Apparently, something happened with her husband having to cancel their wedding trip. Now she’s decided to end her marriage and makes no sense as to why. It’s a good thing I have a tight schedule and a brother-in-law to help in my absence. Otherwise I’d probably be sobbing alongside her. At times like these I miss her mother all the more.”
Nick frowned. “I am sorry to hear of your troubles. If you’d rather rest, I can take on your duties this morning. I’ve had a good sleep.”
For a moment he thought the captain would take him up on his offer. After a brief hesitation, however, Wright shook his head. “No, it’s best I stay busy and get us out of here as soon as possible. Have we finished all the paperwork?”
“Yes. We’re ready to go.”
“Thank you, Nick. I’m glad I can count on you.”
Nick watched him go. It wasn’t going to be an easy morning.
Chapter 15
August drifted into September, and the sailing was good. The routine of their trips gave consistency to the crew that helped keep the peace among the men. Even Booker had been less trouble.
In mid-September, they left Oswego behind once again and sailed west toward the Welland Canal. The series of locks would take them from the lower-lying Lake Ontario to the higher-sitting Lake Erie.
Elise paused in her work to watch for a moment as theMary Elisewas tied off to bollards as the lock gates closed behind her. Elise was enthralled with modern mechanisms of efficiency. Her sister had never been interested in the locks at Sault Sainte Marie nor those at Welland, while Elise had loved both. There were other places along the lengthy trip that always fascinated Elise as well. But the Welland Canal had been built so ships had a way to enter Lake Ontario without having to end their trip at Buffalo due to the Niagara Falls.
“It’s a good thing they’re rebuilding these locks. TheMary Eliseis a snug fit on some of them.”
Elise looked up to find Nick watching her. “Yes. Papa said the improvements are much needed. He said they’re also arranging it so that the locks will raise the ship higher and reduce the number of locks needed. That will also be very nice and will get us through this daylong production in less time. Not that I mind completely. I’ve always been fascinated by the genius of those who figured this out.”
