The collective band was now too large to dine together in the bar. Regular meals became impractical. The women arranged cold smorgasbord meals in the bar where everyone could come and go at will.
At the breakfast bar in the morning, the Captain and the Chief agreed the day should be devoted to settling the mariners. The convoy trucks would be driven to the kitchen entrance one at a time and unloaded.
The first truck contained the mariner’s remaining personal gear, clothing, and a few luxuries gathered in Valdez. With so many hands, the truck was unloaded in an hour.
On behalf of the ladies, Judy accepted an assortment of children’s clothing, undergarments, dozens of bolts of new cloth together with a tailor’s sewing machine, and a special selection of fashionable cosmetics for their female companions.
Hirsh received hundreds of books, delighted with many he had requested on tool making, horticulture, gardening, preserving food, and children’s reading primers, anticipating the future.
The Chief was determined that their arrival would not burden their hosts, so he set a goal to contribute an entire year’s supply of food. Responsible for provisioning the boat, he was more professionally adept at scouring for supplies than the Kennecott competition.
His trained crew systematically searched every building in town, including the Alyeska terminal, and every vessel and ship remaining in the harbor, gleaning anything likely to be useful. Without refrigeration, all fresh food in Valdez had spoiled long ago, but a bounty of preserves was intended to make up the difference. Several ships, guarded to the last and never pilfered during the panic, provided a dozen pallets of long-grain rice intended to feed some foreign crew plus a stored market of unusual eastern staples which the second and third trucks delivered. When the lodge storerooms were filled, the third truck, parked behind the kitchen, became the sorting locker for the remaining stockpile.
The fourth and largest truck contained materials for completing the living quarters on the third floor. From a construction warehouse at the Marine Terminal, the Chief’s crew found metal studs, sheetrock, common hardware, electrical devices, paint, carpet, and lighting fixtures, plus finished doors, countertops and window coverings salvaged from their Valdez motel. The crew also dismounted three eastern style toilets from a tanker ship, one to be installed on each lodge floor ready for the inevitable day they would be necessary. Only metal studs and framing hardware were unloaded from the truck, leaving the rest organized and ready when necessary.
Pamela, the Alaskan settler with her team of foragers, filled the fifth truck with gardens supplies. Valdez home gardens provided volunteer vegetables which her crew transplanted in watered pots insuring survival until planting. House gleaning provided canning equipment and glass containers. Potting mix and fertilizer were left behind in the Glennallen truck while the crew sought tires destroyed by the bandits.
The boat’s machinist mate, and the communications technician collected every manner of machine tool useful in a new life. They brought a milling machine, break metal machine, welding equipment with gasses and supplies, and for gardening, a farm tractor and a backhoe. The radio technician salvaged much of the boat’s mid range digital radio gear and a tall radio mast from the Alyeska terminal. There wasn’t yet room to store the gear so only the radio gear, plus the tractor and backhoe were unloaded to help alleviate hand labor. The sixth truck became the machine shed near the shops on the north side of the building.
Pamela, Ahtna, Onita, and the Canadian siblings traded tending the island gardens. Pamela promised to complete the garden’s ‘fallow’ section with the hundreds of potted vegetables she brought from Valdez.
The Chief and his crew accomplished unloading and sorting in just two days. With that remarkable achievement, the mariners were enthusiastic to tackle their quarters in the morning. While the Chief completed his written inventory of where everything had been sorted and stored, many hands began cutting metal studs without him. Utterly lacking experience and unable to read construction plans, chaos reigned. With shouting and cursing, raucous team bungling, and bloody injuries from sharp metal edges, not a single stud wall was correctly installed.
Mac deserted the floor in frustration and the Chief returned to take charge. As with everything Mac had seen the man direct, the work blossomed. Using fewer people more effectively, the mariners had a forest of metal studs framed according to the original lodge plan by the end of the day with the planned central video room to become the bedroom suite of the Chief and his wife.
On the morning of the Fourth, the men decided to continue metal framing while the women planned dinner, and arranged a musical celebration.
Mac sat down with Judy after breakfast hoping for conversation. They’d had little opportunity with all the activity and their voluntary separation at night. Shortly, Christie moved ponderously to their table and sat down awkwardly. She remained still with a surprised look on her face and said, “Oh my! I think I’ve broken my water. Oh dear… I definitely have!”
“Wonderful!” said Judy. “Your time has arrived; come, I’ll help you.”
“So much for talk,” said Mac, hugging her.
By late afternoon, when the men broke from work to change for dinner, there sat Christie in the lounge with her newborn infant surrounded by smiling women and Lazlo, the beaming father. For most people in the lodge, an eight pound healthy boy had arrived spontaneously. Many were playfully teasing the couple about an appropriate name for a child born on the Fourth of July. Sparky, Samuel, Julius, and other enthusiastic suggestions poured forth.
“You can bet his name won’t be any of those,” said the father, taking it all too seriously. “What’s wrong with Lazlo, anyway?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Christie with a twinkle in her eye. “I rather like Julius.”
“Then how about Lazlo Julius… Hungarian-Italian,” Lazlo said too seriously.
“Then we need Inupiaq-Hungarian-Italian,” said Christie smiling.
“Is this place to be a melting pot or what!” replied Lazlo.
The long trestle dinner table was set in grand fashion on the rooftop deck amid the veggie garden, surrounded by strings of colorful homemade flags welcoming everyone. A splendid summer day with a blue water sky created the perfect setting for a new beginning… truly an independence celebration. With a gentle breeze from the coast and a pristine view of the surrounding snowcapped mountains, the deck provided a marvelous summer dining venue.
Mac leaned on the deck rail lost in thought. With the birth of Julius, their little band now totaled thirty people. From that lifesaving winter cabin at Rainbow Lake to where he stood… now almost unimaginable. Enjoying the wilderness scenery among intrepid survivors, Mac marveled that three newborn infants would soon inherit a life dramatically changed from that of all his companions. Where would the vagaries of fate take them, he wondered?
The Thanksgiving table reflected a splendid cornucopia. The ladies had prepared a feast of pleasing dishes that their bountiful pantry could again provide. The entire complement from the cedar chest of fine china, silver, and crystal paraded down the table, sparkling under the trellis reflecting the crimson bouquets of fireweed. The mariners had their first view of the lodge’s dining splendor. The table looked fit for an inaugural celebration, thought Mac… their inauguration of a village life together.
The ritual moment of thanksgiving silence before dining seemed fitting for the occasion. A festive mood began by passing dishes around the table, helping one another, and not permitting anyone the obligation of serving. The Captain had wisely seated the three delegations interspersed among one another so that every neighbor could converse with someone only recently introduced. Conversations flowed around the table, many reminiscing on their experiences before coming together, and some comparing the adversities they’d met and overcome.
Watching everyone take pleasure in
the summer beauty and wonderful food, Mac welcomed this heartfelt fellowship. Theirs was truly a happy band. Hardship motivated them to enrich their lives to the fullest. Ingrained habits of competition seemed to be replaced by trust and cooperation. Who could ask for more, he wondered? Fellowship was more satisfying than even their spectacular surroundings of beauty and comfort. He hoped such solidarity would keep them together forever.
Mac caught sight of the Captain seated far down the table surveying the scene as he had been doing. The two exchanged a wink of mutual understanding. The Captain had his enduring family after all.
Near the conclusion of dinner, Chief Ming stood and tapped his crystal glass for attention. “A toast,” he said. “From all of us to all of you, our profound thanks for your invitation to join you in this… astonishing Valhalla. A month ago, none of us could have imagined such a reception and camaraderie with complete strangers… especially considering the intimidating and dangerous encounters we’ve all experienced. We will make every effort to return your good will. May kindness and peace always be with us.”
Mac sincerely applauded with everyone.
The Chief continued, “Mary Ann has arranged some musical entertainment for today’s occasion. If you please… Mary Ann…” More applause as Mary Ann stood to be introduced by the Chief:
“During our first evening gathered on the ferry after arriving in Valdez, Mary Ann organized a performance of several refrains from a popular theater production. She has a small chorus ready to share its uplifting music. I hope you’ll enjoy the music as we did which seems powerfully symbolic of our recent experiences. Mary Ann’s compact disk was rescued from the submarine since we have too few musicians remaining among us to do the music justice.”
Mary Ann’s mariner chorus assembled, and she explained, “The lyrics are translated from the Latin libretto of fairy tales and legends from people who experienced both hardship and happiness long ago. The cantata is called Carmina Burana:
O fortune!
Like the moon
ever-changing,
rising first
then declining;
hateful life
treats us badly
then with kindness
making sport with our desires,
causing power
and poverty alike
to melt like ice…
Behold the welcome,
long-awaited
spring, which brings back pleasure
and with crimson flowers
adorns the fields.
The sun brings peace to all around.
Away with sadness!
Summer returns,
and now departs
cruel winter…
Melt away
and disappear
hail, ice and snow;
the mists flee,
and spring is fed
at summers breast.
Wretched is the man
who neither lives
nor lusts
under summer’s spell…”1
Unprepared, Mac captured only a few memorable verses having expected some rousing Fourth of July military rendition. He was pleased to hear worldly satirical lyrics and dramatic music reminding him of their recent experiences with the swing of fate. They had begun a new life and the music was evocative of their progress as the chorus continuously repeated the refrain of the wheel of fortune.
After the performance, the breeze died and a hoard of mosquitoes found them, sending everyone scurrying. The Chief organized clearing the tables.
Everyone settled in the lounge where Mary Ann beamed, glowing from the thrilling performance. Mac admired the beautiful, congenial woman, an outwardly perfect physical match for the Chief.
The Captain expressed everyone’s sentiment, “Mary Ann, our spirits are truly uplifted by your music… perfect timing for a perfect evening. Thank you and I know the theme is wholly suited for us. We’ll experience both good times and bad in the future. It will always be up to us to keep the faith, encourage renewal, and plan our future positively.”
1 Orff “O Fortuna” from CARMINA BURANA
English translation of Latin text compiled by Carl Orff from a Medieval collection found in the Benedictine Monastery of Benediktbeuern, Bavaria
Copyright © 1937 Schott Music GmbH & Co. KG, Mainz, Germany
Copyright © renewed
Used by permission of European American Distributors Company, sole U.S. and Canadian for Schott Music GmbH & Co. KG, Mainz, Germany
After a round of brandy, Pappy braved a question, “Chief, how did you prepare for those bandits and the deadly trouble brewing? We sure didn’t give you much warning to make your preparations.”
Mac thought the question was untimely and unfortunate for such a beautiful, positive evening.
“Pappy, I’ll explain, but then let’s put all unpleasant events behind us.
“Actually, we arranged several precautions stemming from earlier trouble we experienced. The plan was to prevent anyone from ranging around us and waiting in ambush. You probably noticed our maneuver intended to block the road together with our flanking defenders.”
“Sure,” said Pappy.
“Once you left Valdez, we had rather unpleasant experiences with that man Tlingit whom you knew. Your difficulty with him was just the beginning. The man grew ever more hostile… and dangerous.
“At first, we tried to be generous, sharing our food and supplies, though we refused to give him more brandy. He seemed to interpret our kindness as appeasement. He grew bolder and repeatedly tried to frighten us with pyrotechnics. He paraded around with his friends in that Coast Guard humvee firing automatic weapons and hurling obscenities at us. After dark, he would shoot flares in our direction at all hours of the night. We posted a squad of guards around the clock hoping to discourage him.
“Becoming more aggressive, he attempted to abduct one of the women, but failed. Apparently, he had selected Waa, here. First he tried to separate her from her new husband who realized she needed protection everywhere she went. But even guards didn’t deter him. Once he got close, he tried to drag her away. He was so aggressive that we had no choice but to brandish our own weapons to keep him at bay. The man cultivated a rage that bordered on lunacy. I worried that he might resort to sniping at us, but there was nothing more to do short of imprisoning him.
“As we began loading the trucks prior to our departure, the man raged again. He demanded that we unload everything, leaving all behind. He fired his rifle in the air to impress and scare everyone. We were forced to respond in kind, but we didn’t shoot him or any of his gang, hoping that our own resolve would finally persuade him to leave us alone. Thereafter, whenever he appeared, we brandished our weapons in classic military stance. Even so he remained visibly angry and hostile. Hence, the precaution we took as we departed.”
“Wow!” said Pappy. “Then your explanation rounds up ours sharing similar unpleasant experiences. Thanks Chief, and I will put yours away with all the other dark memories.”
Listening to the Chief, Mac was impressed by how effectively he had handled the Tlingit situation. He made every attempt to avoid unnecessary escalation and bloodshed. His response was a measured progression that had successfully protected everyone.
Mac well remembered their own disorganized caper. Had they confronted the militia directly, he was certain that the outcome would have been regrettable. The little band needed the Chief!
There was no doubt why this man had risen to the top of his profession. Everything about him spoke of disciplined and thoughtful deliberation. He was both forthright in his dealings with others and considerate of everyone around him. Leadership qualities emanated from the man.
A discussion of the future evolved logically while celebrat
ing their freedom and a new life. Not surprisingly, the Chief began. “Captain, I understand that you’ve adopted the custom of holding a council to decide matters collectively. Do you observe some formality to begin?”
The Captain looked to Judy to respond. “Not formally, but we could do so if someone wanted to resolve a dispute. Usually, discussion begins spontaneously sometime after dinner when someone has an issue to bring up.”
“I think that’s a fine idea. I have a few thoughts, but they involve everyone if you’re willing.”
“No better time than now.”
“We’ve all explored your extraordinary roof garden and Onita gave Pamela a tour of your island garden, all remarkable and so unexpected. Pamela has a few suggestions from her experience farming in Alaska, but she doesn’t want anyone to be offended by our intervention. But time is of the essence, considering the season. Is that a proper introduction?”
“Offended?” asked Onita. “Never! I welcome your suggestions. My family farm was far south of here. The growing season and the soils here are different. Peg and I have been doing things the way we did in Canada because that’s all we know. There’s so much to be done. Let’s get together in the morning.”
“Wonderful,” said Pamela. “But there’s one thing that might need everyone’s help for a few days. We should be propagating berries like cranberries, salmon berries and blueberries if we can find root stock. They’re extremely valuable as preserved food especially for wintertime Vitamin C. We need to transplant native stock from around the whole area. Next year adding stock will be easier, but this year we’re already starting a little late. I don’t want to interrupt your work on the third floor, but just as soon as you can spare anyone, we need help. The three of us alone can’t plant enough for all of us for the winter. Okay?”
Flight To Pandemonium Page 66