Prologue.

Journal of Rebecca Vigors. Two days after the cessation of the storm.

It is hard to know how long since my last entry, or indeed what the date is. Having been caught up in such a violent storm that even the stoutest of stomach’s protested against, keeping track of the time has been of little interest.  I have tried to mark the passing of the days with a knot on my bodice ties, but I fear that I may have completely lost at least one if not two days to the misery of the rolling tides. I believe that we were tossed about the ocean for the best part of five days, under the near constant control of the winds that howl through my head still, over a day later.

The wind has stopped and we are now in what can only be described as a doldrums. We are alone, cast adrift of the other three ships in our party and can only hope that they survived. Nothing is in sight but the flat dark line of the horizon. Our sails are torn, the rigging twisted and are masts perilously close to toppling. 

The crew is as weakened as the ship. Too many days of sickness and devoid of appetite have stripped us of the fortitude that has served us so well this far on our journey. And to think, we are on our journey home, the last leg of such a long expedition. It is sad to note that the storm also claimed the life of several of the men, including the officer’s cook, missionary and Instrument mender. As a result, our esteemed captain is having to share his meals with the rest of the crew. Even if he does take it in his cabin, I trust that it will bring him some sense of companionship towards them. 

Not that there is much food to share around. Much of our livestock has perished, and whilst the galley cook is working hard with the quartermaster to preserve as much of the meat as he can, it seems that this may be a loosing battle. So engaged are they that I have been assisting in the preparation of the meals. Anything I can do to make myself useful I am more than willing to do, although I am much relieved when I am able to escape out of the furnace that is the kitchen to the fresh air of the deck. Even Captain Harvil has had to acknowledge that there is some benefit to my presence on the ship.