American Girl

Rhode Island

Miles Turner stood on the dock with his ship's pack between his feet. The day he waited for all his life was upon him. Behind him, the three-masted Yankee Whaler sat at the dock. Miles felt nervous about his first voyage. His father—the company owner—insisted each of his sons gain experience on one of his ships. Miles was the youngest of the three.

"Must you go?" Sabina Chambers asked. She rose on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Papa says I must," Miles conceded, pulling Sabina close. "You'll wait for me?"

"I don't know," Sabina answered flatly. "Four years is a long time."

Miles's face seemed to collapse. His eyes drew downward, and his lips fell into a deep frown. If he lost Sabina, he felt he would lose his entire life. She was like the moon and the stars to him. Filled with emotion, he fought against fulfilling his father's expectations. He would sooner stay at home and marry Sabina.

Suddenly, Sabina began to laugh. She kissed his pouting face quickly and skipped backward. Her face lit up with a huge smile. Miles glared at her, not understanding her abrupt mood change.

"Of course, I'll wait for you," she stated, flinging her arms around him again. "I love you." Titling her head back, she accepted his deep kiss.

"Four years will fly by quickly," Miles suggested hopefully. The time already felt like an eternity.

"I asked Papa to take good care of you," Sabina firmly stated. Her father was Captain Wilhelm Chambers; his ship stood behind them at the dock.

"I can take care of myself," Miles responded hotly. Although nervous about the voyage, he held his feelings in check. He straightened his shoulders. He was determined to do his best and make his father proud.

Sabina sighed. Tiverton, Rhode Island, would seem dull once Miles left. She couldn't think of a time when they weren't together. As youngsters, they ran along the docks, looking at the tall ships. Miles' father owned the whaling company; Sabina's captained the Willful Lady, a Yankee Whaler.

One by one, Theodore Taylor's boys went to sea. The eldest, Ted, captained his own ship and was scheduled to return shortly. Alfred, the middle son, lost his life harpooning a whale in rough seas. Al's death bothered Miles. It was the reason he feared the voyage.

Tall and slender, Miles preferred books to physical activity. He wore glasses and usually kept his nose in a novel. Four grueling years on a Yankee Whaler made him want to revolt. He asked his father to excuse him and did not receive the much hoped-for pardon. Like his brothers, he had to prove himself capable of joining the family business.

"Do we have to say goodbye?" Sabina asked, tears clinging to her lashes.

"We shall say 'until we meet again,'" Miles stated, bending to peck her cheek. Grabbing his pack, he rushed up the gangway. He didn't look back.

Sabina remained on the dock until dusk began to fall. Men scurried on the deck, making ready to sail. Several climbed into the masts to check the rigging. Miles appeared in a crow's nest, too busy to notice her. Finally, with her head lowered, she walked homeward.

The Willful Lady set sail the following day. Sabina stood in her bedroom window, looking down upon the dock. Although many other sailing ships remained, it appeared empty without her father's ship. She already missed Miles.

Four years, Sabina thought. A lot could happen in four years. Miles would return a different man. The time away would mature him; whaling would strengthen his physic. She wanted to capture him in her memory exactly as she last saw him...before the boy became a man.