Read Online The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons by Barbara Mariconda - Free Book Online Page A

believe?”
    â€œThat’s what I’m tellin’ ye,” Old Peader said, bobbing his wobbly head. “Dug me up, they did!”
    â€œWait a minute, Grady,” Walter said. “You promised to be on watch. What are you doing here?”
    Grady opened his mouth to answer, but was cut short by three shrill blasts of the whistle. We froze, then grabbed the lanterns and ran for the door.

9
    S eamus met us beside Gracie O’Malley’s castle—the four of us, plus Grady, Old Peader, and the dogs. “Was keepin’ watch fer men leavin’ the ship,” Seamus explained, “and instead I spied three approachin’ it. Figured it might be important.” He pointed seaward, our eyes following. “Over there, ye see ’em?” The moon illuminated a golden pathway across the water on which a small rowboat traversed, clearly heading toward the black ship. And Father’s spyglass confirmed what we already knew—Quaide and the pirate were at the oars, the green-eyed man seated at the stern.
    Marni took the spyglass, brought it to her eye, squinted, and adjusted the focal point. After a few moments she lowered the instrument and stared out to sea, fingering the locket at her throat.
    Grady studied Seamus through narrowed eyes. “Hard t’ believe ye didn’t see ’em launchin’ their skiff. Would’ve had to pass this way.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Walter asserted. “How did they get by without you noticing?”
    Seamus shook his head vehemently. “Nope. Not a soul passed this way, I swear it!”
    Judging by their distance from shore, the men had been rowing for a while. Perhaps Seamus hadn’t been as vigilant as he claimed. “Hmph . . .” Grady’s eyebrows raised and lowered several times. “Well, they made their getaway, empty-handed.”
    â€œThank goodness for that,” Pru said.
    Walter frowned. “Sure, it’s good they didn’t find what they were looking for. . . . But then, neither did we.”
    â€œAnd what would that be?” Seamus asked.
    Walter silenced him with a black look. Our eyes followed the rowboat as it moved determinedly toward the black ship. As we watched, the clouds shifted and wandered before the moon, obscuring the path of light shimmering on the sea. At the same time a sinister dark gray fog gathered along the shore, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of woodsmoke, accompanied by a soft but rhythmic thumping sound.
    â€œYe hear that?” Grady asked. “Fairy footsteps. Don’t any of ye’s move,” he warned. “Remember what nearly happened the last time.”
    â€œFog’s rolling in,” Pru exclaimed. “Link elbows. Quick! If one of us falters the rest hold tight!”
    We huddled closer, creating a human chain, Walter to my left, Seamus to my right as the brooding swirl of fog began to envelope us. I shivered as its chill wrapped around one ankle, then the next, felt my legs and arms turn to gooseflesh. The ominous fog rose around our torsos, then circled our necks with damp chilly fingers. My eyes smarted as the smoky vapor misted my face, forcing my lids closed. With the fog, the cunning Grey Man ushered in a feeling of isolation. I no longer felt my arm entwined with Walter’s or Seamus’s, and a sense of overwhelming loneliness coaxed me in a direction that seemed inexplicably comforting. Toward a place where I was supposed to be. Though my legs had grown heavy I forced myself to take a step, and yes, that felt right. I dragged the other foot along, and as I did, a desperate instinct took over that continued to propel me forward.
    A distant voice buzzed in my ear. A distraction. I ignored it and pressed on. Again the voice, more insistent this time. “Be strong! Fight the urge!” Familiar, but far away. Something dragged on my arm, encumbering me. I resisted, the urge to move ahead being