Read Online Centuries of June by Keith Donohue - Free Book Online Page B

worse. Listing to starboard, the Sea Venture groaned once and nearly all hope was dead. The captains and pilots clambered to the decks and bellowed orders to unrig the ship and throw o’er everything that threatened to pull them down. Trunks and other luggage were cast into the sea. Hogsheads of oil and cider and butts of small beer were staved and the barrels heaved away, and with a sigh, she lifted and righted.
    “Lad, we are near finished.” Ravens clapped a hand on Jane’s back. They stood side by side at the stern, watching a cask of wine bob over the waves. “Cap’n Newport would have us chop down the mainmast, and surely, without sail, we would founder should this wind ever abate.”
    Two gentlemen and a lady joined them for a moment’s respite at the rail. They were discussing among themselves how much of the seahad been pumped through the ship since the storm had begun, with Mr. Strachey arguing forcefully that the crew had quitted at least one hundred tons of water. The morning was nearly spent, and in the fabric of the storm clouds small holes and tears appeared, letting in a weak sun. One of the gentlemen passed an open bottle of spirits down the line, and even Jane drank deeply. This is my final hour, thought she, and I will take my leave of this world and steady on for the next. She cast her eyes upon her fellow passengers, all salt-sick and sore, hungry and thirsty, spent beyond endurance. As in a dream of no end, they had baled and pumped till the ropes and sinews of their arms and legs felt stretched and snapped. Even the crew, seasoned mariners all, wearied of the unending tasks and made ready to shut hope in the hatches and commend their souls to the sea. A pair of ladies sat in the corner and wept, and only Somers remained on watch through the wretched morning. ’Twas well after ten of the clock when the admiral leapt to his feet and cried out, “Land!”
    All rushed forward to see the spot he had claimed, and there beyond the waves, a lump of earth appeared, and soon enough the very tops of the trees danced in the breeze. Jane went up the rigging with Mr. Chard to unfurl the sail, thanking God the while that the captain had not prevailed in his unholy plan to chop down the mainmast. The lead line was thrown and seven fathoms called, and when next ordered, the depth had fallen to four fathoms. The Sea Venture barreled to the shore, and Somers itched to run her aground to safety, when the ship hit white water a half-mile out and crashed into a reef, and she braked. Men, women, and all not tied down lurched pell-mell about the deck to the terrible wrenching roar of timber caught fast in the ragged coral. She would not go now no matter which way the wind did blow. Jane raced belowdecks to see the water pouring through the gash like blood from new wounds.
    “We are bitten and will be chewed by the wind and the tide,” saidFrobisher. “As sure as a dog fastens to a bone, this ship will never come undone.”
    “Murtherin’ God,” said Edward Chard. “To be so close and yet so far.”
    Great moaning prayers rose from the men and women, cries of despair and shock, and then as one, the company shoved aforedecks, bound for the ship’s boat, a panic racing from person to person, be they gentleman or sailor.
    Aready at skiff Master Ravens, saber drawn against assays. “We’ll none of that, my good cur, but wait for orders from the admiral.”
    Somers parted the crowd and restored order. Eight mariners were commanded to man the oars, and the passengers arranged by class and taken over the water to the shore, the gentlemen and ladies first. Those who stayed on board cursed their lot, but once the little skiff turned back and beat against the waves, a sense of relief accompanied it. Over the course of that afternoon, one and all were transported, and then the men came back for the ship’s stores, what seeds and provisions once bound for Virginia, the unspoilt food and drink, even the ship’s dog,