Sharing a hammock with three others wasn’t quite what I had in mind! But tis better than the floor with creepy crawlies running over me. How did these creatures get on board anyhows?
Elizabeth spent most of her time below decks in the hull of the boat. The convicts were supposed to be allowed up on deck for a short period each day, but it usually depended on their guard's mood.
It is the same today as all the other days. I can feel his eyes following me wherever I go. Who is he? He has a red coat, he must be an officer. He is a bit handsome.
“Get yourselves below decks, time’s up. Enough air for today,” yelled one of the guards, accompanied by a swift kick to one of the other convicts. Elizabeth hurried past him to avoid the same fate.
I couldn’t ever get too much air, she thought, oh, I wish I didn’t have to go back down. Taking a big gulp of the sea air and filling her lungs, it was almost as if she hoped to breathe freshness into the dark, stale and musty space where she spent so much of her time.
How can this ship stay upright with so many of us on it? The Captain said there was 402 of us, let alone the crew and their wives. Why would anyone board one of these ships voluntarily? I guess they have their reasons, not like the rest of us, with no choice.
————
Lieutenant Thomas Rowley had a fair bit of time on his hands. Being part of the NSW Corps bound for Australia, left him with few duties while onboard. He was restless and in need of diversion. The last two months onboard were taking their toll on his nerves.
I couldn’t ever get too much air, she thought, oh, I wish I didn’t have to go back down. Taking a big gulp of the sea air and filling her lungs, it was almost as if she hoped to breathe freshness into the dark, stale and musty space where she spent so much of her time.
How can this ship stay upright with so many of us on it? The Captain said there was 402 of us, let alone the crew and their wives. Why would anyone board one of these ships voluntarily? I guess they have their reasons, not like the rest of us, with no choice.
————
Lieutenant Thomas Rowley had a fair bit of time on his hands. Being part of the NSW Corps bound for Australia, left him with few duties while onboard. He was restless and in need of diversion. The last two months onboard were taking their toll on his nerves.
Taking his daily exercise around the deck he found himself watching the female convicts again. It helped with the endless monotony of the ship board life.
That slip of a girl shows promise. After all, my cabin will surely be a step up from the hulls so to speak! I will speak to her tomorrow, how hard can it be?
Whatever is happening? Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Elizabeth peered over the sleeping figure beside her.
From the chink of daylight coming through the opening to the hull she noticed a commotion near the doorway. The guards were coming in with someone else.
It’s him! Her Red Coat Officer. She gave herself a shake, her red coat indeed! Holding her breath as they approached she felt stirring beside her in the hammock.
“You there, get your things and come with us,” sniggered the guard, while the officer with him, held a kerchief over his nose.
Scrambling out of the hammock, she found herself the object of much speculation. It didn’t take long to gather her possessions, she only had a shawl and boots.
As she followed with her heart beating fit to burst, she wondered what's in store for you now, Elizabeth?
That slip of a girl shows promise. After all, my cabin will surely be a step up from the hulls so to speak! I will speak to her tomorrow, how hard can it be?
______
Whatever is happening? Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Elizabeth peered over the sleeping figure beside her.
From the chink of daylight coming through the opening to the hull she noticed a commotion near the doorway. The guards were coming in with someone else.
It’s him! Her Red Coat Officer. She gave herself a shake, her red coat indeed! Holding her breath as they approached she felt stirring beside her in the hammock.
“You there, get your things and come with us,” sniggered the guard, while the officer with him, held a kerchief over his nose.
Scrambling out of the hammock, she found herself the object of much speculation. It didn’t take long to gather her possessions, she only had a shawl and boots.
As she followed with her heart beating fit to burst, she wondered what's in store for you now, Elizabeth?
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