Seaward Born by LEA WAIT

Author:LEA WAIT
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MARGARET K. MCELDERRY BOOKS
Published: 2003-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Believer, O shall I die?

O my army, shall I die?

Jesus die, shall I die?

Die on the cross, shall I die?

—from “Shall I Die,” a South Carolina spiritual

It seemed forever before the hatch opened again.

Many footsteps descended this time.

“Listen up,” said a very loud and very English voice. “We know this brig wasn’t sailing with a crew of seven, which is the number of men we found above. We know you’re down here. ’Twill be easier for all of us if you just stand up and show yourselves.”

Noah held his breath. No one moved.

“Then, we’ll have to search you out and it won’t be as pleasant for anyone.” Another moment of silence. “Marshall, there are no gentlemen of honor here. You start aft; I’ll go forward. Patterson, stand guard and watch for any movement.”

“Yes, sir.”

There were at least three of them, then.

Crates were being pushed and barrels shoved. “Just stick your sword into corners. That’ll get ’em out soon enough.” It was the first voice again.

Noah heard three crates being picked up and dropped. Those must have been the light ones; perhaps they held the wigs or some other fancy goods. Sounds were getting closer. A sailor’s sword hit the hull of the ship rhythmically, checking between the barrels.

Suddenly his barrel moved and he heard a scream, very close. He bit his lip hard to keep from making a noise. He tasted blood as his lip swelled.

“Found one of ’em!”

The man hiding within inches of Noah stood up. “You got my arm. How you expect me to be of use to anyone with a bleedin’ arm?” The man tripped as he was pulled from his hiding place.

“If you hadn’t been cowering down there like a cornered rat, you’d have had no injury. Afraid to stand up and be counted like men, these former colonists are. British navy’ll teach ’em a thing or two about being real sailors.”

“I’ve no interest in being part of your stinking navy,” spit out the American. “If I’d wanted that, I’d have sailed out of Bristol, England, not Bristol, Connecticut.”

“Just shut up and stay still. Patterson, hold him. You didn’t hide down here alone.”

Noah waited. The English sailor who had been near his barrel had apparently decided no one else was there; he hadn’t returned. Noah wondered how bad the man’s arm was and held his own wrist tightly. A sword cut could go to the bone.

Another crash and a call. “It’s me! Don’t use your sword. I’m coming out.”

The boy.

“Come on, then, and make it quick. Looks like we got your shipmate there. Another rat hiding in the corner.”

Crash!

“Praise the Lord, there’s a third one over here. A stinking black one in a barrel Out of there, you. Now!”

They’d found Jim. What would they do? Would Jim say anything about him?

“I’m thinking this one is a bonus. Looks like a surprise to these other boys here, am I right? Well, get him over here with the other two, and let’s take them on deck.”

“Please, please, master.

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