Free Jacob's Way by Gilbert Morris Page A

but this voyage had been far more difficult than she had dreamed. Her skin felt scratchy, and she wanted to claw at her scalp. Bathing, of course, was impossible on the ship. Fresh water was doled out in meager amounts only for drinking. As Reisa made her way up to the deck, she thought, If I could just have a bath, I think I would be happier than I’ve ever been in my whole life! But she shook off that thought, knowing that there was no point in dreaming of such things.
    When she reached the deck, she was somewhat shocked. The waves were smooth, but she could tell that they were much larger—huge like rolling hills, and almost as solid. She could feel the roll and the pitch of the Jennings as it forged its way through the sea. Looking overhead, she saw that the sails were all full, and the ship was making good headway.
    Making her way with difficulty to the bow, Reisa noted that almost all of the passengers were below. She saw, however, at the very tip of the bow a small group she had often seen before. They were listening as one of the men spoke to them. She knew they were a group of Christians, for she had found out this much. She was curious about them, for she understood they were not the Russian Orthodox that she had known in the village where she had grown up.
    Reisa did not join them, of course, but listened until finally they started singing a song. She did not know the melody, but they were singing in Russian, so she understood the words. She listened as they sang in a strong cadence:
    Jesus lead thou on
    ill our rest is done;
    And although the way be cheerless ,
    We will follow calm and fearless;
    Guide us by thy hand
    To our father land.
    There were many more verses, and they all sang lustily, with happiness on their faces. Reisa saw a calm and a peace that she admired. They were poor people, about twenty in all, half women and some children. For some reason these people fascinated her, and she listened as they sang several more songs.
    â€œThey sing pretty well, don’t they?”
    Startled, Reisa turned to find a tall young man with piercing blue eyes standing beside her. He was one of the officers that she had often seen, but she had never spoken to him. “Yes. They sing very good,” she said, struggling with her English.
    â€œOh, you speak English! Well, that’s unusual.”
    â€œI study very hard for long time. Make many mistakes.”
    â€œYou speak very well. My name’s Ellis Carpenter. I’m the second officer.”
    â€œI am happy to know you. My name is Reisa Dimitri.”
    â€œFirst time on a ship like this, Miss Dimitri?”
    â€œOh, yes. I never away from my village.”
    â€œWell, it’s a long way to America.” Carpenter smiled. He began asking her questions and complimented her on her English more than once.
    â€œYou’ll have an easier time than most,” he said, nodding at the small group. “I’ve made this trip twice, and we’ve put people off who couldn’t speak a word of English. I don’t see how in the world they make it.”
    â€œAre you from America?”
    â€œOh, yes. From Boston. Do you know it?”
    â€œBoston? No. I do not know him.”
    Carpenter smiled. He was an engaging young man. “You mean I do not know it. Him is for people. It is for things—like countries.”
    â€œI do not know it. Thank you.” Reisa nodded to the group who was singing. “Those peoples—I mean people —singing, who are they?”
    â€œI don’t know much about them. They’re very religious. They’re Christians, but I don’t know what kind. They’re going to start some kind of religious settlement in America.”
    Reisa considered this, then suddenly a strong gust of wind caught her. She grabbed the rail to hang on, then looked up at the skies. They were gray now with dirty clouds scudding along. She turned to face the young man. He had very blue eyes, the