The Last Killiney
Page 56
* * *
The following day, she made well and certain she stayed out of his way. She sat near the quarterdeck rail, diligently working on a sketch of the coastline, and when Vancouver came out on deck, Ravenna didn’t so much as look at him.
Soon they approached a point of land presumed to be Cape Disappointment. She watched furtively as the captain consulted with Mr. Puget. Gesturing toward the promontory and then alongside Discovery, they talked about the milky color of the water, as if a nearby river emptied into the sea. Ravenna recognized all of this as the opening of the Columbia River, although the breakers over the bar made it hard to tell.
To Vancouver, it seemed just another stretch of beach.
“It’s obviously only a small river,” he said pleasantly to his lieutenant. “See how the land hinders its progress inland?”
“Yes, it’s not big enough for vessels of our size,” Puget agreed. “As you’ve suggested, I recommend we waste no time here.”
Vancouver then spied Ravenna near the rail. “What think you, my lady?” he called to her affably.
Ravenna looked up.
“Is this a mighty and powerful river?” he asked. “Worthy of charting and precious time? Or is it simply a common stream, recognized and dismissed as such by our Captain Cook?”
“It’s the Columbia River, Captain, mark my words.”
Vancouver only shook his head. “Then such a river lies in wait for someone else to name, yes? Our mission lies ahead.”
“In the Strait of Juan de—”
Before she could finish her question, Vancouver had turned away with a shout. “Signal Chatham to make more sail!”