| Subject: The New World - Part #45 |
Author:
Wanda
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 21:52:02 06/28/03 Sat
PART #45
The ship left the following morning. Bow had asked Captain LeFebvre if he would take his ship out to sea. His own ship, the “Lafayette” was in dry dock for repair. Bow promised to keep an eye on the work being done on the “Lafayette” if the man would deliver the freight that Bow had consigned. The man, who was seasoned, agreed he would go to sea for Bow. He had every confidence the man could handle his crew. Bow felt this decision would be wiser then appointing one of his own men as temporary Captain. There would be the petty jealousies, and he did not want trouble to develop at sea. That would look bad for his ship and crew members and not help his import-export business.
The following morning Catherine awakened to the sound of birds outside her hotel window. When she awakened; she sat up in bed, and realized she felt nauseous. She wondered if she had eaten something that had upset her stomach. She could not think of anything that would have caused the problem, but she could not think of any other reason to feel ill. She stood up, and immediately felt like she would vomit. Reaching for a basin, Catherine sat down on the bed. This was highly unusual for her. The last time she had been ill was on the ship coming over. Whatever was wrong, she hoped it passed quickly. Perhaps she would be lazy this morning, and remain in bed for awhile longer.
Bow had told her he would pick her up at ten o’clock, and they would go out to the plantation, and pick up her clothing. It was only seven forty-five so she had time to rest a while longer. As she lay there in bed, she thought about the potential danger that Bow was facing at the plantation. How long would it take for those criminals to return to the plantation looking for Joshua? She wondered what Bow would tell them when they arrived. She also wondered if Peter Dunkirk had talked to the sheriff about Joshua’s three business associates. She hoped the sheriff had a plan for catching them. She was fearful of what they might do if they discovered that Joshua was dead, and other people knew about their hiding place in the swamp.
She heard a tap on the door and a voice said, “Excuse me, Miss Catherine, I have a breakfast tray for you.” Catherine moaned softly; and said, “I am so sorry, but I am too ill to eat this morning. Please take it back, and put the cost on my bill.” Another tap was heard on the door; and the maid asked, “Would you like a pot of tea?” Catherine said, “That would be fine; please put it outside the door in the hall. I will pick it up in a few minutes. Thank you.”
Catherine could hear the tray being placed on the floor in the hall. She tried to stand up once again, and a wave of nausea swept over her. This time she did vomit into the basin. What was wrong with her? Perhaps she should call for a doctor. She finally made her way to the door and reached outside for the pot of tea.
She brought the tray into the room, and set it on a table. Pouring herself a cup of tea; she walked back to the bed, and sat down. She took a few sips, and thought she felt a little better. Little by little she forced herself to drink the tea. Catherine wished she had brought other clothes with her, but she hadn’t so it would be necessary to put on the clothes she had worn yesterday. She was grateful a pitcher of water had been brought to her room. She washed her face and hands and laid a wet cloth on the back of her neck. She was still feeling nauseated and noticed some toast on the tray. Perhaps she would try some toast. She took a few bites, and eventually the nausea was subsiding.
Catherine knew time was slipping by, so she finished dressing and combed back her hair. Surely it would not be long before Bow appeared. Since her room was facing the street she looked out the window to see if Bow had arrived. Sure enough he was pulling up in the carriage. She looked around the room to make sure she had everything, and walked out the room and down the stairs.
Bow looked up to see Catherine coming down the stairs. She looked pale this morning, and he wondered if she had slept. He walked over to her; and asked, “Are you all right Catherine? You look pale this morning.” Catherine admitted she had been ill earlier in the morning, but thought she was feeling better now. She said, “It must have been something I ate last evening. It has passed now.”
Bow told Catherine he had visited the sheriff’s office, and found that Peter had talked with the sheriff about the Doucettes and also Jean Pierre Boudreau. Sheriff Le Havre had called in some men to serve as deputies; and he said they would be going out to the swamp, and surrounding the building. They would keep themselves hidden away, but would watch for any activity around the building. If someone came; and tried to remove any of the stolen goods, they would be arrested. He was also sending two deputies out to the plantation to keep an eye on things there, and give extra protection to the inhabitants of the plantation. They would be prepared should the Doucettes and their friend Jean Pierre Boudreau try to come on the premises, and cause trouble. Sheriff Le Havre said, “Bow, don’t you worry now, we are ready for them.” Catherine, knowing the deputies would be at the plantation, did feel a little better about Bow’s safety.
To be continued...
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 