By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer Read Free Book Online Page B

back the strands of dark hair that had slipped out of her pinned-up bun. “They can book a ticket on
Titanic
‘s next voyage.”
    There were no flags flying or bands playing, but the excitement was contagious. Laughter and talking filled the air, and a sharp whistle caused the volume to grow. Within moments a rumble below deck told her the enormous luxury ship would be venturing out into the channel of the River Test. Six tugboats escorted the ship, blasting their horns. Then, as if in slow motion,
Titanic
floated away from the quay slowly, gently.
    Amelia and Ethel leaned against the railing. Stretching out from either side of them, straw hats and handkerchiefs waved in the air. Children stood up on the rails, waving at the crowds on the dock.
    Shouts rose from those who waved them off. “Godspeed! Godspeed!”
    “I can’t believe I am so lucky. To be one of the first.” Ethel sighed.
    The
Titanic
moved majestically down the dock, and the crowd followed it. On its way out, it passed beside the steamer
New York,
moored to the dock.
    As Amelia watched, the displaced water pushed nearer the
New York
and lifted it upward. The ship passed, and within seconds three sharp sounds filled the air.
    Amelia jumped. “Sounds like gunshots!”
    “Look!” Ethel pointed.
    Like whips splitting the air, the
New York’s
mooring ropes flung themselves into the waiting crowd on the dock. Screams erupted, and Amelia saw sailors running to the aid of some of the bystanders who must have been struck by the recoiling ropes. Exclamations of worry rumbled through those on
Titanic’s
deck, and they watched with worry as the
New York’s
gangway crashed into the water. Then, as if being pulled by an invisible force,
New York
‘s stern swung out toward the
Titanic.
    “What’s happening?” Amelia asked no one in particular.
    She didn’t need an answer. It was clear the suction and waves caused by the
Titanic
‘s huge propellers had caused the other ship’s thick ropes to strain and break. And now there was nothing keeping that same suction from pulling the
New York
into
Titanic’s
hull. The
New York
grew closer, closer.
    Amelia pressed a hand to her chest. “We’re going to be hit!”
    A small tug boat got a line onto the
New York.
It strained with all its might, attempting to hold the ship. The tug rocked side to side as it pulled, and Amelia held her breath, wondering if the tug’s efforts would do any good.
    At the stern, officers with sharp black suits with gold buttons and sailors in white uniforms shouted out commands. The men rushed past to various stations, ringing bells and telephoning the bridge. White and red flags were hauled up and down a line, and within a minute the
Titanic
came to a stop. Now that the large ship had stilled, the suction ceased and the tug was able to pull the vessel farther down the quay. Then, as if tugged by a magnet, the
New York
slipped back into its place at the docks.
    Amelia released the breath she’d been holding. That had been a close one. Only a few yards had separated the hulls of the
New York
and the
Titanic.
She hated to think of what damage the
Titanic
would have done to the smaller ship.
    The tug continued on, carrying them toward the open waters. Only when they were clear of danger did the
Titanic
‘s engines once again come to life. She and Ethel watched as they slowly passed a second ship, the
Teutonic.
That ship also strained at its ropes so much that it heeled over several degrees, attempting to follow the
Titanic.
Amelia placed a hand over her mouth, expecting its mooring lines to break also. Just then she felt the slightest touch on her wrist. She glanced over to notice a handsome man standing next to her with concern in his gaze.
    “Don’t worry,” he commented. “The lines will hold, and all our troubles will soon be behind us.”
    There was something familiar about the man’s handsome face—his eyes. She peered into their dark depths and then sucked in a breath. It was