Above their heads and all around them the battle being waged between man and nature continued unabated. Half of the standing crew had been sent below to rest and eat, it deemed too dangerous to work in the rigging now that the sheets had been reefed and furled, the lay lines checked and rechecked and everything as secure on deck as possible. The remaining men on duty above decks did what they could, manning the pumps full time to keep the bilge levels down as wave after wave broke over the ship, the water finding its way down into the hold despite the men's best efforts to prevent it happening. No one was prepared to take a bet as to the outcome of their weathering the storm, every man aboard sending up a fervent prayer to his maker that they simply make it through the night safely without severe damage to the ship or loss of life to the sea.

Those taking a well-earned rest were scattered through the lower decks, some taking a hasty meal in the galley. Gavin Smith upended his bowl and eagerly drained the dregs, glad to have something warm in his stomach after the grueling hours spent battling the wind. Water dripped continually from the ceiling above his head, splashing on the table and forming a pool on the well-scrubbed surface, the rope slung table swaying back and forth with each roll of the ship. Handing his empty bowl to the cook’s helper, Gavin got up from the bench to make a space for the next man in.

Wiping his mouth on the back of his hand he made his way out into the passageway, sure-footedly negotiating his way towards the crew quarters and his berth. The ship’s decking seemed to rise up to meet him, his hand quickly grasping onto one of the bunks as the ship lurched sickeningly, a couple of the men snatching their rest finding themselves thrown to the floor from the violence of the movement.

The top hatch flew open and a gust of wind and rain splattered the men below, who cursed volubly. The lieutenant of the watch stuck his head inside and yelled his orders.

"All hands on deck, we're losing the topsail on both fore and main mast, bring the axes!"

The next few minutes were pure chaos as each man scrambled into his wet weather gear and headed above decks, bottlenecking on the narrow stairway with more swearing and shoving. Gavin cursed under his breath while sending a silent prayer to whatever God's were paying attention, exalting them to watch over the men around him. An image of Helen with her white face and huge eyes staring back at him suddenly swam into his vision and he baulked with one foot on the bottom rung of the ladder leading to the upper deck.

"Keep her safe too God, even if she does try the patience of a saint." He muttered as he hauled himself up to join his crew mates already battling to save the Eden from disaster.

   Captain Winter was on the quarter deck directing the men when Gavin finally clambered onto the spar deck, a tangle of ropes greeting him, taking up the space between the fore and main masts, a heap of torn sheets flapping madly in the howling wind adding to the noise while water sloshed around his feet and soaked into his leather boots. He heard his name called above the shouts of the first mate directing the clean up operation and twisted to see who had called him. Seeing Captain Winter gesturing to him, he fought his way across the wreckage and climbed the stairs to the upper deck, his hands slipping on the wood as the gale tore at him, the force of the wind leaving him almost breathless.

"You wanted me Captain?" Gavin shouted, despite being only a foot away from him. A swaying lantern fixed to the mizzen mast behind the helm cast constantly moving shadows over the men around the helm, two of them lashing the giant wooden wheel in place as it fought to free itself.

   "The Eden is not going to make it Mister Smith, we're taking on water faster than we can pump it out. I need you to gather some of the men and start to get the long boats into the water." Captain George Winter, together with all the men on the quarterdeck had to quickly grab at rails and ropes to stop themselves being thrown to the deck. A loud boom, followed by a shuddering vibration throughout the ship heralded the crash of the upper half of the main mast toppling amidships, the screams of the men trapped beneath the tangled spars, cables and timber piercing the night alongside the shouts of their crew mates rushing to free them.

Captain Winter gripped Gavin's shoulder and stared grimly into the young man's face.

"I need you to get my daughter off this ship and to safety." He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a map, thrusting it into Gavin's hands. "Take this map, we're not that far from any number of islands. God willing we'll survive the night and manage to limp into a harbor somewhere, but I fear my prayers may not to be answered this night. I have to know she's safe."

   "Surely she's safer here on the Eden," Gavin argued, gripping the rail with white knuckles as the ship started to list, the men on the bilge pumps still working for all their worth with little apparent effect. "We could founder just as easily out there as aboard this ship. I know her well enough to venture she'll not leave you without a fight. No disrespect intended sir."

   "None taken m'boy. But you must take her off, and her companion. I won't lose her to the sea. I know something of your history boy," Captain Winter paused, noting Gavin's shocked expression.

"And I know enough to trust her into your care. She'll fight you every step of the way, but use whatever means necessary. Do you understand me?"

   "I understand you sir, but I still think......" Gavin found himself being shaken, Captain Winter placing both hands on the younger mans shoulders.

   "We're running out of time son, save as many as you can. Get those boats into the water, and get my daughter to safety. Do I have your word of honour?"

   Gavin swallowed hard and met the man's intense stare without flinching. "You have my word sir." Abruptly Gavin found himself free, the Captain already turning away to address the men at the helm. His orders given, Gavin turned and crossed the quarterdeck to the stairway, leaping down without pausing, shouting names as he ran. "Jenkins, Campbell, Gallant....with me, quickly." Stopping by the rail only briefly to relay the Captain's orders to the three men when they arrived, Gavin approached the first of the large whaling boats kept lashed to the side of the deck, Jenkins by his side.

"Make a start getting this over the side, I have to inform the boson so he can get the passengers on deck." Gavin had to shout the instructions practically in Jenkins ear as the wind howled over and around them, plastering them against the side of the long boat.

"Are we abandoning ship Smith?" Jenkins yelled, gripping the ropes holding the boat to the decking.

"The Captain's going to try and save her, but he thinks it’s a losing battle. He says to save as many as we can. I have to get to Miss Winter and her companion. Don't leave this boat Jenkins."

   "Wouldn't dream of it. It'll be here when you get back." The crewman assured him. Gavin slapped him on the back before turning to leave, the deck now awash as wave after wave crashed over the side, sending men skidding across the deck before becoming entangled in the downed mast head. Fighting his way across the debris, Gavin reached the main cabin door and wrenched it open. Vaulting down the few steps to the passageway he staggered towards the cabin and banged on the door. It flew open at once and he came face to face with Helen, her anxious face peering past him to the darkness of the corridor behind him.

   "Where's my father, is he alright, we heard the crash, what happened?"

   "I've no time to explain, but I come on the orders of the Captain. The Eden is lost and I'm to get you and your companion into a boat. Gather what you need and follow me." Seconds ticked by while Helen gaped at him, her eyes wide with shock. "Don't just stare at me girl, MOVE!"

   "But.....my father......is it really so bad?"

   "Bad enough for him to order the boats over the side. Now gather a bag together and let’s get moving." Gavin roughly spun Helen around and shoved her back into the cabin, her companion Alice already throwing various items into two valises laying open on one of the bunks. "Remember, only the essentials, and hurry." He watched as the women quickly sorted through their clothes, only putting a few items in their valises. Suddenly Helen lurched towards the door and made to push past him.

   "Let me through, I have to go to Papa's cabin."

Stepping aside, Gavin watched as Helen flew down the corridor and into the next door cabin. Alice was already shutting the two bags and throwing her waterproof coat around her shoulders, her mouth set in a grim line as she gathered Helen's coat in her arm. Glancing up at Gavin, Alice saw him still staring after her friend, his body rigid with tension.

"Is the Captain coming with us?" Alice asked quietly, Gavin whipping his head around to stare at her, unable to veil the truth before she saw it in his eyes. Alice bowed her head. "She'll never come with you if she thinks her father is staying aboard."

   "I'm all too aware of that." Gavin ground out, his knuckles turning white against the door jamb. He turned back to stare at Alice, noting her calm air of acceptance, her valise clutched in her sensible woolen gloved hands. "You'll stay by her, won't you?" He asked, fairly sure of her answer.

   "As if I'd be anywhere else, Mister Smith. The same place you'll be if I'm any judge." Helen appeared from her father's cabin and hurried towards them.

   "About bloody time, I was about to come after you. Grab your bag and coat and let's go." Not giving Helen time to reply, he bustled her into her cabin to put on her damp oilskin. Sliding her arms into its clammy sleeves, Helen tried to still her shaking hands, fumbling the buttons before pulling on her gloves and grabbing her valise.

"I'm ready to go with you...but first I have to see and speak to my father."

   "He's at the helm, come on." Gavin propelled both young women ahead of him, the floor already showing a marked lean to starboard as the ship took on more water. Helen was the first out of the door, the wind catching it from her and flinging it wide, wrenching it off its hinges so that it hung drunkenly as she stepped through followed closely by Alice and then Gavin. Helen immediately headed for the steps leading up to the upper deck but found herself faced with a mountain of wreckage, a shattered spar blocking her way. Gavin grabbed her arm and propelled her after Alice who was picking her way over the fallen sails to where Jenkins stood by the rail waving madly.

Talking was impossible amid the chaos of people milling around the main deck, the sailors marshaling the dozen or so passengers from below decks into the boats on the lower side of the ship. The deck was slippery and sloping making the going difficult but Gavin pushed and pulled his way through the tangle of rigging, keeping Helen and Alice close to his side. Helen peered through the slashing rain and saw her father standing beside a whaler , several people already sitting in the long boat waiting for their arrival.

"Papa!" Throwing herself forward, Helen clasped her father close, clutching at his gold-buttoned coat as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Gavin helped Alice into the boat and started, with Jenkins’ and the Cook's help to get the boat swung out from the side of the Eden, lowering it to the seething water below. Helen still clutched at her father, unwilling to let him go for an instant.

"I won't leave you, you can't make me." She sobbed, shaking as another wave of water crashed over the ship, dousing them all.

   "You' re not leaving me child......I'll be right behind you in the next boat. Smith and Jenkins will take good care of you and Alice," Winter turned slightly and lifted his head, meeting Gavin's eyes over the top of Helen's head. "You have to go now child.....you'll see me again soon, I promise." Unable to pry Helen's fingers from his lapels, George gestured for Gavin to come and take her, Helen screaming when her father made to push her away.

   "Please don't do this.....Papa, I want to stay........please!" Helen lashed out as Gavin started to pull her away from the Captain, her gloved hand landing a glancing blow on the young man’s face. Blinded by the rain and sea water, Helen fought to remain with her beloved Papa, her feet slipping on the deck as Gavin wrenched her free of the Captain's coat, the man's anguished eyes stabbing the young man to the heart.

"She'll be safe Captain, I promise," Gavin shouted, Helen held tight in his arms, still fighting.

   "No...no...you can't do this...let me go....Papa!"

Gavin stared at Captain Winter helplessly, Helen's flailing hands catching him another blow to the head. A nod from the Captain was enough and Gavin spun Helen about.

"Apologies, Miss Winter," he muttered before drawing back his fist and landing a blow on her jaw, her head snapping back as she immediately fell slack within his arms. Between them, the two men hoisted Helen over the side and into Jenkins’ waiting arms, the young sailor lowering Helen onto the bottom of the boat, Alice shifting her position to help with her unconscious friend. Gavin turned back to face the Captain, the two men clasping hands before George Winter turned back, one last lingering glance skimming over Helen's insensible body before his attention returned to salvaging what he could of his men and ship from the jaws of the cyclone.

Gavin watched the man go for a moment before vaulting over the rail of the ship and aboard the lifeboat. The sea was boiling all around them, the waves hurling themselves against the side of the doomed vessel as the men aboard the whaler shipped the oars and threaded them through the oarlocks. With two aside manning the oars and Gavin on the rudder, the small craft started to pull away from the side of the Eden, its precious cargo of eleven people huddled miserably within its fragile wooden sides.

Gavin steered the long boat into the wind, the four men on the oars finding their rhythm and pulling strongly while the two men in the bow of the boat started to bail furiously. The women seated in front of Alice also started to bail as water slopped over the gunwale, threatening to founder the craft, leaving Alice to clutch her unconscious friend to her chest and pray that they weren't swamped and drowned. The sea heaved and a huge swell carried the lifeboat up high so that when Alice glanced over her shoulder she was looking down on the Eden wallowing in the valley between the mountainous waves, the few lights still burning on board the ship showing the tiny figures of men moving over her tilted deck. Helen stirred in her arms and moaned, her eyes fluttering open to stare up blindly at her friend.

"Smitty, oh God Smitty...where are we?"

   Helping her friend to sit upright, Alice found she couldn't speak for the lump in her throat as Helen fought against the violent bucking of the boat to peer over the side, searching the darkness for her father's ship.

"Papa!"

   Gavin felt her despairing cry like a blow, his teeth grinding as he wrestled with the rudder, all his attention focused on riding the swells, unable to even spare a glance back at the doomed ship and men still aboard her as it slipped further and further behind them. Dawn was starting to paint a lighter streak on the horizon, the clouds at last lifting enough to allow the occasional star to peep through the murky overcast. Steering the boat towards the light, Gavin tried to ignore the broken sobbing of the girl at his feet, her friend sensibly leaving the girl to her grief and joining the others in bailing the boat, their survival now dependent entirely on keeping themselves afloat.