Merrick leaned his forehead against the rusty iron bars. Save for the lantern hanging overhead, all was dark in the deepest part of the ship. He had been beaten and thrown into the hold hours ago, and in that time, Merrick had rattled, pried, kicked, and punched the cage that confined him, causing only more pain in his already battered body. Soon the lantern would sputter out, leaving him alone with the rats and the putrid smell of the bilge.

Dropping to the floor, he drew up ...