Read "Heart of a Samurai" by Margi Preus online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
For several days, Manjiro went about his business deep in thought. On watch at night, he could barely look at the sky, for every star was like an eye, staring at him. Every wave tapping the boat nudged him; every groan of the ship was a reprimand. He knew he must go to the captain and confess everything, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Once the captain knew how deceitful he'd been, and how incompetent-how by his own clumsiness he'd lost the captain's silver watch-the captain certainly wouldn't want anything to do with him!
One morning, Manjiro opened an eye to see the first mate, Mr. Davis, staring down at him. Manjiro jumped. In addition to his renowned temper, Manjiro's shipmates whispered that Mr. Davis was bit of a "Jack Nastyface."