The short, slender woman smiled, stood, and reached out her hand. “How do you do, my dear? You must call me Gladys, and I will call you Hattie.”
Jonah’s face flushed scarlet, and he coughed. Leah forced a smile and took the offered hand. “I’m so pleased to meet you, Gladys. Please call me Leah. Everyone does.”
“Ah, then Leah it is.” Mrs. Hillerman pulled the small boy close to her side. “This is our son Daniel. He’s five years old and very excited to be sailing to the other side of the world.”
Leah bent forward and squeezed the boy’s hand. “How do you do, Master Daniel? I’m so pleased to meet you. We shall have a grand time on our voyage, won’t we?”
Daniel gave her a shy grin and ducked behind his mother.
“Where is Reverend Hillerman?” Jonah glanced around the deck, seeming to have recovered from his chagrin.
Mrs. Hillerman pointed toward the steps under the quarterdeck. “He’s below with Captain Swain.”
“Ah. I think I’ll join them. I need to discuss some things with Swain.” Jonah bowed to Mrs. Hillerman, gave Leah a brief nod, tousled Daniel’s already unruly hair, and walked away.
Mrs. Hillerman stared after him for a moment, then turned back to Leah with a puzzled look in her gentle brown eyes. She seemed about to speak, but instead smiled, took Leah’s hand, and drew her down on the sea chest. “Come sit with me while the men make their plans. The good Lord knows that soon enough you and I will have plenty to do.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Leah smiled back, her heart swelling with affection for this woman. Gladys Hillerman appeared to be in her late twenties, and although she was slender, her healthy complexion suggested she was fit enough for the rugged life ahead. The harbor breeze had loosened some of her long brown hair from her broad-brimmed straw bonnet. Dressed in a simple gray muslin dress, she exuded peace, confidence, and kindness.
“You must not call me ’ma’am,’ dear. We are servants of Christ, sisters, and equals in every way.”
Leah felt warmth rush to her cheeks. How hard it was to grasp such an idea. She had no difficulty believing that God loved her, for why else would He have sent His only Son to die on a cross for her salvation? People were a different matter. She had grown up on her father’s ship, the darling of her parents and the crew. But shyness from lack of other society in her youth and servant status in the Adams house had educated her in regard to the broader world’s opinions of someone in her position. Yet her Heavenly Father had placed her here, and she would endeavor to live in a manner pleasing to Him—and to her husband, of course.
“Thank you, Mrs. Hillerman. . .Sister Gladys.” Leah peeked around her new friend at Daniel, whose eyes took on a wily glint, as if he might have a strain of mischief in him. She winked, and he wiggled and giggled.
Gladys laughed. “I see you have a way with children. It is my understanding the Pacific islanders are all very childlike, so you should have no trouble getting along with them. I am a little concerned about my own dealings with the natives. I would not wish to show anything less than Christ’s love for them, but they go about. . .um, unclothed. How shall we manage to cope with that until we can convince them to cover themselves?”
“They are not entirely unclothed, at least not all the time.”
“Oh, no, dear. I’m certain my husband’s information is correct. We must be prepared to be shocked in the extreme by those to whom we will minister.”
Leah shifted uncomfortably and adjusted the skirt of her high-waisted brown cotton dress, a cast-off from Mrs. Adams that still had some wear left in it. Deciding to be forthright with Gladys, she said. “Forgive me. I do not mean to contradict Reverend Hillerman. However, I was born on an island in the Fénuan chain and have visited Sandwich Islands and Tahiti, and they are not—oh, my, please forgive me if I sound prideful. . .”
Gladys stared at her, mouth agape. “Born on an island? But are you not the former Miss Wallace, whose father owns a New Bedford bank?”
Leah shook her head and with difficulty maintained a steady gaze into Gladys’s eyes. “My maiden name is Smith. My father was a whaler.”
Gladys’s expression changed from shock to dismay to. . .understanding? “Ah.” After a long pause, she drew in a breath and smiled. “Then I shall depend on you to educate me about our upcoming ministry. . .and our adventures.”
Jonah emerged from below deck, followed by three other men. The four approached the women, and the tallest man, dressed in a black suit and wearing a dark beaver hat, set his hand on Gladys’s shoulder.
“My dear, this is Captain Swain and First Mate Turner. I understand you have met Reverend Adams, and I assume this is Mrs. Adams.”
The graying minister bent over Leah’s hand in a gallant manner, the two ship’s officers bowed, and all other introductions were made.
“Mrs. Hillerman, Mrs. Adams,” said Captain Swain, “your quarters will be aft in what’s usually the officers’ cabins. They’re small but comfortable, and the men are pleased to surrender them for your comfort.” He gave them an apologetic smile. “My ship began was a whaler and therefore has no staterooms.”
Gladys stared at her husband with a shocked expression. “But where will you sleep?”
His uneasiness obvious, Reverend Hillerman cleared his throat. “We will sleep in the forward cabin with the crew.”
“But. . .”
“Never mind, my dear.” He raised his eyebrows, his mouth formed a line, and she stopped.
“If you will excuse us.” The captain, a pleasant looking man perhaps thirty years old, bowed away from the group, followed by the first mate.
Leah turned to Jonah for an explanation, but he was watching the crew prepare the ship. “See the way they scamper up and down that rigging. I’d certainly like to give that a try. Wonder if Swain would permit me once we’re out to sea.” His eyes sparkled with excitement, almost like a child’s. “Look, we’re moving away from the wharf. Daniel, come with me to watch.” He held out his hand to the boy, who gripped it and skipped along beside him.
“Come, dear,” said Reverend Hillerman. “Let’s watch too.”
Gladys took his offered hand but also reached out to pull Leah along. The older woman’s expression was sympathetic, as if she knew what Leah felt. But Leah forbade herself to despair. She had lived in the Adams household for eight years. If Jonah assumed she would follow along, it was because, as his mother’s companion, she always had.
She drew close to the ship’s railing and followed Jonah’s startled gaze at something on the dock. There stood Hattie, dressed in a fashionable pink satin gown with puffy sleeves, a V-shaped waistline, and a full skirt. Golden blond curls spilled from under her large pink hat, which boasted a high crown, broad, flaring brim, and dyed pink feathers. Tears streamed down Hattie’s cheeks, her fists were balled at her sides, and a raging pout marred her delicate beauty. Leah looked back at Jonah. His face was also damp and contorted, but she could not read his expression. Grief? Sorrow? Despair?
How wretched, how utterly trapped he must feel, imprisoned in an impulsive marriage, dragged away from the woman he loved by God’s stronger call on his heart.
The crewmen drew in the lines and loosened the sails to catch the breeze. The ship slipped from its berth to glide down the Acushnet River toward the sea. Leah moved away from her husband to take in the beauties of the early autumn colors on the hilly river banks. But she could not see anything for the salty sea mist clouding her eyes. Yes, it surely must be sea mist, for she had forbidden herself to weep.
***
Jonah ground his teeth and glared at Hattie. What had she hoped to accomplish by coming to the dock? He knew that look, the one she used when her will was crossed. What a fool he had been to give in to it all these years. No wonder she thought it would bring him back to her now. Behind Hattie stood Mr. Wallace, bending to speak in her ear. Then he straightened and stared at Jonah, lifting his hand almost as if to beckon him back, as if Jonah could or would return, as if he w
ould annul his marriage, as Mr. Wallace had urged earlier. They had never understood, and now they had come here like agents of Satan calling him back from his holy mission. Little did they know how this last gesture had sealed his heart against them, against her. Every fine feeling he had ever held for Hattie Wallace dissolved into pity and brought forth a silent prayer that she would one day truly know what it meant to love and serve God.
He looked around for Leah and saw to his relief that she seemed unaware of Hattie’s presence on the dock. She stood at the railing and gazed up toward the hills of New Bedford. Her face wore a sweet, wistful expression like the afterglow from a season of prayer. How pretty, no, how beautiful she appeared, so unselfish, so completely surrendered to God’s will.
He expelled a quiet breath and then drew in another for strength. How he wished to take his wife in his arms, and how hard it would be to stay away from her for these next six months as they sailed to their new home.
The sharp cursing of one of the crewmen pulled him from his reverie, and he located the offender. Narrowing his gaze, he strode toward the quarterdeck to find Captain Swain. Clearly what this crew needed was a Bible study, and Jonah Adams was just the man to teach it.
Chapter Three
“I have considered your offer, Reverend Adams, and I heartily approve.” Captain Swain sat at the head of the dining table in the main cabin, with the missionaries seated on either side of him. “No matter how hard I try to set a Christian example for my crew, they seem to backslide at the slightest provocation. They are at sea most of their lives, and when they’re on shore, well, religious services are not their preferred activity. I would greatly appreciate your holding daily Bible studies and Sunday services. I’ll be pleased to attend services myself.”
Leah watched the bearded young captain as he spoke, then turned to see her husband’s response. To her dismay, his tanned complexion still bore a green pallor, for he had spent a large portion of their first day at sea hanging over the ship’s railing, right beside Reverend and Mrs. Hillerman. Despite the rough, rolling waters, little Daniel had lost only his lunch, and now devoured his supper stew with gusto.
Jonah toyed with his spoon and nodded to Captain Swain. “Very good, sir.” He swallowed hard, clearly struggling to keep down the few bites he had eaten. “I shall begin to. . .” He gulped again. “. . .tomorrow. Thank you for your cooperation. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
He quickly arose from his chair, appeared almost to swoon, and caught himself on the chair back. Leah jumped up and reached out to help him, but he stayed her with a gesture. “No, Mrs. Adams, sit down and enjoy your. . .” He swayed. “. . .supper.” He stumbled from the cabin.
“Oh, Reverend Hillerman, please help him.” Leah turned to the other man. He indeed followed Jonah, but he appeared to be in the same miserable condition. “Captain. . .?” Leah began, but the captain was catching Mrs. Hillerman as she fell from her chair.
He swooped her up into his arms and carried her several feet to her tiny cubicle just off the main cabin. His gentleness impressed Leah. The man surely must be a Christian, as he had indicated.
While Leah stood to help him, the ship’s cook, Mr. Smiley, and his wife, Mrs. Smiley, gathered the barely-touched meal and started to carry dishes and utensils to the galley. The middle-aged couple seemed almost like bookends, for Mrs. Smiley wore men’s clothing and pulled her graying hair back in a long, thick braid, just as her husband did. Of medium stature and wiry build, the two earned their names, for they were jolly, spry people.
“Now there’s a lad with an appetite.” Mrs. Smiley patted Daniel on the head. “You’ll earn a sweet if you clean your plate, m’lad.” The boy beamed at her.
Leah stepped over to Mrs. Hillerman’s cabin, a four foot by seven foot cubicle that she shared with Daniel. The unvented space mirrored Leah’s own on the other side of the center cabin.
“If you’ll stay with her, Mrs. Adams, I’ll check on your husbands.” Captain Swain maneuvered around Leah in the tiny area.
“Thank you, Captain.” Leah knelt beside the canvas cot and brushed the sweat-soaked hair from Gladys’s forehead.
“Daniel. . .” Fear clouded the woman’s eyes.
“I’ll watch him, Sister.” Leah smiled her encouragement. “You just rest and don’t worry. He’s already got his sea legs, and the Smileys will help me care for him.”
Gladys responded by depositing her supper in the chamber pot and then rolling over to fall asleep.
Leah and Mrs. Smiley cleaned the area while the first, second, and third mates ate their supper. Then Smiley and his wife lifted the narrow dining table against the wall and secured it with brackets and ropes. By the time Captain Swain returned to the cabin, Leah had read a Bible story to Daniel, prayed with him, and put him to bed in her own small bunk. She took up her Bible once again and sat down to read.
In the dark cabin, one hanging whale oil lamp flung its light about in rhythm with the rolling ship. The captain disappeared into his private quarters, then reemerged with a small stack of books.
“May I offer you something additional to read, Mrs. Adams? I have Shakespeare, Milton, Bunyan.”
Leah glanced up with interest. “Why, thank you, sir. How kind of you to offer. But I have not asked my husband’s opinion of those authors. It may be that he would not approve.”
Swain cocked his head and frowned. “Hmm. Such a thing had not occurred to me. Forgive me, but surely Milton’s Paradise Lost or Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress would meet his approval.”
“Perhaps. But I shall wait until he grants permission.” Leah lifted her Bible to catch the wayward lamplight.
The captain sat on a nearby chair. “Then you have not been married long?”
Leah ceased her reading. “No, sir. We spoke our vows just this morning.” A blush of pleasure warmed her cheeks.
“Ah.” A strange look passed across his face, but in the dimness, Leah could not make out its meaning. “Tell me, madam, how is it that you take to the sea so well?”
“I am a little surprised myself, for it has been eight years since I last sailed. My father was a whaler, and Mother and I accompanied him.” She recounted to him the story of her birth on a South Pacific island where her father had dropped anchor to secure water and food. “Then we returned to Fénua when I was twelve years old, and the islanders remembered us and gave us a welcome feast.” She laughed softly. “Like me, my parents had red hair, and the people had never seen anyone with such coloring. They treated us as if we were royalty. But their idol worship and heathenish ways caused us great sorrow. My father told Chief Fénua that we would return one day and bring them a wonderful new hope, for he planned to return with God’s Word. However, when we arrived back home in New Bedford, my parents both fell ill with smallpox and soon died. I had only a mild case. Since then, I have longed to return and give the islanders that promised message of hope.”
Leah felt her face grow warm again. How rude to speak so much of herself to this stranger. But when she looked at the captain, she saw respectful admiration in his pleasant face.
“And after all these years, you are returning. How commendable. And you married a minister and have recruited him to accompany you. That’s truly remarkable.”
“But. . .”
His comment was so startling, Leah could not think of a proper response. She had not recruited Jonah for the ministry in Fénua. God had.
“Well, Mrs. Adams, you and I will have to see to these landlubbers until they get their sea legs. My ship has carried few passengers, as you can see by our lack of accommodations, and I am unaccustomed to dealing with such maladies. Perhaps you have some suggestions on how we might assist them.”
Reveling in his use of her new name and honored by his request for advice, she smiled. “My mother kept ginger tea available. I never required it, but I believe it helps the condition.”
The captain gazed at her for a moment, his kind expression seeming to intensify. Then he frowned, looked
away, and shook his head. “Hmm. If Smiley had some, he would have mentioned it. I suppose your husband and friends will simply have to endure their misery until they are used to the sea. I hope it’s soon. Now, I have first watch tonight, so I must attend to duty.”
He left the cabin, and Leah considered whether she should read another chapter or go to bed. The Smileys returned from their galley duties and began stringing up their hammocks.
“Lights out, dearie,” Mrs. Smiley said. “This is where we sleep, and we’re up before dawn to cook breakfast.”
“Oh, yes, of course.” Leah went to her cubicle and slipped into her bunk beside Daniel. Before the cabin lantern went out, she noticed his dark eyelashes against silky, tanned cheeks. Her arm around the sleeping boy, she dreamt that night of having her own sweet child to hold. But even in her dreams, she wondered if Jonah would always see her as a servant rather than a wife.
***
Jonah had never felt so miserable in all his life. Would there be no end to this seasickness? How long had it been going on? Days? Weeks? He had used every ounce of willpower not to cry out for God’s mercy as his stomach pitched and rolled in rhythm with the pitch and roll of the sea. With all his planning, how had he failed to anticipate this trial? Was there no medicine to help him?
In his hammock in the crew quarters, he was vaguely aware of Reverend Hillerman’s similar misery. Each would rise of necessity and then return to lie in agony for more endless hours. From time to time, Captain Swain or one of the mates brought water and a thin broth. Otherwise, the two missionaries agreed, they would surely have perished. Jonah’s only consolation came from learning that Leah had not fallen ill and Mrs. Hillerman had somewhat recovered, although not completely. Of course decency prevented the ladies from entering the crew’s quarters.
Daughter of Destiny Page 2
