Jacob's Way by Gilbert Morris

forbidden.”
    Reisa whispered, “I’ve got to take Boris!”
    â€œI will take him back to the village with me if you like. I like a cat.”
    â€œNo. I can’t do that. He must go with us.”
    â€œBut, child,” Jacob protested. “It’s against the rules.”
    â€œI’m not leaving Boris here.” A stubborn light shone in Reisa’s eyes, and her lips grew tight. “Come. I will find a way.”
    Indeed, Reisa did find a way. It was not terribly difficult, for the sailor who looked at their tickets paid little attention to the baggage. Adrik carried on first one of their trunks and then the other, but it was Reisa who carried Boris aboard in his carrier. She walked by with her heart beating, and finally they were on board the Jennings along with their trunks.
    â€œHere, Adrik. I thank you, my dear brother,” Jacob said as he handed the sturdy peasant three coins.
    Adrik took the coins and shoved them into his pocket. “You’re going to get in trouble with that cat—but have a good time in America.” He nodded at them and left.
    Reisa turned to Jacob. “Grandfather, let me go find where we will stay. You stay with the luggage and with Boris.”
    Jacob was tired, and his strength was almost gone. “All right, Reisa. I will wait.”
    Finding their place was not difficult, for upon asking one of the sailors where to go, he winked at her and pinched her arm. “Well, a pretty girl like you could stay with me.” He laughed at her angry reaction, then said, “Go down that ladder right over there.”
    Reisa left him at once and went below. She found a dark place lit only by several lanterns, and it was already crowded. The smell was terrible, and her heart sank, for there seemed to be no place for a young woman with an old man. But she knew that she had to be strong not only for herself, but for her grandfather as well. He was too weak and too old for this trip, but there was no other way.
    Wheeling, she climbed back upstairs. She spotted a fresh-faced young man, a passenger, for he was wearing no uniform. He leaned on the rail, gazing down at the activity on the dock below.
    â€œExcuse me,” Reisa said. “Could you help me?”
    The young man turned, and his eyes brightened at the young woman. He said at once, “Yes. What is it?”
    Reisa introduced herself, and in exchange the young man said, “My name is Petya.”
    â€œI’ve just come on board, Petya, my grandfather and I. We have two trunks. Could you help us get them down below?”
    â€œYes. Of course,” Petya said eagerly. He followed her, and when they reached Jacob, Reisa introduced him. The young man pulled his cap off at once and nodded. “Good day, sir. Let me help you with this luggage.”
    Jacob smiled with relief and said, “May the good God bless you, my boy.”
    Petya picked up one of the trunks and left, then came back for the second. “Plenty of room,” he said cheerfully. “Come along now.”
    Jacob followed the young man with Reisa holding onto his arm. He was taken aback by the smell and the noise in the steerage compartment, for everyone seemed to be talking at the top of their lungs. Petya, however, had found them a place where their trunks could be stored against the side. There were bunks going from the floor to the ceiling. Petya said, “You’d better stake these out at once. They’ll all be full before the ship leaves.”
    This proved to be true, for passengers kept coming on. Men and women and children, whole families all bound for the New World, filled the compartment.
    Jacob lay down and went to sleep at once. He slept all afternoon, but Reisa stayed awake getting acquainted with her neighbors.
    Finally Jacob awakened, and Reisa said, “The ship is leaving soon. Would you like to go up on deck?”
    â€œYes. I think so.”
    The two moved up the ladder