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CHAPTER I
ABOARD THE CALLIOPE
While his cargo was being loaded, George and John were having an idle chat, with Isabella, still disguised as "Isaiah" focused somewhat impatiently for the ship to be officially ready to depart. Isabella knew that she was, at heart, as jubilant as a child. At last, she would be able to venture out to see what else was in the world not just from stories and books, but with her own two eyes; she would finally get to see for the first time what her father saw routinely. Once the last of the crates were finally loaded, everyone who was scheduled to board was called over before the ship left any stragglers behind, with Isabella nearly running at full speed to reach the ship.
A few minutes later, George stood on top of a barrel and called the crew's attention.
"Everyone, the Calliope has faced many challenges, emerging triumphant every time. The latest challenge may just pit us against the gods." Turning to Isabella, George said, "Take off your hat."
As Isabella's long hair unfurled, she looked uneasily at all the crew staring at her.
"Behold my daughter, Isabella." George said.
"Gentlemen," John said, "what George says is true. This risks the wrath of the gods, having a lass on board. Women bring bad luck. Yet we have also heard that his wife passed to God's house. He is simply a father tending to his daughter. But what say you, men? Let the gods do their worst?"
The crew cheered defiantly.
As the day went by, Isabella began to get friendly with the crew. Many willingly talked to her as if she were one of their own.
As the Calliope departed the harbor, Isabella stood in the center of the ship so she could look at either the sea or the harbor. As she looked at the harbor from which she had just departed, she wondered if this would be the last time she ever saw an English city ever again. She revelled in the ricking and rocking of the ship, believing that every rick and rock was the ship telling her "You are indeed on the deck of a ship sailing the seas." All Isabella could mentally say in return was, "Many thanks, Lord, for giving me the chance to go beyond what the world would want me to accept."
"How does it feel being at sea?"
Isabella turned and saw the captain standing behind her.
"It is like another world. There are even moments when I fear that if I close my eyes and open them again, I will awaken still in my bed after a long sleep."
"I could send a crewman to wake you every morning so you know that you truly are aboard a ship."
Isabella simply laughed and shook her head humorously.
"If you truly wish to see, head to the crow's nest."
Eager to experience what the man had implied, Isabella headed toward the nets to climb. Having watched crewmembers climbing the rigging, and having climbed onto the rooftop back at her home in Hampshire, Isabella was quite knowledgeable on safely navigating great heights without any issue. Not trusting them, Isabella took her shoes off before grabbing on to the rigging. After obtaining a proper grip on the netting, Isabella began her ascent. As she climbed higher and higher up the net, she felt as though she was climbing into the clouds; as though she was getting closer and closer to her own kind of New World.
Once she reached the crow's nest, the lookout helped her up.
"A rare thing, seein' a lass onboard Calliope."
"When I was little, m' father would always tell me of his adventures overseas. Mum was always afraid that if he continued to tell me the tales he did, I would start getting ideas." Isabella said.
"How is ye mum doing?" the lookout asked.
With a dejected sigh, Isabella turned to the horizon and said, "Only God could answer that now."
"Oh," said the lookout in a small voice, "son Jesus and mother Mary, please forgive me for mentioning her."
"Worry not; she always believed that tragedy is but an obstacle in the path of fondness which can be swept away by a flood of cherished memories of the time, be it short seconds or many extensive years, spent beside one another." Isabella said.
After a few minutes of self-thought, Isabella took a bird's-eye view of the ship and said, "I see that the Calliope is very strong."
"She has passed every test God has seen fit to throw against her; I have often said that Captain and ship are bound together. Just as the life of the captain depends on the strength of the ship, the life of the ship depends on the strength of the captain." the lookout said.
"Whenever my father didn't have a story to tell, I would always go looking. Captains have told of narrowly evading encounters with pirates, surviving storms that seemed as though they would be the death of them, or special moments during their adventures." Isabella said.
"Considering how happy you seem, I assume that, lovely as tales of travel and adventure are to you, one of your biggest wishes was to someday experience the adventure yourself and hopefully return home with tales of your own." the lookout said.
"In truth, I have begun to believe that my future lies not in Britain or its empire, but somewhere else." Isabella said.
"Given your clear determination, you would sail to the furthest edges of the map to find the path God has set for you." the lookout said with clear admiration.
"I found my calling was to venture the seas; I feel as though the sea is where one can be truly free, with only God as your master. Every 14 days, I pray to our Lord that he allow me to die at sea, my true home." the lookout said.
"Ever since I was 1, I was told by my father about the places he ventured to while on trade. It was not long before I began imagining myself out on the sea, exploring the world. My mother alway said that I should not hear those sorts of tales, lest I start believing myself destined for something other than marrying a man, starting a family, and working the house." Isabella said.
"Well, I hope that the lovely Calliope will bestow upon you memories to be treasured for a lifetime, lass." the lookout said.
"Thank you, sir." Isabella said.
"Though if you want to really see what's out there, you might want to use this…" the lookout handed Isabella the spyglass he had on his belt, which Isabella gratefully took. She then turned back to stare into the great and vast unknown, wondering what the next day would bring.