MR. DARCY'S ARDENT LOVE by John Edwards

Author:John Edwards [Edwards, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: John Edwards
Published: 2012-10-02T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

A BIG OCEAN

Elizabeth and the Gardiners left early the next morning and arrived dockside at the River Thames, where they signed documents and other papers and soon they and their bags and trunks were taken aboard. Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth and the girls had a small cabin next to one that Mr. Gardiner and the boys shared, but there was a bulkhead door connecting the rooms. Their quarters were high up in the ship and located just below the main deck and had windows and much fresh air. They were situated not far from Captain Watley, a distinguished looking man of about forty years. Soon they and the others were briefed about the living conditions and ship rules for walking on deck and sea sickness and many other things. Elizabeth felt gratitude for her lodgings once she escaped below and saw how crowded the berthing in steerage was. There was no wonder people died during these crossings, for the trip usually took near a month, and that was in good weather. Mr. Gardiner had been told by other travelers to bring certain foods and fruits that might be eaten later during the voyage, and so he had carried aboard much dried fruit and nuts and raisons, as well as some dried beef and ham and fresh limes and lemons as well as much hard candy. He kept this as a surprise and once everyone started to complain about the food, he would surprise them and bring out a few of these rations. They would then be used as a reward for good behavior, but Mr. Gardiner was more interested is keeping his family healthy and happy.

All were up on deck as the ship pulled out from the dock and the faces along the pier soon faded as the mighty ship unfurled more sail and quickened the pace as it made its’ way into the channel. Now, with a turn to the South, they soon unfurled all sails and felt the surge of power in the wind as the sails billowed against a bright blue sky, accented only with puffs of small clouds as might be drawn on a canvas. So varied were the thoughts of the many people on deck as they realized that soon they would not see England. Now they were treated to the sight of the White Cliffs of Dover and experienced the awesome power of the ship. The Gardiners and Elizabeth gasped as a gust of wind caught them off guard as the ship seemed to surge ahead. Every face on board the deck was full of hope. The ship carried cargo, for sure, but there were people coming to America to seek their fortune, or to visit with friends and relatives, and men were returning home from business in England and on the continent. Elizabeth saw a few women who appeared to be traveling alone, and thought of why they were going to America. She had heard that some women were coming across as mail order brides, but perhaps they were returning home to their families.

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