Free The Captain by Lynn Collum

evading the pursuers.
    Ben led the way, having more experience than Jacinda in this part of London. They headed due north, away from the river, with the shouts of the Impressment men ringing in their ears. They kept to the byways and alleys, running at a steady pace. At this late hour the only sound was the pounding of their feet on the cobblestones. The gentleman’s ability to keep up was limited and Jacinda was forced several times to go back and beckon him around a corner, calling, “This way, Captain,” for that was all she knew of him.
    By the time they’d traversed almost four long blocks, they were winded. Ben led them into a small alleyway where they could rest and catch their breath as well as take stock of their situation. The trio could do little but gasp for breath. At last, Ben edged back to the opening at Smithfield Street to look for their pursuers. Before he even reached the main street, the sound of racing footsteps approached. Ben backed away and ducked behind a crate even as Jacinda and the captain moved deeper into the alley. The pressmen raced past.
    Jacinda held her breath and prayed the men wouldn’t realize they’d lost their quarry in the dark. But by the time the pursuers reached the corner, it was evident they would go no further. The men milled about while they discussed what was to be done. Jacinda and the others were trapped where they were, for the alley was a dead end.
    Within minutes, the Press Gang began to work their way back towards where the three were hidden, searching the alcoves and alleys. Ben moved deeper into the dead end lane and whispered, “They’re comin’ back.”
    The captain softly called to Ben and Jacinda, “This way.” He gestured to a set of wooden stairs that gleamed brightly in the moonlight. The stairway tiers went up several stories on the side of the warehouse. At first Ben shook his head and Jacinda could only stare in horror. Perhaps the only thing that frightened her more than strangers was heights, a fact that Ben well knew.
    He moved back to the mouth of the alley but when the searchers drew near, he returned to where Jacinda was crouched. “We’d best go up or they’ll find us.” He squeezed her hand and she knew she had to go for his sake.
    â€œCome, lads,” the captain called in a whisper from the first landing. “There’s no time to delay.”
    He led the way, moving lightly on the wooden steps. Ben stopped to test each door on their upward climb, but all were locked. As she climbed higher, Jacinda had a bad feeling that all their efforts that night had been for naught. The Press Gang would get Ben after all. A sick feeling filled her stomach but whether more from frustration or fear, she was uncertain. All she knew was not to look down.
    At the top landing, which ended at a locked door, the captain awaited them. He pointed across the railing. “Do you lads think you can make the jump?” The flat roof of the warehouse next door spread out in front of them like a welcoming field. Moonlight glinted off the slate tiles and chimney pots, dimly illuminating the way to safety. Unfortunately, the gap between the stairway and the roof was a gaping four-foot-wide crevasse.
    Ben looked at Jacinda, who did her best to keep the fear from her voice. “Go. Don’t worry about me.” He hesitated a moment, then saw something in her face that reassured him. He didn’t say a word; he merely climbed over the rail and with a leap cleared the open space that separated the building and the stairs.
    â€œYou next, Jack,” the captain urged.
    Knees shaking, Jacinda climbed over the rail. She tried not to look down but she couldn’t bring herself to jump.
    â€œGo, lad, go!”
    â€œI-I cannot, I—” but before Jacinda could finish, the captain climbed over the rail and pried her hand free.
    â€œCome! And here we go!”
    She had no time to protest; she was