The Mystery Cruise (2 page)
Max wanted the same meal, but he also ordered horseradish sauce. “Roast beef with horseradish sauce always reminds me of my great-aunt Edith,” he said. “She loves horseradish and used to grow it in her garden. It was so strong I could hardly stand to take a bite.”
“Can I try yours?” Benny asked. “I've never eaten horseradish sauce.”
“Sure,” Max said. “But just take a little bit.”
Benny swallowed a small spoonful. His eyes grew big and he grabbed a glass of water.
“Wow!” he said. “That's the hottest stuff I ever ate!”
Everyone laughed.
“Do horses eat horseradish?” Benny wanted to know.
“Hmmm,” Max said. “That's a good question.”
Just then Ramos brought chocolate sundaes for dessert. When he had given everyone a sundae, he pulled an envelope out of his pocket and gave it to Max.
Henry saw that it was a telegram.
After reading it, Max's face paled, and he pushed his dinner aside. He excused himself and left.
What could have upset Max so much that he couldn't eat his dessert? Jessie wondered. They were having such a good time until the telegram came. What was wrong?
O
n Monday morning Violet awakened early. She hadn't slept well. It was her first night ever on a ship and she kept thinking of the deep water below her. What hid in those dark waters? Sharks? Old shipwrecks?
Jessie, sitting at the dressing table, brushed her long brown hair. She wore a white T-shirt and red shorts. She put down her brush and half turned. “Good morning, Violet. Are you finally getting up?”
Violet nodded. “I didn't sleep too well.” Quickly she jumped out of bed. “But I feel okay now.” From the chest of drawers she took out a pair of jeans and a top. “I'll only be a jiffy in the shower.”
Jessie waved a piece of paper. “Here's a list of today's activities. It was under the door when I got up. At ten o'clock there's a tour of the ship.”
“That sounds like fun,” Violet said.
It wasn't long before the girls joined Henry and Benny for breakfast. Grandfather had eaten earlier and was skipping the tour to play chess with Max.
The children went through the cafeteria line. Benny's eyes grew big at the mountain of fruit, the mounds of fresh pastry, cereals, eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, pancakes, and fruit juices.
Benny's plate was piled high, but he ate every single bite.
After breakfast they hurried to join the tour. They went from deck to deck with the group.
“This is the kitchen,” the tour guide said, moving into a huge room.
Henry gazed about the gigantic room. Lining the walls on one side were huge refrigerators with glass doors so you could see the food inside. On the other side of the kitchen were row after row of stoves.
Benny stood before a refrigerator staring at the luscious desserts.
“Would you like a taste?” a voice behind him asked.
Benny jumped but immediately answered, “Yes!”
A short plump man chuckled and came forward to open a refrigerator door. He pulled out a strawberry tart and handed it to Benny.
“Thanks!” Benny said, taking a bite.
“I'm Isaac,” the chef said, adjusting his tall white hat.
“I'm Benny Alden, and over there are my brother and two sisters. This is certainly a
big
kitchen. I think I'd like to be a cook. I like to eat!”
“Well, Benny,” Isaac said, smiling, “you can come to the kitchen again.” He put his finger to his lips. “This is our secret. Every time you come I'll give you a treat.”
“Oh, I wouldn't take it unless I could help you,” Benny said.
Isaac winked. “You would be a grand helper, I'm sure. And so would your brother and sisters.” Isaac's white apron almost touched the floor as he reached for a bowl of blueberries.
“I'll be back,” Benny promised.
“This way,” the guide said.
They climbed the stairs to the navigation deck, which jutted above the sun deck. It was glass on all sides. The officer set Benny on a high stool where he could see for miles. Jessie studied the complicated instrument panel and the elaborate compass. Then they visited the engine room and radio room. After the tour they returned to B deck to play shuffleboard.
Grandfather, seated in a deck chair, put down his book. “Hello, children. How was the tour?”
Surprised, Violet turned around. “Fine, Grandfather,” she said. “But I thought you and Max were playing chess.”
“We were.” Grandfather's face grew grave. “But Max suddenly said he didn't feel well and he left.” He shook his head. “I'm afraid something is wrong, but Max won't talk about it.”
Benny took the shuffleboard stick that Jessie handed him. “Why don't we just ask him?” he questioned, shoving the disk toward number ten, but it fell short of its goal.
Grandfather smiled. “Maybe he'll tell us when he's ready, Benny. We don't want to pry.”
Benny thought this over. “No, I wouldn't want to do that.”
After Henry won the game, the children ate lunch, then went out on deck. As they were leaning over the railing looking at the blue, shimmering sea, they heard someone on the ship-to-shore telephone.
“That's the radio room,” Henry said, pointing at an open porthole.
“That's Max's voice,” Violet whispered. The children couldn't help overhearing his words.
“Well,” Max said, “I will, but only because you think I should. Yes, I'll do everything you told me.” A few more words and he hung up.
Henry put his hands on his hips. “What do you make of that?”
Puzzled, Jessie wrinkled her forehead. “It sounds like he's doing something he really doesn't want to do.”
“Who would make him do something he doesn't want to?” Violet questioned.
Henry looked at Violet and shook his head.
O
n Tuesday, the third day of the cruise, Jessie and Violet were awakened by Grandfather. “We're sailing into St. Thomas,” he called. “Come and see. Benny and Henry are already on deck.”
It wasn't long before the five Aldens, hands resting on the rail, viewed the harbor scene. Cliffs on both sides of the port dropped into the sea. Many cruise ships, yachts, and sailboats were afloat on the turquoise water.
“St. Thomas is one of the Virgin Islands,” Henry said. “I read about it in our guide book.”
“It will be fun to look in the shops,” Violet said. “We have six hours in Charlotte Amalie.”
Confused, Benny said, “I thought this was St. Thomas.”
“It is,” Henry said with a chuckle. “Charlotte Amalie is the
capital
of St. Thomas.”
“Oh,” Benny replied. “I wish I could buy something in those shops.”
“You can,” Grandfather answered. “I want each of you to buy a good watch.” He glanced at his grandchildren, delighted at their surprised faces. “On St. Thomas you'll find some of the best jewelry shops in the world.”
“Grandfather!” Violet exclaimed, her face lighting with pleasure. “You're so good to us.”
“I've been wanting a better watch,” Henry said, with a broad smile. “My old one is always too fast or too slow.”
“I'd
love a
new watch,” Jessie said.
“I've never had a watch,” Benny said, “except, of course, for Watch, our dog.” The other Aldens chuckled. “But,” he hastened to assure Grandfather, “I can tell time.”
“I know you can, Benny,” Grandfather said, placing his hand over Benny's.
All at once Benny shouted, “Look! A big fish jumped out of the water.”
“It's a dolphin!” Violet said eagerly, watching it splash in the water.
A long black cruise ship sailed past, blocking their view.
Henry whistled. “That ship is twice as long as ours.”
“It's called the
Viking,
”
Jessie said, reading the red letters on the prow. “It's a Norwegian ship. See the red flag with two blue stripes edged in white?”
Soon the
West Wind
was docked alongside the
Viking.
After a hearty breakfast the children and Grandfather descended the ramp onto the streets of Charlotte Amalie.
The main street was lined with shops, but Grandfather led them to a store called The Watchman. There, the children tried on various watches until each one had chosen just the right one.
Proudly wearing their watches, the Aldens walked with Grandfather, peering in windows and exploring alleyways.
“All these shops were once pirate warehouses,” Henry explained. “Blackbeard the pirate and Sir Francis Drake once walked these streets.”
“Oh, Henry,” Jessie teased. “Just because you read the guidebook you think you're an expert.”
“I am.” Henry laughed.
They stopped to rest at Emancipation Park, a small waterfront park. Next they went through Government House, where the governor lived, then they had lunch at an outdoor cafe.
“I'm ready to go back,” Benny said, drinking the last of his milk.
Violet agreed.
“Then let's head for the ship,” Grandfather said. “Is everyone ready?”
“Yes,” Henry and Jessie echoed together.
Once on board the ship, Grandfather went directly to his cabin, but the children lingered to watch a few new passengers check in with the first officer.
The arrivals were a burly blond man in a bright flowered shirt, a young girl in the ship's uniform, and a young couple with a crying baby.
“Hi, kids,” the man in the tropical shirt boomed. “Do you like this cruise?” He reached over and grabbed Violet's hand, shaking it.
“It's been fine,” she answered softly, astonished at how friendly this stranger was.
“My name's Tom Bishop,” he stated, still pumping Violet's hand. “What's your name?”
“V-Violet Alden,” she stammered, her face turning as pink as her T-shirt.
“I'm her brother, Henry,” Henry said, stepping forward, “and this is Jessie, andâ”
“And I'm Benny,” Benny declared. “You've got big arms, Tom.”
Tom threw back his head and laughed. He flexed his arm, causing his muscles to bulge. “Soon as I'm unpacked, I'm heading for the exercise room.” His small eyes squinted at Benny. “I could build you up to be a big boy, Benny.”
“I
am
a big boy,” Benny retorted, keeping his eyes fastened on Tom.
“Sure you are!” Tom paused. “I'll bet you kids know every inch of this ship.”
“Of course we do,” Benny said. “The exercise room is on C Deck.”
“Thanks,” Tom said breezily. “See you.” He called over his shoulder, “I'll depend on you to show me around.” He chuckled and climbed the stairs.
“He seems very friendly,” Jessie said to the young woman who had finished signing aboard.
“Yes, he is,” she answered. “He talks quite a bit.”
Jessie laughed. She studied the girl, who wore a neat white skirt and jacket. “We're the Aldens.”
“I-I'm Heather Kowalski, a new crew member,” she said.
“Hi, Heather,” Benny said. “We're pleased to meet you.”
“Th-thanks.” She looked embarrassed.
“Heather?” a steward asked, coming up to the young girl.
“Yes, she answered, turning.
He grinned, handing her a bunch of red roses. “These are for you.” Then he added, “I couldn't help seeing the message. The flowers are from âC' and he wishes you âGood Luck.' ” The steward gazed at Heather, who was very pretty. “I'm jealous. Who's C?”
“I must go.” Hurriedly Heather backed away, then wheeled about and fled up the stairs.
Henry rubbed his chin. “She certainly was in a hurry to get away.”
Jessie nodded. A baby's cry had startled her.
The mother looked apologetic as she shifted her tote bag to her hip and jiggled the baby up and down. “Shhh,” she cooed softly. “It's all right, Robin. Shhh.”
