Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

The boys were given extra duties and a stern talking to by the captain for letting the animals out of their pens. But it seemed that even punishments couldn’t suppress high spirits in boys, only this time the consequences were a lot more serious.

The following day Connor was in the hold when he heard a shriek and the dreaded cry of “man overboard!” Belting up the ladder to the main deck he found the crew already lowering the pinnace and Mrs Harwood clinging to the rail screaming “Katie! Katie!”

He went to the rail and saw a small figure bobbing in the water being carried away from the ship by the movement of the current. Stroking towards her, however, was a man in shirt and breeches. A fallen jacket, boots and hat on the deck bore mute witness to its owner. Mr Coats had gone in after the girl.

“What happened?” asked Connor.

Mrs Harwood turned a distraught face towards him and wiped her streaming eyes. “Katie fell out of the rigging! I don’t know what she was doing up there.”

“Don’t worry. We will get her back Mrs Harwood,” he said heading towards the pinnace and clambering over the rail to descend as Callista appeared on deck. She took in the situation with a glance and went straight to Mrs Harwood.

“I’ve got this Captain!” he said. “Mr Coats has gone in after her. We’ll get them both out of the drink!”

Callista nodded. “Thank you, Mr Mor.” Mr Mor. He hated that she was treating him like a stranger, but after his chat with Mick he was more resigned to the situation.

He descended to the boat and with Njinga, Petey and McTavish as crew, the four of them set to the oars, angling for the two figures in the choppy, deep-green water. Mr Coats was gaining on the little figure. Connor kept his eyes on her and was alarmed when he lost sight of her, had she gone under?

No, there she was, and Coats had reached her. He got her to cling to his back and began swimming back towards them. Connor admired his stroke, the man was a strong swimmer, but then he’d spent his whole adult life at sea, he’d probably had ample opportunity to hone his skill. Fortunately for the little girl clinging to his back like a limpet.

They reached the pair and Connor shipped his oars to lift the sodden girl from Coats’, back. Njinga wrapped her in a blanket. The poor kid was shivering so much her teeth chattered and her skin was blue. Connor, with McTavish’s help, hauled the puffing Coats into the boat, where the man sat spreadeagled shedding water everywhere and trying to get his breath back. Connor passed him a blanket too.

“Ye alright man?”

Coats nodded rubbing the blanket over his head. “Aye is the lass alright?”

Njinga was rubbing Katie vigorously with the blanket. “Just cold I think, she’ll be fine.”

Katie coughed and Njinga moved her swiftly to the side as she coughed up a quantity of seawater. Katie began to cry, and Coats said roughly, “come here lass,” and held out his arms. The girl stumbled towards him, and he wrapped his arms and blanket around her as she nestled into his chest.

Connor and the rest resumed their oars and turned the little pinnace back to the ship. The sooner they got the lass back on board the better.

They reached the ship and Coats refused to give Katie up, arranging her on his back, he climbed the ladder and deposited her gently on the deck and into her mother’s arms.

“Katie! You gave me the fright of my life, are you hurt sweetheart?” She enveloped her daughter in her arms. Looking over her head she said, “thank you–I–thank you!”

Coats nodded and Mrs Harwood swept her daughter off below deck.

Callista followed her, “I’ll fetch Doctor Liang to look at her.”

Coats sat abruptly down on the deck and put his head between his legs and Connor was reminded he wasn’t a young man. “I think we’d best get the doc to look at ye man,” he said crouching down beside him.

“I’m alright,” said Coats faintly. “Just reaction.” McTavish produced a flask of grog and pressed it into Coats hand. He took a swig gratefully and some colour returned to his cheeks.

“What happened?” asked Connor.

“Not sure,” said Coats. “She fell out of the rigging, but I don’t know what she was doing up there in the first place.”

And the man had gone in after her without hesitation. That was a true test of courage and love.

A shuffle of feet made Connor turn and the two boys, Dev and Jabari stood awkwardly wringing their hands.

“Is she alright?” asked Jabari, his big dark eyes huge in his brown face.

“She will be, I think,” said Connor.

Dev swallowed. “We’re sorry!” he burst out. “It was our fault! We dared her to do it!”

Connor rose from his crouch. “Did ye now?”

“Aye,” said Jabari unhappily.

“I’ll tan yer hide for ye Jabari!” said Njinga appearing beside him.

“Aye mam,” he said hanging his head.

“The captain will have something to say to ye both and so will I,” said Connor sternly.

“Aye Mr Mor. We’re that sorry, really, we are!” said Dev earnestly.

“Ye’ll apologise to Miss Katie when she’s better too,” added Connor.

Coats got his feet under him and rose, still dripping water. “You may be sorry but how would you feel if she’d drowned?” The anger in his tone made both boys blanch and look down at their bare brown feet.

“That doesn’t bear thinking of sir,” whispered Jabari.

“No sir,” agreed Dev miserably.

“Well think on it the next time you decide to do something stupid!” Coats asperity made them flinch.

“Aye sir.”