“My adoptive father told me that I was carrying wounding bitterness in my heart. Until recently, I didn’t believe him. I thought my anger was justified. I’ve never received such genuine kindness from strangers in my life, especially from Anglos. I suppose I really wasn’t willing to accept kindness. When the Captain mentioned “such fine company,” I realized that he was right and that my bitterness is finally shedding away, thanks to you. I owe you my life and my recovery and ask forgiveness for the harsh thoughts I had. I’m truly thankful for your company and especially for Onita. She’s teaching me that happiness comes from within.”
After a stunned silence, Tony rescued the others by saying, “I’m thinkin’ some of that went both ways, ‘specially from me. I’m sorry, too, Ahtna. Welcome to the family.”
“Welcome for sure,” said Hirsh. They all cheered.
Onita burst into tears. She reached for Ahtna and held him close, sobbing in silence as Ahtna comforted her. “I’m sorry,” she said finally, wiping away her tears, “but I’m so happy, I can’t tell you. Thank you, everyone, especially Tony!”
Judy beamed and said, “Well, what a lovely beginning for our Thanksgiving dinner! Why don’t we start passing dishes before the wonderful food gets cold?”
After a genial banquet, everyone remained comfortably seated sipping wine while the talk returned to pressing practical matters. Pappy explained that during their flight, he and Mac found the caribou herd, the barge, and the boats and that all needed attention as soon as possible. Mac explained his idea for rescuing the barge and its firewood by using one of the fishing boats. Ahtna assured him that the boat engines were new and should reliably start. He told them the barge also had its own inboard engine which should work better than an outboard once freed from the willow tangle.
“Marvelous,” said Mac, “… but one thing I don’t get. The Fowlers had all these fuel burning engines around… barge, boats, buggy, snowmobiles, even an airplane. They all had nearly full tanks, but so far, all I’ve found are a couple of jerry cans to fuel them. The airplane I can understand, but how’d they gas all the rest…with no road to haul it here?”
“The barge brought fuel from the trail road on the southern point of the lake,” answered Ahtna. “They couldn’t get permits to build a service road here, so they came up with the barge idea. There are four tanks inside the stone wharf… one each for gasoline, aviation gas, diesel, and propane. That’s why it was built so solid. Look under the stone edge for hand holds. Pumps and fill ports are inside.”
“No kiddin’! This place has more surprises that the Winchester Mystery House,” said Tony. “You said diesel fuel. Is that how they filled the lodge tank on the hilltop? I’ve been worried that we might have to resort to buckets.”
“Right… tank at the wharf pumps it up there. I’ll show you how to set the backflow valves.”
“They didn’t use the helipad on top?”
“No … that was for bringing guests here in the wintertime.”
“Is there more fuel for the airplane down there?” asked Pappy.
“Topped off all four tanks this summer. I’m sure they’re still full.”
“I’ve got a different kind of question for you Ahtna,” Mac said. “With all these trappings… like this silver table service, the splendid furnishings and all those expensive toys… how’d they expect to make a go of this place? Had to cost a fortune. In the end, it was just another hunting and fishing lodge.”
“Ah, but that was the whole idea…nothing but the finest for people from the lower forty-eight who had big money for their bucket list. There isn’t a comparable place like it. Offering the best was the Fowler’s dream.”
“Well, that reminds me to thank Ahtna again,” said Judy. “We would never have known if it weren’t for him. This will be a perfect place to raise babies… a village for young people and our dream for a new beginning. I hope the Fowlers would be proud of its new purpose.”
“So here’s to our new beginning,” said Hirsh raising his glass. All earnestly joined in his toast.
“Seems like we have the whole valley to ourselves,” said the Captain.
“Just the same,” mused Pappy, “remember those crazies in Palmer? I’m glad that door has been closed for awhile. Winter should keep ‘em out until…”
“Until when?” asked the Captain.
“This definitely isn’t a kind thought for the Thanksgiving table and I shouldn’t have brought it up, but… until they kill each other off.”
“That’s a very sad thought,” said Judy. “We need young people to start over again. We’re getting too old for many more babies, except for Onita and Ahtna,” she beamed. “I wonder why so many of them fell into gangs killing each other. So many looked like decent kids otherwise.”
“I know why!” said Onita with surprising passion for a mellow evening. Pappy felt embarrassed for having started the conversation.
“Really? Care to explain?” asked Hirsh.
“We lived in Anchorage when the food ran out. There was no help for anyone. People were killed fighting over garbage. It was so scary! The only way to live was join friends and always be first. Old people couldn’t get help or food and died first. Any girl out by herself got raped …even some of the boys.”
“But a motorcycle gang?” asked Hirsh. “Wasn’t that worse?”
“No! Motorcycles were best. The roads were blocked with cars and trucks. Cars couldn’t go anywhere. A motorcycle was way faster anyway. You rode one or they caught you… and you had to have a fast one! My brother had the best. I just closed my eyes and held on. We beat everybody and got out of there. It was the place of muerte…” Onita said sadly.
“Onita, how did you find your way from Anchorage to Palmer?” asked Pappy.
“All roads were blocked. We crossed the railroad bridge by pushing our bikes through the passenger train at night. Way scary, but no one saw us.”
“What a remarkable idea,” said the Captain.
Judy said, “We’re all thankful for being safe and now so will your baby, Onita.
“There’s berry cobbler and tea for dessert. How many want some?” But the bloom was off the gathering and Hirsh suggested, “Why don’t we save that treat for breakfast?”
Comfortably seated in the bar in a cloud of cigar smoke, Tony asked Ahtna to relate his experiences hunting caribou in the foothills. He recounted so much skilled detail that everyone realized the young man was the preeminent expert among them. Asking him to be their guide before recovering his health seemed inconsiderate until he said, “I should go with you.”
“Think you’re up to it?” asked Tony cautiously.
“I can’t walk far, but I can drive the buggy, and you need me.”
“Alright, we can drive the snowmobiles now that we know there’s gas.”
“Show me on your map where you last saw the herd.”
Pappy pointed to his flight map which meant nothing to Ahtna until prominent features of the landscape were described for him. Ahtna said, “That’s open country with sparse cover. The herd will see us coming way off and spook. We need to let them come to us instead.”
“But how will we know where to set up without a sweep?” asked Jack.
“Which way was the herd moving when you spotted them?”
“Nor-nor west,” answered Pappy.
“Then they’ll veer away from the big lakes where the wolves press ‘em and they’re always pressing ‘em now without people around. Could be nearly anywhere in the open.”
“I’ll fly to find them again after first light,” announced Pappy. “I’ll come back and tell you where they are first thing in the morning. Then I’ll go back and fly you a heading.”
Everyone understood and Ahtna offered suggestions for the hunt: “You must keep together and shoot together so we can ta
ke as many as possible. Keep hidden until the last moment and don’t anyone play cowboy. They’ll spook if they hear the slightest noise and run off.”
Judy and Onita joined them at the bar listening to the discussion. When Judy realized Pappy’s plan, she gave Mac a knowing look and he understood that this time he wasn’t going flying.
However, when Onita realized that Ahtna intended to lead the hunt personally, she quietly protested close to his ear. Ahtna was having none of it. Onita said firmly, “Then I’m going to drive the buggy and you can hang on to me.” Ahtna looked startled and said, “All I need to…
Interrupting, Mac said, “I think that’s a good idea. That way you can keep your eyes forward instead of looking down for bog holes… like you once showed me.”
Mac’s suggestion preserved Ahtna’s youthful ego. Everyone doubted Ahtna’s physical endurance despite his assurances.
“Well, I can see that I can’t protest any more than Mac can.”
Ahtna was perceptive, thought Mac… but realized that his own face nearly always gave him away.
“Then that settles it,” said Jack. “You two on the buggy and two of us on each snowmobile. We should tow the sleds for luck. Five or six hinds would do nicely!”
“What about Hirsh,” asked Judy?
“You can’t be serious,” said Hirsh, surprised. “I’m staying right here with you. We’ll have a celebration dinner waiting.”
“Hirsh won’t escape hard duty. We’ll clean that freezer in anticipation… that job you’ve all been shirking.”
Jack and Tony rose early to help Pappy turn the floatplane facing the lake. Mac rose hearing the roaring surge of the craft and found the miners gassing the snowmobiles and loading the sleds with tarps, rope, and dressing tools. Judy and Onita heated breakfast and packed food for the trail. Hirsh was right. Hot berry cobbler was an outstanding beginning for a cold day of hunting.
During breakfast, Pappy returned. Jack and Tony left to help him tie up. The three came to the table with good news.
“The herd moved south much closer to the highway than yesterday, rounding Moose Lake heading toward Tolsona Lake on the west side,” said Pappy. “Skip the road to the lodge, and take the winter trail that brings you around to the tip of the lake. If you leave now, you’ll be ready.”
“Then let’s do it!” said Jack with enthusiasm.
“I’ll grab a bite and fly back so you have time to get there. Watch for me. I’ll stay high. I’ll find you at Tolsona Lake and wag my wings when I’m directly over the herd. Then I’ll circle around and fly back following them so you know exactly which direction they’re headed. Be a damned sight easier if you had a radio, but our batteries are dead. If you get the direction wrong, I’ll do it again.”
“Please don’t play cowboy with your airplane either,” said Ahtna. “They’re not cattle and they’ll spook and scatter if you try to herd them. They haven’t heard people or an airplane in months. We need to keep them unaware of us as long as possible.”
“Got it. I’ve done this before so I’ll stay high, throttled back and quiet.”
The trip on snowmobiles seemed faster than when they were plugging along a month earlier. As they arrived on the trail near Tolsona Lake, Pappy was already circling waiting for them to reach the northern tip. He wagged his wings giving the prearranged signal.
The herd wasn’t far ahead! Pappy returned flying straight overhead indicating the herd was coming straight toward them. Ahtna tested the wind and hurriedly directed them to spread further east on foot. He and Onita found their own spruce blind and watched where the others found theirs. The hunt wasn’t to be a sweep at all. Everyone needed to stay hidden, silent and still. He would take the opening shot, watching to ensure as many hunters as possible had targets.
Each man found a cluster of black spruce and snuggled underneath. Forty minutes later, dozens of caribou ambled among the hunters, feeding as they went. The herd was entirely hinds with last spring’s fawns. Something startled the herd. Ahtna fired and shouted, “Take ‘em… Shoot!” The shooting was over in seconds.
Everyone marveled at their success… seven fine animals!
“Now comes the real work,” said Ahtna. “First, drag them close together and you all need to get bloody because I can’t bend over on these damn crutches. Onita will watch for the wolves. Leave everything we don’t want right here. Wrap two quarters together in a tarp. I’ll show you how to gut them and remove the bladder if you don’t know how. Don’t puncture the bladder. Just ignore the wolves until I give warning, but don’t leave even to piss while there’s blood on the wind or especially on your clothes!”
Ahtna didn’t know the little band well enough to realize that his instructions were unnecessary. He was performing his role as a hunting guide. The miners removed their heavy coats and chose two hinds. As Ahtna watched them roll, eviscerate, skin and quarter the animals, he realized how experienced they were. Only the Captain was awkward.
“Hey, you guys aren’t too bad at this. Not my experience with hunters… and here come the wolves checking us out.” Several circled the butchering, watching intently, but didn’t threaten. Onita stood facing them with her rifle but the wolves just circled further away.
At the lodge after breakfast, Hirsh volunteered to clean out the freezer. “Won’t take two of us and high time I earned my keep.”
“Thank you, Hirsh. Doing my laundry is overdue and my clothes need to soak until we have power. Ahtna says to use the outside service door to the freezer and put all scraps in the cans inside so we don’t attract scavengers. If you see anything lurking, warn me, and I’ll stand guard while you work.”
Soon, Hirsh knocked insistently on the corridor window. Judy grabbed her shotgun, but as she was about to open the door, Hirsh vigorously waived for her to remain inside. He mouthed something she couldn’t hear, so she moved closer to the window. Slowly and distinctly, he said, “There are three bodies and a dead dog in the freezer. Don’t come outside and don’t open the corridor door!”
Shocked, Judy shouted, “You mean three dead people?” Hirsh nodded vigorously and held up his palms imploring her to remain inside. “Must be the Fowlers!” Hirsh nodded and disappeared around the corner.
Judy waited. When he returned to the veranda, Hirsh asked, “Bring me some concentrated bleach, a bucket of warm water, a mop and some dish gloves. Put them outside on the front steps and then go inside and close the door.” Judy nodded that she understood. Hirsh disappeared for half an hour.
She saw him just as the floatplane landed, heading for the wharf to meet Pappy. Judy went outside on the veranda. Hirsh vehemently hailed for her to return inside.
Wearing vinyl gloves, Hirsh stood waiting as Pappy taxied to the wharf. Hirsh cast a line around the float strut and tied it loosely. He backed off while Pappy shut down and climbed onto the float as the plane slowly drifted away from the wharf. “Hey, toss me the other line, will you, Hirsh?”
“You’ll have to grab it yourself. I don’t dare come near you.”
“What?”
“Tie off, then we’ll talk, but don’t come near me. I’m contaminated.”
Pappy leaped to the wharf, aligned the airplane, secured the aft line, and then looked up as Hirsh said, “Don’t touch that forward line I’ve just handled. Leave it be for now.”
“What do you mean… contaminated? You have some accident?”
“No. I found three bodies in the walk-in freezer… the Fowlers, I think. They all had the plague. I’ve moved them outside but I don’t know what to do next.”
“Holy shit! Where’s Judy?”
“Inside, but not exposed, I hope.”
“So you’ve removed them already?”
“Yes. I’m the only one who could. They were frozen solid, each inside a sleeping bag, together with their dog. All la
y there peacefully like they were asleep. Looked like they went in there deliberately to die… to asphyxiate themselves.”
“Jesus… this thing never ends. Where’d you put them?”
“I dragged them onto the service porch outside the freezer. I want you to talk to Judy and decide what I should do next. There’s no way I can go back inside after what I’ve just done. If I’m contaminated with that flu, there’s absolutely no way to get me clean. I know; I’m a chemist. That’s why everyone got sick in the first place.
“I’ve scrubbed the freezer with bleach, but there are two compartments inside. I couldn’t open the second. I don’t know what to do with the bodies. The ground is frozen. I’m grasping for ideas, but I need to deal with them right away. The temperature outside is above freezing.” Hirsh was not coping well.
Pappy strode inside and found Judy waiting in the lounge, alone and upset. He told her everything Hirsh described and said, “Can you believe three plague bodies have been inside this building all the while we’ve lived here?”
“I’ve said before I think the cold has somehow protected us.”
“Well, those bodies are outside in the sun right now.”
“I wish Hirsh hadn’t moved them until we decide how to dispose of them.”
Pappy said, “He’s waiting for us to decide what to do next. I don’t think he can properly bury them in the frozen ground against the scavengers. What happens when spring warms up? Does the plague start all over again?”
“I just don’t know. Bacteria can survive adverse conditions. Their graves should be far away from us.”
“Just great… Hirsh can’t do that alone.”
“I suppose we could build a pyre and try to incinerate them.”
“Three frozen bodies, dead of the plague… and now you want to heat ‘em up? That would take forever and doesn’t make any sense if we’re protected by the cold.”
Flight To Pandemonium Page 49