About this story
The old sailor Masterman Ready keeps you close through calm and crisis both: a fair-weather stop at the Cape, then a second storm that cripples the ship among uncharted islands and strips her of her boats. When the crew abandons ship, you stay with the family and Ready, calling soundings toward a reef with one dark break that may be a channel, or the wreck's edge.
How it opens
The Pacific ran before an Atlantic gale while you held Masterman Ready's arm near the stern.
Watch how she lifts, William, and keep one hand fixed before the next sea arrives.
At twelve, the stormy daylight offered no other sail across the water.
Captain OsbornBelow with the passengers, lad; the helm requires room and every seaman we have.
Choose
Ask Ready which companionway remains safest and go directly below.
Report the loose chest you noticed before leaving the deck.