Everyone worked feverishly to ready the schooner for its maiden voyage. The short time they had to finish the number of tasks was grueling, but the fact that the vast majority of the men were experienced made the work easier. It was the section heads who motivated the crew and spurned them on to rapidly, but competently, complete their work.
The men’s aspirations were simple; each wanted employment and an opportunity to sail to new places. Beyond those priorities, they had to trust their leaders, and their leaders needed their loyalty in return.
Heinrich instructed the crew that although he preferred the men have direct contact with him on a personal basis, they were under the work authorization of their section heads and in turn all under Otto and not to bypass him about any matter that pertained to the handling of the ship.
Otto knew Heinrich better than anyone; he was like a brother. Although the two were planets apart in appearance and personality, they both knew each other so well that mere expressions between them were all that was needed to communicate; it was almost uncanny. Their bond went back to the very first day Heinrich had come to work for Herr Weber and strengthened as the years went by sailing and spending off-duty time together. He and Otto spent much time coordinating the ship’s priorities. They worked together to finalize their plans to set sail soon.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ORPHAN LAD
Heinrich chose a seventeen-year-young orphan by the name of Klaus Wagner as his personal cabin boy. Choosing an orphan for a cabin boy had actually been Otto’s idea, and Heinrich was delighted with his suggestion. The thought had entered Otto’s mind remembering how Heinrich had come to Bremerhaven as a young lad and was taken under Herr Weber’s kind auspices. A day came when Heinrich paid a visit to a home for orphaned children. Drope vividly remembered his own childhood and the years of misery under the cruel yoke of a drunken father who could barely take care of himself, let alone a growing son. Heinrich wanted to give another lad the same chance Heinz Weber had given him.
The headmistress of the orphanage, Frau Mielke, had gazed questioningly at Heinrich after being told he wanted a young boy to join his ship’s crew as a cabin boy. She was always wary of people’s reasons for adopting a child ensuring they did not seek to exploit a child for wrong purposes. Life at sea for a young boy was hardly a high sought-after occupation, for the work was grueling, and it made young men old before their time. She had lived in this harbor city her entire life. Many stories of atrocities involving young boys at sea had for decades been a public outcry, and the headmistress had heard as others what befell those young lads in the hands of abusive men.
Besides explaining the boy’s work duties, it took Heinrich quite a long time trying to convince her of his personal desire to nurture the lad’s further upbringing as a way to foster someone who lacked the means as Weber had done for him. Even after explaining that not every cabin boy had been wrongly treated and that among a handful of well-known seamen such as Lord Admiral Nelson and Admiral Sir Frances Drake, all began as cabin boys, Frau Mielke was not impressed. He supposed that perhaps if he had named some famous German seamen, she might have been more relenting.
She was stubborn to the core, yet Drope saw the merit of her innate sense of protection for the children in her care. Although her keen senses regarding his intentions told her that this man was on the level, she still made an effort to find out if his intentions were above board and his character wholesome. To convince her of the integrity of Heinrich’s plan, it took Frau Weber’s validation for Drope’s reputation, to quell Frau Mielke’s fears. Frau Weber was well known around the Bremerhaven area for her kind philanthropy for the poor.
Through a window, she had shown him a group of teenage boys who were in the courtyard. After asking a series of very direct questions regarding several of them that Heinrich had perceived as possible candidates, he politely asked if he could have some moments by himself to watch the boys, hoping to make up his mind with whom to talk.
Heinrich was curious about one particular lad acting quite shy and was standing away from the others as if he didn’t belong. He was tall and dangly. They were kicking around an old leather ball that looked older than the boys. A sudden kick projected the ball directly toward the shy one, who did not move or make an effort to kick it back. Even after a few shouts from the others, the mousy kid just stood there and paid no attention. Heinrich could hear the others begin to berate the timid kid even through the closed window. He watched the scene, which instantly brought back bitter memories of a time in his boyhood when others teased him in much the same way. He saw the shy lad cringe in reaction to the verbal abuse thrown his way. One of the other boys then went to fetch the ball and pushed the mousy one roughly into the wall. He fell against it and cowered.
“Push the kid back, lad, don’t just take it. Earn their respect,” Heinrich thought. The boy who had pushed him faced the spineless kid as if anticipating a reaction until his friends called over to him to get back into the game. Heinrich shook his head in pity. He saw much of himself in this boy; my, how things had changed over the years. He was still deep in remembrance when he was nudged from his memories by the headmistress having come back in the room.
“Well, Captain Drope, have you decided which boys you would like to speak with?”
“Ah, … ja, Frau Mielke. See the tall lad up against the wall there?” he answered as he pointed. “What is his name?”
“You mean the shy one with his hands in his pockets?”
“Ja, him.”
“That’s Klaus … Klaus Wagner. He’s seventeen and extremely bashful. Are you sure you would be interested in someone such as him for the position you speak of?” the mistress asked quite surprised.
“Ja, I would,” Heinrich turned to face the woman. “I am very interested in speaking with him.”
The mistress paused for a moment, looking into Heinrich’s eyes trying to figure out this rather dapper young gentleman’s interest in this introverted boy, who at his age should have had more self-esteem. She couldn’t understand his eagerness to choose Klaus over the more spirited kids. She couldn’t seem to read much at all in the man’s eyes and stoic expression. Everything about this man spoke of one that was self-assured. She nodded and said, “If that is your wish, mein Herr, I will have Klaus come in, and you can speak to him.” She turned abruptly and left the room.
As Heinrich waited, he smiled slightly at the mistress’s chose of words, ‘speak to him’; as if it would be a one-way conversation because she most likely believed that Klaus would not speak a word. Several minutes went by before the lad was escorted into the room by a different woman and introduced Drope. Klaus stood with his head slightly canted downward. He was taller than most of the other lads, although somewhat skinny, yet he did not assert his size on them.
“Klaus Wagner; a solid name. Please sit down, lad. Any chair will do,” Heinrich said, as he perceived the boy was wondering where to sit. Instead of choosing the chair closest to him, Klaus took a chair near a wall. He continued to stare at the floor. Heinrich grabbed a chair and moved it a couple of feet in front of the lad, not allowing him the distance. The boy began to fidget; his body language showing his unease at being so close. He tried to sink back into the chair as far as he could go. All the while the clock on the wall ticked away the seconds in loud cadence as the silence in the room was deafening.
“My name is Captain Heinrich Drope. I master a merchant schooner docked in the harbor.” He paused a few seconds before he went on. “Have you ever been at the harbor, lad, and seen any of the ships?”
Klaus slowly shook his head.
“I’m sorry, lad. I didn’t hear what you said. Could you speak up a bit, please?”
“Nein … nein, mein Herr,” the boy squeaked out in a measly whisper.
“Well then, you have certainly missed out on some interesting and exciting things. When I was younger, about the same age as you, I laid eyes on the harbor for the first time. The sight of the ships docked and
a few at sail were quite impressive. I will tell you how I came to the harbor and I would like you to listen to my story, son. Can you do that?”
“Ja … jawohl.”
Heinrich told the story of his childhood as vividly as he could because he wanted his words to help overcome the lad’s timidity. He hoped it would start with a faint little speck of hope and turn into confidence over time; helping Klaus to understand that no matter how bleak the start of one’s life, opportunity was there for the taking, especially when opportunities were provided. Heinrich’s story was filled with emotion, and his words poured out in a deluge of memories. As he was telling his personal narrative, he noticed the boy’s head gradually lift in interest, indicating to Heinrich that he was getting through to him. Klaus’s mind, although in a whirlwind of confusion, discerned enough that the words began to take effect.
To breach the hard shell, that had built up around him took some doing; Klaus had been in a state of dread for years. Little by little, Heinrich’s traumatic story of his boyhood had begun to form cracks in the shell, which opened a path into the deepest recesses of the boy’s mind. Tears started to well up in Klaus’s eyes as he sat spellbound taking in this man’s words of pain, destitution, and ultimately, words of hope, and how he found it in the hands of caring people. The obstacles Klaus had placed as defensive measures cleared away to the point that the shell cracked and came crashing down, exposing his very soul. The ticking of the clock was now not discernible as his mind was focused entirely on the man before him and the words that were bringing hope to the inner realms of his very being.
Heinrich’s heartfelt words bored into Klaus, words that spoke of a world that held more than just apprehension, fear, and hopelessness. Heinrich was pouring out years of pent-up emotions as if he too wanted to rid himself of the traumatic ordeals he had lived through. Ultimately, he came to a point in the story where he expounded upon the endearing qualities of the people he knew, the subsequent employment he was blessed with, and the strong friendships he had forged.
Klaus felt the strain of guilt, anguish, and the amalgamation of the many other negative feelings he had stored up over the years. The hold that the negative qualities had over his life was being unshackled, freeing him to take a fresh new perspective on his future. He liked the feeling of warmth within him; it was a soothing sensation. The gripping trepidation began to flow gradually out of his very being. He wondered why someone before hadn’t counseled him this way. His life up until now could have been much more meaningful.
“That is how my life at sea started, and the experiences made me the person I am today,” Heinrich said as he finished his story. “And I never looked back. Of course, the memories stay with you as a reminder,” he said to personalize it for Klaus. “But the memories of those dreadful years can be turned around and become the basis to choose to change and be a stronger person; a happier person.”
Heinrich looked hard at Klaus who still sat rigidly, yet his facial expression looked calm, and his eyes were focused. “At least his head is up now,” Heinrich thought. That is an improvement.”
Klaus glanced at the window, seeing the now empty courtyard as the kids were inside either in classrooms or cleaning duties.
Heinrich lowered his voice and spoke gently. “I saw through that window a young, lonely lad standing by the wall, deep in self-pity, not knowing how to act nor react.” Heinrich noticed that Klaus eyes slightly widened, in realization had been watched while in the yard.
“When that boy shoved you into the wall, how did you feel, Klaus? Did you feel you deserved it? Did you feel frightened? Did you feel a bit angry at him for picking on you? What did you feel, lad?”
Klaus was still staring out the window. Then his eyes looked down as if he was thinking the questions over. After a moment, he looked at Heinrich. He started, “I … am … I …I …”
“It is all right. I am listening. Just speak the words on your mind.”
“I felt … I didn’t deserve to be … teased.”
“Do you think you can tell the boys that when they pick on you?”
“I am … scared what they will do.”
“Do you believe you can overcome that fear if someone is willing to show you how?”
“I do not know. Perhaps, mein Herr.”
“What if it was me that wants to help you do that? Would you let me be that friend?”
“Like those people who helped you when you were my age?”
“Ja, exactly. You are no different than I was. You are no different than those other boys. Only you can decide whether you are going to take their abuse. You can learn to overcome adversities with confidence.”
“But, mein Herr, you do not … I will have to … to face them by myself.”
Klaus had opened up to him at last. “That is right, Klaus. You will have to. You will have to decide if you truly want to make a change in your life. I do not believe you want to live your whole life scared of everyone. It will drive you completely mad and it would be a life of misery.”
He continued the final phase of his discourse.
“I have been blessed in so many countless ways; not because I am special, not because I deserve all the wonderful things I enjoy today but by people who genuinely cared. In fact, Klaus, I consider myself unworthy of all these things. But somehow, I came into fortunate circumstances and windows of opportunities with kind people, who genuinely cared, nurtured me, and I developed skills, traits, and characteristics I would never have dreamed of.”
Heinrich decided it was time to finalize the offer to the boy.
“Lad, there is hope for you as well. We live in an exciting world that you will have the chance to discover if you desire it. You have an open doorway before you now. All you have to do is step through, and we can walk it together. Ja, Klaus, I have come here today for that special purpose; to seek out a young lad to hire onboard my ship as my cabin boy. I will not pull any punches; it is hard work and a serious commitment. But it will provide a chance to make something out of your life. It will provide a chance to learn new skills, and I will personally promise to be a mentor to you as you grow up to be a man. My mentor also saw to my education. I will do the same for you. I chose you out of all the others. All you have to do is reach out and grab hold of the proposition I hold out to you. You have my word that you will be treated fairly.”
Klaus was completely flabbergasted. His jaw dropped, and his mouth stood agape.
“Now if you are interested in joining my crew, I will make the arrangements to have you onboard my ship within the week. But what you need to understand is that this is not just an escape. It is a real job; I need to count on you, and you must apply yourself to learn many things. You will have every opportunity and assistance in doing that. But you must decide on this offer; a very serious committed decision. Do you understand that?”
“Ja, mein Herr.”
“I want you to take a few days to think this over. I will be back in three days to see what you have decided. Is that a fair offer?”
“Mein Herr, it is … more than fair. I am most h-hon-honored to be chosen; danke schoen.”
“Ser gut, I am glad we understand each other. Now, during the next three days, while you are thinking this over, also think hard about how you will handle those bullies when they pick on you. I have a full crew of men – some tough men on my ship. I will not stand for you to allow them to manipulate you. I need someone to be able to take orders and follow them through to the letter. I am a fair and just man, lad, but I cannot be there for you or anyone else at all times. I am after all the captain. When I task you with something, I expect it to be obeyed and followed. You do your job no matter what anyone else says otherwise. Do I make myself clear?”
“Jawohl, mein Herr. I understand what you are saying very clearly.”
“Ser gut, Junge. I will be on my way now. It has been my pleasure in talking with you, son.” Heinrich held out his large hand to the lad. Klaus took it and shook the hand in gratitud
e.
“Vielen danke, mein Herr, for your kind offer and … taking an … an interest in me.”
“Guten Tag, junger Mann.” Heinrich let himself out and strode to the office in the front of the building to explain the details of the arrangement, of course, depending on what young Klaus decides.
It seemed to Heinrich that the poor lad at his age would likely not be adopted by anyone, which meant the streets for him soon enough without any skills to eke out a living. The orphanage had no way to care for him beyond a certain age. As a toddler, Klaus had been found outside its door one cold morning. Most likely he was left there by a young mother too financially strapped to take care of the child. At least he had a roof over his head and three square meals a day up to now. The crucial missing ingredient in Klaus’s life was someone who cared for him in a way that only a father or older brother could. Heinrich wanted to be that person.
* * *
Three days later, Heinrich was back at the orphanage. The headmistress led him to her office and beckoned him to sit down. No sooner then he took the chair, the woman spoke.
“Captain Drope, I do not know exactly what you said to Klaus, but whatever it was has dramatically changed the boy. He is not the same. The staff members have noticed a remarkable difference in him. They have reported to me that Klaus has been playing with the others and is talkative. You have a way with young people, captain. I wish you could spend some time here at the orphanage and counsel some of the other children as well.”
“Well, Frau Mielke, I have a full crew back at the ship that requires my counseling. Some can be just as childish at times. But I do thank you for the compliment.”
“I suppose I should have Klaus brought in so you can talk with him about your proposal?”
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