Chapter 11
March 12, 1854
19 days at sea
A cold wind blewacross the deck, and Ann drew her shawl tighter. She’d done a great amount of thinking about Mr. Boyd’s words a few days ago, and she found the only place she could be alone with her thoughts was the windy forecastle. From the corner of her eye, she noticed two little passengers crouching near a barrel of meat, one pointing up at the sails.
Of course the little Davies boys were out and about even during a gusty wind. They didn’t seem to mind as they studied the sailors with sheer awe. She did have to admit there was something spectacular about how the sailors maneuvered through the rigging and tamed the ropes that appeared to move like the tendrils of a sea monster. The wind hadn’t stopped blowing since the singing and dancing yesterday, and at present, several sailors worked the canvas, a few even leaning over the yards, adjusting the sails.
Ann drew close enough behind the boys that she could hear them.
“Where are all the sails going?” Little Levi asked his brother.
“Dunno,” Rhuben responded, his eyes still riveted on the work. Ann didn’t know many of the passengers on the ship, but she’d learned the names of these lads. It was hard not to notice such active little boys who only sat still when watching the sailors and the rest of the time were running about trying to hide from the watchful eye of their sister.
“We have to furl them,” came the voice of Mr. Flynn to the men under his direction. Ann had met him formally yesterday but knew him to be the red-haired seaman that usually hung around with Mr. Boyd. “The wind is turning too strong.”
“But wif’out the wind,” said Levi in his small voice, “how we gonna get to land?”
Mr. Flynn came over and tousled the little boy’s hair. “A mighty good question, I’ve been asking m’self.” He let Levi and Rhuben hold onto theend of the rope he was pulling on. “Never seen as many storms as this voyage, I’ll tell ye.”
That honest report made Ann’s stomach tighten. Though there had been a few good moments, she found the general weather of this sea voyage wasn’t to her liking.
More stray bits of hair found their way outside her bun, and although being above deck did something to improve her mood, she knew it was time to be turning in. But where was Sarah Davies, their usually dutiful older sister? As Ann scanned the deck, that familiar weight rested on her heart again. She came on this voyage to help others. She’d already failed little Addy. She would not fail these little boys.
“Good day, Levi, Rhuben,” she said, crouching down to where they sat cross-legged on the deck. “Where is your sister?”
“We is hidin’ from her, miss,” said Levi, with the grammar and honesty of a three-year-old.
“I think we ought to find her.” Mr. Flynn was still near, so she greeted him and then gestured to the boys. “I can see, Mr. Flynn, that these boys will make fine sailors someday.” She patted both on the shoulders. “But with this wind increasing, I think it’s probably best I help return them to their mother and sister. Can you spare them?”
Rhuben clasped his hands. “Oh, no, Miss Fowles, we don’t wanna ...” His eyes were plaintive.
“It’s for the best, lads,” Mr. Flynn agreed. “The wind’s gettin’ right dangerous. I can’t predict the weather as well as Mr. Boyd can, but I ’spect we are headed into a full-on gale.”
Ann wondered if her eyes were as wide as little Levi’s had gone. “We best listen to him,” Ann said, trying to remain comforting. “Right this way.”
She helped pull them up to standing, and by the time they made it to the hatch, the wind had stirred up so much that they had to hold onto the rails and the ropes to continue any forward progress.Just howdidMr. Boyd predict the weather so well?
She helped Levi down the ladder, which he climbed quite skillfully for so little a boy. He really would make a good sailor someday. Rhuben followed behind, suddenly willing to be out of the storm. Ann had just made it down the hatch herself when the entire boat pitched violently to the right. A huge crack, followed by a great moaning sound so loud it was as though the sea itself had spoken, came from just above.
Sister Davies ran up to Ann and grasped her arm. “Sarah and I were looking everywhere; we didn’t know where they ran off to.”
Ann shrugged. “I think wherever the sailors are most concentrated, that’s where they will be.”
Sister Davies shook her head. “I’ve told them to stay close, but they get so cooped up here.”
“I understand. They are good boys, just curious.”
“I cannot thank you enough,” Sister Davies said. Ann dipped her chin, happy to be helpful again on this crowded ship.
A string of curses even more colorful than usual escaped Jack’s mouth. “We’ve lost the stay sail!”
“I can see that,” retorted Will as he wiped more sea spray from his face. “Call all sailors to help.” He could smell the strength of the storm in the air.
A shrill whistle sounded, its tones distorted by the ferocious wind. Will started barking orders. “Every sail furled and stowed. Coil all the lines. Wilson, check the deck for passengers. No one is allowed above.” He whipped around. “And Drake, tighten all hatches, check all barrels.”
Jack glanced at him. “How bad is it going to get?”
