Ned Farrier Master Mariner: Call of the Cape by Patrick G. Cox

Author:Patrick G. Cox [Cox, Patrick G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: INDIEGO PUBLISHING LLC
Published: 2022-01-10T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Iron-Bound Coast

The ship staggered as a larger than usual swell surged beneath her. Spray burst high over her bow and sent water slashing across the deck.

“She rides it well, even in this light trim.” George dashed the water from his eyes. “And this wind across the current—!”

“Aye.” Ned steadied himself with a hand on the mizzen ratlines. “At least the sea is warmer than the Atlantic coast!”

“By my reckoning we’ll have a long beat back to reach Algoa Bay,” George commented. “We can be glad we weren’t there when this blew up. From this quarter it looks a death trap.”

“Safe enough, they say, from a south-westerly gale—but from this quarter?” Ned ducked as a wave burst high over the fo’c’s’le, the spray a solid burst across the deck and racing aft. “I’d not want to be at anchor in this.” Timing his move, he made for the binnacle. “How’s she handling?” he asked the pair of helmsmen.

“Well enough on this heading, sir. Wind’s going more southerly though.”

Ned nodded. “As I thought.” He checked the compass and glanced at the sails. Close hauled, the ship staggered and reared. He hoped he could keep the ship well away from the coast, but at the same time not be carried so far along it that he found himself far to the south of his destination.

“Can she hold east by east sou’ east?” he asked.

“She’ll hold it, sir.” The Quartermaster grinned. “But I reckon it’ll be a touch more wet than this.”

“Ease her to that and we’ll see.” Ned laughed as another burst of spray gave him a solid dowsing. “We can’t get any wetter than we are.”

The helmsman was right. The motion increased, with the ship rolling deep to leeward under the pressure of the wind in her reefed lower topsails and her exposed hull standing higher than usual under her light-loaded condition.

“Ease the staysails, George.” Ned worked his way up the slope of the deck to the ratlines. “I think the wind may be easing, but I want to make sure she rides more easily. Get Milton to check the well, and have Merriman and Thales check the hatches. She’s working heavily in this, and likely taking water by the feel of it.”

Eustace had a great deal on his mind as he rode behind the wagon carrying the materials for the farm house. It surprised him when Burmeister accepted the list of materials he needed and agreed to accept half the money in payment now, with only the balance needing to be paid on the next quarter day. There was a lot to be done. The walls were only at the height of the window sills, though the layout was clear. It had not escaped his notice that Sally seemed inordinately pleased to meet the ship Master again—Farrier—and spoke warmly of him later to Judith Gately. Well, well, so she likes this Farrier fellow, he told himself.

No matter. Once they were established at the farm, far away from this place, Sally would have enough to keep her busy.

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