Antonia's Voyage (standard:adventure, 2831 words)
Author: ak	Added: Jul 25 2003	Views/Reads: 3693/2424	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Determined to sail a British cargo ship to the colonies, Antonia disguises herself as a boy. Will her secret identity be discovered?

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colonies.  I wrote of the route in detail, and showed her I know 
geography.” Antonia was the best student in her class, and she excelled 
in geography and math.  Both helped her sailing skills. 

She knew how the names of all the stars too.  The northern one was her
favorite, and was her lucky star. 

“I got a letter back stating that the queen would grant me an interview
on the fifth of August.  Why that is just one week away.  All I need is 
to look like a boy and have a first mate and a map.  I already have a 
map, it's those first two things...” here for the first time, Antonia 
realized the unlikelihood of dream coming true. 

“A boy!  Antonia, you are strong as I am, but you are the fairest girl I
have laid eyes on.  The queen is old, but not blind.” Ben was surprised 
by his sister's lapse into illogical thinking.  It was so unlike her, 
she was the practical one. 

“I have read in Shakespeare's plays of boys dressing as girls, what if I
dress like a boy, and disguise my voice?” It could work,” declared 
Antonia, making sure the word “could” rang loudly in her brother's ear. 


“You have an interview scheduled already?” questioned Ben. “Yes, just
come with me,” Antonia pleaded. 

“Just don't tell mum, and don't curtsey when we meet the queen,” Ben
said with a laugh.  “After all, I did promise pop I would help you 
become a sailor.” Ben shook his head as if to say, I can't believe what 
I just got myself into. 

For the next week, Antonia practiced being an Anthony.  She dressed in
Ben's old clothes, and lowered her voice when she talked.  The people 
in town never guessed it was Antonia. 

Even her mother never suspected that the tall boy with the short red
hair was her daughter.  Antonia had cut her hair short, so that there 
would be no slip ups or accidents.  And she just told her mum that the 
hot wind bothered her neck. 

Mrs. Anders was an agreeable woman who valued her daughter as a sailor
and fisherwoman.  The short hair was practical, and just suited her 
fine. 

She did wonder what Antonia and Ben were going to do on Friday. They had
told her they were going to the city to look at some sail clothe.  Mrs. 
Anders had let them journey before, but this time, was different. 

Her children seemed overly secretive. And they seemed nervous,
especially Antonia. “I must let them grow up, I must allow them 
independence and allow them to take on responsibility,” she thought to 
herself as she watched them journey off on their horses. 

“It is selfish of me to make work with me. They say they love the sea,
and they love fishing, but I know Antonia has big dreams.  Pa would 
have helped her more than I” she thought guiltily. “I will let Antonia 
do as she pleases when the time comes,” Mrs. Anders vowed.  She could 
never imagine that that very time was close at hand. 

When Ben and Anthony arrived in London, they secured lodgings in the
local inn.  The innkeeper did not question to travelers, and provided a 
clean room with two wooden beds, and a porcelain basin of cold water. 

“Bangers and tea are served in the parlor,” she noted as she left them
alone.  “We serve tea and cucumber sandwiches in the parlor at 3pm, oh 
a pound cake too, my specialty,” were her clipped parting words. 

Ben and Anthony waited for the wooden door to close behind them before
they conferred on the plans for the next day.  Anthony locked the door 
with the heavy iron lock and sat on the edge of the bed covered with 
starched linens. 

Before her was the map of England she had drawn to scale, her proposed
route, and maps of the colonies.  Her lines were crisp and precise.  A 
professional cartographer could not have made a better map. 

“There,” she indicated to Ben, “that is the quickest route and the
safest as well.  I will ask for a strong ship and 40 men.” Anthony 
declared so boldly, Ben would have agreed to supply this confident 
young man with 20 ships. 

They were tired from their journey, and lay down on their beds for a
sound nights sleep. 

The next morning, they sampled the innkeeper's meaty sausages and strong
tea.  Ben paid the innkeeper and she gave them a sack of fruit and 
cheese for their day's trip. 

London's streets were teeming with horses, ladies decked out in fine
dresses with lacy parasols, and men in velvet pantaloons and white 
plumed hats.  The two felt like bumpkins in their rough country 
clothes, and headed their horses quickly down the cobblestone streets. 

When they arrived at the castle gates, they were greeted by guards
holding swords engraved with the seal of England.  Antonio presented 
the letter to a courteous guard, and he marched off to find the 
couturier it was addressed to. 

The two children looked around at the grand room they had been escorted
into by a second grim faced guard.  The enormous room glowed from 
overhead crystal chandeliers, and portraits framed with heavy gold 
gilded frames looked down on them. All around them were silver bowls 
filled exotic fruits, candies, and an assortment of strange looking 
nuts. 

They dared not touch anything, and Antonio gripped the map even tighter.


Their hearts pounded louder and louder as a trumpet hailed the entrance
of the queen. The queen customarily granted command of ships, while the 
king George attended to the war with the colonies. 

“All rise for the queen of England!” trumpeted a guard.  Antonia almost
curtseyed, but bowed deeply instead.  Ben made an even deeper bow as if 
to detract attention from his sister. 

“As you were,” declared the queen. 

Master Anthony I have read your letter and studied your map. I consulted
with the king's navy, and we all agree that none of us have ever seen 
such a detailed map.  My only request is that you take the usual route, 
and not venture to any other waters.  The gunfire is too unstable, and 
our majesties ship would be put at risk. Do you understand my orders?” 
with that, the queen was escorted off by guards. 

Ben and Antonia looked at each other in disbelief. 

“Did you hear that, the queen gave me a ship,” Antonia whispered to her
brother.  “She didn't even blink twice.” Antonia was in a state of 
ecstasy, frenzied planning, and shock. 

Ben still had his mouth open in surprise.  He quickly coughed so that
the guards would not suspect what he was thinking. 

Antonia spoke quickly.  “May we be dismissed now?” she asked the
courtier. 

“I will have the queen draw up a contract; you will receive it in a
week's time.  Send it back notarized, and arrive in London on September 
1, 1775. You will set sail on the 5th, dismissed,” barked the courtier. 


“And congratulations my lady,” said the courtier with a wink. 

“Whatever do you mean?” asked Antonia in horror.  “I not a lady, I am a
sir.” 

The courtier took Antonia's arm.  “I saw your britches under your vest
as you started to curtsey and I suspected who you were. But I had a 
sister who wanted to be a sailor as well. She went to her grave broken 
hearted over her lost dream. You see, your secret is safe with me.” 
Murmured the courtier. 

As an aside she added, “I will send along a trunk of men's clothes
special for you, but always be on your guard.” She concluded gravely. 

Antonia curtsied and then bowed.  “I can never thank you enough, how can
I repay you?” she implored. 

“Just sail straight and true for god, the queen, and our mother country
England” was the courtier's reply. 

As Antonia and Ben exited the castle, they mounted their horses.  Then
off they galloped.  Antonia's mind was racing as fast as her horse.  
“What would mum say, and how could she keep her true intently a 
secret?” she thought over and over again. 

That night Antonia dreamt of being the captain of her ship.  She felt
the salt on her cheeks and the sun on her strong arms.  She heard the 
gulls above, and inhaled the strong smell of the ocean waters.  
Suddenly she was awoken by Ben. 

“Come on sis, its time to go home,” he whispered. 

Antonia saw that it was nearly 7am.  They dressed in silence, went
downstairs for a last meal of sausages and hot tea.  After saying their 
goodbyes, they left for home. 

Mrs. Anders greeted them at the end of the path leading to the small
white cottage. 

“Well, did you get the sails? Antonia, why are you dressed like that?”
she demanded. 

“Mum, I have some news to give you,” was her proud daughter's reply.
“Let me tell you the whole story, and keep your mind open, please,” she 
added. 

Over a glass of iced cold lemonade, Antonia told her mother all that had
occurred. 

“And of course, you will let me go?” Antonia stated firmly. Ben has
agreed to stay on and help steer the “Antonia.” “But when I get my next 
command, he will be my first mate mum.” “You knew that we would leave 
sometime,” said her daughter, suddenly sad. 

“Daughter, I have been anticipating the day you would leave me, but I
never thought it would be in such an unconventional way. You are a good 
sailor, and it's high time a girl sailed the seas.  You have my 
blessings, and god be with you.” Mrs. Anders said the later with tears 
in her eyes. 

In the weeks leading up to the journey, Antonia studied the maps, drew
up lists of necessary items, and practiced being a boy.  She took long 
walks to build up her sea legs, and lifted strong stones to build up 
her arms. 

By the week she was to leave for London, she looked almost like a boy. 
She was confident her ploy would work. 

The dock where her ship rested was filled with throngs of people, bright
banners, waving flags from all countries, and tall ships rocking in a 
single, long row.  Her ship, The Queen's Frigate, was the first, and 
the biggest of all the ships.  Antonia watched proudly as her mates 
loaded on the boxes of sugar and tea, the cargo she was to take to the 
colonies. 

Most of the mates were boys of her age.  Some of them were younger, and
some were even smaller in stature than she. It began to occur to her 
that maybe she could tell them who she really was.  The pantaloons were 
uncomfortable, and dresses were just as easy to wear. Besides, women 
were equal to men, and she was proud to be a female. 

When they all were introduced, Antonia looked around. The boys all
looked at her and waited for her to address them. 

“Mates, I have briefed you on the route, and we are ready to set sail.
There is just one thing I must tell you.” The last she added firmly. 

“The commander of your ship is not a boy.”  Antonia declared with
finality. 

“Aye,” stated one young, scared boy of 13, “you appear to be a man,” he
added with fear and respect in his voice. 

“That is not what I meant at all.” Antonia said the later with emphasis,
but slowly. 

“What I mean is that, I am a girl. I disguised myself as a boy so I
could get command of the ship. Do not try to take advantage of my sex, 
you will soon see I am as hard, and as smart, and as able as any man.  
But if any want to leave now, do, so, but you must swim back in those 
cold waters.” Antonia added. 

The boys stood still as statues.  After an uncomfortable minute, they
dared to look more closely at their young captain.  Yes, her jaw was 
straight, but her brows were soft, and her eyes were fringed with long 
red eyelashes. 

Something in her stance and voice told them that she was telling the
truth.  They knew she would lead them safely and quickly to their 
destination.  She was sea worthy and trustworthy. 

Not one boy raised his hand to leave. 

They all shouted at once,” You are our captain, you are our mate, and we
will obey your orders without question.  We are proud to serve you.” 

“And I will be fair and true to you in turn,” answered Antonia. 

“And I will teach you to be the best possible sailors, you will never
have a moments fear when I am at the helm.  That I promise.” She 
pledged. 

With that, Captain Antonia took the heavy wooden steer and headed for
the colonies.  In the background she heard her mates chanting. 

“Three cheers for Captain Antonia, the best captain of all of England.” 


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