Part 7 (2/2)
Taking a deep breath, she scrambled onto the boat as it hung suspended over the ocean far below. The wind rocked and shook the small craft as she released one end of the tarpaulin and climbed inside. It was dark but dry under the cover, and she felt around for what she needed. At last her fingers closed on her prize. Grabbing the oak oar, she clambered back to the deck and then hurried to Paddy.
”Use this!”
Paddy took the stout length of wood and wedged it under the wrench, then leaned on it with all his might. With a crack, the wooden oar splintered in two, but not before the wrench popped out of the wheel a.s.sembly.
”Paddy, you did it!” Ailish cheered, swiping at the rain in her eyes.
”What's going on here?” a harsh voice growled.
Ailish and Paddy whirled to see Dalton and several of his men standing behind them. In the eerie light from the storm, they appeared menacing gargoyles and Ailish took a step backward as a wash of pure menace rolled off Dalton and engulfed her.
”The Fenian sc.u.m is trying to sabotage the cable! You'll hang for this, Whelan,” Dalton snarled. ”Unless you've decided to take my offera”
”You never give up, do you, Dalton? The answer's still no. Now, shove off.” Paddy turned to check the damaged wheel.
”You drove that spike through the cable and when that didn't work, you decided to try again tonight. No man aboard will see it differently!”
In the wavering glow from the lone electric lamp high on the mast, Dalton looked a true demon. Summoning her courage again, Ailish stepped forward. ”No, Paddy's trying to save the cable!” she shouted. ”You left a wrench lying over the machinery today and it fell in during the storm. I tried to warn you, but you wouldn't listen. Instead, you almost killed me and caused a cable disaster!”
The smirk on Dalton's face faltered and his men saw it. She realized she'd committed a grave error. Not only had she caught Dalton making a careless blunder, she had exposed him in front of his men.
His eyes grew as cold as the icy Atlantic. ”A bald-faced lie! You and Whelan set this up.”
He lunged for her but Paddy stepped between. ”You're the problem here, Dalton. Don't blame O'Connor.”
Ailish could see doubt cross the men's faces. It was hard to lead an army if your troops thought you were incompetent and now, the seeds had been planted. She almost felt sorry for the fiend, almosta but not quite. Anyone could make a mistake, but the right thing to do was to own up to it and try to make amends. Dalton had done neither.
”What's the problem, Mr. Dalton?”
Ailish turned to see the tall figure of Cyrus Field striding through the torrential downpour. ”Mr. Field! Thank goodness.” She rushed to his side. ”Sira Paddy freed a wrench that had fallen into the wheels and now Mr. Dalton is accusing him of attempting to wreck the automatic release mechanism!”
”The Irishman's up to no good, sir.” The crew chief interrupted. ”We found him doing his best to sabotage the cable in the hopes the storm would hide his tampering.”
Ailish looked at Dalton in surprise. He was fast on his feet, that was sure.
The soft-spoken gentleman looked about the rain-washed deck and saw the wrench and the broken oar. ”Did anyone actually see Mr. Whelan attempting to destroy the machine?”
Dalton didn't answer.
”Then did anyone see him trying to save the machine?” Cyrus Field asked.
”Yes sir. I did.” Ailish spoke up as she shot Dalton a meaningful glare. ”Paddy is not the one at fault here.”
”You're not going to take a stowaway Irish brat's word are you, Mr. Field?” Dalton asked in his gravelly voice. ”I'll wager my rum ration they're in this together.”
”In America, Mr. Dalton, a man is innocent until proven guilty. I see no reason to dispute Mr. O'Connor's word. It appears some inept sailor left the wrench where it could wreak havoc. I think we narrowly averted a disaster here this evening.” Mr. Field turned and walked away into the rainy night.
Dalton jabbed Paddy with his finger. ”That does it, Whelan. You signed your own death warrant.” Then he and his men strode back down Oxford Street.
Ailish feared he meant what he'd said and Paddy's life was now in real danger.
11.
Fenians Aboard!
.-- a. .- - .. a - a. . .-.. .- -- -a a -. .- -- .
Sat.u.r.day morning arrived with a cloudless sky and air that smelled washed and clean. Ailish had decided to steer clear of Mr. Dalton for as long as possible and was busy playing with Dimples and her new lamb when Paddy walked up, swinging a basket br.i.m.m.i.n.g with freshly baked buns.
”I'm supposed to be working in the cable tank today, but since I'm injured from last night's adventure,” he showed her his bandaged arm, ”I asked Dalton if I could work up on deck instead. He wasn't going to let me, but Mr. Field was there, saw my wounds, and suggested that would be prudent. I thought Dalton was going to choke he was so angry, so I decided I'd best leave.”
Paddy's face became serious. ”I wanted to say thank you for what you did last night, O'Connor. I'm not used to anyone sticking up for me.” He handed her the basket. ”These are for your pet.”
Ailish beamed. ”Dimples, say thank you.”
”Baaaa,” the ewe obediently replied.
”You too, Rainbow.”
The lamb gave a small bleat.
She fed two of the warm buns to the polite ewe, and then stroked Rainbow's velvet ears. ”I said nothing but the truth, and anyway, it's me who should be thanking you. You saved my life.”
Paddy folded his arms. ”I might not have made it in time if you hadn't written me that note.”
Ailish shook her head. ”That wasn't me. Davy must have left it and then gone in search of more help, but I haven't been to the machinery hold today to ask him about it. Charlie's probably got him working again. He's an amazing fellow.” She didn't care anymore how obstinate and frustrating Davy could be; she trusted him and wanted their friends.h.i.+p to continue.
”I didn't think there was anyone down there slaving except swabbies like me.” Paddy smiled. ”I'm glad I could be of service. I'd say we make a fine pair.”
Ailish hugged the tiny sheep. ”Isn't Rainbow beautiful?” She said, not expecting an answer. ”His fleece is so soft. I can already see him running and doing little sheepy things in a sunny meadow in Newfoundland.”
Paddy looked from the lamb to Ailish. ”O'Connor, you do know why these animals are on board, don't you?”
Ailish stopped cuddling Rainbow. She really hadn't thought much about it, and then with a horrifying lurch, Henry the cook's words came back to her. He said he hadn't minded giving Dimples the buns and mola.s.ses because it would end up in the same place anyway.
The same place a” on the table! They were fresh meat!
The animals were on board to feed the crew. ”No, this can't be! Paddy, we have to save Dimples and Rainbow. Please. We can't let them end up as, as,” she swallowed, ”mutton stew and lamb chops!”
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