Page 11 - MailOrderBrideFlipBook

voice boomed, shattering the stillness of the morning. “Me know your type. Outside, you look like good man. Inside, you sneaking devil.” “What?” Eli asked. The captain just scowled, and didn’t say anything, so Eli turned to Whitman. “Whitman, what is this man talking about?” Whitman shook his head. “I can’t say I have the slightest idea.” The captain shook his finger at Eli, leaning right into his face, his own face livid. “Me told to deliver package to you safely, unharmed! Me not like, but do as told!” Eli was more confused. “What package?” The captain growled. “As if you didn’t know!” Then, turning back in the direction of his ship, he shouted, “Hokay! Send her down!” All of the men turned and watched as a woman started down the plank. She was dressed in drab black and brown from her head to her feet. She had a well-worn coat over her tired dress. She looked like a walking silhouette - a black burka veiling all of her face except for her eyes. “Wow, who died?” Jim gasped. Slowly the woman approached them - slowing even more as she came. She stopped a good distance away, but, even still, it was easy to see that her clothes were dirty, and a smell of cattle wafted from her on the breeze. She stood there silent and motionless. Eli looked at the captain, then at the girl, then back to the captain. “Well, where’s the package?” The captain pointed at the girl, more than a little annoyed. “Dis is package!” Eli walked up to the girl, who immediately started to 8