Tamsen's Fateful Journey (Tamsen's Chronicle Book 3) by Charles W. Ross

Author:Charles W. Ross [Ross, Charles W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-10-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Finding a Ship

Wednesday, June 26, 1726

At the Captain’s words, John frowned and Tamsen took a step back running her eyes between the slender Captain and the taller Rutger Bleecker. What will we do now, she wondered? Are there other ships going north, she thought, and if so when will they make the voyage?

She swallowed and said, “I see, it is a disappointment,” she looked at Bleecker.

Before either she or John could say anything, Bleecker asked the Captain, “Hans, we have another ship being readied for a run to the north, do we not?”

The Captain’s lined face brightened at the question, “Aye, we do sir, a fine vessel the ‘Tina Isabella’,” pointing to a broad beamed sloop with a dark blue hull and yellow trim ridding at anchor some distance away from the other ships towards the end of the dock, “As soon as the ‘Grace Alice’ weighs anchor…probably…tomorrow at the earliest we shall move the ‘Tina’ into position to load her.”

Tamsen wondered what that meant. Did Rutger actually own more than one ship? He had not mentioned having a fleet before. He had said just that there was a ship sailing north. There was no mention more than one.

Rutger rubbed his chin and put his hand on his hip, “The ‘Tina’ is truly a fine ship. She could accommodate two passengers, could she not?”

The Captain’s mouth was a pencil line. Tamsen watched the shorter seaman’s jaw tighten. He is not pleased about having to deal with passengers. She heard him say, “Aye, she could, sir, we would have to leave space for the passengers. This means several pieces of cargo may be left on the dock for the next shipment. If that is what you would want sir.”

Sensing a reluctance in the Captain’s tone, Rutger Bleecker sighed, “Captain, let me tell you a story. There were two riders who came to my shop yesterday in the middle of the robbery. You heard about that incident, did you not?” The Captain nodded. “Well then these two people alerted the town watchmen, and our goods were saved. A good deed would you not say?”

The Captain moved his head up and down, “Aye sir. Saved our goods and some of our people from harm I hear.” The Captain’s eye shuttled between Rutgers face and that of John and Tamsen’s. Suddenly, before Rutger could say a word, “Sir, are these not the two riders, as you say, who saved our goods?”

Rutger beamed, “A sharp eye you have Captain. And they are not just casual travelers out for a joy ride. Tamsen here,” he gestured at her, “lost two of her daughters. They were stolen by the savages and given to the French. She and her husband are on their way to find them and bring them back home. It would be an honor for us, do you not think, to help them on their quest?”

Tamsen saw a complete change in expression on the Captain’s face from obstinate reluctance to a welcoming admiration. His bright blue eyes shifted between them as if seeing them for the first time.

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