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forward a few hours later. For the time being, they had sailed through the worst of the storm, and were fighting their way west against the fearful winds that blow offshore, threatening to push passing ships into extreme southern latitudes.
    Entering the galley, she saw a group of several crew members clustered around the table. They turned toward her, their faces ashen.
    Alarmed, she rushed forward. “What is it?”
    They parted to reveal Levi Reed, the ship’s cook, laid out on the table.
    Sarah took in his appearance at a glance. His face was pale and contorted with pain.
    “Levi,” she said softly, placing a hand on his brow. His skin was cool and damp with sweat. He trembled, and she recognized that he was going into shock.
    “I heard him moaning from the sick bay this morning,” said the steward, motioning to the area forward of the galley. “When I asked him what had happened, he said he’d come up to the galley during the night to check on his equipment. He wasn’t making much sense, but from what I could make out, one of his large pots was being flung about and while he was trying to secure it, it dropped onto his arm.” A white cloth had been wrapped around Levi’s arm and he pulled it back. Sarah could already see that the arm was bent at an unnatural angle, but she hadn’t expected to see bone poking through the skin. At first glance, it appeared that only the ulna had been fractured, but she couldn’t be sure. She’d need to palpate the area to check for further injuries. Below the break, his arm and hand were starting to swell and turn purple.
    She turned to the steward. “Where is Captain Johnson?”
    He gave her an odd look “He’s on deck,” he replied. “He’s been up all night. I didn’t think I should bother him.”
    Sarah frowned. “No, I suppose you’re right. Who usually handles your medical emergencies?”
    All eyes turned toward Levi.
    She nodded. “I see. And who assists?”
    “I try to help,” said the steward. “But I have no medical knowledge. I usually fetch and carry and hold them down if necessary.” He gave a nervous laugh.
    “Okay...” She paused. “What’s your name?”
    “Matthew Farmer, ma’am.”
    “All right then, Matthew. I’m not a doctor, but I do have some medical training. Does Levi have any laudanum in with his medical supplies?”
    Matthew glanced toward a locked cupboard. “Yes, ma’am.” A flush rose in his cheeks. “I think I’d recognize the bottle, but I can’t read.” He looked anxiously at Levi. “Will you be able to help him?”
    “Yes, but we have to move quickly.” She turned to the men. “One of you please inform the captain what’s happening.” She glanced toward the cupboard. “And I’ll need the keys to that cupboard.” She smiled at the remaining men. “I’d appreciate a few more lights in here, and then if you men don’t mind, I can concentrate better without an audience.” She smiled to soften her words.
    “Is there anything I can do?” She looked up at the sound of Jamie’s familiar voice. His broad shoulders blotted out the light from one of the hanging lanterns, but his presence was welcome.
    “You can find out where he keeps the keys to that cupboard.” She lifted Levi’s arm and he moaned in pain.
    “They’re around his neck,” said Matthew, removing the keys and handing them to Jamie.
    “Check for laudanum, would you Jamie?” Sarah looked around for a bucket of water, but everything had been stowed away before last night’s storm. “Matthew, I need some water to wash my hands, and if there is any way to heat some water, I’d appreciate that as well.”
    Jamie turned. “Here it is.” He held up a brown bottle and removed the stopper. “How much shall I give him?”
    Sarah thought for a moment. “Two or three ounces. We don’t want to administer too much, but this is going to be painful.”
    Jamie lifted Levi’s head and placed the bottle against his lips. Only a few drops dribbled down