The Little Sparrows by Al Lacy Read Free Book Online

creases on Louise’s brow disappeared as she smiled. “You’re right. I’m just acting like a—”
    “Like a mother,” he chuckled.
    The sky remained clear for the rest of the day, except for a few white clouds on the western horizon. After enjoying a magnificent sunset, the Marstons went to the captain’s quarters and relished a delicious meal, prepared especially for the captain and his guests by the ship’s cook.
    The next morning, a strong wind was blowing across the sea, producing white caps on the surface as Bob and Louise rose to meet the new day. The eastern sky reddened with the rising sun, then blazed in vivid hues during the half hour it took to groom themselves and dress for breakfast, which they were to have with the captain.
    As they made their way across the rocking deck toward the captain’s quarters, the sky was slowly drained of color while dark clouds thickened overhead.
    When they reached Thraxton’s quarters, he was standing in his open door, talking to one of the crewmen. He gestured for them to step inside, and as they did, they heard him say to the crewman, “Yes, Arnold, we have a head sea and a fresh breeze.”
    Louise leaned close to her husband. “Honey, what does that mean?”
    “It’s seaman’s talk for whitecaps and a twenty-knot wind. There just might be a storm coming.”
    “Oh. I hope not.”
    “It probably won’t be a bad one. Don’t worry.”
    Louise bit her lips as Captain Duane Thraxton stepped in and pulled the door shut.
    “What do you think, Captain?” asked Bob. “Have we got a storm coming?”
    “Looks like it,” replied Thraxton, “but I don’t think it’s going to amount to anything.” Noticing the look on Louise’s face, he added, “Really, Mrs. Marston. There’s nothing to worry about.”
    Bob grinned at her. “See there, honey, I told you so.”
    “Well, let’s eat!” said Thraxton.
    By the time Bob and Louise had returned to their cabin, the clouds were darker and the wind was stronger. She stood at the window and watched the coal smoke swirling skyward as it cleared the smokestacks and was carried away. She felt the bow of the ship rise and fall with the powerful swell of the ocean.
    Bob stepped up behind her while the wind-driven salt spray drifted across the pitching deck and put his arms around her. “Now, honey, you mustn’t let this upset you. We both heard Captain Thraxton say there’s nothing to worry about. He’s an old sea dog. He knows what he’s talking about. Tell you what—let’s go over here and pray about it.”
    “That sounds good to me,” said Louise. “I just wish we’d see the Lord Jesus walking out there on the deck, and He would calm the storm like He did that day in the boat on the Sea of Galilee.”
    “You know that’s not going to happen, sweetheart, but He is with us in the Person of the Holy Spirit. The storm will pass soon, I’m sure.”
    That night, the ship pitched and rolled on the rough sea, and the wind howled. Bob and Louise got little sleep.
    The next morning, as the
USS Hampton
sailed past the southern tip of Nova Scotia, the Marstons were once again having breakfast with the captain.
    As they sat at the table, Louise looked out the porthole. Focusing on the dry land, which was barely visible because of the swirling sea mists, she said, “Captain, wouldn’t it be smart just to pull into the nearest port in Nova Scotia and wait this storm out?”
    Thraxton grinned. “We would if I thought it was going to get any worse, ma’am, but the barometer in the wheelhouse is starting to rise, which means the storm will soon abate. We’ll be out of it, shortly.”
    Louise ran the back of her hand across her forehead. “Oh, I’m sure glad to hear this. I feel better already.”
    Bob chuckled. “Good. Now, enjoy your breakfast.”
    When the Marstons returned to their cabin, the clouds were still low and dark and the wind continued to beat mercilessly against the ship. Louise was skeptical about the