The Voyage of the Sea Wolf Read Online Free Page A

shirt then pulled it on.
    The shirt was small. He was thin from the island but still it strained against his shoulders. I watched him roll up the sleeves, the small golden hairs on his arms glinting in the sun.
    â€œWho wore this clothing afore us?” he asked.
    â€œThe crew.” Mr. Forthinggale’s voice was disinterested. “When we takes over another ship the men seize the captives’ garments, if they’re any better than their own. That’s afore they cuts their throats. Come on.”
    He turned and William and I secretly touched hands before we bundled the clothes and followed him.
    The wind was in front of us, the deck alive with activity. No one turned as we walked past. Backs were bent, hands were busy.
    Then I saw why.
    Captain Medb Moriarity leaned against a coil of rope, deep in conversation with the smallest man I’d ever seen in my life. He had a shock of black hair that curled outfrom under a red kerchief and his top half was sturdy and strong looking. But his legs were short and stubby as a small child’s. I had never seen a dwarf before but I knew this pirate to be one. Neither of them looked at us as we passed and the captain made no answer to Mr. Forthinggale’s polite “Captain?”
    The man was speaking.
    â€œOne only,” he said. His voice was low and I began to wonder if I’d interpreted his words correctly.
    â€œHow was it?” the captain asked.
    â€œEmpty.”
    The captain breathed hard. “Empty? That is not good. She has come out then? She is here. Could she be the girl?”
    The dwarf looked up at me and narrowed his eyes.
    â€œStep forward, Catherine,” the captain ordered.
    I took a pace forward. What was this? Panic choked my throat. What had she meant when she asked, “Could she be the girl?”
    The dwarf stood in front of me, his little legs planted apart.
    â€œCap’n,” William began and the captain held up a hand and hissed. “Be quiet.”
    I stood still, enduring the steady gaze of the little man. I tried to think of other things but my mind was strangely blank.
    After what seemed forever he shook his head and moved back.
    â€œYe have no need to worry, Cap’n. Not on this account.”
    The captain indicated for me to step back.
    â€œCaptain?” Mr. Forthinggale asked, timidly I thought.
    The captain swung around. “What is it? You know better than to interrupt me when I’m speakin’ wi’ Sebastian.”
    â€œAye, Captain. I just want to ask if ye’ll be giving the oath right away. Or are the marooners to be cleaned up first?”
    The dwarf, Sebastian, examined his fingers, sucking on one of them.
    â€œThey’ll take the oath the way they are.” The captain’s voice was calmer. “I apologize for my rudeness, Mr. Forthinggale. You know I am not always on line with the horizon when I am in discussion with Sebastian.” Her head inclined toward us. “Sebastian, these are Catherine and William.”
    When she said William’s name it seemed to me her whole manner softened, became boneless, the way a cat’s does when it sleeps. I was fancying it, I knew. And then I saw her gently touch the pocket of her trousers where I’d earlier seen her slip the cutting of his hair.
    I bit my lip. No, I was not fancying anything.

Chapter Five
    Mr. Forthinggale held a sheet of paper. He indicated to me to sit on the cannon nearest to him. I set my bundle of clothes on the deck.
    Standing by the railing was the dwarf, Sebastian. His gaze on me was steady as it had been when he had examined me for the captain and made that strange pronouncement, “Ye have no need to worry. Not on this account.” What did it mean?
    â€œShould I administer the oath to the both of them together?” Mr. Forthinggale asked the captain. “It would save time.”
    The captain glared. “Have ye not hearkened to me?There’s to be nothin’