With these thoughts and feelings surrounding Darcy and Elizabeth, the last few days of the voyage passed with camaraderie, and before they knew it, they found themselves facing the fact that it was their last day upon the ship. They would be reaching America sometime the following day.
On the final day of sailing before arriving in America, the winds picked up and clouds began to form. They had previously passed through several storms along the course of this voyage, but none had been too severe. The captain could tell this storm was different, and he began taking precautions well before the storm hit.
The first thing that became noticeable to everyone was the increase in the size of the swells, causing the ship to be tossed severely to and fro. As passengers gathered in the dining room, anticipating their final evening of revelry, they had to keep a firmer grip on their cups of tea and coffee, their plates of food, and utensils. Revelry soon turned into a struggle to maintain order.
The captain knew they were heading straight into the storm, as the storms came off the east coast of America. He had heard many tales of vicious ones that spun ships around and ripped them to pieces.
Although the sun had not yet set, an eerie darkness settled over the ship. Lightning flashed around them and the winds picked up fiercely. The crew scrambled to furl the sails to prevent the ship from being blown over by the forceful gale.
At sunset, the storm hit with fury. Festivities were abruptly cancelled, and everyone was ordered to their rooms as rain began to pour down in torrents. What was earlier thought to be a savage tossing of the ship proved to be nothing compared to what they now experienced.
When Darcy helped Elizabeth return to the room, as it was exceedingly difficult to even walk, she watched in utter frustration as Darcy pulled out a coat and began to put it on.
“What are you planning on doing?”
“I am going out there to see if there is anything I can do!”
“Are you a fool? You could get yourself killed up there!”
“Elizabeth, I cannot just sit here, knowing that the ship could break apart at any minute! You stay here!”
He opened the door and slammed it behind him as the boat encountered a swell that tipped it precariously on its side.
“William, please, no!”
Elizabeth grasped for something to hold on to as she cried out for him to stay. Her voice was lost in the crashing of the waves against the boat. She was left alone to ponder in anger why this man insisted on doing such a thing as to venture out into the storm when the captain and crew were most capable of handling things. Who did he think he was?
As her mind unwillingly became engaged with the worst scenarios of what might befall them due to the intensity of the storm, she was gripped with fear.
The ship made a sudden, violent lurch to the side and Elizabeth was harshly flailed against the wall. She frantically tried to grasp hold of the table to keep from falling. She then leaned against the table to secure her own balance as the ship swayed in the opposite direction. It returned to its upright position only for the briefest moment, and then continued its tremulous tilting. The ship tossed as if it was in the hands of a mighty, relentless force, and its pitching was increasing in intensity by the minute.
She stubbornly refused to let her fear get the best of her and consequently decided to do something. She determined her first course of action must be to stow away and secure everything that was susceptible to falling down, toppling over, or scooting precariously across the floor.
She worked quickly, fighting against her fear and the savage tossing of the ship, quickly and adeptly stowing everything that was not secured. The ship swayed one moment from one side to the other, and then would rise up from the front as it encountered a swell head-on and then come crashing down again. Her heart pounded as the realization swept through her of what a storm like this could do to a ship.
When she had secured all she could, she made the decision that it would be best for her to stay low to the floor. She felt that even trying to secure herself in the narrow bed for the night would be fruitless due to the extent of the ship’s unremitting tossing. She knew she could easily be thrown from the bed onto the floor. She took her pillow and propped herself against a wall, bringing her knees up and grasping hold tightly with her arms. She whispered a silent prayer that the ship would remain intact and all onboard would remain safe.
Her thoughts and prayers dwelt particularly on Darcy and his safety.
What a fool he is! her thoughts repeatedly echoed. Why must he always insist in being in control of a situation, when it is not even his place to worry? She let out a frustrated sigh and a cry heavenward for his safety.
Chapter 11
Elizabeth sat still, keeping her eyes on the door, hoping and praying that Darcy would return. After what seemed an eternity of waiting and imagining every horrible thing, it finally opened and a very wet Darcy stomped in.
“The captain says it looks to be quite a severe storm!” He had to compete with the thunderous resonance to be heard. Pulling off his coat as it left puddles of water on the floor, he informed Elizabeth, “He has all hands on deck and they have furled all the sails. There is as much water coming from the swells over the sides of the ship as there is rain coming down from the heavens! It is going to be a long night.”
A tremendous sense of relief had washed over her when he walked in, causing her to close her eyes in a quick, prayerful “thank you.” But it was tempered with residual anger toward his foolish stubbornness. She knew there would be no benefit in expressing her anger now. “Does the captain appear concerned?” she asked.
“The captain says not to worry, but we need to stow everything that is not secured or it will come crashing down.” Taking a quick glance around the room, he said, “Oh, I see you have done that already.”
“Yes.”
“Good.” He hung up his coat on a rack and raked his hand through his wet hair. His coat had kept out some of the water, but his shirt was soaked in places.
Elizabeth made her way over to the dresser and secured a towel, handing it to him. “You should get out of your wet clothes.”
Darcy looked at her and nodded. “That is something I plan to do.” He took the towel and briskly rubbed down his hair, removing the excess water. “It would have been better for me up there if I had had an oilskin coat. That is what the crew all wear in a storm such as this, and it really helps them keep somewhat dry.” He walked over to the small closet, and as he did, the ship made a sudden lurch to the left, propelling him off balance and sending him against the table, his shoulder going right into its edge. With a moan, he grabbed his shoulder with his other hand, and promptly slid himself down to the floor.
“The other thing the captain said is to stay as low to the floor as possible.” He grimaced painfully. “I now see that is a wise idea.”
“Are you hurt?” Elizabeth asked as the ship rose and fell mercilessly.
He vigorously rubbed his shoulder and replied, “I do not think it is fatal.”
Elizabeth smiled as she realized he was trying to be light-hearted with his last remark, possibly to help ease her fears. He continued, “I shall most likely be sore for a few days, that is all.” He sat on the floor, continuing to rub his injured shoulder, and soon made another attempt to retrieve a dry shirt. When he reached out the arm with the injured shoulder, he withdrew it back in pain. “Ohhh!” His hand immediately went up to rub it again.