by Danni Roan
Again Barnaby shook his head. “I’m too old and don’t know much about readin’ or learning.”
Xenia’s heart fell. She’d seen the light in Barnaby’s eyes when he’d answered her question. Why couldn’t someone make it possible for men like Barnaby to achieve their dream?”
“What if someone was willing to teach you?” she asked imploring him to think about it.
“Ain’t no one can do that,” Barnaby said. “Old men like me just works till we can’t work no more then silently slip away.”
Xenia stood straighter her mouth a hard slash across her face as her temper rose. Someone needed to save the sailors who wanted a new life. Someone needed to provide a place where men and boys could go to get an education that would allow them to pursue their own dreams.
Barnaby took a step back at the gleam in Xenia’s eyes wondering what he’d said to make her so angry.
“Thank you for bringing the coal,” Xenia said dismissing him with her words. She had things to work out. One way or another she would create a school where rescued sailors could come to learn new skills before setting out to pursue their own dreams.
***
“I don’t know what I said,” Barnaby told Birch a few minutes later as he turned the main foresail with him, “but that one’s got a bug in the brain.”
“What are you talking about?” Birch asked. “Is something wrong with Xe, Zeke?”
“No, I was takin’ the coal into the galley and Zeke asked me ‘bout what I’d do if I weren’t sailin’. A minute later Zeke was hot under the collar ‘bout somethin’. Said there had to be a place that could let sailors find other work if they was of a mind to.”
Birch shook his head. If Xenia was dreaming up a way to rescue men and boys from a life on the sea she was headed for trouble for sure.
“That could be dangerous,” Birch said keeping his voice to a whisper.
“Best not let no one hear about it neither,” Barnaby said. “Could be trouble. Feels like trouble either way,” he added looking out to the ocean that surrounded them.
“You have a bad feeling don’t you?” Birch asked.
“Been buildin’ since we rounded the horn.” Barnaby admitted. “Somethin’ feels off. Even old Gobbs seems to be on edge.”
“But you’ve done this before,” Birch said looking around for a hint of land or sails on the horizon.
“You just keep sharp,” Barnaby said moving up deck to yet another task, “and keep close to the cook.”
***
Gobbs cast his eyes to the horizon as they headed north toward San Francisco with their cargo of textiles and dry goods.
They hadn’t seen even a hint of another ship since leaving the ports of South America and he wondered when they’d start seeing some traffic.
Turning, his eyes fell on the two men who’d come aboard in New York, squinting at them suspiciously as they stood heads together.
So far, the journey had been without any real trials, but he knew that any voyage could fall apart at any time.
Rubbing his grizzled beard he turned back to his task of guiding the ship as the wind billowed the sales.
Only time would tell how this vessel’s journey would end. A sharp smile slid across his face and he adjusted the wheel to run straight and true.
Chapter 20
“How much longer?” Xenia asked as she lay in her hammock with a kitten snuggled on her lap one night.
“Prob’ly two weeks, give or take a bit,” Barnaby said. “If the winds hold we might make better time.”
“It slacked today,” Birch commented, watching Bonnie stalking toward Xenia’s bed, a determined gleam in her one golden eye.
“What’s it like?” Xenia asked. “Is it a big city like New York?”
“It’s a big place, and startin’ to settle down a bit, but it’s no place to be out and about on yer own,” Barnaby said making sure that Xenia heard.
“Humph!” Xenia groaned as the big cat pounced on her stomach grabbing the kitten by the scruff of its neck and jumping down again.
“That beast is a brute,” Barnaby said with a chuckle. “She don’t like you takin’ up her kittens much do she?”
Xenia smiled rubbing the spot on her stomach where the cat had landed. “She’s just protective. What will happen to her when we go?” the girl asked.
“Reckon she’ll stay with the ship or disappear back into the city. Now we’d best get some sleep,” the old sailor commented. “Next shift comes early.”
Gray sky skidded along the horizon of a darkening sea, and Xenia shivered as a cool breeze washed over the ship. She had just finished serving breakfast and was due to climb to the nest when the man on watch called out.
“Sails ho!” the man bellowed pointing off to the thin line between sea and sky.
The others all turned to see a small cutter coming their way in the early morning light, wondering if the ship were in distress or simply passing close by.
Gobbs paced the deck as the captain came out with his glass watching as the smaller ship picked up speed heading in their direction.
“Looks like they mean to intercept,” the captain commented.
“What colors sir,” Gobbs asked his eyes bright with anticipation.
“No colors,” the captain snapped. “Look sharp men, looks like we’ll be getting company.”
Xenia stood on the deck not sure what to do. They’d passed other ships on their voyage, but none had ever passed so close or had even indicated they would intercept the schooner.
“Best head back to the galley,” Barnaby said as he hurried to a small locker near the captain’s quarters.
“Is there going to be trouble?” Xenia asked alarmed.
“Probably not,” Barnaby said with a worried grin. “Not like we get raiders very often in these waters. Most likely that boat just needs some supplies or such.”
Xenia watched as Barnaby proceeded toward the locker where the captain was now handing out weapons to some of the more seasoned sailors.
Swallowing her fear Xenia headed to the galley and the sharp knives that sat in a rack above the small stove.
***
Birch watched as the smaller ship made way toward the schooner, a cold dread trickling down his spine. Something didn’t feel right and he needed to make sure that Xenia was safe.
Hurrying toward the weapons locker he was disappointed when he was turned away by one of the other sailors who had taken an old cutlass, the last weapon left in the arsenal.
As the sloop cut toward them Birch spied a plank and lifted it like a club. No matter what the intentions of the crew of the other ship, he would defend Xenia to the death.
The sloop cut to the starboard side, edging alongside the larger schooner and Birch could see the other crew armed to the teeth and ready to board.
As they cast climbing hooks to the rails of the schooner the ship’s crew rallied and dove to defend.
The sound of men rushing over the railing and onto the deck made Xenia turn toward the entrance watching in horror as the crew plunged into the fray.
Barnaby took out one of the first men with a blast from a single shot pistol then swung to the next bludgeoning him with the large unwieldy weapon.
A mêlée of men, gunshots, and yelling filled the deck as the invaders washed across the deck in a wave of destruction and gun smoke.
Xenia saw Birch, with nothing more than a wooden plank for defense, battling a man who wielded a sword as if he knew how to use it.
Biting her own tongue to keep from crying out Xenia watched breathlessly while Birch dodged and ducked, jumping back at each stroke of the sword. He had just pivoted away from a thrust when the man with the sword screamed reaching for his head as a massive lump of hissing cat landed on his pate raking him with claws before bounding away.
Seeing his opportunity Birch jumped swinging the plank at the man’s head but just as he stepped in the attacker raised his sword swinging it wide and connecting with Birch’s head in a spout of crimson b
lood.
As Birch grasped his ear his vision swimming, Xenia raced up the stairs grasped the plank that had fallen from Birch’s fingers and clouted the attacking sailor over the head. Watching in fascination as he rose on his toes, twisted and crashed to the deck like a felled tree.
“Birch!” Xenia cried racing to where Birch was trying to clear his vision his hand clutching the side of his head as thick hot blood poured between his fingers.
“Xenia, get below,” Birch urged even as his vision clouded. “It’s not safe.”
Another man turned toward them and Xenia hefted the plank once more catching him across the shins then hitting him over the head as he hit the deck next to his companion.
“Birch you’re hurt,” Xenia shouted back as a deep rumble came from the side of the ship and she watched two sailors tumble over a barrel that Barnaby had rolled toward them.
A moment later, with the sharp crack of a rifle shot, the battle was over and the attackers lay strewn about the deck or stood cowering together under the watchful eye of the captain who held the rifle steady.
“You said it’d be easy,” one of the attackers growled turning to Gobbs. “Said it’d be easy pickin’s.”
All eyes turned toward the quarter master a gleam of hatred and betrayal sparking in their depths.
Xenia helped Birch to the deck propping him against a mast as she ripped the tail from the back of her over sized shirt winding it around his head. He’d completely lost the tip of his ear and a slash trailed the length of his skull ending at the edge of his eye.
“Be still,” Xenia whispered, as she stemmed the blood. “You’ll be all right Birch, you’ll be all right,” she repeated not sure if her words were for her or for the man she loved.
As the others watched the captain turned the rifle to an ashen Gobbs who slowly raised his hands above his head. “I don’t know what ‘es on abouts,” the man tried, a sickly smile on his narrow lips. “I don’t know noffin’ ‘bout this here business.”
“Liar!” One of the captured crew barked. “We got a wire from you when you was leaving New York and again from the Southern port, telling to be on the watch. We been slowly making our way South for days looking for what you said would be an easy haul.”
“Shut up!” Gobbs spat, his hard eyes shooting daggers at the other man.
“Move,” the captain said his face like stone. “Take their weapons,” he continued nodding to his crew and waving the captives forward with the barrel of his rifle. “Barnaby, you see that this lot gets locked up down below,” he finally finished, wearily handing the rifle to the old sailor.
“What’ll you do wiff us?” one of the attackers asked marching toward the hold.
“We should throw the lot of you over board,” another sailor shouted.
“Belay that,” the captain snapped. “Make fast that vessel and prepare to tow.” He shouted making any one who had not been injured jump.
Xenia, still holding the bandage tight to Birch’s ear watched in wonder as the seven sailors that had been captured were marched to the little room she, Birch, and Barnaby had started their voyage in.
As the deck cleared the captain sagged to a barrel on the deck with a sigh and for the first time Xenia noticed the blood dripping from his cuff.
“Captain, you’re injured,” she cried, hurrying to him and helping him with his heavy jacket.
“It’s only a scratch,” the captain said allowing her to take his coat and roll up his sleeve to examine a gash along his forearm.
“You comported yourself very well,” the captain said as he watched the two men that Xenia had brained dragged below.
“I don’t think any of us had much choice,” Xenia said smartly.
A deep chuckle from the captain was his reply. “I still can’t believe that Gobbs sold us out,” the man said sadly. “I would have left him the ship.”
Xenia shook her head. “Some people are always looking for an easy way out in life,” she said. “I often think if those who try to cheat at things would put half the effort into working that they do trying to get out of it, they’d be much better off.”
“You are very wise for your age,” the captain said wearily. “Now go tend to your friend,” he finished rising and shrugging into his coat once more as he began to oversee the work that had to be completed.
Chapter 21
“Birch, what do you think ever happened to Captain Havertly?” Xenia asked as they ate breakfast the next morning at the Sailor’s Rest.
“I imagine he did exactly what he said he would and went home to his family.” Birch said. “You’ve been in the past a good bit lately darling, is everything all right?”
Xenia smiled. “Yes, everything is fine, but there have been so many changes recently. Now that Pastor George is in Wyoming, and I know about Wendi and my other sisters of the heart, I can’t help but think of that journey and the troubles we faced at sea. It seems that each of the Wigg girls have had their own adventurous journeys in recent years.”
“We have had our share of surprises,” Birch said with a smile. “Half the time we were at sea I didn’t know if I was coming or going with you, I just knew you’d captured my heart.”
Xenia smiled at Birch, she never could have guessed how much things would have changed for her that night on the docks of New York.
“I guess things worked out pretty well didn’t they?” she said walking around the table and settling on his lap. “Do you really think I should invite Wendi and the others to come here and visit?”
Birch wrapped his arms around his wife and nodded. “I think it would not only make you happy, it would also ease your mind. You’ve worried far too much about how they feel about your decision not to contact them. Like you said there have been many changes and some of them are too good not to share.”
“I’ll do it today after lessons are over,” Xenia said with a smile. “I’ll send out invitations and see who can come. It’s so strange thinking of all of my sisters in love scattered across this nation.”
Birch grinned tipping his head up so that Xenia would kiss him, only to stop the minute he heard snickering at the window.
“I’d say your students have arrived,” he teased pushing Xenia off his lap with great reluctance. They had started letting wharf rats attend the school when they weren’t hawking their wares in hope of giving them a brighter future. “I’ll see if the others are ready for their reading lessons as well then you can send them back to me for the afternoon in the shop.”
“What are you going to do now?” Xenia asked, straightening her skirts and scowling at the boys who were now racing out of sight.
“I’m working with Eli today on roping. He’s coming along well.”
Xenia leaned over and kissed Birch again. “Have fun,” she laughed fetching her books and heading to the small room on the outside of the house they used as a classroom space.
Birch watched Xenia leave, her long skirts swishing as she walked out the door. It wasn’t so long ago he had believed he might lose her.
Again his mind turned back to the last leg of their journey along the Barbary Coast.
***
“Xenia,” Birch struggled to his feet reaching for Xenia who helped him to stand. As the world spun, Birch leaned heavily on Xenia and they made their way to the galley once more.
“You need to rest,” Xenia hissed, “and remember who I’m supposed to be.”
Birch tried to nod but it made his head spin even more. “Sorry, I’ll do better. I’m a bit dazed.”
“That’s understandable,” Xenia said settling him into one of the two galley chairs. On the deck she could hear other men under the direction of Barnaby making the second ship fast and cleaning up the detritus from the short battle.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Birch asked leaning his head back and closing his eyes.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Xenia said. “It’s you I’m worried about.”
“I’ll be fine. I just need to rest a minute.
”
Xenia set the kettle on the stove and stoked the fire box. “I’ll make you some tea, there’s a bit left.”
Birch closed his eyes his head throbbing with the rhythm of the ocean that bore them toward their final destination.
Behind him he could hear Xenia shuffling pots and pans. He was sure that she’d be getting a brew of strong tea organized for all of the men who had weathered the hazards of the day.
“You gonna die on us boy?” Barnaby stepped into the galley a moment later and Birch opened his eyes.
“Not today old man,” Birch joked, cringing at the tug of the bandage that covered his ear.
Barnaby looked at Xenia his dark eyes sharp. “And how about you?” the old sailor asked. “No harm has come to Zeke?”
Xenia turned shaking her head. “At least I’m all in one piece,” she said, “unlike others.” She nodded toward Birch and Barnaby walked over to examine him more closely.
“What’s the verdict?” he asked looking down at the young man.
“The blighter got a bit of my ear,” Birch said. “But Zeke took him down,” he added with a grin.
Barnaby turned to look at Xenia who was measuring out tea for the pot. “That true?”
Xenia shrugged. She had done what was needed, and she would do it again if she had to. “Did Gobbs truly sell us all out?” she asked. She’d never liked the man, but to think that he would willingly count all of their lives as nothing was appalling.
Barnaby nodded. “Captain Havertly made me first mate and he’s set a crew to the other vessel to see us to port. We’ll all be better off when we sell up that little bark along with this ship and its cargo.”
“You mean we’ll get paid?” Xenia asked turning with the heavy teapot in her hands.
“Yes, the captain will sell up all and divide it among the crew.”
Xenia poured the tea a bright smile on her face. She’d have the money to travel back to New York, back to Wiggie and her sisters in love.
“That’s wonderful! I’ll be able to go home.”
“You will at that,” Barnaby smiled.
Birch turned taking in the bright smile on Xenia’s face and his heart fell. She would go home. She would return to New York and the people who loved her while he would return to his father’s ranch and the work he knew so well.
