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while Chloe fought to keep hold of her hand. Then, all too quickly, the ship righted and, with a massive groan, heaved the other direction.
    The crew struggled to operate the vessel against nature’s fury and watched helplessly as debris crushed the jolly boats positioned at the forecastle.
    “Abandon ship!” Captain Teague shouted.
    Without the boats or a way to debark, one by one, the men disappeared into the water, abandoning ship, while several officers and members of the crew remained on deck, trying without fail to keep the Mohegan afloat. In the midst of breaking timber, grinding wood, and shredding rope, Chloe could hear crew members warning one another about the rocks as they plunged into the frigid waves, splashing, shouting, swimming toward a distant haven where lantern light gleamed in the distance.
    Chloe turned to Jane, hope swelling in her breast before her blood ran cold. In the melee she had somehow forgotten that Jane didn’t know how to swim. She swallowed hard. What were they to do?
    The difficulty now, however, wasn’t swimming as much as being able to survive the rough surf, the rocks, and what Chloe prayed wasn’t waiting for the crew on shore—wreckers.
    Captain Teague struggled toward them. He took Jane’s shivering hand and pulled her up to her feet.
    “Thank ye, sir. Thank ye,” Jane cried, rising to clutch Chloe like a frightened child.
    Chloe, who was equally terrified about the outcome of their well-being, held on to Jane as if her life depended on it. She was well aware that Jane’s life did.
    “We’ve hit the rocks.” The captain’s face contorted madly as splintering timber cracked above their heads. He peered upward just as a yardarm broke free and barreled toward them, dragging rigging and canvas that was apt to crush anything in its path. His hair flattened to his face, Captain Teague pushed them backward. Chloe and Jane nearly lost their balance as he positioned his body between them and the falling debris.
    When Jane screamed, Chloe said a silent prayer that someone would save them.
    Captain Teague offered no hope. “I’m afraid we’re done for.”
    There was no question he blamed himself for their fates, though it was apparent the blame should be cast elsewhere. He turned toward shore. Hopefully his men would find safety near the beckoning lights. But Chloe sensed he knew, more than suspected, that wouldn’t be the case.
    “If I don’t miss my guess, we’re not far off Coverack,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “You’ll have to swim for it, the both of you. I wish more than anything that there was more I could do to help you, but I cannot leave my ship.”
    “You mean you will not lea—” Chloe choked, unable to finish her sentence as her mind jumped to dramatic conclusions. If the captain didn’t leave his ship that meant he would perish with it, and so would they. No, no, no! She couldn’t allow it.
    “Going down with your ship is an absurd notion. We need your help. You cannot abandon us, Captain Teague. Jane cannot swim. You must take us to shore.”
    “Do you see my men?” He didn’t wait for her response. “They are swimming to shore. Even if our boats weren’t damaged, there still wouldn’t be enough time to get them into the water. No, that time has passed. Now are you going to swim for it, or do I have to throw you into the drink and force you to?”
    Jane screamed hysterically.
    “Jane! Do not listen to him. You must not give up! Not now. Not ever!” Chloe was in the process of shaking sense into Jane when blood-curdling screams erupted from the shore. The sound was so horrific, it startled Chloe. Her breath caught, and her heart shuddered to a brutal stop.
    “What is that?” she asked. Never in her entire life had she heard such agony.
    Captain Teague visibly tensed, and the color drained from his face. He moved quickly to the off-kilter railing.
    Chloe pulled Jane along, following close behind, determined not to be parted from