9
Thomas, to his chagrin, found that the ocean did not agree with him, especially not a late fall ocean with large swells that spilled over the decks and left everything slick with water or ice, depending on the day. He managed to avoid sea-sickness, but only by keeping his mouth shut and not eating.
Eileen had dressed herself as Alex again, and the sailors took “him” under their wing, teaching her about the ship and the rigging and how to climb it. She spent most of her spare time there, staring out either at the ocean or the coastline they were following north. Thomas barely saw her on the deck, and when he did, her appearance as a boy kept them from being too close.
George found the ocean agreeable enough, and busied himself with learning the metalwork of the ship, examining its pull
