by David Riley
Julius and Gaius were tense with worry. “We will send some of our men up to help. How many do you need?”
“Twenty or thirty should be enough. More than that will just be in the way. The stronger, the better! Even your prisoners may be helpful, as long as they can be trusted.”
Julius nodded to Gaius and he made his way quickly to the hatch leading to the lower deck. Julius grabbed Rayiz by the arm before he turned away. “Just how bad is this?”
Rayiz looked him in the eye. “It is bad! The water in the hold is already knee deep. The ship is taking a beating from these waves. So far we don’t see a break in the storm. We expect it has to begin to weaken in the next day or two, but we can’t take the chance.”
“Are there any ports in the area we can go to?”
Rayiz laughed bitterly. “We don’t have any way to navigate. There are no stars to show us our position. We don’t know how far we have been blown by this storm or even what direction. The charts don’t show any ports in this section of the sea, but even if they did, we can’t steer this ship against the wind. We go where it wants to push us. The sea gods will have their way with us whether we like it or not.”
Julius’ mouth hung open as he watched Rayiz hurry off to organize the task at hand. Suddenly he was more worried than at any point in his life. At least in battle, he had some measure of control in wielding his weapons, and the enemy could be slain by his own hand. If he was killed in the battle, it brought honor to his name. This, however, was a battle against an invisible foe. He had no weapon to fight with. To die at sea meant there could be no burial, no honor. His tradition had taught him that if he was not buried, he would be condemned to wander the earth as a spirit. He suddenly felt a level of dread he had not felt in many years.
As he considered their hopeless situation, he was reminded of Paul’s teaching. Paul was in prison for two years and yet never seemed to lose his hope. He continued to teach that his God was powerful and in control, even though he remained in prison. Paul’s teaching about Jesus had ignited in him a hunger to know more. There was a stark difference between the fear of those trusting in their own strength or trying to please their many bickering gods and the hope and peace of those who trusted in Christ.
As Julius pondered this, he felt a stirring in his soul. His fear was balanced against a longing for the peace that Paul taught. He turned toward the roiling seas as he spoke softly, so no one could hear. “Jesus, I have heard Paul teach about You and I see his confidence and contentment even in chains. I don’t know You but I want to. I fear we will be destroyed by this storm. Paul claims You are more powerful than the storm. If that is true, I want to follow You. Save me!”
After saying that, he felt a little silly but at the same time was aware of a level of calmness that was not there before. He pondered this for a moment and then the wind picked up and the rain pounded harder. He turned to find the crew and see what he could do to help, resolving to talk to Paul about Jesus when there was time.
Chapter Twenty
After about twenty minutes, the group had gathered around the base of the mast, bracing themselves against the movement of the ship. Rayiz asked his sailors for a volunteers willing to go up into the rigging. It had to be cut loose and it could not be done from the deck. The sailors were the only ones experienced enough to do that job, but they tried to avoid eye contact as they hoped for someone else to step up. Rayiz was about to have them cast lots to make the decision when a voice called out from the middle of the group.
“I’ll do it,” Erastus said as he stepped forward. There was a collective sigh of relief as the men breathed easier. They had seen Erastus climbing the rigging and swinging on the ropes with ease and were confident he was the best one for this job.
Rayiz nodded in appreciation as Erastus approached. “You know what we need to do. Once you cut it loose, the men will have to support it with the cables that go through the tackle at the top of the mast. Signal us before you cut the ropes so we are ready. Just please use the lifeline and hold tight. None of your acrobatics this time!” he said with a slight smile.
“Don’t worry. I know better than to tempt this storm!” he said with an air of cautious confidence.
Rayiz then turned to address the gathered men as Erastus began to get ready. “Listen closely!” he yelled loudly to be heard over the storm. “Erastus will cut loose the supports of the yard once he gets up there. We cannot let it fall to the deck or we are all in trouble. We will need to support the weight of it with the cables that are running through the tackle. He will let us know when he is about to cut it loose, but we have to be ready to take the weight of it and let it be gradually lowered. We need several men on each rope. Be warned! It is very heavy!”
The men nodded in acknowledgment.
Erastus gathered a large knife and a spare as well as an axe and tied a lifeline around his waist. He wiped the rain off his face and shook the water off his hands as best as he could. Then he grasped the hand- and footholds on the mast as he started his precarious climb.
It was slow going, the mast swaying severely with the wind and waves. He focused on each step and paused frequently to let the ship settle back between waves. After a few minutes, he had reached the yard, the heavy wooden crossbar that supported the sail under better conditions. He paused to catch his breath, wiping his wet hands on his tunic, although it was soaking wet from the rain as well. He considered how to approach his task. He identified the four cables that ran through the tackle at the top of the mast and supported the yard at various intervals along its length. Whatever else he did, he did not want to cut those!!
The connection point to the mast was secured with a thick rope cable, about as big around as his wrist. A wooden dowel protruded perpendicular to the mast but aligned with the length of the ship. The yard was secured just above this, and the cable was wound securely around the dowel and the yard in a complex fashion to secure it. The cables to the deck were tied off securely as well, supporting the weight of the crossbar and keeping it level.
Erastus glanced down to the distant deck as he held tightly to the mast. The rain obscured his view somewhat, but he could see the group below, craning their necks as they watched him. He waved his arm (cautiously, holding tight with the other) and saw them wave in response. He then settled onto the yard with his legs tightly around it as he faced the heavy cable and began to saw through it with his knife.
As expected it was a slow process. The cable was weathered and tough. He had checked the large knife before he climbed and knew it was sharp, but it may as well have been a stick for all the good it seemed to do. He firmly sawed at the cable with the knife for a minute or two and finally was rewarded with a small cut in the fibers. He stopped to hold tightly as the ship rocked to starboard and then pitched forward. As that passed, he grabbed his axe and began to swing it against the cable. After several swings, the small cut had begun to deepen.
He alternated between the knife and the axe for several minutes, focused intently on his work as he instinctively adjusted his balance in response to the ship’s movements. The storm faded into his subconscious. Even in the cold rain, he was soon perspiring. Slowly the cleft in the large rope cable widened. Finally, the thick cable separated. It did not immediately come loose, however, the loops of the connection having become fused together over time.
He pried the pieces of the cable apart bit by bit, and as they separated, he could see that there was more tension pulling them apart. He peeled the loop back and unwrapped it around the mast. He could feel the beginnings of movement in the crossbar he was sitting on, and he paused to look to the deck again. He waved one more time to be sure they were ready, and then he pried another segment of the fused cable apart.
Suddenly, with a loud tearing sound, the rope jumped and snapped around, narrowly missing his head. The yard he was sitting on lurched out from the mast and dropped a few feet as he scrambled to wrap his arms and legs tightly around it. The men below were ready, though
, and quickly stopped it’s fall as they gazed up intently to be sure he was ok. He was not about to loosen his grip to wave, however. This was too precarious. Now he was far enough out from the mast that it was too dangerous to get to the mast to climb down. His best option was to ride the yard all the way down.
Rayiz was barking orders to the men on each of the four cables as they found their rhythm. They began to work hand over hand to the cadence called out by Rayiz, and the heavy crossbar descended foot by foot with its human passenger riding it down. The ship’s movement and the strong winds made it tough as they had to compensate for the swinging of the yard. Erastus held on for all he was worth, his breath coming in gasps. A few times, he felt his arms slip and immediately renewed his grip.
Finally the heavy crossbeam settled to the deck with a forceful thump that the men could feel. Rayiz hurried to Erastus as he sent a crew member to fetch Dr. Luke in case he was needed. When he reached Erastus, he feared the worst. He could not see any movement and his heart fell. He reached out to touch him and felt a gasp of breath.
“You’re ok! You are back on the deck!” he called to him reassuringly.
Erastus slowly raised his head and looked around, finally slowing his breathing. He had to force his arms to release his grip on the wooden crossbar, and his hands trembled as he pushed himself to a sitting position as he was surrounded by the worried crewmen.
“Wow, that was quite a ride!” he said, his face breaking into a smile.
The men relaxed and laughed in relief, amazed that he had not been blown off his perch into the sea or crushed by the heavy beam as it settled to the deck. Luke and Temeros hurried over in time to see the men relaxing as Erastus was helped to his feet. He still appeared shaken but was appearing more comfortable by the moment. Luke approached and the men parted to allow him through.
“How are you feeling?” Luke asked, reaching out to take his arm. “Did you fall?”
Erastus shook his head. “No, but I sure thought I was going to. I was up on the crossbeam when it blew loose and I held on for dear life all the way down! I was sure I would slide off with all the wind and rain.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment.
Luke and Temeros helped guided him to a crate so he could sit down. Then Luke looked him over thoroughly as Temeros observed. “What do you think, Temeros?” he asked his young protégé.
Temeros was caught off guard. “Well, uh. I, uh,” he stammered and then swallowed and collected himself. “I think he looks ok. He knows where he is and is able to walk. He does not appear in pain. I think he will be fine when he has time to rest a bit. I think he is very lucky!”
Luke nodded. “I think you are correct. But I would not say it is luck. I think God was watching over him and sent His angels to protect him!” He turned to the man who was appearing more relaxed and calm by the minute. “I don’t think we need to do anything other than give you time to catch your breath!”
Erastus smiled at them. “Thank you! I am feeling better. I’m not so sure about the angels but someone was watching out for me, that’s for sure!”
Seeing that he was going to be ok, Rayiz returned to the task at hand.
“Ok, men! We need to get this crossbeam overboard! We need everyone to help since it is so big. Find a place to get a hand on it!”
The men responded quickly and lined up along both sides of the huge wooden beam. Temeros and Luke pitched in as well. Rayiz called out to be prepared and then counted it down. When he shouted “Heave!”, they all strained as one and at first the beam seemed like it would defy their collective strength, but then they put their backs into it and it rose from the deck.
“Ok everyone! To the starboard side! All together!”
They inched their way to the side of the ship, looking like a colony of ants carrying a large stick. The weight of the beam along with the weight of the men carrying it caused the ship to list to the right, and for a moment it seemed to be rolling over. The heavy seas were splashing over the side of the ship causing water to flow across the deck. The men feared they would lose their footing and fall under the crushing weight of the thing but then they were able to tip it over the side into the sea. A huge splash doused the men closest to the edge and took their breath away. The ship compensated by rolling sharply as several of the men lost their footing and were washed toward the port side by the flowing water. Then the ship righted itself and they were able to grab a lifeline or the port railing as the ship stabilized.
There were muted cheers as the rocking slowed and the men congratulated themselves on doing what was required. Then, the realization began to sink in that now they had no way to hoist a sail. The desperation of what they had done showed them all just how bad their situation had become. They turned to see the crossbeam fading behind them in the seas, and some of the sailors once again began to curse the Euroclydon that had them in its grasp.
Chapter Twenty-One
The next several days were a blur of chaos and terror. The storm continued but varied in intensity. The rain let up a few times, giving them a sense of fleeting hope, but then returned even fiercer than before. At times, hail sent the passengers and crew scurrying for shelter, leaving pockmarks on the deck. The waves were incredibly rough and often towered above the ship. Thankfully, the crew was able to keep the ship pointed into the waves, aided by the drag from the sea anchor. The sailors knew that if at any point the gargantuan waves were to hit them broadside, the ship would capsize and all would be lost.
The ship labored up each mountainous wave and then teetered at the top before nosing down into the trough between the waves. As it crashed, the seawater flowed freely across the deck, washing any loose items overboard. The men wore lifelines at all times but for the most part sought shelter in the hold. Those unfortunate enough to be on duty out on the deck were frequently sent sliding across the deck by the force of the water.
In the hold, they fell into a rhythm of climbing, leveling at the top, rocking right and left as the ship nosed downward, and then crashing into the water at the bottom. The water flowed through the hatch with each splash, no matter how tightly they tried to seal it. The constant movement with no horizon as a reference triggered seasickness in many of the men. Even if they were able to tolerate the motion of the ship, the smell of the vomit mixed with the salty water of the sea and the close quarters of the people huddled below deck caused many others to become sick. Several braved the elements on deck to visit Dr. Luke in his cabin. Many made their way cautiously forward to the small booth where they could relieve themselves but all returned drenched, and the smell of wet clothing added to the thick air in the hold.
Misery and fear can be endured for only so long before men lash out at each other. Their circumstances being so out of their control caused them to seek a way of forcing their will on those around them, giving them the illusion of control. But the others would not be controlled and the resulting clash of wills caused a few shouting matches. The soldiers were quick to quash any actual fights before they began but in return were the object of the wrath of many of the prisoners.
A few of the men in the hold turned inward, isolating themselves from the group, overcome by despair and resigning themselves to impending death. Others were trembling with anxiety, some in tears, as they begged for some reassurance.
In contrast, Paul and the other believers continued their routine of starting each day in prayer. Luke and Temeros joined the group each day, and Temeros found that he was looking forward to sharing in this time. It was a source of comfort to him in the midst of his fears. Although they were not overtly participating, Julius and Gaius were seen in the group daily as well. These times of prayer garnered more and more attention with each passing day. Even some of their harshest critics were drawn to the peace displayed by the believers. They wanted the reassurance of being around those who believed even if they were not ready to take that step personally.
One morning after the time of prayer, the storm seemed more intense,
and the creaking and popping sounded as though the ship would be torn apart. After finishing his prayer, Paul looked around at the faces etched with fear. Suddenly he felt prompted by God.
“Brothers, we need to sing. Even in the midst of trouble, praise to God is needed. He will not leave us comfortless. As we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, we can lift the spirits of those around us, even if they don’t yet believe!”
At Paul’s words, Temeros looked at Luke incredulously, wondering if he had heard the teacher correctly. Some of the group shrugged half-heartedly but agreed to try. “What do you suggest we sing in such horrible circumstances as this?” one asked.
“I know just the Psalm!” Paul answered.
He began to sing, his voice a bit flat but not unpleasant. As they began to recognize David’s psalm of thanksgiving to God for His deliverance, some joined him with quavering voices, stumbling over some of the less familiar words. Most listened, having never known the psalms to begin with.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
And gathered out of the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the south.
As they continued, they together lifted their voices to sing:
Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
Bound in affliction and irons-
Because they rebelled against the words of God,
And despised the counsel of the Most High…
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
