Dillard Beach Mystery – 55

Rebekah spent a restless night lying next to Ezra in the Captain’s bed, finally falling asleep sometime after four bells. The next morning she woke to the sounds of the crew moving about on the quarterdeck above as sunlight streamed into the cabin. She looked down at her son, still snuggled under the coverlet. “Ezra? Are you awake?”

The boy smiled, nodded his head, and rolled over on his side hiding his face in the pillows.

“Sleepy head!” She gave him a gentle pat. “Time to get up.”

The boy rubbed his eyes and shook his head, “no.”

“You don’t want to be a sailor?”

“I am tired, mama.”

Suddenly there was a loud knock at the cabin. “You up, boy?” It was the Captain. “Ezra, time to report for duty!”

Ezra quickly scrambled off the bed, grabbed his jacket, slipped on his shoes, and ran to the cabin door. The Captain stood in the passage blocking his way. “Is your mother awake? We are about to head north up the Connecticut. It is quite a lovely view at this time of the morning. I would not want her to miss it.”

Rebekah held the coverlet against her chest and looked past Ezra at the Captain. He smiled and held out a small basket of biscuits and cheese. “Something to slake your appetite.“ He paused, “Charles and Emma will join us on the quarterdeck for breakfast whenever you are ready.”

She nodded. “Give me a few minutes to shake off the cobwebs, and I will join you.”

Once on deck, Rebekah looked at the shoreline, slowly emerging out of the mid-morning fog. It was, as the Captain said, “quite lovely.” She could hear Sailors below decks hauling up the anchor as others on the main deck adjusted and raised the mainsail. A stiff breeze filled the sheet and the ship headed towards the mouth of the Connecticut River.

“Good morning, Rebekah,” Emma called out. She and Charles were standing at the stern rail. “What a beautiful morning. Captain Chapman says the tide is with us and we should be in Saybrook no later than noon.”

Rebekah nodded and joined them on the quarterdeck. “Have you seen Ezra?”

“I saw him with the Captain.” Emma pointed towards the bow of the ship.

Rebekah shielded her eyes against the bright morning light and looked towards the bow. Ezra had climbed up the shrouds and was at that moment perched at least six feet off the deck. The Captain stood just behind the boy.

“Ezra!” Rebekah called out. “Get down from there!”

The boy heard his mother’s cry, turned, and lost his footing. Luckily, the Captain caught him before he fell to the deck.

“What are you two playing at?” she demanded.

The Captain gave her a stern look. “There is no need to fear, Rebekah. I have the boy in hand. Ezra is learning how to climb the ropes and doing well at it.”

“But he might have fallen and hurt himself.”

“But, as you see, he did not.” He paused, then continued, “Go now, Ezra, find cook and tell him I said you deserve a treat for all your good work.” Chapman gave the boy a wide grin and Ezra quickly scampered off.

“Let the boy find his own way, Rebekah. He is a smart lad and a quick learner.”

“But are you a smart teacher? I don’t want you taking any chances with my son.”

“He needs experience, Rebekah. Sometimes that means he might get a bruise or two.”

“And who is here to patch him up?” she demanded. “You are sure to be gone on another of your misadventures.”

“Misadventures?” He took a step back as if she had struck him. “I am a merchant. A trader of merchandise. I must travel if I am to be successful. You know that.”

She turned away, barely able to suppress her feelings.

He moved to her side and gazed out at the shoreline. “We will be in Saybrook Harbor within the hour. It will take most of the morning to unload the cargo and load the wagons for the trip to the trading post. You should go on ahead and help Emma and Charles settle into their new home.”

“But what of Ezra?”

“I’ll keep the boy here with me and promise to keep a close eye on him.”

She looked at him and shook her head. “I’m not sure…”

“Rebekah! You know I care for the boy nearly as much as you. Leave him with me. You help Emma and Charles. Let me take care of the rest.”

There was little Rebekah could do but agree. She knew Ezra would much prefer to stay with the Captain than follow her about. “Promise me you will not let him get into any trouble.”

“Trust me, Rebekah, Ezra will be safe at my side.”