Rivers of Gold

by Tracie Peterson

  “I got me an outfit I bought off a man who was headed home. I need the money, mister. I can sell it to you for five hundred dollars.”

  Peter shook his head. “Sorry, I already have the goods I need.”

  The man spit and wiped brown tobacco juice from his beard with the back of his sleeve. “Ain’t going to find a better deal. I’ll make you a bargain. Let’s say … four hundred-thirty.”

  “No,” Peter said more firmly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  He’d barely taken five steps down the street when yet another man, equally repulsive and odorous, offered to sell Peter a tent.

  “I have no need for it, sir,” Peter told the man.

  The bum smiled, revealing multiple holes where teeth had once been. He scratched his belly, then shrugged. “I got snowshoes and sleds, as well.”

  “I’m sorry, but I have everything I need.” Peter moved on, amazed at the number of people who walked the streets trying to sell him something. By the time he got to Jonas Campbell’s house north of the city, he’d been offered everything from fruit to satin slippers.

  Knocking on the door, Peter waited for Jonas to appear. It was late enough in the day that Peter was sure he’d find his friend at home, rather than down at the train shops where he worked repairing engines.

  “So you found me,” Jonas said with a smile as he pulled the door open wide and laughed at the sight of Peter. “I guess my directions were good enough, eh?”

  “They were perfect,” Peter replied. “I came straightaway without trouble. Unless, of course, you count trouble as being harassed by every other man on the street to buy their goods.”

  “Those cons are everywhere,” Jonas said, ushering Peter into his small house. “They offer to sell you almost anything you can think to ask for. The law tries to keep them under control, but it’s more than what this town can handle.”

  “Didn’t seem so bad last year,” Peter said, pulling his cap from his head.

  Jonas motioned for Peter to take a seat at the roughhewn table. “I got some coffee for us.” He poured the steaming liquid and brought the mugs to the table. “Things weren’t this bad last year,” Jonas admitted as he handed Peter a cup. “But then the height of the gold rush glory was just coming to a peak. Now things are dying down.”

  “Is the gold played out?”

  Jonas shook his head. “No, I don’t believe it is, but the people are. The winter wore most of them to the bone. Those that didn’t collapse and die vowed never to endure another arctic winter.”

  Peter took a long drink from his mug. “I can well understand that. Here it is the twenty-fourth of April and it’s still incredibly cold outside. Looks like it might even threaten snow.”

  “Most likely,” Jonas replied. “So tell me about this trip of yours. You goin’ to take the train north?”

  “As far north as it will go.”

  “Well, it’s over the pass, that much I can offer you. They’re working on the tracks again, but not making much progress. The snows have kept them pretty buried. They’ve even broken into two teams—one working from the north and heading south, and the other is heading north from the front of the line. They hope to meet in the middle and have the thing at least as far as Lake Bennett.”

  “I had heard that destination mentioned. Jonas,” Peter said, leaning forward, “what should I do after getting as far as Bennett? Can I hire a boat to take me to Dawson?”

  “Oh, yeah, these days—or I should say when the water isn’t three feet thick with ice—they run steamers through most areas. It ain’t half the trouble it was last year. Why, you had people crashing on the rocks, losing their boats and lives… .” Jonas’s voice trailed off. “Sorry, Peter. I just remembered about your wife. I do apologize.”

  “No offense taken. I’m glad they worked to make the route safer. I would pray that no other man be saddled with the pain of losing someone they love.”

  “Well, I’m sure your sister is glad to have you comin’. I wouldn’t want no sister of mine alone and unprotected in Dawson City. That place is just plain wild from what I’ve heard.”

  “I’ve heard the same,” Peter said, knowing only too well the horror stories. “That makes it all the more imperative for me to get there as soon as possible.”

  That night, Peter lay awake for a long time. He thought of the first time he’d come to Alaska. Grace had been aboard his ship, Merry Maid. She had been so gentle and softspoken—and so terrified. He had known there was trouble in her life, but something about her had drawn him so completely to her. She needed him for protection.

  He thought of her first night aboard the ship. He’d unthinkingly assigned her a small, windowless cabin, which she shared with Karen Pierce and Karen’s aunt. They didn’t seem to have a problem with the lack of windows or fresh air, but Grace had grown ill. She left the cabin against his orders, and when he found her, he nearly scared her half out of her wits.

  I spent the rest of our marriage causing her to fear my condemnation, he thought. I left her with nothing but fear and hurt feelings. The thought devastated him, and in spite of knowing God forgave him for his past failings, Peter would have given anything on earth to know that Grace had forgiven him as well.

  “Oh, he’s grown three times over,” Karen declared as she lifted Andy Colton into her arms. “He looks just like you, Grace.”

  “He does favor me a bit,” Grace replied. “I wish Mother could see him. I know she’d fall positively in love with him.”

  “Have you had any word from your mother?”

  Grace shook her head. “I wrote shortly after the accident. I don’t suppose the mail is very reliable up here.”

  “To be sure,” Karen replied. She cuddled Andy on her lap and shared the quiet morning moments with Grace. Everyone else was about their chores, and Adrik had encouraged Grace and Karen to spend the morning together. Karen was grateful for the rest. She hadn’t slept well with Adrik away, and waiting for his return had felt like forever.

  “So what do you think of our claim?” Karen asked. “Did Adrik tell you that Gump signed half of it over to Adrik?”

  “I was there when Gump did the deed. I’m so glad for all of you. Now I won’t feel so bad when I go back to California.”

  “You’re going back?” Karen said in disbelief. “I thought you planned to stay up here with us.”

  “I’ve given it a lot of thought,” Grace told her, “and I’ve decided to return to California to introduce Andy to Mother and Father Colton and then head to Wyoming, where my mother is living.”

  “What about Peter?”

  Grace shrugged. “I don’t know. I wrote him a letter and had thought to mail it before leaving Dawson, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I kept thinking, ‘Why bother?’ I mean, it’s obvious that Peter could have come north to bring me home, if he cared enough to do so. But apparently he doesn’t.”

  “You don’t know that for sure. He might not even realize where you are.”

  “I left him a letter at the hotel and paid the owner good money to see to it that Peter got it. I told him everything in that letter. How his anger hurt me. How I couldn’t bear his ugly words—the words he swore he didn’t mean. I also told him how much I loved him.” Her expression changed from passive to sorrowed. “If he received that letter …”

  “If he received it,” Karen interrupted. “You can’t be sure he ever got it. He may not even know where you are. You know it’s possible he never returned to the hotel to learn of your whereabouts. He may well have figured you to have returned with his parents to California. He may have gone there himself, not even knowing you were in the Yukon.”

  “Well, if that’s the case, it’s even more imperative that I get to California. Besides, this cold climate is no good for Andy. He’s not all that strong.”

  Karen frowned. “Perhaps it wasn’t wise to bring you here.”

  “Nonsense. It would have been just as cold in Dawson,” Grace argued.

  “Yes,
but in Dawson you had doctors at your fingertips. Here, there’s no one to help.”

  “I would have had doctors at my fingertips for two hundred dollars a visit. Did you have any idea they were charging that much money?”

  “No, I guess I didn’t.”

  “Dr. Brummel even made that kind of money for his dental work and usually all he did was pull teeth. Look, you’re here and I feel confident of your abilities. After all, you were my teacher. You gave me wise counsel and taught me a great deal. If anyone can keep us in health and good spirits, I say it will be you.”

  Karen felt uncomfortable with her friend and one-time student’s adoration. She worried that perhaps by encouraging Grace to join them, out of her own selfish desire, she had somehow risked the lives of both her friend and Andy. Looking down at the happy baby, Karen knew she could never forgive herself if anything happened to him on her account.

  Karen handed Andy back to Grace, then went to take her apron from the hook. “So what do you think of the place? It’s crowded and dark, but it keeps out the chill.”

  “Anything would have to be better than the tent,” Grace said, smiling. “I just hate feeling all closed in.”

  Karen laughed. “Well, after a few weeks here, you may change your mind. Adrik and Gump made the berth bunks. I feel like I’m living in a wooden box, but when you tack a cover up there to totally enclose the bed, it does retain the heat pretty well.”

  “I was warm enough last night,” Grace admitted. “I hope Jacob and Gump didn’t mind sharing a bed.”

  “No, I know they didn’t. There were times through the coldest nights when they slept together and Leah slept wedged against the wall with Adrik and me. There wasn’t any room to move even an inch, but we kept from freezing.”

  “Well, Leah and I could sleep together with Andy between us. He’ll stay warmer that way, and then Gump and Jacob can each have their own bed.”

  “That was the plan, but we didn’t know you’d be coming in last night and Leah fell asleep in the smallest bunk. It wouldn’t have done any good to get her up and rearrange everyone then.”

  “Oh, I agree,” Grace replied. “Although I am happy to learn my permanent place will be the lower bunk instead of the upper. I thought I’d break my neck climbing down this morning.”

  Karen turned to the stove and checked the cast-iron skillet. She tossed a few droplets of water into the pan to see if it was finally hot enough. The popping and sizzling was all the encouragement she needed.

  “I’ll fry up some bacon and then put the oatmeal on,” she told Grace. “You sit there and relax, and we’ll have breakfast on in a moment.”

  Leah appeared just then. She was bundled from head to toe and was still shivering from the icy morning air. Carrying a bundle to Karen, she held it up like an offering. “Adrik … said to give this … to … to … you.” Her teeth chattered as she spoke.

  Karen took the bundle and motioned Leah to the stove. “Come warm up, and next time don’t stay outside for so long. A half hour in this cold could kill you.” She directed Leah to stand near the firebox on the stove. “Gump hasn’t stoked up the fireplace yet, so the stove will have to do.”

  “I could stoke up the fire,” Grace offered.

  “No, I want you and Andy to rest and warm up from your long trip. Leah will get warm enough right here.” Karen unwrapped the bundle to find a half dozen good-sized potatoes. They were a little old, but never had anything looked so good. “Where in the world did he find these at this time of year?”

  Leah shrugged. “He didn’t say. Just told me to give them to you. Guess he thought they’d be good for breakfast.”

  “Indeed they will,” Karen agreed. “I’ll fry them up in the bacon grease.”

  “Hmmm, I can just taste them now,” Leah said, looking rather wistful.

  Karen thought it a shame that they all treated food with such enthusiastic, even wanton, behavior. She wasn’t at all sure what she might or might not do for a piece of fresh fruit or a nice green salad.

  Karen hurried to wash and cut up the potatoes, skins and all. She cooked the bacon and pulled it from the skillet. “I can’t believe we’re actually having potatoes for our breakfast. This will be wonderful.” She dumped the plateful of cut up spuds into the grease and jumped back as fiery droplets spit back at her from the pan.

  Just then Gump, Adrik, and Jacob entered. Each man carried an armful of firewood—just a portion of the supply they would need for the day.

  “Smells near good enough to eat,” Adrik teased.

  “Ja, it smells like a good house should,” Gump added.

  Karen turned and smiled. “I don’t know where you managed to lay your hand on potatoes, but I’m eternally grateful.”

  “I have my ways,” Adrik said, depositing his wood beside the fireplace.

  “Don’t I know it,” Karen said, smiling at her husband. “You probably sweet-talked some poor unsuspecting soul just when she was at her most vulnerable.”

  Adrik grinned roguishly. “My lips are sealed, Mrs. Ivankov. Just be grateful we didn’t eat them on the trail, for we were sorely tempted.”

  A loud commotion from the dog pens caused Adrik to raise his hand for silence. Karen heard the awful racket and trembled. The team was awfully worked up about something, and that usually spelled trouble. Taking up his rifle, Adrik moved to the door. Jacob was right behind him, and Gump followed after the boy. Each man took up his firearm and moved outside with caution.

  “What is it?” Grace asked.

  “I don’t know. What I do know is that I don’t intend to wait here,” Karen said. “Why don’t you put Andy in the play box Adrik fixed for him and we’ll investigate.”

  Karen heard Adrik yell something. “Hurry, Grace. Let’s go see. Never mind leaving Andy—just grab that blanket and bring him. Here, we’ll wrap it around both of you,” she said, helping to maneuver the blanket around Grace’s shoulders.

  Leah followed close on their heels, still wrapped in her coat. She’s the only sensible one of the group, Karen thought, as they rounded the edge of the cabin and looked to see what the men had uncovered.

  The dogs were still barking up a storm. They’d congregated at the north end of the pen and were jumping at the fence and pouncing upon each other as they howled and carried on.

  “What is it?” Karen asked.

  Adrik shook his head. “Someone was messing around the shed. They’ve stolen the sled I bought in Dawson.”

  “Why would they take the sled and not the dogs?” Leah asked. “The dogs are worth three hundred a piece.”

  “Ja, she’s right,” Gump said, making certain the pen gate was secure.

  “Why would anyone want that old sled?” Adrik questioned.

  Karen was just as perplexed. “Who’d you get it from in Dawson?”

  “I bought it off an Englishman—a botanist, to be exact. He was there putting together a book on plants of the Yukon. He didn’t need the sled anymore and offered to trade it when he heard me talking in the store about needing one.”

  “Maybe he stole it from someone else,” Leah suggested.

  Jacob shook his head. “Nah, he didn’t seem the type. He was one of those bookish fellows—the kind that studies all the time. I can’t see him stealing a sled from anyone.”

  “Me neither,” Adrik replied.

  “Maybe the thief was a friend of the botanist,” Karen suggested. “Maybe there was something of value that had been left on it.”

  “Can’t imagine what it’d be. It was just an old sled.”

  Karen bit at her lip and rubbed her arms. She’d been foolish to come outside without a coat. “Did the man sell you anything besides the sled?”

  “No. The only thing he sold me was this sled—oh, and the sled box. But we’re using that for Andy. It’s the box I fixed up for him to play in and sleep in during the day.”

  “Maybe there’s something about the box,” Karen suggested. “We should go check it out.”

 
“Nah, it’s just a wooden box, nothing special.”

  Grace had already started back to the cabin when Karen turned to follow. She heard Grace scream and feared the thieves had struck again. Adrik came running, whipping past Karen in a flash.

  Karen then saw what had caused her friend’s dismay. Smoke was pouring out the cabin door. “The potatoes!” she screamed and charged past her husband to enter the cabin.

  She could barely see what she was doing, but somehow Karen managed to pull the skillet from the stove. She put the pan in a washtub and hurried outside, nearly knocking Adrik down at the door.

  “Silly woman,” he said, taking the smoldering tub from her. “You could have died from the smoke.”

  Karen coughed and sputtered for air. She looked at the charred potatoes and felt tears come to her smoke-filled eyes. “But our potatoes were burning.”

  “I’d say they’re already gone,” Adrik replied, this time in a less serious tone.

  “No!” Karen declared. “I won’t believe it. I was so looking forward to those potatoes. I won’t let them go to waste.”

  Adrik laughed. “You go right ahead and eat ’em if you want, but as for me, I plan to find something a little less welldone.”

  Gump chuckled, as did Jacob and Grace. Leah was the only one who offered Karen any real sympathy. She came and put her arm around Karen’s shoulder and patted her gently.

  “Come on, boys,” Adrik called, “let’s get the cabin opened up and clear out the smoke. If we stand out here much longer, we’ll all be frozen in our tracks.”

  “Not if we warm ourselves by the potatoes,” Grace suggested.

  They all broke into peals of laughter, and even Karen had to smile. Gone were her dreams of potatoes fried to a golden brown, a hint of bacon flavoring each morsel. Easy come, easy go. It was the story of gold, be it rock ore or potatoes.

  —[CHAPTER NINETEEN]—

  APRIL 26, 1899, dawned in Dawson City at forty-below. To say it was cold was to come nowhere near describing the painful bite of the northern wind. Very few people moved on the streets below, and those who did brave the cold were bundled like furry snowmen.