|
Her eyes were wide, taking in everything available to them. From the blinding sun blinking off the sand of the beach, to the veritable pit of darkness hiding behind the trees of the jungle. It wasn't simply wonderment that opened her eyes so; fear affected her also. The brutish men, the former crew of the ill-fated Arrow, hustled the Porter family and friends down the side of the ship into the boats. She tried not to think, pushing the thoughts into some dark trunk that she could close up and choose to open later, when she had the time to panic. The boats rowed steadily to shore, propelled by the broad and firm arms of the mutineers, and the Porters were steadily moving over the waves toward their future. A future of forestry, of West African coast without sign of civilization.
Jane Porter stared into the midst of the jungle before her, and quelled her quivering as quickly as she could. She wanted to scream, to quake the way Esmerelda was doing on the same bench. She pressed her lips together tightly, hoping that if she kept closed the small space where sounds originate, if she could hold hers tight, then she might not let a whimper of terror escape. The pirates were appropriately frightening, but she held herself in composure until she would be allowed to break. Staring into the dark fearsome jungle, Jane Porter took a deep breath, hoping the eventual exhale would produce a calming effect. It didn't; however, the tuts from her father, who was remarking on the state of the clouds that day, pontificating on their percentage of precipitation, held for her a small comfort. At least she wasn't going into that great unknown alone.
Mr Clayton held her hand as she alighted from the boat, nearly carrying her to the shore. She fond some small pleasure in his warm touch. A pleasure she clung to, the repercussions of which she would address later, after the other more magnified, oppressive thoughts could be processed. As a group they faced the cabin which, unbeknownst to them, belonged to the great white forest god, soon to rescue each of them. It was a fine cabin, solid, if weathered. If only Jane's spirit felt as sturdy as the structure before her.
|