by Danni Roan
“I think so,” she answered honestly, noting the slightly greenish tint to his skin. “I’m not so sure about you though.”
Birch nodded holding his breath as the smells of the galley made his stomach roil. A few seconds later, he was spilling his earlier dinner over the side of the boat to the laughter of the other men.
“Don’t worry,” Barnaby said handing him a cup of fresh rainwater. “It’s normal the first time.”
Chapter 9
Xenia made her way toward the galley pressing her hands to the sides of the walkway to find some stability.
The night before she’d put the oats on to soak and tied the lid down tight. If she could get a fire going, they’d have a hot breakfast, but if not cold oatmeal would have to do.
Behind her she could hear Birch stirring and she hoped his stomach had finally settled. Back at the school, someone would have made a cup of mint tea to sooth a sour stomach, but here one simply had to muscle through.
Hurrying on deck just as the ship broke a wave Xenia lurched, but then righted herself gazing around the deck to see men hard at work lashing down gear, and furling sails. Men weary from their shift of trying to keep the ship on tack.
Returning to the main deck, Xenia closed the hatch behind her as she made her way toward the galley, swaying as the ship lurched, and a sailor near the rail cried out as he stumbled, toppling over the rail and plummeting to the sea below.
Xenia blinked letting the scene rattle through her brain then without even a thought she raced for the side plunging over the railing in a perfect dive.
“Zeke, Zeke!” Birch screamed sliding to the railing and grabbing the edge as other sailors raced to drop the sails.
Below Birch could see Xenia rise and fall in the waves as the struggling sailor dipped and dropped below the waves.
Xenia let the wave carry her forward over the next wave then took in a breath sinking below the stormy sea as she grabbed the sailor by the back of his collar and pulled him up.
Rain pelted her face as she struggled to keep them both a float trying to place the vessel she had leapt from without a thought.
Had the notion that she might die today, disappearing into a watery grave, even entered her head?
Looking up she could see the ship rocking to and fro in the angry waves and above it all, the worried face of Birch as he twisted a rope around his waist the jumped from the rail.
Xenia strained toward the spot where Birch had split the surface of the waves, her back and shoulders screaming with the pain of dragging the other sailor with her.
As she rode the crest of one wave up then slid down the other side a strong arm snaked around her waist and Birch pulled her tight.
Another rope slithered down the length that bound Birch to the ship, and he quickly slipped it around Xenia, but she shrugged out of it clinging to his arm with one hand as she dropped the loop over the delirious sailor she had rescued.
Birch didn’t argue there was little time. Instead he tugged on the second rope indicating that the crew above should pull and soon the limp form of the nearly drowned sailor was hoisted up the side.
Moments later the second rope slithered toward them and this time an exhausted and choking Xenia let Birch slip it over her shoulders as he braced himself to be hauled back up.
Xenia clung to Birch as together they were lifted from the waves. Her whole body ached and her lungs burned as if on fire.
“You’re gonna be fine,” Birch whispered over and over as together they reached the railing and where pulled home.
“What’s the meaning of this?” an irate Gobbs yelled as Xenia collapsed onto the deck. “We could have lost three hands instead of just one today, what foolishness is that?”
Xenia looked at Birch but didn’t say anything.
Barnaby stepped up beside Gobbs shouting to be heard over the wind.
The man who had fallen overboard was the ships carpenter, and without him, the odds of making or maintaining repairs were zero to none.
“Zeke thought the ships carpenter was important enough to save,” the old sailor called into the quarter master’s ear.
“Well get the breakfast on,” Gobbs growled as he staggered into the wind toward the main deck an unhappy scowl on his face.
Birch helped Xenia to her feet as the carpenter groaned retching up water onto the sodden deck.
“I’ll see ta him,” Barnaby said shaking his head. “You two get the stove going an’ dry out.”
Slipping a supporting arm around Xenia Birch staggered toward the galley his legs felt like rubber and his heart thudded in his chest. He never would have forgiven himself if the girl had drowned.
“That was insane you know that right?” he said as together they worked on starting a small fire in the stove.
“I didn’t think,” Xenia admitted. “I just acted. That’s what gets me into trouble so often as it is.”
Birch shook his head. It had been his carelessness on the docks that had led them both to this situation. He felt responsible for the girl.
“You need to get dry,” he said shaking off the dark thoughts.
“I need to get food for the men,” Xenia said. “Some hot food will do them good.” She turned her bright green eyes on him and scowled. “How long do you think this will last?” she said her tone worried.
“I don’t know,” Birch said. “I’m as much a novice as you are at this. At the moment I’m just glad you can swim.”
“With so many children coming into the school and the various trips we took on a regular basis to enrich their learning, Wiggie insisted that all teachers know how to swim.”
Birch shook his head. It was hard to believe that this daring young woman had been trained as a teacher. She had told him about her life in New York and about the school, and he was determined that one day when they both got out of this mess, he would see her home to the woman who had taken her in and the other women that had been her sisters in love.
Chapter 10
Xenia struggled through the breakfast hour somehow managing not to slop oatmeal all over the deck as the ship pitched from wave to wave.
As morning ebbed the storm eased and they turned further south into a freshening wind. The rain slowed to a drizzle and sailors unfurled sails catching the wind and driving through still unsettled seas.
“Boy!” Gobbs called drawing Xenia’s attention. “Up into the crow’s nest with you,” the quartermaster barked.
Xenia looked up at the tall mast and swallowed. She’d been into some of the lower rigging, but now the boat swayed and bucked as it tried to outpace the storm.
“Up!” Gobbs bellowed and Xenia scrabbled to comply.
“I’ll go!” Birch dashed toward the mast only to be stopped by a gnarled hand.
“You’re needed here,” Gobbs grumbled. “It don’t take muscle to keep watch.”
Xenia’s eyes found Birch’s, and she smiled. It was kind of him to offer to take the watch, but she could do this and she would. Casting a hard look at the quarter master she headed for the nest.
Xenia gripped the ropes along the mast her eyes on the small bucket like surround at the very top.
She’d seen some of the other men clamber up to the look out and tried to mimic their movements.
Her arms burned as she reached the underside of the nest just as a violent wave made the ship tip and stagger.
Xenia gasped clinging to the lines she held in her hand even as her feet became dislodged and she dangled high above the deck.
Kicking madly and hanging on for dear life she managed to pull herself up the last section of mast and drop over the edge of the crow’s nest panting.
Raking in several shuttering breaths Xenia closed her eyes until her heart steadied then climbed to her feet.
For the first time since starting the ascent she let herself look down to the deck. Far below she could see Birch looking up at her as he hauled on a line adjusting the sails.
His face looked ghostly white and
even from this distance she could make out the relief on his strong features.
Xenia nodded trying to indicate that she was fine then lifted her eyes to the scudding clouds.
The wind at her back plastered Xenia’s damp shirt and vest to her spine cooling her skin from the heat of her earlier exertions, even as misty rain pelted her face as the ship plowed through a following wave.
Before her the vast ocean rose and fell in ebony waves touched with foam. The endless expanse rolled on forever, as far as the eye could see, and Xenia’s breath caught in her throat.
The raw beauty and enormous splendor of the ocean was overwhelming, and she lifted her eyes to heaven where she knew a mighty creator looked down on her tiny form.
The ocean was awe inspiring, dreadful, and beautiful at the same time, and Xenia’s heart swelled with wonder.
The boat lurched beneath her and Xenia grasped the sides of the crow’s nest looking below as her stomach dropped to her toes. She felt like she was flying; diving and soaring again, but needed to remember that one wrong move would send her plummeting to the deck below.
Smiling down at Birch who had turned to look back at her she waved letting him know she was fine. The air at the top of the nest was better than being locked in the galley all day.
Scanning the vast horizon of water she smiled again as a tiny patch of blue sky seemed to beckon. If the wind held, they would be out of the leading edge of the storm soon and into a new and brilliant day.
***
Birch swallowed down the bile that had risen in his throat as he’d watched Xenia dangling from the lines at the top of the mast mere moments ago.
He was terrified that she would plunge to her death as the ship pitched and swayed, but she’d held on and managed to haul herself up into the crow’s nest. He was amazed at her strength of will and spirit, and a little in awe at her physical abilities. Where had a girl like that come from?
“Heave,” Barnaby snapped as together the other men leaned into the line they were holding, turning the sail as it billowed into full sail with a snap.
Above Xenia lurched but held steady in the nest, and Birch’s heart settled a little. He still didn’t like her being up so high, so far from him if she needed help, but as she lifted her chin, facing the misty sky he could see her countenance almost glow with the wonder of the sea before her.
Birch shook his head as he lashed down the lines then elbowed Barnaby gesturing with a nod toward Xenia.
“Zeke doesn’t seem to mind heights,” the old sailor said with a grin. “’Can’t help but wonder what else ‘es good at,” a soft twinkle entered the older man’s dark eyes making Birch grin.
“Scrappy might best describe Zeke,” Birch said with a shake of his head as he tied off the line and trotted after Barnaby to the next one.
The whole crew was up hauling line, and furling the sails as the ship raced the wind toward calmer seas.
As Birch and Barnaby continued their work they could hear Gobbs shouting up toward the mast, his words, as string of epitaphs to make your ears bleed, assailing Xenia as he demanded a report.
Birch blushed at the harsh words that no decent young woman should ever be subjected to, but there was little he could do. Sailors took years to learn their salty language. It would take as many to un-teach each one.
High above him Xenia’s words, scratched out in the deeper voice she had adapted, drifted to his ears as she reported blue skies ahead.
Chapter 11
As the schooner broke through the misty rain and into blue skies and sunshine and the pitching of the ship eased, Xenia was called back to the deck to begin preparations on the afternoon meal.
With a steady wind at their back and calmer seas the men returned to their four hour on four hour off schedule. Xenia was surprised at the feeling of regret she felt when her feet touched the deck but smiled when Birch approached.
“I hope they don’t send you back up there.” Birch said at the end of his shift as he joined Xenia in the tiny galley where the smell of brined pork and peas permeated the air.
“I rather liked it,” Xenia said lifting her chin. “The climb was a bit harrowing I’ll admit but being up so high and being able to see so far…” her words drifted off dreamily.
Birch shook his head. “I think I understand why your friends Wendi and Vera Mae lectured you so much now,” he said running a ragged hand over his face. His beard had started to grow now and the unkempt look suited him.
“You were worried about me,” Xenia said as she drained the pot that the meat had been soaking in and added fresh water from the recent rain.
“I feel like you’re my responsibility,” Birch admitted. “If I hadn’t been so foolish to get myself knocked over the head that night neither of us would be in this situation.”
Xenia placed a hand on her hip looking at him. “You think you’re responsible for me?” she asked shaking her head. “Don’t you realize that I’m saving you?”
Birch grinned running a hand over the back of his neck. “Then I think we’re both failing miserably,” he chuckled.
Xenia laughed and the sound washed over Birch like a fresh breeze. This girl was something else.
“It’s only a setback,” Xenia assured setting the pork to boil and adding a few meager carrots. She was careful with every resource she had available as she tried to stretch their stores.
Birch shook his head, if this was only a setback what constituted failure to Xenia.
“Don’t worry Birch, we’ll get out of this,” she said. “It’s only a matter of time and if we watch and listen our opportunity will come.”
“It could be months before we see land,” Birch said. He needed Xenia to understand the seriousness of their situation.
“But we will reach it eventually, and then everything will need to be ready.”
“Ready for what?” Barnaby asked as he stepped into the galley with a crate of hardtack.
“For our escape,” Xenia said her eyes assessing him carefully.
Barnaby shook his head offering a chuckle. “We’ll worry about that when we see our first glimpse of California,” he said. “For now keep your head down and do as you’re told or we’ll all be in a pickle.”
“I promise I won’t do anything to get you into trouble,” Xenia said, “but we don’t want to miss any opportunity.”
Barnaby patted the girl’s arm. “You’ve got gumption, you has,” he said. “Just don’t get any of it whipped out of you.” He dropped the crate on the small work surface and motioned for Birch to follow him.
Xenia watched her two companions walk away as she began sorting out the food for the afternoon meal.
As bold as she had always been Xenia had never imagined a scenario where she was stuck on a ship pretending to be a boy.
She couldn’t help but wonder what her loved ones back in New York imagined had happened to her. It grieved her heart that her foolish behavior would cause others pain.
Checking the meat as the water started to boil, she thought about her situation and had to admit if she had it to do over again, she probably would.
Xenia had always been this way, from the time she was small and someone was hurt or in trouble, she would step in and try to help. When she saw something that needed done, her first inclination, no matter the consequences, was to get it done.
“Capt’n wants ta see ya boy,” a burly sailor called as he passed the open door of the galley. “Me? What for?” she yelped.
“Just move yerself!” the big man barked moving on toward his own duties.
Xenia hurried to comply arriving at the door of the captain’s quarters with no idea how to continue. Did she knock? Did she open the door and call out?
Raising her hand to knock, Xenia jumped as it swung open and a sneering Gobbs stepped out.
“Get movin’ you bilge rat,” he said spitting on the deck as he strode down the out.
Xenia stepped inside gazing around her.
“Close the door,�
� the captain’s resonant voice called from where he stood looking at charts on a desk.
Xenia closed the door slowly then turned back to the man who had so radically changed her life.
“This needs cleaning,” the captain said waving a hand about to indicate the interior of his quarters. “Start with the bed.”
Xenia made her way to the bed with the high headboard at the far end of the ship.
“I’d like to apologize,” the captain said still not turning from the charts he was looking at.
Xenia cast a glance over her shoulder as she tucked in every corner of the blankets and sheets.
“I’ll never admit this, but I know you didn’t arrive here of your own free will.”
Xenia didn’t say anything. What was the man getting at?
She finished smoothing the covers over the bed then moved to a small table that hung from ropes suspended from the low ceiling.
“I also know your secret.” For the first time the man looked up and met Xenia’s eyes making her mouth go dry.
She was alone in his cabin, with no one to help if he tried to overpower her.
“I, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Xenia tried her heart racing in her chest.
“I’m not a bad man,” The captain continued returning to his work. “I have a wife, a family, a daughter only slightly younger than you.”
Xenia’s mouth was dry and her hands were shaking as she gathered the dirty plates and cups from the table.
“You my dear were an unfortunate mistake.”
Xenia froze waiting to see what came next.
“You have nothing to fear from me however,” the captain continued. “You see, this will be my final voyage, and I’ve been promised a hefty bonus if I can get my cargo to San Francisco fast enough. When this voyage is over I have every intention of returning to my family and spending the rest of my days with them.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Xenia finally managed.
“Because my dear I have seen the way you study everything; the way you look, and watch, and listen. You have the potential of causing a great deal of trouble on this ship, and frankly, I can’t afford that.”
