The making of a sailor 10/10

The Black Cat set sail the next morning in clear sunshine and had soon passed through the magic fog to the Therdle estuary.

"Next stop the goblin boatyard," said Jonah," we've got to return you to your apprenticeship."

Fern felt rather sad now that the voyage was nearly over but then Jonah said something that made her feel really proud and happy again.

"Do you think you could sail her up the creek to the jetty?"

"Well, I certainly know the channel," laughed Fern, "I've sailed it often enough in a dinghy."

She took the wheel as the schooner passed the coast guard cottage and then headed in towards the shore. She could see the boatyard buildings over the saltings and as usual when the Black Cat was coming in, the yard workmen were rushing round making preparations for one of Jonah's accident-prone dockings.

"Mainsail, foresails and lower topsail only," called Fern as they entered the channel and the goblin sailors shortened sail appropriately. The schooner swept past the whaler at the creek entrance, to the amazement of its crew and Fern could see everyone on the quayside getting more and more jumpy as she headed straight for them.

"Standby to back the topsail," she called and then at the last moment she luffed into the wind parallel with the quay.

"Back topsail," she ordered and the Black Cat came to a halt about six feet from the quayside.

"Lower all sail, make fast," shouted Jonah who was grinning from ear to ear. "Well done Fern that'll show 'em."

The schooner was soon moored amidst sighs of relief and amazement from the shore. Norman came on board.

"Did Fern really bring her in by herself?"

"Indeed she did," replied Jonah, "she's turned into a first class sailor. Now then young lady get your dunnage and go ashore while I write out your discharge papers."

Fern went below to fetch her kit bag and then went ashore to be met by Jonah and Norman. Jonah presented her with a sealed envelope.

"Don't you open it until we're out at sea, I can't stand emotional farewells."
He walked up the gangplank to the Black Cat and stopped halfway to turn and wave.

Fern's hand came to her mouth in anticipation but this time all went well and he arrived safely on board. The schooner set its foresails and began to head for the river. As usual the goblins started a chanty to help raise the heavy mainsail. Fern didn't recognise the words that began to fade slowly as the Black Cat neared the creek entrance. They were certainly from no chanty she’d ever heard sung before.

"Apprentice Knott learned an awful lot from Barnacle Bill the sailor,
But she learned much more when she came ashore,
From Norman the boatyard foreman,
Then she went to sea quite happily,
With Jonah's crew of he-men
And when she came home from across the foam
She was rated able seaman.
Ooooooh sing the song of a sailor, a sailor home from...”

There was a sudden silence as the Black Cat ran aground cutting the corner at the mouth of the creek. A faint roar of laughter from the crew reached the boatyard then the schooner set a topsail and heeling over under its pressure, slid off the mud into the deep water of the river.

Fern waved a last goodbye and then turned to Norman.

"Am I really an able seaman?"

"It's all in that envelope, any time you want a job in the Davy Jones fleet you can start rated A.B. But first you must finish off your time here. Now then let's see if you can still remember how to make a good cup of tea!"