I nodded and approached the girl, who watched me come toward her a bit trepidatiously. She didn't move away though and I gave her credit for having some courage.
I was imposing to most people I met and smaller than only a few, such as Big Jim.
"What's your name?" I asked a little harshly.
The girl stayed mutinously silent. I needed a rope. One was lobbed through the air at me from Big Jim. He and I had our own connection of thought at times.
I made a loop and lassoed it over the girl and then jerking her to the opening in the railing I tipped her back over the side and held the rope with one hand as her haughty look disappeared to be replaced with naked fear. Her arms were bound to her sides by the loop of rope and she was helpless to avoid falling if I should let go of the rope.
"What is your name?" I repeated.
"Christina!" She was quick to respond with looking very much terrified by the sudden change of events.
"Christina while on board my ship you will be a model citizen. You will do as you're told, when you are told to, without any backtalk. Do I make myself clear?"
The girl nodded her head vigorously as her feet were poised on the edge of the ship's platform, while the rest of her hung over into space above the waters of the harbor.
"Yes Sir." I said.
"Yes Sir!" She quickly stated and I pulled her back upright and let go of the rope, which she hurriedly stepped free of in her movement to get away from both me and the opening of the ship's railing.
Giving her one last hard look I turned away and said, "Pull up the anchor Big Jim and start the engines Ortega. We're headed out."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christina stood rubbing at her arms where the rope had cut in as she watched the tall black man that was the Captain stride away along the deck. There wasn't one doubt in her mind that he would have let go of the rope if she'd been smart with her response.
Selena stepped up and patted her niece on the back, "Welcome aboard."
Christina gave her a glare in return. None of this had been her idea!
"Thanks a lot dear Auntie! You and Mom have really done it to me this time! I'll be lucky to survive a voyage with Captain Ahab over there!" Christina said hotly.
Selena looked after the Captain, "He can be hard, but he's still a good man at heart. He won't let any harm come to you."