“Are you sure you’re strong enough?” Amelia asked Strong Arrow.
He nodded, a fist to his chest.
I turned to my father. “I thought you’d be able to come on board with me.”
“I’ll be watching for trouble. You know what to do,” Father whispered.
Soon my friends and I were on the lifeboat, Amelia staring rigidly ahead. I stared at the floorboards, remembering what my place was supposed to be. I pretended not to notice the way the ship’s mate leered at me and licked his lips.
Climbing the rope ladder was extremely difficult. I was quite unused to keeping my balance that way, but somehow managed. Once aboard the Lady Dervish, we met with the red-haired captain, a stout man not much taller than Amelia or I, who reeked of rum.
“I’ll show ye the cargo holds meself. I don’t think you’ll find an
