Surviving Jamestown: The Adventures of Young Sam Collier

Surviving Jamestown: The Adventures of Young Sam Collier — page 7
1 The Luckiest Boy in England Sam Collier climbed onto the ship’s broad railing and sat with his legs dangling He stuck two fingers in his mouth the way his new friend Nate Peacock had taught him and let fly a screeching whistle Grabbing a line to steady himself he placed his feet on the wooden railing and slowly rose until he stood teetering on the side of the swaying ship Grinning he announced Samuel Collier second son of Thomas and Anne Collier of Lincolnshire is the luckiest boy in all of England There was no response from the people on the wharf at Blackwall Port With night coming on and the sailors busy loading supplies none of the men on the ship paid attention to Sam’s announcement either But a boy’s voice behind him said Sam Collier will be none too lucky if he falls into the black water of the Thames River Startled Sam turned around Nate imitated the voice of a nagging parent How many times do I need to remind you Samuel A ship makes a slippery perch He wagged his index finger If you fall in wearing your heavy coat you’ll sink like a stone He glared at Sam for a few seconds then burst out laughing Smiling Sam leaped onto the muddy deck his feet skidding on the slick wooden boards Master Smith told me to fetch you Nate said