A Boy of the Dominion: A Tale of Canadian Immigration

by F. S. Brereton

  CHAPTER II

  An Ocean Voyage

  "Not a single bone broken, I assure you," declared Dr. Tanner, when hehad thoroughly examined the stranger, to whose help Joe had soopportunely come. "Bruises, of course; plenty of them. There's aswelling here on the back of your head almost as big as a turnip.You'd better rest quietly for the night."

  "But--but I have business to attend to," declared the stranger, who wewill at once introduce by his correct name of Hubbard. "I'm due inManchester to-morrow, then in Birmingham, and later in Coventry. Ican't sit down and rest."

  "You must, or take the consequences," answered Dr. Tanner, smiling."Come and have some tea. Joe, you join us; I've that yarn to have withyou about Canada. Now, Mr. Hubbard, what do you advise a young fellowlike this to do? He's not on his beam ends; far from it. He has alittle capital; but he's adrift as it were. Has no occupation, and nomeans at present of earning a living."

  "Then I'll offer him work at once, work to last a week," declared Mr.Hubbard. "Only a week, though, mind that, my young friend and rescuer.I'm no great hand at driving a car, and after this accident I feel thatmy nerve is shaken. Come along and drive the car. You managedbeautifully this afternoon. Come as a friend; I'll pay all expenses,and give you three pounds into the bargain."

  "Done, sir!" It was characteristic of Joe that he accepted the post atonce. In fact, he leaped at it; for it was exactly to his liking.

  "But don't forget it's not a permanency, Joe," sang out the doctor,lifting a warning finger and shaking it at him. "Permanent jobs arethe only posts for young fellows. They learn then to be useful, tomanage things. Temporary jobs lead to unsettlement. Besides, you knowthe old adage, "a rolling stone gathers no moss". Moss is wealth andposition, all that makes for happiness, and you want to gather it withboth hands. Eh, Mr. Hubbard?"

  "Spoken like a wise counsellor," came the laughing rejoinder. "But youbegan to speak of our young friend."

  "Well, there he is," said the doctor, pausing in the act of pouring outa cup of tea, and pointing to Joe with the spout of the teapot, "therehe is, employed at this moment as chauffeur to yourself, but likely tobe without a job in the course of a week. What are his prospects inthis country? Fair, we will say; for he is one of the steady lads.What are his prospects in Canada or Australia?"

  "Depends; he's a worker, you say?"

  Joe flushed as he listened to this conversation that reflected onhimself, then he laughed good-humouredly.

  "A worker, yes; steady, certainly," replied the doctor.

  "Then Canada will brighten his prospects. I know the country; I'mdoing business for a firm out there, and so can speak with someknowledge. Certainly Canada will improve his prospects. He's gotcapital?"

  "Sixty pounds," said Joe, who was listening eagerly.

  "Then forget it. Buy your ticket for the crossing, and then earn yourway. Forget the dollars till you've learned experience, then investthem as you'll soon ascertain how to do. Bless us, but I wish I was inhis shoes! Think of the interest of such a life; think of theenjoyment of working one's way up, of climbing higher! This humdrumexistence we most of us lead is tame beside such an opportunity forflattering one's ambition."

  "In fact," asked the doctor, "you advise emigration?"

  "Indeed I do," came the prompt answer, while Mr. Hubbard stirred histea. "Mind you, I don't say that there is no opportunity in thiscountry for youth and ambition. What I do say is this. Where a manhas no ties, where a young fellow has lost his parents, and has littleor no influence to start his career, then Canada calls loudly to him.There he will make new ties, new friends, new hopes. There he can haveland for the asking, if farming is what he wants; and success isassured, one way or the other, if only he will put his back into thework. Of course, I know what you're going to say, Doctor," he went on,arresting the latter's interruption with uplifted teaspoon. "Men comeback again; men fail. Of course they do; the lonesomeness of the longwinter gives the half-hearted the blues. Others attempt to follow avocation for which they were never suited. Weak men break down underthe strain. Slackers get deported; but young active fellows, withpluck behind them, and with grit and strength and health, they makegood every time, sir. They help to form the backbone of Canada."

  Joe's eyes glowed as he listened. His cheeks took on a colour to whichthey had been a stranger of late, since trouble had come upon him. Hebegan to wonder what life in Canada would be like. He leaned forward,one hand at his cup, his eyes shifting from the doctor to this volublestranger. Moreover, Mr. Hubbard was no ill-looking man to watch; therewas eagerness and keenness written on every feature of his face.Perhaps he was thirty-five years of age, perhaps even younger. But hewas shrewd and level-headed without a doubt, also he gave one theimpression that he was a man who had travelled far and seen much, andwho ventured his opinions only when he knew his subject. It was plainthat Canada was an open book to him.

  "The long and the short of the matter then is this," smiled the doctor,vastly interested in his visitor, "you advise Joe to go."

  "I advise him to go, and I'll put him up to the ropes. There!"

  Mr. Hubbard helped himself to cake, fixing his eyes sharply on ourhero; and Joe returned the glance unflinchingly. "You'll make good, orI'm right out of my calculations," declared Mr. Hubbard, after quite along scrutiny of his features. "Then's the time when a man finds lifeenjoyable, for he knows he's done well; he ain't got much to regret."

  That evening Joe heard more of Canada from his friend the constable.He supped at the local hotel with his employer, and turned in early.The following morning, after bidding farewell to the doctor and a fewothers, he brought the car out of the yard, ran to the station, thereto pick up his box, and then came to a halt opposite the hotel door.

  "Been at work, I see," said Mr. Hubbard, surveying the car. "You'vestraightened those mud guards and cleaned her. That's push; somefellows wouldn't have thought of it. Others would have been too proudto do the cleaning. Now let her hum."

  It does not require that we should follow the two on their trip aboutthe country. Suffice it to say that, thanks to previous experience,Joe drove the car with ease and dexterity, a fact which his employerhad already noted.

  "And mighty lucky I am to have hit upon you," he laughed, as theybuzzed on their way to Manchester. "First, for the fact that youdragged me out of my prison after that upset, and now because you werefree to come with me. I'm so stiff to-day that I couldn't have drivenhad I wished, and I rather expect it will be a few days before I amquite fit again. So it's a huge convenience, for my business wouldn'twait."

  A week later the two ended their trip at Liverpool.

  "Where we see to this passage of yours to Canada," said Mr. Hubbard."Now, if you'll be advised, you'll go steerage. As you're emigrating,best start in right at the beginning with the people who'll bealongside you. I shall pay for your passage."

  In spite of Joe's protests, Mr. Hubbard insisted on doing this, and didnot finally say goodbye to our hero till he had seen him aboard theCanadian Pacific liner which was to bear him to his destination.Moreover, his gratitude to Joe took the form of an outfit as well as apassage.

  "Clothes of every description are very dear out there," he said, "soyou'll want a kit with you. Everything warm, mind. That's the way.In the hot weather you can leave off what you don't need; but in thewinter warm things are wanted."

  In the end Joe found himself with a strong box containing severalflannel shirts and underwear, a pair of high boots and two pairs ofstrong nailed ones, socks in abundance, a suit of corduroy and one ofstrong tweed, two neck handkerchiefs, a slouch hat, and various otherarticles, not to mention a kettle, a teapot, a tin mug, basin, andplate, with the necessary portable knives, forks, and spoons, and acanteen containing tea and sugar and a tin of condensed milk.

  "Looks stupid to be taking all that rig, don't it?" asked Mr. Hubbard,with a quizzical smile. "But then, you see, I've been through themill. You'll get to Quebec and t
hen go aboard the train. Well, fooddoesn't grow by the wayside nor on the cars. You've got to take italong with you and cook whatever you want; so don't forget to buy up atin or so of sausages and such things. With those and the kit you'vegot here you'll be in clover. Now, lad, there's the bell forlandlubbers to get ashore. Don't forget to give me a call one of thesedays when you're round by Ottawa; and always remember to make good.Goodbye!"

  Their hands met, they looked keenly into one another's eyes, and thenhe was gone. Joe was alone again, alone upon the deck of a shipswarming with people, but alone for all that; for everyone about himseemed to have friends. He plunged his hands deep into his pockets andwhistled a merry tune; for if he were alone, Joe felt happy. Thefingers of his right hand nursed the banker's draft for those sixtypounds he had banked; the fingers of his left handled the cash whichhis liberal employer had paid him. His coat bulged to the right wherehis father's letter was secreted, and somewhere on the ship was thesteel trunk which contained his kit. Alone! Joe scoffed at thethought, and went on whistling merrily.

  "All ashore!" someone bellowed, while sailors ran past him on someerrand. The steam siren of the ship sent a wide spray of water overthe passengers, and then, as if thereby it had cleared its throat, itset up a deep, reverberating roar that deafened all other sounds. Thedeck thrilled and throbbed; the water right astern was churned intomilk-white foam, while the shore seemed to be moving. Joe leaned overthe side and waved frantically to Mr. Hubbard. Down below, he couldsee a thousand faces. A thousand handkerchiefs waved frantically up athim. Alone! Why, they all seemed to be friends; they all seemed to bewishing him good fortune. Even the tall, stern waterside policemenseemed to unbend and smile.

  "Hooray! Hooray!" shouted Joe, unable longer to restrain hisenthusiasm. "We're off."

  "Hooray!" came back from the throng on the landing stage. Then, as theship's head paid off to the pull of a tug, and another thrill wentthrough her as her turbines turned, the blaring notes of a trombonecame to the passengers. It was "Auld Lang Syne", and the tune sentpeople sobbing. Joe watched a big fellow close beside him, and saw thetears stream down his face. But the scene changed with the tune, andthat in an instant. It was "Rule Britannia" now, and the man wasstanding erect and as stiff as a poker.

  "Old soldier," thought Joe. "Going out?" he asked.

  "To Canidy, yessir," came the answer. "Going out along with the missusand the youngsters. Couldn't get work here in the old country. Idon't grumble, mind you. I'm not the one to shout out about alienscrowding the likes of me out. It's the training that's wrong. I'venone; I'm good only for casual work and unskilled jobs, and there'sthousands more for 'em. But Jim--he's my brother--he went out thisfive years ago, and he's made a pile already--a pile, sir, enough topay a passage for me and the missus and the children."

  There was hope in the honest fellow's face; he was looking with a gladheart to the future, and no doubt at that moment was bidding farewellto a past which, if not too pleasant and uncrowded with thoughts ofplenty and of enjoyment, at least had its touches of colour, itsmemories, and its faces.

  By now the steamer was well in midstream, and the throb of the engineswas better felt. Not that your turbine leads to much vibration; butstill, with the horse-power possessed by these leviathans, it is onlyreasonable that there should be some commotion. Joe walked to and froalong the deck, and then began to feel hungry. He went to thecompanion, a wide gap leading to the lower deck, and descended. Therewas a woman halfway down vainly attempting to escort four children, allof small stature.

  "Allow me," said Joe, and promptly picked up two of them. "Going outto Canada?" he asked, though the question was hardly necessary, seeingthat that was the ship's only destination.

  "Winnipeg, sir," came the answer. "Husband went out a year ago; I'mgoing to join him. Thank ye, sir!"

  Joe dived still lower into the depths of this monster ship, and foundhimself in a huge hall with long tables set along the length of it.Cloths were already laid, and there were mugs and plates in unendingrows, while dishes containing sliced cold meat were placed atintervals. Already a number of people were seated, and Joe at oncetook a place close to a respectable-looking couple.

  "Pardon," he asked, bumping the man as he sat down.

  "Eh?"

  "I apologized for knocking your arm," said Joe, flushing at thebluntness of this individual.

  "Ah, me lad, thank ye," came the hearty answer. "Only it sort of tookme by surprise. I ain't used to overmuch politeness; we don't seem toget much time where I come from. Been out before?"

  Joe shook his head, and asked for the plate of meat and bread andbutter.

  "Then you're green?"

  Joe smiled. "As grass," he said briskly.

  "Going to work or to play?" asked this stranger, as he stuffed a hugepiece of cake into his mouth.

  "Work--got to; I'd rather, any day."

  "Farming?"

  "That's my intention," declared Joe, helping himself liberally.

  "Then you'll like it. I'll be able to put you up to the ropes. You'regoing out just at the right time, too, for it'll be fine weather. Tea,me lad?"

  Joe accepted with pleasure, and began to look about him. People werebeginning to swarm down into this species of dining-hall, and theypresented all sorts and descriptions. There was a party of menshepherded by an official of the Salvation Army, a dozen or more youngmarried couples, and as many women going out to join their husbands. Asmall regiment of Scandinavians passed by, and were followed by a crewof Russians.

  "Don't look as if they'd had so much as a bath between 'em, do they?"grinned his neighbour. "But they've been travelling these many days,and most like have crossed over from the continent during the night.They're the boys fer work. Give me a Russian or a Scandinavian on thefarm. They earn their dollars and don't grumble. Now, lad, if you'venot been aboard one of these ships afore, you'd do well to settle yourbunk and take possession of it. There's a couple of likely youngstersalong here that we know of. They've come from our part of the world inEngland, and they're decent fellows. Maybe you could pitch upon acabin fer three. If not, you'll have to sleep in the bunks out in theopen. Jim and Claude," he called, "here's a mate fer ye; get rightalong and fix your bunks."

  Joe liked the look of the two young fellows instantly. They were abouthis own age, and better dressed than many. He exchanged a smile withthem, then, having finished a meal which was excellent, to say theleast of it, and undoubtedly plentiful, he accompanied his two newfriends to the sleeping deck. Here were rows of canvas bunks suspendedon steel uprights and cross pieces, the whole looking clean and compactand comfortable. At the vessel's sides were cabins of considerablesize, and, since they were amongst the first on the scene, they had nodifficulty in securing one to accommodate the three.

  "We'll be fine and comfortable in there," said one of the young fellowsnamed Claude. "We'll bring our things along just to prove possession.Shouldn't leave anything about if I were you; for there might be athief aboard."

  Joe took the warning to heart, and so that there could be no danger ofa robbery where he was concerned, went to the purser promptly and theredeposited his banker's draft, his father's precious letter, and themajority of the loose cash he possessed.

  "Now let's have a look round, and see if we can do anything to help,"said Jim, leading the way to the upper deck. Here they found aseething crowd, for the ship was packed with emigrants, to say nothingof her complement of first- and second-class passengers. Shepresented, in fact, a good-sized township, with facilities for dealingwith every class of business, of which catering was not the leastimportant. In the centre of the crowds of emigrants our hero was soonattracted to a railed-in space wherein was a mass of sand, and in thisa number of children were digging. Elsewhere men lounged and smoked,while women sat on their worldly possessions, many of them lookingforlorn and lost.

  "Give them two days to settle down, and all will be happy andcontented," said one of the
stewards who happened to be passing."We're going to have a smooth crossing, so that will help."

  He pushed his way through the throng and dived down below. Astewardess followed him, and others came bustling after her. Officialsnow were engaged in inspecting the tickets of the passengers, while asummons brought the emigrants in a long waiting queue to a table set inthe dining-hall, where one of the doctors with an assistant tookcareful stock of them, particularly to observe whether or no eachperson had been recently vaccinated.

  Joe was glad to creep into his comfortable bunk that night, as it hadbeen a day of movement; but a good sleep did wonders for him, and whenhe rose on the following morning he was as fresh as paint.

  "How do yer like it?" asked the pleasant fellow, close to whom he hadsat on the previous day when he descended for a meal; for, following ahabit on emigrant steamers, he took the same place at table.

  "There's something interesting all the time," said Joe. "This sea airgives one an appetite."

  "Then peg in, lad," came the hearty advice. "Here's tea; help yerself.Here's eggs and bacon, or will you have sausages?"

  The meal was an eye opener. No doubt there were many poor fellowsaboard who had not sat down to such a breakfast for many a long day,for we must recollect that emigrants are not always prosperous whenthey set out from the shores of Old England. It made Joe wonder ofwhat size was the storeroom on this ship, and how it was that thepurser or his assistants managed to gauge what would be required _enroute_.

  "Now you jest come along on deck with me and the missus and have a yarnwhile I smoke. Do yer smoke?" asked the man who had been so friendly.

  "Not yet," was Joe's blushing answer.

  "And a good thing too. Not that I'm against it, seeing that I smokehard, and most of the day. What's yer name?"

  "Joe Bradley."

  "Mine's Sam Fennick. Sam's enough, and Joe'll do fer you. You ain'tbeen out before, you say. Who's sent you?"

  Joe was a confiding fellow, and told him his story; for Sam seemed anexcellent friend and listened with interest.

  "What'll you do?" he asked. "You'll land up in seven days, or perhapseight, at Quebec. There you'll go before the emigration authorities,and will be examined again by the doctor. If all's well, you can startright off on your own, providing you've sufficient dollars in yourpocket to make 'em sure you won't be a pauper. Paupers ain't whatCanada wants. She wants men with a little cash, not much--just enoughto keep the wolf away for a few days. But above everything, they mustbe workers. And the Government over there won't have slackers. Shedeports 'em double quick. Well, what'll you do?"

  "Look out for a farm," said Joe; "but where, beats me."

  "Then jest you think of New Ontario. It's the coming country. Now,see here, mate; I'll give yer a piece of advice. You get along downfrom Montreal. Accept a job on a farm, and stay there till the winter.Then have a turn with the forest rangers. They don't do much in thewinter, it's true; but a few are kept going. Or you might go alongwith a gang to a lumber camp. It'll keep you from rusting. Nextspring you could work again on a farm, and come the following coldweather you ought to be able to look to yourself. We're off to seek alocation in this here New Ontario."

  "Then why couldn't I come with you?" asked Joe, for he liked the lookof this Sam Fennick.

  "And so you shall, but not at first. It'll take us best part of twomonths to find a likely location. Then we've to make a heap ofarrangements, so I doubt our getting to at the job till late in theyear. So you'd better fix elsewhere; you can come along when we'reready."

  It may be imagined that Joe spent many an hour discussing matters withSam, and soon began to long for Canada to heave in sight. However,there were many miles of sea stretching between the ship and the Gulfof St. Laurence, and they were not passed before he was involved inanother adventure.