Romancing the Klondike

by Donadlson-Yarmey, Joan;

  They had moved their supply of wood over beside the cabin and, before he left, Donald had topped the pile up for them. If they needed more before Donald returned, they could buy it from Paul. Emma loaded some pieces of wood into her arms, carried them inside, and dropped them on the small stack they had in the corner.

  With that done, they loaded the fresh loaves of bread and pies into their washtub and covered them with a towel. They had experimented with the dried fruit until they had gotten the recipe right for the pie filling. They had men vying for the pies each week.

  Pearl added her writing pad and pencil, then blew out the candles. They each took a handle of the tub and went outside. It was the middle of the day and the sun, though low on the horizon, was bright in the blue sky. The air was crisp and cold. They made their rounds delivering the loaves and pies to their customers. The men always had their money ready, so it was a quick exchange.

  One of the men who liked their bread was Joseph. He had now turned the operation of the sawmill to a manager and he spent most of his time in the warehouse. Besides dealing in merchandise, he was using the store as his headquarters for selling town lots and lumber.

  Pearl made sure she and Emma delivered his loaf last so they could stop and chat. As usual, they left the tub outside and then entered with Emma carrying the bread and Pearl her pad and pencil.

  “Ah,” Joseph smiled. “My bread baked and delivered by such lovely ladies.”

  Pearl smiled back. He was always saying something like that when they came and she tried to have a comeback.

  “You can talk nice all you want, but you still have to pay for it.”

  “I thought you might see through my ruse.” Joseph set seventy-five cents on the counter.

  “Actually, we need more flour, fruit, and baking soda,” Pearl said. She produced the money they had made that day and put it beside Joseph’s money.

  Joseph went into the storage room and came back with a sack of flour, a bag of dried fruit, and a box of baking soda.

  “I’ll take these to the cabin and check on the fire,” Emma said.

  “Okay.” Pearl was grateful that Emma usually found a reason to leave them alone.

  Pearl watched as Joseph hurried to the door and opened it for Emma. She was getting worried about him. While he still had his smile and his easygoing manner, it seemed that each time she saw him he was looking more and more tired. She wondered if he was ill or if he was just too busy to sleep.

  “I see you’ve sold some more lots,” Pearl said.

  “Yes.” Joseph nodded. “There will be a full town here soon.”

  Pearl smiled. He may be tired, she thought, but he hadn’t lost his enthusiasm for the vision he had for the area.

  “Has anyone else found gold on Bonanza Creek?” Pearl plopped her writing pad on the counter. She used her articles as a reason to spend time with him.

  “Clarence Berry has reached bedrock on the claim he shares with Anton Stander on Eldorado,” Joseph said. “Apparently, a single pan of pay dirt yields more than fifty-five dollars in gold.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Pearl thought of Ethel Berry, the woman who had befriended her over three months ago. “But what is pay dirt?”

  “It’s the dirt that is brought out of the ground and which everyone hopes is full of gold.”

  “So they’re finding lots of pay dirt?”

  “Yes, they are hiring men to haul the dirt up by windlass and pile it on what is called a dump. When it thaws in the spring they will shovel the muck and gravel into a sluice box so that the gold can be separated from the rest.”

  “It sounds like dirty work.”

  “It is.”

  “I’d like to go there some day to sketch and write about what is happening on the creeks.”

  “I know a man with a team of dogs and a sled. I can borrow them and take you.”

  “You could?” Pearl knew that the eagerness in her voice was as much from the thought of spending time with Joseph as it was from going to where history might be in the making. “I’d like that, but when would you have the time?”

  “I can make time. What about this Saturday?”

  Pearl told herself to keep calm, to keep her voice composed. “That would be fine with me,” she said.

  A customer came in and with a smile at Pearl, Joseph turned to him.

  Pearl headed to the cabin, giddy with happiness. A day with Joseph. She was going to spend a whole day with Joseph. And, best of all, it was his suggestion. He had asked her. Sure, she had hinted, but she hadn’t expected him to catch onto her hint and actually offer to take her.

  “Guess what happened?” she bubbled, as soon as she had opened the door.

  Emma looked at her and smiled. “It must be good news.”

  “Joseph is taking me to the gold creeks on Saturday.”

  Emma’s eyes widened. “He finally asked you on a date?”

  “Well, I don’t know if you would call it a date. I said I’d like to go to Bonanza Creek sometime and he said he would take me on Saturday.”

  “How are you going?”

  “By dog sled. He’s borrowing a team from a friend.”

  “A date and a dog sled ride at the same time,” Emma grinned. “When he finally makes a move, it’s a good one.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Early Saturday morning Pearl filled the stove with wood and made sure there was kindling so they could restart the fire when they returned. On Friday, Joseph had sent word to their cabin that Paul would take Emma in his sled, if she was willing to go along.

  “Oh, yes,” Emma had said. “I would love to.”

  Now they were dressed in their winter wear and were ready when Joseph and Paul pulled up with the dog teams and sleds. It was morning twilight and snow was falling softly. The dogs seemed eager to get going. They were struggling at the tugs as the ladies settled into the sleds. The men covered them with animal robes then jumped on the runners behind.

  “Mush,” Joseph called and the dogs were off, following the tracks that had been made by many other dog teams and sleds.

  The forward movement created a breeze on Pearl’s cheeks and the snow left little droplets as it melted on her face. The jingle of the bells on the dogs’ collars, and the pat-pat of the dogs’ paws as they pulled the sled along blended with the zing of the runners on the snow. It was a peaceful time, made better because it was Joseph behind her on the runners.

  Pearl couldn’t believe how fast the animals ran as she watched the trees swish past. They slowed to round curves, picked up speed on the straight sections. Wood smoke occasionally hung in the air along the creek. It was daylight and the snow had stopped when they reached Sam and Donald’s cabin. The men helped the women climb out of the sleds. They waited while Joseph knocked on the door. No one answered.

  “Let’s check their other claim,” Joseph said.

  They walked over to Sam’s claim and found the men standing beside a wooden square, looking down a hole in the ground.

  “Emma!” Donald looked up and dashed to her.

  There was no mistaking Donald’s feeling, Pearl thought, as he drew Emma into his arms. She looked sideways at Joseph. She wished he felt the same way about her. In spite of all the signals she had given him that she was open to his courtship, he hadn’t caught on. And she wasn’t sure why. He was polite and funny and seemed to enjoy the talks they had. She hoped this trip was his way of conveying his intentions.

  Donald shook hands with Joseph and Paul.

  “What are you doing?” Emma asked Donald. She locked her hand in his arm as they walked over to where Sam waited.

  “Unfortunately, this is the way we look for gold here in the north,” Donald answered.

  Pearl was interested. She followed them to the hole and looked down at the pile of burning wood. “Is this what is causing all the smoke?” she asked.

  “This and the hundreds of other fires in the area.”

  “Do you know how many claims there are around here
?” Pearl asked

  “We’ve heard that there are about three-hundred-and fifty claims,” Donald said. “But there are probably over one thousand prospectors on Bonanza and Eldorado Creeks.”

  “There’s over one thousand people out here?” Emma swept her arms to encompass the area.

  “Yes.”

  “That’s a lot.” She looked back at the hole. “So tell me what you are doing.”

  “The ground below the surface dirt in the north is frozen, even in the summer,” Sam explained. “We’ve decided this is the place to start a shaft down through the permafrost hoping to find gold. So we thaw the surface with a fire, shovel it aside and build another fire in that spot. We repeat this until we reach bedrock and possibly gold, or until we give up.”

  “So you could do all that work and not find anything?”

  “That’s right.” Donald nodded.

  Pearl could now see why Joseph wanted to make his money by selling lumber and town lots. It was easier to do and was a guaranteed income.

  “And what do you call this?” Pearl patted the tall, wooden square.

  “It’s a windlass. We lower the pail down, load it with our thawed permafrost and haul it up.”

  “How do you decide where to sink your hole?” Pearl was enjoying the conversation with Sam and Donald.

  “Just luck,” Sam answered. “Right now we’re trying to find the old creek bed. And since our claim is on a slight slope, we want it downstream for when we do clean up with the sluice box. That way we can divert the water over the box so the water washes away the gravel and dirt and leaves the gold.”

  “It sounds like a lot of work,” Donald put in. “but the payoff will be worth it.”

  “If you find gold,” Emma said.

  “Yes, if we find gold.” Donald nodded.

  “Let’s go back to the cabin and warm up while we wait for the fire to burn down,” Sam suggested.

  It was crowded in the small room. Pearl and Emma took off their coats and propped themselves on the middle bunk bed while Joseph and Paul balanced on the blocks of firewood used as chairs. Donald stood by the door. Sam heated water on the stove and threw in some coffee grounds. When it had boiled, he poured it into mugs. There weren’t enough to go around so he and Donald used small pots for theirs.

  “What brings you out here?” Sam asked.

  “I wanted to see what a gold claim looks like and Joseph offered to bring me.” Pearl answered. She wondered at the dark look Sam gave Joseph. Was he mad that Joseph and Paul had brought them to the creeks? Was he telling Joseph not to do it again?

  “And Paul said I could ride in his sled,” Emma added.

  Pearl wanted to change subjects. “Where’s Gordon?”

  She saw Sam and Donald exchange glances.

  “He’s set up a tent on his claim,” Sam answered.

  Pearl wondered if something had happened among the men. But now wasn’t the time to ask.

  “So he didn’t sell it?” Joseph asked. “I’ve heard there are a lot of claims switching hands.”

  “In spite of some people finding gold, not everyone is convinced that they will and they sell their claim for whatever they can get,” Donald said. He turned to Paul. “When are you going to stake one?”

  Paul smiled. “I’m quite happy working for Joe on the saw mill.”

  “What about you, Joe.”

  “Maybe sometime later. Right now I’m building my town.”

  “Are you going to name it?” Sam asked.

  Pearl was glad to see that Sam had gotten over his annoyance at Joseph.

  “I’ve been thinking about it but I want to make sure I pick the perfect one.”

  “What about Laduetown?” Donald asked.

  “Or there is Joeville,” Paul suggested.

  “I like Yukon City,” Sam put in.

  “I do, too,” Pearl said.

  “Me also,” Emma agreed.

  “Those are all goods ones, but I want it to mean something.”

  “Well, how long are you going to take? We can’t continue calling it Joe’s town site.”

  “I’ll decide in the new year.”

  “Okay. We’ll expect a name in January,” Donald said.

  “Would you like to go to the Berrys on Eldorado now?” Joseph asked Pearl.

  “Yes.” Pearl stood. She turned to Emma. “Are you coming?”

  Emma glanced at Donald.

  “I’d like it if you’d stay with me a while longer,”

  “I’ll wait here until you come back.”

  “Anyone else?” Joseph asked.

  “I’m going to visit a friend further up Bonanza,” Paul said.

  Pearl saw Sam hesitate. He gave Joseph another look that she couldn’t interpret. Finally, he said, “I was just there yesterday. I’ll continue with our fire.”

  Pearl gave a relieved sigh. She left the cabin aware that she would be taking a romantic winter ride alone with Joseph. Well, with Joseph and eight dogs. And she’d be in the sled and he would be on the runners behind. Okay, maybe it wasn’t so romantic.

  As they glided on the frozen Eldorado Creek Joseph called and waved to men he saw in front of their cabins or walking on the creek. They waved back then stared at Pearl in the sled. A knowing smile crossed their faces. Yes, Pearl agreed. I’d like to have a dalliance with Joseph, if he was willing.

  They pulled up in front of the Berrys’ cabin and Joseph helped Pearl out. Did he hold her hand just a little longer than was necessary? And did his hand need to remain on her back as they walked to the cabin door? Maybe he did want to keep company with her. Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful, but she didn’t have long to dwell on the thought.

  The door flew opened.

  “Oh my.” Ethel Berry dashed out and gave Pearl a hug. “It is so good to see you.”

  “It’s good to see you, also.” Pearl hugged her back.

  “Hello, Joseph.”

  “Mrs. Berry.”

  “Clarence is at the shaft,” Ethel smiled.

  “Thank you.” Joseph turned and left.

  “Come in. Come in.” Ethel beckoned to Pearl.

  Pearl entered the warm cabin and was delighted to see Isabel Drury seated at the table. Isabel stood and rushed over to hug Pearl.

  “It’s so nice to meet again,” Pearl said. She looked around as she removed her coat. She guessed that the cabin was about twelve feet by sixteen feet, slightly larger than the one she and Emma shared. It, too, had a dirt floor and no windows. There were two homemade chairs at the rough table and two bedsteads built of unplaned lumber behind a curtain of calico. A small glass kerosene lamp supplied the light and a pair of copper gold-scales sat on a shelf. By the door stood a sheet iron stove.

  “Yes, I’m lucky that my visit with Ethel is resulting in seeing you.”

  “Sit down, Pearl,” Ethel said. “I’ll get you a cup of tea.”

  “How far apart are your claims?” Pearl remembered their first meeting and the two women hoping to be neighbours.”

  “Their claim is two over from ours,” Ethel answered. “Close enough that we get to see each other often.”

  “When I’m not helping Henry dig out his shaft,” Isabel laughed.

  “Are you finding much gold?” Pearl sipped her tea.

  “Clarence and Ethel have found enough to hire some men to work for them,” Isabel said. “Henry and I have found some but we have to dig deeper or start a new shaft somewhere else.”

  “My cousin, Sam, and his friend have a claim on Bonanza and they showed me how they have to light a fire to thaw the permafrost.”

  “Yes, it’s a very long, tedious process without any guarantee of success.”

  “Do you want to go out to the dump and snipe?” Ethel asked.

  “Snipe?”

  “Search the gravel we have brought out of the shaft for pieces of gold. You can keep what you find.”

  “I would love to,” Pearl said with delight.

  As Pearl put on her coat, she glanced
at a washtub of dirty water beside the stove.

  Ethel saw Pearl looking at it and explained, “It used to be my laundry tub but now it’s a panning-tank so we can test the pay dirt for gold.”

  The women put on their coats and walked to where Clarence, Henry, and Joseph were talking beside a windlass much like Sam and Donald’s. Gregory was leaning on the wooden square peering down the hole.

  Isabel immediately went up to Henry. He put his arm around her.

  Ethel led Pearl over to a pile of gravel and muck. “This is called the dump,” she said. “We will be digging this out of the ground all winter and then it will be washed through a sluice box in the spring.”

  Ethel bent and rummaged through the frozen dump. “Come and look for some gold.”

  Pearl spied a glint in the dirt and worked it out. It was a small nugget.

  “Nice find,” Ethel said. “It’s yours.”

  “Really?” Pearl asked, in awe. It was the first time she had held gold in her hand. And it was hers to keep. She slipped it carefully into the pocket of her coat, then walked over and said hello to Clarence Berry and Henry Drury.

  “You can’t be Gregory Drury?” Pearl stood back and scrutinized the young boy. “The Gregory Drury I met a few months ago was just a little boy. You are too big to be him.”

  “I am Gregory,” he said, standing taller. “And I am getting bigger. I’m almost eleven.”

  “That would explain why I didn’t recognize you.”

  The men stepped back so Pearl could look down through the wooden windlass into the deep hole. She could see a light flickering at the bottom.

  “Are there men working down there?” Pearl asked.

  “Yes,” Clarence said. “They load the dirt and gravel into the bucket and we bring it up and pile it on the dump. Would you like to go down and take a look?”

  Pearl stared at him. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  “You can stand in the bucket and I will let you down.”

  Pearl squinted down the shaft again. She felt a thrill run through her.