“Drop by later, Samuel. I shall go ahead and finish refining your gold. I can see you have other things on your mind at the present.”
“Thanks, Mr. Hinley.” He raced out the door.
Chinese began boiling out of their small huts, several running down the street toward the pack train, raising a ruckus. Samuel watched as the heavily laden mules passed by with several Chinese riding alongside.
He counted thirty mules. In addition to the heavy packs, he noticed several mules had riders, which struck him as strange. The Chinese who arrived in camp always walked, a dozen or more arriving each day.
Chinese excitedly pushed past, chattering. Along with several of the other townspeople, Samuel jockeyed to where he could watch. A pack string coming in always brought a strange excitement—even a Chinese one.
Chen found Samuel. “Hong King pack string finally here,” he said, breathlessly. “It brings lots of things from China.”
The mules halted, swaying and stamping, spread the length of the street. Several Chinese quickly spilled among them, grabbing and unloading packs. That was when Samuel noticed two of the riders were Chinese women. A number of men gathered about each woman, chattering to them.
“Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat, Chen. Hong King has brought in a couple women.” Fascinated, Samuel watched as one of the men helped down the younger of the two. She appeared maybe eighteen or nineteen.
“Well, well,” one of the townsmen standing nearby exclaimed, “here’s Polly.”
“’Bout time you Chinamen brought in some women,” another said loudly, while others clapped and cheered.
The Chinese chattered more excitedly. Both women appeared quite small—dainty.
“Look at Polly, Chen, she ain’t much older than you.” Samuel elbowed Chen. “Maybe you could marry her someday.”
Chen glared at him. “Not marry anyone. Owned by Hong King. These are slave girls like my mother.” A shadow crossed Chen’s face.
Samuel quieted, remembering. He wondered if Chen would ever try to find his mother, if she were even still alive.
Samuel noticed how tiny Polly’s feet were—like a doll’s feet—and that she bobbled as she walked. “How come she walks funny?”
“As little girl in China, she had her feet bound,” Chen explained. “She is a very special woman. Hong King is a very lucky man.”
“I think she’s pretty,” Samuel admitted. “They both are, but Polly’s prettier. You sure you can’t court her?”
“Sh,” Chen hissed, deeply frowning. “She someone else property.”
Samuel did not push the point. He recognized how serious Chen had become.
“So when will you go on another sales trip?” Samuel asked.
“In one day or two,” Chen replied. “You should come.”
“I’ll see if Scott has anything for me to deliver.” Samuel excused himself and headed toward Alexander’s Mercantile.
He noticed Miss Hattie with another woman and wondered where Lilly was. Lilly and Miss Hattie were always together. Two men stood outside the saloon with them where they had been watching the Chinese pack string.
“Hello, Samuel,” Miss Hattie called.
The men, whom Samuel recognized as hardrock hands, stepped aside, curiosity on their faces.
“It’s the kid,” one of them said, grinning. “Sorry, kid, these two ladies are occupied.”
“Sorry, sir.” Samuel greeted Miss Hattie, “Hello, ma’am.” He touched his hat and also greeted the other woman. She was younger than Miss Hattie and wore a dark blue dress that clung tightly to her body. A frilly top accentuated her breasts.
“Uh, where’s Miss Lilly?”
“Oh, Samuel,” Miss Hattie began. She nodded and whispered toward the two men before stepping over to Samuel. “She’s not been too well, Samuel.”
Samuel felt distressed. “What’s wrong? She gonna be okay?”
Miss Hattie hesitated a bit, appearing to be thinking on her answer. “She’s getting better. She asked about you.”
Samuel felt even more concerned. “Where is she? Upstairs?” He nodded toward the saloon.
Miss Hattie shook her head. “Heavens no. Not those rooms. Those rooms are … She’s at the ladies’ cabin up the hill. But you can’t go there.”
“Then how do I see her?”
Miss Hattie did not reply. The men and the other woman beyond were watching.
“She came to see me when I was laid up,” Samuel stumbled on. “I should like to do the same.”
One of the men interjected, “Hey, kid, you got your answer.”
“I’m sorry, Samuel,” Miss Hattie said. “I’ll tell her you asked about her.” She and the other woman turned toward the saloon, accompanied by one of the men.
Samuel stood, confused, not knowing what he should say or do.
“Look,” the remaining man said. “I know you got the desires,” he said. “If you need something, go to Florence and visit the Moonlight. That’s where the women are.”
Samuel felt himself flush.
The man continued talking. It reminded him of the time Jenkins kidded him about girls.
“Warren’s is too civilized. The women here are all like the hurdy-gurdy girls. Oh, they might take you for a swing if they like you. Miss Hattie will, but you’ll do better going to Florence, I tell you.”
Samuel stared at the man, dumbfounded.
“They’re dancehall girls,” the man explained. “You buy a dance with them. Maybe they’ll sing for you or sit at your table. They get you to talk with them and get you to buy more whiskey.” He must have noticed Samuel’s expression, and he laughed. “Sorry you didn’t know that, kid.”
Samuel found himself stumbling away from the man—the man’s laughter chasing after him.
He found himself walking toward the ladies’ cabin. He no longer cared what others would think. Lilly had cared about him. He knocked.
Another woman answered, a puzzled look on her face. “You’re at the wrong place, child.”
Samuel flushed at her comment.
“Is Miss Lilly here? I would like to see her.”
“That’s not possible, child. No men allowed here,” she said firmly. “You got to leave.”
“I heard she was ill. I want to visit. She visited me when I was laid up.”
The woman’s face softened. “You’re the boy that was nearly killed last year.”
“Yes’m.”
She shook her head. “Sorry, can’t let you in, but Lilly’s doing much better. She’ll be back at the saloon soon. Go and visit her then.”
Samuel heard Lilly from the back. “Who is it, Katie?”
“It’s some child asking about you.”
Lilly pushed her way to the door. “Samuel,” she almost shouted. “What are you doing here?”
“I promised to visit you,” he blurted out. It was the truth. He had made that promise last year, not knowing why or understanding how, but it had eaten at him nearly every day since. “You came to see me when I was laid up. I heard you were laid up—so I’m here.”
Lilly laughed gently. “It’s okay, Katie. This is Samuel. We’re friends. He won’t be a bother.”
“You know the rules.” Katie frowned and scrutinized Samuel. “Well, a child … maybe he don’t count.”
Samuel’s ears burned.
Lilly did not argue but gestured for Samuel to come in. “I can make us some tea, if you would like. You are such a gentleman, comin’ to visit me like this.” She smiled.
Samuel melted, thankful for her comment. He didn’t think Lilly would soon return to work. Her skin appeared gray. But her smile, her hazel eyes, and her flowing reddish hair diminished all that. She was still beautiful.
They talked. Samuel told her how the mining was doing. He told her about the winter on the river and about going t
o Slate Creek for Independence Day. He held off telling her about Bonnie.
Like before, Lilly listened.
Samuel realized he was sharing all his dreams, but he knew nothing of Lilly’s.
“Do you have dreams, Lilly?” he blurted.
Lilly hesitated. “Well, I guess I used to.”
“Not now?” Samuel pressed. “What would you do if you could do anything?”
“I’d like to travel, to see the world,” Lilly replied finally. She appeared troubled.
“I’d kind of like to go to China,” Samuel admitted.
“China? Whatever for, Samuel?” She laughed.
“Chen makes it sound so fascinating, all their strange customs and such.”
“I suppose so,” Lilly replied. “For me, I would like to go to France. I’d like to see some real ladies. Maybe see a real princess.”
“Maybe someday you can.”
Lilly shook her head.
“Why not?”
“Well, for one, it costs way too much.”
Samuel laughed. “Then marry a rich man.”
A shadow crossed her face, and Samuel caught a look that penetrated him deeply. He shook it off.
“I’m sorry,” he blurted.
“It’s okay, Samuel. Who knows? Maybe someday.” She poured some tea and glanced at Katie. “Would you like some?”
Katie shook her head. She stood, huffed around for a moment then took her shawl and headed out. She gestured toward one of the back rooms. “Shouldn’t be anyone back until midnight,” she muttered. “If you have a mind.” She glanced at Samuel.
Lilly did not acknowledge. She just smiled thinly and sipped her tea.
Samuel caught the meaning of Katie’s gesture and felt mortified. He told himself that it was all right. His intentions were only to keep his promise to Lilly.
Samuel felt conflicted. He had to tell her his thoughts. “I like you, Lilly. I like you a lot. From the first day I saw you, I liked you. I wanted to get rich and move away with you.”
Lilly sat quietly; a strange look crossed her face. “Oh, Samuel—”
“But I didn’t find much gold and then last winter on the river … I met a girl. Bonnie is her name. I like her a lot too. She’s my age.”
Lilly swallowed; a pained look flooded her face. “That’s wonderful, Samuel.” But her tone seemed hollow.
They sat in silence. Samuel had not touched his tea.
“Really, Lilly. I wanted to marry you. Before I met Bonnie. I-I’m sorry.” A choke caught in his throat.
Lilly studied him, eyes sad. She laughed gently. “I ain’t the marryin’ kind, Samuel. Not now, anyways. Once, I wanted to be, but it didn’t work out.”
The silence became awkward. Samuel slowly stood. “Well, I guess I best be on my way.” He stepped toward the door. “I hope you’re feelin’ better.”
“Please, Samuel, don’t go just yet.” Her eyes pleaded. “J-just keep me some company. I like your company.”
Samuel thought she was about to cry. He was confused that she should be so upset.
“No man ever told me he wanted to marry me.” She was shaking.
“Don’t, Lilly. Things will be okay.”
She took a drink from a small flask that Samuel guessed to be laudanum.
“No, Samuel, they won’t be. You aren’t like the other men.”
Samuel sat again, confused.
“Don’t you understand, Samuel?” She touched his shoulder, caressed his neck. “To them, I’m just entertainment.”
Samuel pulled back. The thought seemed so cold.
“They don’t care a hoot about me or Miss Hattie or the others,” she explained, returning her hand to his shoulder. “They don’t have to. We just dance with them, sing for them, pour them whiskey, and you know what else on occasion. And that’s all there is to it. Nothing nice about it. They don’t care if I have any feelings or not.” She pulled her hands to her lap.
Samuel saw tears in her eyes. “Then … why do you do it?”
“Somebody’s gotta do it. It’s a job. I gotta eat.”
“There are other jobs.”
“Not in my case,” She replied. She was quiet for a moment. “Even if’n they don’t say, I know the men appreciate me. Some are nice to me. Give me nice things.” She paused. “Besides, I’m doing something good for them.”
“Something good?”
“We all lead hard lives, Samuel. You know that,” she said. “That’s why I’ll never go travelin’.”
Samuel felt distraught. She sounded so hopeless. He had a sudden urge to hold her and found himself touching her shoulder, trying to console her.
She put his hand on his; traced his fingers where he touched.
“It’s okay you met another woman, Samuel. I’m glad for you. Really I am.”
Confused emotions began to overwhelm Samuel. He suddenly wanted Lilly. He wanted to melt into her. To hold and kiss her. He wondered how her touch did to him what it was doing. He could no longer stop himself, and he leaned over and kissed her. When he did, Lilly’s hand fell and brushed across him. He saw her glance. She had to know.
“If’n you want, Samuel, we could … you know … Katie said no one would be back.”
Samuel was burning with thoughts of what he had dreamed. He knew about his own powerful feelings and wanted this. He found himself shaking.
“I’m sorry, I just can’t.” It was as if someone else was saying the words for him. “I’m owing to Bonnie.” But he was lying. He was leaving Bonnie. He forced himself to stand.
Lilly became quiet. Samuel felt coolness where her fingers had touched. “It’s okay, Samuel. It’s better this way.”
Samuel stumbled from the cabin, finding himself feeling sick—not because of Lilly, but because of himself. God, why can’t it be the way it was?
Chapter 34
CHARLES AND SAMUEL returned to Alexander’s Mercantile for their supplies for the O’Riley.
“Last season you told Samuel what we’d need for hardrock, Scott. Guess it’s time.”
Scott began rounding up items, a couple of bundles of drill steel and a long-handled eight-pound iron hammer. “Do you want your powder and fuse?”
Charles shook his head. “Save it for when we have some holes drilled. We got some ore to haul for a couple of days and can probably break out some more rock before we need the dynamite.”
By afternoon, they had reached the O’Riley. About a quarter of a mile away near a seep where Samuel had camped before, they unloaded their gear and pitched their tent.
They were soon in the main excavation, wedging loose some remaining pieces of ore and stacking it with that from last season.
“Looks like we’ll need to wait for Bradshaw’s mill to begin operations after all, son. When I checked the Hic Jacet, it was still working ore they had stockpiled from last winter.”
“How soon do you think?”
“No one can say. I just keep hearing it’s on the trail.”
“Must be using one mule, if it’s taking this long.”
His father grinned. “No, but I’m guessing the mules have to trade off a lot. The stamps are five hundred pounds each. A mule can’t go long carrying that kind of weight.”
“How in blazes do the packers load them?”
“As I understand, they use a tripod and raise it up, then position the mule underneath. They do the same to give the mule a rest—just let the tripod legs down and raise the load enough for the animal to walk out from under.”
“More likely, crawl out from under.” Samuel grinned. He threw another chunk of quartz onto the pile. “How much ore do we need?”
“Mr. Bradshaw wants a full run, if possible. That would be close to seven tons if everything works well. I’d say with the time we have, that will be about all we can mus
ter.”
“We have a bit over three.”
“And if we don’t commit to drilling and blasting, that’s all we’ll have.”
They paused for dinner. Samuel glanced around. Finally, they were working the O’Riley. It had taken them a month and a half to raise enough money; still, most of their supplies were on credit. They were sinking everything they had into this mine and then some.
The following morning, they located the area along the vein, which Samuel believed was the richest. They marked a square eight feet by eight feet for the start of a shaft and situated the vein across one side to where it dipped toward the center.
Charles gestured at the marks. “You know, we’re going to be drilling and blasting a lot of worthless rock.”
“If you want, we can just try to work along the vein.”
“That might be the smartest thing. I know when the O’Riley gets picked up, the owners will go down the hill about a hundred feet and cut a drift to intersect the vein anyway. Instead of digging down like we’ll be doing, they’ll drive along the vein either direction and stope upward, blasting the ore out of the ceiling, making it easier to load into a cart.”
“Who says that?”
Charles laughed. “I spent a lot of time talking with Mr. Thomas last season at the Ruby. He spent time as a hardrock stiff, and I figured we were eventually going to come to this ourselves.”
Samuel peered down the hill. Even as steep as it was, someone would have to drive a tunnel nearly two hundred feet. The cost would be enormous. He and his father had to prove the ore was rich enough to warrant that amount of work and expense, or no one would ever consider buying the O’Riley.
Charles continued, “Of course, they might drive in a drift and not hit the vein, or find that the vein is barren.”
“Or they might hit two veins and find even more gold,” Samuel replied. “I’m guessing that’s what they’re gonna find.”
Charles smiled. “I’ve heard of it happening before.”
“I just wish I could be here and see it whenever someone does.”
They began laying out a pattern of drill holes. Charles marked three equally spaced marks near the center.
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