Free Rapture of the Deep: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, Soldier, Sailor, Mermaid, Spy by L. A. Meyer Page B

hire several wharf rats to help with the trap hauling, me having most of the able-bodied men with me across the sea; the going price on lobsters, clams, and fish; profit and loss, profit and loss, till my head spun. But Higgins did sell off that china at a good price, so, at the end of it all, we get to meet the payroll and go on.
    "Maybe this new expedition will yield something for us," I said, putting my hand on his arm. "Maybe some crumbs will fall through the cracks. Never can tell. We'll see..."
    "Well, if anyone can nudge those crumbs toward those cracks," Ezra said, chuckling and gathering up his papers and stuffing them back in his valise, "it is you, Madame President. And now I believe we are being called to dinner."
    That evening, Colonel and Mrs. Trevelyne received me most cordially at their table, even though I know they do not entirely approve of me as a suitable companion for their daughter, Amy, or, God forbid, a suitable match for their son, Randall. Of course they were overjoyed to hear my news of their hotheaded son, who had disappeared in late summer after an argument with the Colonel over Randall's performance, or lack of it, at college.
I'll wager he'll come back with his head a good deal less hot after having seen that awful slaughter at Jena-Auerstadt,
I'm thinking.
    Having stormed out of Dovecote, Randall had wrangled a letter of introduction to an important general in Napoleon's army out of Lissette's father, le Comte de Lise, and so ended up as a light horseman on the march to Germany. With me. Pressed for details, I recount how shocked Randall and I were to meet each other that day in Marshal Murat's tent and how, some days later, we both rode in Murat's cavalry charge on the Prussian lines at Jena. I told them of Randall's bravery and how he saved my very life. I know Colonel Trevelyne was pleased to hear that. I also told them of my last meeting with Randall and of his stated intention to resign his commission and return to Dovecote. I know Mrs. Trevelyne was pleased to hear
that.

    Right now I am at sea and bundled up against the cold—it is early December, after all—a beautiful day with clear skies and just the right amount of following wind to speed us on our way across the bay. Aye, it's a bit chilly, but I still prefer this to a tooth-rattling ride in a coach, which is how Amy and Ezra are returning to Boston at this very moment. I smile to think of the two of them there in the cramped interior of the carriage ...
How cozy
... I know Ezra's having a good time of it and I believe Amy is, too, though she won't show it, the fool.
    "There she is," says Solomon, heading straight for the side of the
Nancy B.
lying dead ahead, now tied up outboard of the newly arrived
Dolphin.
"The captain of that ship ordered us to bring her alongside, so we did it. We moved her yesterday. Hope that was all right with you."
    I nod.
Aye, I'm certainly not the one calling the shots now, Solly, not even on my own boat.
    "Yes, you did right, Mr. Freeman. The men on that ship are my friends."
Most of them, anyway.
    We are close enough now that I can make out John Tinker and John Thomas and Smasher McGee standing on the deck of my schooner and young Daniel Prescott and Joan-nie together up in the rigging. Jim Tanner and Davy Jones are, of course, nowhere to be seen. And on the
Dolphin
I believe I spy ... aye, that's him ... Captain Hannibal Hudson on his quarterdeck, hands clasped behind him and deep in conversation with another, younger officer and ... Is it?...
Yes! It's Jaimy!
    I jump to my feet and shout, "Hullo, Jaimy Fletcher!" waving my arms wildly about in my joy at seeing him safely delivered from across the sea.
    Hearing my call, he bows to Captain Hudson—no doubt begging his pardon for the sudden, female intrusion—and then turns and brings his hand to his hat in salute to me.
Oh, Jaimy, I am so glad.
I can see the white gleam of his teeth as he gestures over the side to the brow that has been