His legs were still unsteady. One sailor told him it would take at least three days before he got his sea legs. Drew entered the steerage where he would bunk and found it filled with coils of rigging, spare sails, old junk, and ship stores that had not been put away. Everything had fallen together from the rolling of the ship. Drew’s clothes, Bible, and minimal personal belongings were in there somewhere, probably at the bottom. Drew thought of the old sailor’s adage, “Everything on top, nothing at hand.”
There were no berths and there was no light, except that which managed to filter through the hatch. He would be allowed four hours of sleep and then would be called for his first watch. Drew fell onto a sail and closed his eyes. From sheer exhaustion, he expected to be asleep instantly, but he wasn’t. Just as he began to drift off, the initial symptoms of seasickness woke him rudely. For four hours he fought the alternating waves of slumber and nausea, as the ship rolled from side to side and the smells of the unsettled bilge water filled the steerage. Twice he ran to the deck and leaned over the leeward side to empty himself.
It was a wet, cold, exhausted sailor who gladly took his first watch on deck. At least the air was fresh, but the sloshing of his stomach made the waves seem calm in comparison.
He wasn’t alone in his suffering. Seasickness put the entire party out of sorts, so much so that there were no sermons on the first Sunday.
The next day was fair weather and those who were sick and groaning in their cabins were brought on deck. A rope was stretched from the steerage to the mainmast, and they were made to stand holding on to the rope. The warmth of the sun and the fresh air revived them so that most were soon feeling well and merry.
One of Drew’s chores was to slush the mainmast. He climbed the mast and sloshed a generous coating of grease from a bucket while rocking back and forth in extreme arcs to the movement of the ship.
From his vantage point high above the deck he watched as Jenny brought Nell on deck and led her to the rope. She shuffled slowly, her right arm bent across her waist. She leaned heavily on Jenny. Her hand was unable to keep a grip on the rope; it would rest on top of it, then fall off. Jenny would place the hand on the rope again, and a moment later it would fall off.
While the others smiled and told each other how much better they were feeling, Jenny led an weak Nell back to the women’s cabin.
“No!” Captain Milbourne shouted in response to Drew’s third request to see Nell. “It would invite trouble, and I’ll not have it on my ship! Good heavens, man, she’s the one who didn’t want you on this ship in the first place!”
“I only want to pray for her,” Drew said.
“God can hear your prayers from the steerage,” said the captain. Seeing the disappointment in Drew’s face, he said, “Look, lad, take my advice. There are plenty of women on board. There are more in the colonies. Why make yourself miserable over the one woman who doesn’t want you? Let her go. Someone else will come along.”
The call for the change in watch could be heard on deck.
“That’s me,” Drew said. “Thank you, sir, for your advice.”
Drew emerged on deck. The sea was calm and there was a light breeze, barely enough to drive the ship. They had made little headway that day. It was eleven o’clock at night, and three other sailors were sharing his watch topside. One stood alone near the bow of the ship; the other two were at the stern.
Drew walked to the starboard side and looked north. The sky was dark and clear—the stars shone brightly, as did the moon, which was much smaller than he had ever seen it in England. The wind was brisk, as it had been the entire journey; everyone wore winter clothing.
“Good evening, sir.”
The voice startled Drew.
He swung in the direction of the soft voice.
Jenny.
She giggled, pleased that she had startled him
“Jenny! What are you doing up here?”
She pulled the shawl she was wearing tighter around her shoulders.
“I was going to tell you I couldn’t sleep, but that’s not the truth.”
Drew’s response was a puzzled look.
“In truth, I asked one of the sailors when you stood watch. It was the only way we could be alone.”
He looked at her soft features, highlighted by the gentle glow of the moon. The lesser lights of the sky reflected in her blue eyes. The corners of her mouth turned upward slightly, creating shallow dimples.
Maybe it was the loneliness he’d been feeling. Maybe it was the fact that she accepted him when others doubted. Standing before him was a woman who didn’t reject him, who plotted to be alone with him.
He felt an urge to take her in his arms and smother her with the love he had been holding in for months, holding for someone who wanted nothing to do with him. Only with great effort was he able to restrain himself.
He looked down at his feet. He had to. If he looked at her any longer, he wouldn’t be able to control himself.
“I’m glad you came,” he said. “How’s Nell?”
Her sister’s invisible presence stood between them. Jenny tried not to let it bother her, but it did. Her lower lip protruded. She turned toward the sea and leaned against the railing.
“Every day she’s worse,” Jenny said. “I’m really worried about her.”
She blinked back tears as she looked out over the moonlit swells.
For Nell or from disappointment?
“I was thirteen when Momma died,” she said. “Nell’s symptoms are similar. She’s just wasting away, she has no energy, she barely breathes, and sometimes doesn’t recognize me. Drew, I’m scared.”
Drew put his arm around her. She turned and moved into him, burying her head against his chest.
He looked checked the watchmen on the stern. They were in animated discussion, oblivious to the fact that Drew was embracing a woman while on watch.
Jenny lifted her head.
Drew wiped tears from her cheeks.
She placed her hands on his forearms and raised herself slowly toward him. Tilting her head slightly, she brushed her lips against his, pulled away, then brushed against him again.
Drew’s fingers followed the curve of her head, caressing her long brown hair as he pulled her to him. Her lips were soft and hot with tears. Jenny’s arms encircled him as she stood on her toes and eagerly leaned into him.
“I love you,” she whispered between kisses. “From the moment I saw you, Drew Morgan, I knew I would always love you.”
A voice in Drew’s head told him to stop before it went any further, but he wasn’t listening. He desired Jenny. She was warm, full of life, and she loved him. She loved him!
I could bring myself to love her, couldn’t I? The captain’s right. What sense does it make to love with a woman who doesn’t love me? Why can’t I just accept the truth? Nell will never love me; Jenny does.
But it felt wrong.
Drew gently pulled away.
Jenny’s eyes remained closed and her head tilted upward, eager for more.
“I’m on watch,” he said. “If anyone sees us, I could get in trouble.”
She opened her eyes.
Drew held her hands in his. She was so beautiful.
I’m such a fool!
He said, “I asked the captain if I could go below and see Nell. He refused. I don’t know what good it would do, anyway. Unless seeing me would make her so mad her blood would boil and kill the disease.”
Jenny laughed.
“I could sneak you down right now. Everyone’s asleep.”
Drew shook his head. “Too risky. If I was caught away from my post, I could be sentenced to death.”
“When do you get off duty?”
“Four in the morning.”
“Come below. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“ You need your sleep.”
Jenny smiled her pixie smile.
“I won’t be sleeping tonight.”
“I’ll come as soon as I can.”
&n
bsp; Drew was relieved of his watch promptly at four o’clock.
He stretched and walked sleepily toward the hatch, but instead of going to his bunk, he moved toward the women’s area.
Jenny was waiting for him. She took him by the hand. While he was waiting for his eyes to adjust she rose up on her toes and kissed him.
With a playful shrug and silent giggle, she pulled him by the hand across the room to the corner bunk. They had to choose their footing carefully—the cabin was crowded with sleeping women and children, many of them on the floor.
Jenny and Drew knelt beside Nell’s bed. Her cheeks were hollow, and a sheen of perspiration covered her face. She was motionless. Drew could barely detect her breathing. It hurt him to see her like this. She was so still and vulnerable. He couldn’t help but feel a measure of responsibility for her condition. If it weren’t for him, she would be sitting in front of the window on High Street, crafting lace for the insatiable Lord Chesterfield or applying her sharp wit and wisdom to paper, hoping to change the world. Instead, she lay before him dying.
“What are you doing in here?” the woman in the bunk who shared Nell’s corner was up on one elbow.
Her free hand pulled a blanket to her chin. Drew recognized her as the woman at the breakfast table, his first day aboard ship.
“I’m calling the captain!” she said.
“Please don’t, Lady Arbella!” Jenny pleaded. “He’s a friend. I brought him down here to pray for my sister.”
Lady Arbella studied Drew. She seemed to note that he was on his knees.
“You may call the captain if you wish,” Drew said, “but Jenny is telling the truth. I’ve come to pray for Nell.”
Lady Arbella didn’t soften. But she did concede.
“All right, then. Pray.”
Drew folded his hands, resting his arms against the side of the bed.
“Dear God,” he said, “I’ve not very experienced at praying to You, but please don’t hold my inexperience against me. We need Your help. I know I have no right to ask You for favors, especially when it comes to Nell. But I’m going to ask anyway, because there’s nothing else I can do. Dear Lord, please heal her. She lies here because of my sin, not hers. All her life she has served You. She has taught children about You. She has read the Bible and prayed and lived a holy life. She has risked her life trying to help her country see that it’s wandered away from Your ways. She doesn’t deserve to die. I do. If someone must have it, give me her disease. I’d gladly die so that she might live. Please let her live. Please. Amen.”
Drew lingered a few moments before raising his head.
“Dear God in heaven,” Lady Arbella prayed, “please answer this young man’s prayer and heal Nell Matthews.”
Drew looked at her. “Thank you,” he said.
He took one more long look at Nell before rising to his feet.
Carefully he picked his footsteps leading toward the hatch. What he didn’t see was a small hand partially covered by a blanket. When he stepped down, a child’s scream split the silence.
Drew froze as every woman in the cabin bolted up and glared at him.
The captain sentenced Drew to twenty lashes.
He was openly whipped, put in bolts for a night, and given nothing but bread and water. Lady Arbella had argued in his defense, but to no avail. It didn’t matter why he was in the women’s cabin. Drew Morgan had directly disobeyed the captain, and for that he had to be punished.
Drew had never known such physical pain before; his back was a mess of red-ribboned flesh. But the thing that hurt him even more was the realization that Nell’s condition wasn’t improving. The amount of time she was awake and responsive grew less every day. It seemed as if God had turned a deaf ear to his prayer.
On Tuesday, May 24, the captain steered the ship away from the wind, allowing the sails to luff so that the mizzen shrouds could be straightened. The Jewel and the Ambrose approached to inquire if anything was amiss. They were relieved to hear nothing was wrong.
Their maneuver gave the ships an opportunity to pass news back and forth. The company aboard the Jewel was in good health; but aboard the Ambrose two passengers had died.
The passengers that died had the same symptoms as Nell Matthews.
When the first sounding was made on May 31, there were two men in foul moods aboard the Arbella—Captain Peter Milbourne and Drew Morgan. The captain was irritated that the sounding had no ground. But that was just a prick that aggravated a deeper wound.
They had lost sight of the Talbot during the storm of April 21 and, despite several attempts, had not seen her since. The three remaining ships held course, but Captain Milbourne had left England with four ships and wanted to arrive with four. Drew shared his concern but for different reasons.
The Talbot carried the Cooper family and most of the Edenford residents. Why would God help them escape from Edenford only to lead them to a watery grave? Is that the way God rewarded those who were faithful to Him?
And what about Nell? Her illness continued to exact its toll from her. According to reports from Jenny, she was nothing more than skin wrapped around bones. Drew didn’t cease to pray for her, but his prayers were angry.
On Wednesday, June 2, the captain changed sails. He was sure they were near the northern coast, and knowing that the southern coast had dangerous shoals, he refitted the mainmast with a strong double mainsail. He didn’t want to risk having old sails rip as he approached the rocky coast.
On Thursday morning, June 3, the captain ordered another sounding. No ground. A heavy fog and thick rain enveloped the ships.
At two in the afternoon he ordered another sounding. Ground was struck at eighty fathoms. It was a fine gray sand. The captain changed tack and fired a piece of ordnance to give notice to the other ships.
Friday, June 4. About four in the morning the Arbella tacked again. The fog was so thick they couldn’t see more than a stone’s throw. The captain ordered a sounding every two hours, but they had no ground.
Saturday, June 5. The fog dispersed and a handsome gale came from northeast, bringing rain with it. That night the captain ordered a sounding every half watch, but had no ground.
Sunday, June 6. God answered the colonists’ prayers. Although it was still foggy and cold, a sounding was made at two o’clock in the afternoon. It had ground at eight fathoms. The mist began to break up, and they saw shore to the north, about five or six leagues off. The captain supposed it to be Cape Sable.
Monday, June 7. A sounding at four o’clock revealed ground at thirty fathoms. Being a calm day, the captain suggested they do some fishing. In less than two hours, they took aboard sixty-seven codfish, most of them over a yard-and-a-half long and a yard in circumference. It was a timely catch; the store of salt fish on board was spent. The hungry colonists feasted on fish.
Tuesday, June 8. The weather was still cold. By three in the afternoon, land was sighted again. It proved to be Mount Mansell. A pleasant sweet air met them from the shore, a refreshing wind that some likened to the smell of a garden. Like Noah’s ark, God sent the colonists a sign of His favor in the form of a wild pigeon that lit on the ship.
Wednesday, June 9. The mainland lay off the starboard side all day. It was a land of many hills.
Thursday, June 10. The ship lost sight of land, regained it, then lost it again. About four in the afternoon, land was sighted again off the starboard bow. It was a ridge of three hills called Three Turks’ Heads. Toward night, trees could be seen plainly.
Friday, June 11. Cape Ann was sighted. A ship was anchored near the Isles of Shoals. Five or six fishing shallops sailed along the coast.
Saturday, June 12. The Arbella was near port by four in the morning. The captain shot off two pieces of ordnance to signal their arrival. They passed through the narrow strait between Baker’s Isle and Little Isle and came to anchor.
At two o’clock in the afternoon, John Endecott, the governor of Salem, along with Mr. Skelton, the pastor, and Captain Levett,
came aboard to welcome the colonists to Massachusetts Bay.
Chapter 24
To say the newly arrived colonists were disappointed when they saw the Salem settlement would be an understatement—like saying Bishop Laud didn’t much care for Puritans.
Drew’s initial thought was that the pitiful collection of huts and shelters beside the bay had to be the remnant of an earlier encampment. The real colony must be hidden among the trees. But as he disembarked, the truth became evident. This was Salem.
He tried to remember exactly what he had heard about the New World. Maybe he was expecting too much. But the looks on the faces of his fellow shipmates convinced him that they were just as shocked as he.
Governor Endecott and his replacement, John Winthrop, walked past Drew in animated discussion. Endecott had a round face and round eyes with heavy eyelids. He sported a long white mustache that flared at the ends and a long slim beard about two fingers wide that looked pasted to his chin. There was a stern set to his face, and he spoke in a brash tone that displayed his quick temper.
Drew heard only part of Endecott’s explanation to Winthrop, but it was enough to get a picture of a struggling settlement on the verge of failure. Of the two hundred settlers who had arrived the previous year, only eighty-five remained. More than eighty of them had died; the rest had returned to England.
A general sickness had struck the colony in the winter, just as it had at Jamestown and Plymouth. The sickness ravaged the settlement. It was so severe that Endecott set aside his doctrinal differences with the Separatists and sent for Samuel Fuller at Plymouth. Dr. Fuller had an abundance of experience in cases of scurvy, fevers, and various illnesses that usually followed long sea voyages. If it hadn’t been for the doctor’s skills, the entire settlement might have been wiped out.
The Puritans (American Family Portrait #1) Page 38