CHAPTER 14
DUNDEE, MAY 1827
“Land ho!” A lookout on the cross-trees called. “Land ahead.”
Kenny was scrambling up the ratlines in seconds, all business and authority. “Steer east-south-east a quarter east,” he roared, and Admiral Duncan altered course slightly, with spray rising from the bow and the oyster-catchers back above us. I longed to join Kenny up aloft, but the helmsman, now a young man with steady eyes, shook his head.
“Best not, miss,” he advised. “The rigging is not as secure as it should be after the blow. You might lose your grip, and the cap’n wouldn’t like that.”
“The captain?” I thought of Captain Jackman.
“Mr Fairweather’s acting captain now, Miss, until the owners appoint another.”
Looking overboard at the heaving sea, I nodded. “Thank you, helmsman. I wouldn’t li
