Aboard Providence Page 9

  “Seventy-two,” the captain answered with a sigh. His shoulders slumped and he traced his finger around and around the desk drawer. “And more than eight weeks of constant cloud cover. We’ve lost our bearings.”

  Mr. Weathermon looked over the defeated captain’s head at Doctor Ashton. “Joseph, do you mind manning the telescope this morning?”

  Doctor Ashton leaned forward. “I don’t mind at all. In fact, my leg has gained enough strength I can probably stand for longer than one shift. I’ve gone from a crutch to a cane and I barely need that anymore. I can stay up there all day if you need me to.”

  Jonah shook his head. “Not yet, Father. Let someone else take a shift too. We have plenty of men and not much work since there is no wind for the sails.”

  Captain Frakes stamped his fist onto the desktop. “Nor has there been wind for two months. Ever since that first storm the sails have been flat. It pushed us away from the South Equatorial Current and now we’re just bobbing up and down on this ocean. The counter current is moving us slowly, but I fear toward Africa. If the winds don’t return in our favor, I’ll never be able to get us to South America.”

  Mr. Weathermon put a hand on the captain’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault, Spence. If God controls the wind and the waves, as Reverend Colburn has kindly reminded us ten thousand times over the past two months, our circumstances have little to do with you. We’ve tried everything to get out from under these clouds. It’s just bad luck, that’s all.”

  Jonah refused to give up hope they would find land, though his frustration mounted with every morning he awoke in the cramped bunk deck, every meal surrounded by the weary passengers, and every time he thought about what the students and professors at Penn must think of him. He wiped his face with his hands and scratched his beard. Two months drifting in the Atlantic and all he had to show for it was itchy facial hair.

  If he had stayed in Philadelphia, he would have completed the program by now, but he would never have known what became of his family. Half of his heart regretted leaving his life behind, but half of his heart was glad he was with his family. If they did die at sea, at least they would die together and his father would never have to be disappointed in him.

  Mr. Weathermon pulled his collar away from his throat. “My, it’s hot in here.”

  “It is stuffy,” Doctor Ashton agreed.

  “Shouldn’t be,” Mr. Weathermon said. “It’s February.”

  Captain Frakes stood from his chair and opened a window. “We’ve passed the equator. I just know it but until the clouds dissipate, there is no way to confirm it. It’s summertime here—wherever we are.”

  “Opposite seasons.” Mr. Weathermon chuckled as if it would console the captain. “I don’t believe I’ll ever get used to warm Christmases and cold Julys.”

  “Nor I,” Doctor Ashton said, as he stood and stepped toward the door. He retrieved his cane from where he had left it by the cabinets. Before he walked out, he glanced back at Jonah. “I’m going down below to check on Mrs. Foster then I’ll be back to man the telescope. Unless she needs me, of course.”

  Jonah nodded. He hoped Mrs. Foster would not need either of them when she went into labor, for her sake and the baby’s and most of all Marian’s. It might be wrong to think, and he dare not say it, but if Mrs. Foster had another stillborn child, he would pity Marian the most. She would probably have to spend her life carrying her mother emotionally. So often he wished he could sit alone with Marian and watch her eyes as she spoke of tea leaves and her desire to study plants and the natural remedies she called medicine, but she rarely left her mother’s side. The nobility of her dedication only increased his captivation with her, and he found her optimism enthralling, but surely even she couldn’t sustain such a burden indefinitely.

  Mr. Weathermon followed Doctor Ashton out of the captain’s cabin and closed the door behind them. A moment later, the door creaked open. Expecting it was one of them returning, Jonah glanced at the door. Young Benjamin Foster poked his head in and when their eyes met he ducked away from the door.

  Jonah stood and pulled the door open. “Benjamin? Did you need something?”

  Benjamin’s eyes shifted side to side. “No. I didn’t know anyone was in there.”

  “Who are you looking for?”

  Benjamin’s cheeks reddened. “No one.”

  Having three younger brothers of his own, Jonah recognized the look of a boy caught in his mischief. “The captain made it very clear he doesn’t want children in his cabin unless they need medical treatment. Are you sick or hurt?”

  “No.”

  “Then I suggest you join Mrs. Owens and the other children for school lessons.”

  Benjamin stomped off and Jonah scanned the deck for the boy’s father, but he wasn’t topside. Mr. Foster spent all of his time in the hold with the animals, while his son ran around the ship and his wife lay pregnant and miserable. Agitated, Jonah blew out a breath and whirled back into the sterncastle.

  Once the door was closed, he sat on the edge of the berth and stared at the back of Captain Frakes’ head. The captain’s shaggy hair had a circular dent formed by the brim of the straw hat he always wore on deck. Though Captain Frakes dropped his head to his hands, the mold of his greasy hair kept its shape.

  Jonah leaned his elbows upon his knees. “Have you lost hope?”

  “Hm?” Captain Frakes lifted his head but did not look back at Jonah. “If by hope you mean confidence, then yes, I’ve lost hope that we will find South America and I will get to sell this ship. We will end up somewhere, but not where we hope. We’ve drifted too far east. I can’t confirm it until I can see the stars, but I know it in my bones.”

  Jonah thought he misunderstood the captain. “What do you mean sell this ship?”

  Captain Frakes shifted a quarter-turn in his chair, cast a glance at Jonah, and then looked back at the Davenport and resumed tracing one of the desk’s drawers with his fingertip. “The ship is mine. Mr. Weathermon signed it over to me before we left.”

  “He told me as much when we traveled to Accomack together, but he said you were going to start your own shipping business when you returned to Delaware. He said that you had no assets and he transferred the deed to the Providence to you as your payment for keeping the group’s settlement a secret.”

  Captain Frakes’ eyebrows lifted slightly. “That was Mr. Weathermon’s plan. Oh, I’ll keep the group’s settlement to myself, but I have no intention of returning to Delaware or going into business, especially the shipping business with all the talk of a rebellion in the South.”

  “You aren’t going back to America?”

  “No.”

  Jonah shot to his feet and began pacing a plank of the cabin floor. “I never should have left Philadelphia. I never wanted to get on this ship in the first place, but I felt I had to do right by my father. I must return to Philadelphia soon. My success depends on it!”

  “I had plans too. I planned to leave you people on the first patch of dry land off the southern coast of Brazil then sail to Buenos Aires, sell the ship, and live a good life on the proceeds. Maybe take a young Brazilian bride and buy a little casa—but not near the port, mind you. I want as far from ships and sailing as I can get. I’ve had enough of this business. I started working on ships to make a living when I was fourteen and all I’ve done is miss out on life. I just want to settle somewhere… somewhere with women. But it doesn’t matter where we hope to be—” Captain Frakes pointed at the window. The gray of the cloudy sky faded into the gray of the endless ocean. “This is where we are.”

  “This isn’t where I am supposed to be!”

  The captain gaped at Jonah, seeming momentarily surprised by his outburst. Then he laughed. “It’s fate. You’re always where you’re supposed to be. So our Jonah is stuck on a boat sailing in the opposite direction than he should be. Even your name should have warned you against taking to the sea.” Captain Frakes laughed again.

  “I am not amused.” Jonah
’s frustration ran hot with anger. His chest felt tight and his breathing shallow. He had to get off this ship. He had to get back to America. It had been so long now though that even if he made it back he might be a wanted criminal, not a medical student. Maybe the Southern States had seceded and the rebellion had led to war. It seemed unlikely, but if so, he could join as an army doctor… on either side; it didn’t matter because he would be saving lives and he would be needed and respected and off this wretched ship. “You have to get me home. Eventually, we will find land. No matter where that land is, you have to help me get home.”

  Captain Frakes’ smirk faded. He straightened his posture and cleared his throat. “Very well, Jonah. I see what this means to you. I’m not going back to America, but once we make landfall, I’ll take you to the nearest port city. We’ll find a ship going to America and get you on it. I have the ship’s deed in the desk drawer and the key close to my heart.” He patted his vest pocket. “Providence is mine, so I’ll not give up hope yet. Don’t you either. I’ll have my retirement and you’ll have your passage home… just as soon as we get some wind in our sails.”

  * * *

  Marian straightened the quilt on her bed and kept her head low as she turned to her mother’s berth. Catherine was lying on her side, her belly skimming the edge of the mattress. She was asleep with her mouth half open and sweat beading across her forehead. The air coming through the portholes was insufficient to cool a pregnant woman in the stuffy bunk deck.

  As Marian lifted the quilt off her mother, steps shuffled in the aisle behind her. She glanced back. “Hello, Doctor Ashton.”

  “Is your mother sleeping?” the gentle doctor asked in a hushed voice.

  Marian felt relieved to have someone to talk to. She stepped into the aisle. “Yes. She was awake most of the night.”

  Doctor Ashton nodded. “Any pains this morning?”

  “No, only the one contraction last night. She thinks the baby will come any day now.”

  “She’s right. Still plenty of movement?”

  “Yes. She says this baby moves more than—” Marian stopped herself. It did no good to keep mentioning the last three babies. “She believes it’s a boy.”

  Doctor Ashton grinned, bulging his wooly beard. “We’ll soon find out. Let’s pray the little fellow or little miss turns before labor begins. Anna is going to prepare the captain’s cabin for the birth, but she’ll be down to check on your mother soon.” He tapped his cane and took a step back. “My sweet wife is excited about this baby; she pulled out her journal this morning and said this will be the thirtieth birth she’s attended as a midwife.”

  Though fearful another tragedy might come, Marian was also relieved Anna was eager to serve as midwife again. She smiled at Doctor Ashton. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “As soon as your mother awakens, help her to the captain’s cabin. There’s light and space up there, and the captain was adamant he’d have no lanterns below deck even for childbirth. Get Jonah to help you walk her up there if you need to. But take her up soon, understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As the doctor turned and walked away, Marian looked at her sleeping mother. Her impending childbirth had the ship filled with both excitement and dread. They all expected to be on dry land by now, and the conditions would make a difficult situation worse, but if all went well, a baby would bring everyone joy and would bring her a welcome reprieve from staying by her mother’s side.

  The ship’s rhythmic sway deepened and Marian had to grip the edge of the top berth for balance. The masts creaked as the ship lurched again. A low cry came from the aisle. Doctor Ashton’s cane hit the floor. He dropped to the planks, gripping his foot with both hands. His bearded face scrunched in agony.

  Marian hurried toward him and knelt in the aisle. “Doctor Ashton! What happened?”

  “It’s my foot.” He sucked in a short breath. “I lost my balance and kicked the beam.”

  He rolled onto his side and sat up with rigid movements. Marian put her hands at his back to steady him. As Doctor Ashton groaned, Marian glanced around for anyone to help. The children were in the stairwell doing their assignments and her young brother was sitting off by himself, staring at the ceiling instead of his slate.

  “Ben,” Marian called over the ship’s moans. “Ben!”

  After the second call, she got his attention. He dropped his slate and dashed toward her. She lowered her voice not wanting to wake her mother. “Go get Jonah.”

  Ben stared at Doctor Ashton then looked back at Marian. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “Just go up top and get Jonah.”

  While Ben ran through the aisle and up the stairs, Marian reached for Doctor Ashton’s cane and helped him up. She pulled his arm over her shoulder to support him, but he didn’t put any weight on her and only let her steady him. He winced with every step as they slowly hobbled toward his family’s area at the other end of the bunk deck. When they passed the stairwell, Sarah dropped her book and sprang toward them. “Father! What happened?”

  “He’ll be all right,” Marian soothed, though she didn’t quite believe it herself.

  Sarah gripped a handful of Marian’s skirt and followed them to the berth. As Marian bent to lower Doctor Ashton to the mattress, she glanced at Sarah. The young girl dragged a knuckle under her eye to catch a fresh tear. Marian hated to see a child worried over a parent. She understood and wanted to help Sarah and help Doctor Ashton and get back to her own mother. Her fingers started to tremble as she touched Sarah. “I’m right here with you, Sarah. Remember, we’re pretend sisters.”

  Sarah gave a tearful nod then crawled onto the mattress beside her father. “Did you break your leg again?”

  “No, no.” Doctor Ashton gushed out a breath as he removed his unlaced shoe. “I just banged my bad foot against a beam and it wasn’t ready for such a blow.”

  Jonah hurried down the steps, between the children, and toward his father. He squeezed past Marian and bent down to Doctor Ashton. “What happened?” he asked as he lifted his father’s leg onto the berth.

  Doctor Ashton reclined onto his pillow and covered his face with his hands. “It’s only my toe. That worthless little toe still hasn’t healed.”

  Sarah stood beside Marian and sniffled. Marian wrapped an arm around the little girl and whispered, “Jonah will take care of him.”

  Jonah began to remove Doctor Ashton’s sock, but he stopped and glanced up at Marian. “Take Sarah back to her class, please. Close the curtain on your way.”

  Marian wanted to stay and see that Doctor Ashton was indeed fine, but he needed privacy, and if Jonah suspected injury, he was right to spare his little sister from seeing it.

  Marian nodded. “Come, Sarah. Your father will be all right,” she said as she pulled the sheet across the rope strung from the rafter.

  As the curtain began to close, Jonah looked up at her. “Thank you, Marian.”

  Chapter Ten

  As Marian escorted Sarah to the stairwell, Olivia stepped away from the other students and met them. She took Sarah’s hand and led her back to her class, whispering assurances that the girl’s father would be fine.

  Marian glanced over her shoulder at the Ashton’s bunk area, wanting to know that Doctor Ashton hadn’t broken his foot again, but the privacy curtain blocked her view. It only made her worry more.

  When she neared her berth, Catherine stepped into the aisle, clutching her pregnant belly. “Oh!” she cried.

  Marian reached for her. “Is it time?”

  “Oh, it’s time!” Catherine gasped, part laugh, part sob.

  Surprised by her mother’s reaction, a nervous chuckle escaped Marian’s throat. “We have to get you above deck to the captain’s cabin.” She helped Catherine slip on her shoes then wrapped an arm around her sweaty back. “Mrs. Ashton is getting the room ready for you.”

  “I can’t climb the stairs like this,” Catherine groaned as another contraction began. She gripped Marian’s forea
rm. “Where is Doctor Ashton?”

  “He hurt his foot and Jonah is helping him. I have to take you up top.”

  Catherine panted through the pain. “I can’t go anywhere in my condition.”

  “You have to. We can’t have lanterns down here. There will be plenty of light up there and privacy too.” She waited until Catherine’s breath settled. “Did it pass?”

  Catherine lessened her grip on Marian’s arm. “For the time being.”

  “Then let’s go now. Mrs. Ashton knew you were close. She has the linens washed and is getting the captain’s cabin ready for you. Doctor Ashton said I must take you up there.”

  “I wish your father would leave the animals and come up from the hold, but he won’t. He says if the animals don’t survive the voyage, we won’t either.” Her mother took a few slow steps, inching down the aisle with her legs spread wide like she was straddling a barrel. “His curse is his work and this is my curse. I must bear it alone.”

  Marian hated when her mother talked like that. “You aren’t alone. Mrs. Ashton is going to help you and I’ll stay with you the entire time. You will be all right, Mother.” She had uttered the words so many times they spilled from her lips like breath. “Just take another step and—”

  Liquid dripped onto the floor between Catherine’s feet. She froze, her hand gripping the last bunk before the stairway. She looked at Marian, mouth slightly gaped, and then her gaze settled on the children in the stairwell. “Don’t let them see this,” she whispered.

  Marian stood between her mother and the children. She glanced at the puddle on the floorboards. “Should I get you a pot?”

  Catherine shook her head in quick, rigid movements. “It wasn’t me. It was the baby’s water.”

  “Oh,” Marian whispered. “Don’t move.” She reached into the berth beside them and grabbed the first cloth she felt. After she balled the knit fabric and dropped it to the floor, she covertly wiped the puddle. When she pulled the cloth away from the floor, she realized it was Peggy’s shawl. She hadn’t meant to do something so disgusting to Peggy, but some primal part of her was also smugly satisfied. She glanced at her mother and widened her eyes, awaiting a response.