The Royal Handmaid by Gilbert Morris Read Free Book Online Page B

but—”
    Charlie Day sent a loud laugh through his bad teeth. “Imagine that, Novak. Now we’re haulin’ preachers for cargo.”
    The other crew member looked and sounded like a Scandinavian. “I’m Lars Olsen,” he said. “You don’t look like a preacher.”
    “I don’t expect I do,” Travis replied.
    “I ain’t got no time for preachers,” Novak warned. “They just clutter up the earth as far as I’m concerned.”
    Travis noted the aggressive glare in the big man’s eyes.“Well, I don’t guess I’m enough of a preacher to make much difference. You might say I’m the black sheep of the whole bunch.”
    Novak winked at his friends, then stuck out his hand. “Well, welcome aboard, Winslow.”
    Travis put out his hand, and it was crushed in Novak’s grip. He tried not to look too surprised, but he did not miss the amusement of all three of the sailors. He suddenly squeezed his own hand, meeting Novak’s grip, and now it was Novak who looked surprised. Travis allowed no sign of strain to show on his face but simply stood there matching the man grip for grip. Novak tilted his head back, and his lips grew thin as he put forth all of his force. He did not prevail over Travis Winslow, however. Travis maintained his grip, giving as good as he got.
    Finally Novak released the pressure and pulled his hand back. He stared at his hand for a moment as if it were a traitor, then grinned reluctantly. “Perty good grip you got there. Any other preachers like you in this bunch?”
    “Nope, I’m the bottom of the barrel, and I’ll tell you right now, I don’t know a thing about sailing ships. But if I can help you fellows, I’ll be glad to do it.”
    Novak was amused, yet chagrined. He had rarely been bested in tests of strength, and now he shrugged. “Well, you can help with the loading. See them bags down there? They all gotta come on board.”
    “Sure,” Travis said, nodding and stepping onto the gangplank. The other three followed him, and when they got down to the supplies stacked on the wharf, Travis picked up a hundred-pound bag and put it on his shoulder easily.
    The crew introduced him to another sailor who was already helping to load the cargo. “I’m Shep Riggs. I heard you say you don’t know much about sailing ships, Mr. Winslow.”
    “That’s right,” Travis replied as he headed back up the gangplank. “I’ve been on several tramp steamers, but this one is different. It’s really beautiful.”
    While Winslow easily navigated the plank back onto the deck, Olsen turned to Novak. “Y’know, he ain’t a bad guy—for a preacher.”
    “If he weren’t a preacher, he might be a good guy,” Novak muttered, hefting a load onto his shoulder. “But if he tries to preach at me, I’ll throw him over the side.”
    Charlie Day laughed and struggled to get a bag over his shoulder. When it was nestled there, he said, “Before we get halfway to Hawaii, we may throw ’em all overboard!”
    ****
    Rena got out of the car on the dock and approached the ship, but halted when she saw Travis Winslow picking up a bag and lifting it to his shoulder. She rushed up the gangway and demanded, “What are you doing?”
    “Why, I’m helping load the ship.”
    Rena shook her head. “You musn’t do that. You have to keep your dignity with outsiders.”
    “You think loading a ship isn’t dignified?”
    “I’m not going to argue with you. From now on I want you to keep your distance from the crew.” She moved past him and walked on up the gangplank. Travis turned and saw that Charlie Day and Novak were watching him. A crooked grin twisted Winslow’s lips. “You fellows keep your distance, now. You heard what the boss said.”
    Novak laughed aloud. “She’s a perty thing but a bit snooty.”
    “Wait till she gets seasick. That’ll take some of the starch out of her,” Day said, grinning. “Come on. Let’s finish gettin’ this stuff loaded. I’m wore out.”
    ****
    The sun had dropped from its