by Janine McCaw
“And what if they didn’t make it to the safety room?”
“Then they’ve probably got a few hours to a few days at best, if they’re lucky. But I wouldn’t go spreading that around.”
“I’d better get to work then,” Jason said.
“Thank you Jason, I appreciate it,” McMichael said.
He took a deep breath. He didn’t know Yan Li all that well, but he knew he was one of his best employees. Yan had never given him any trouble. Never late. Never missed a day’s work. And Harry...thinking of Harry brought a lump to his throat. Harry was such a diverse man, with all his idiosyncrasies. He had been a good friend to him over the years. Or at least as close to a friend as any of his employees were. He would miss him.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“I could use the assistance of your first mate getting this equipment on board,” Aaron Bower said from the wharf. There were two large crates at his feet.
The Captain motioned for his sailor to come over to help Aaron.
“Permission to come aboard Captain?” Grace asked.
Frenchie smiled.
William Bower helped his wife Grace step aboard the Northern Mary. The rest of his family were already inside the cabin. It was a wet day in Seattle, the winter rains having come early this year.
“Frenchie!” William said, extending his hand to the Captain. “It’s good to see you, my friend. You remember Grace and the rest of the clan?”
Frenchie shook William’s hand.
“How could I ever forgit such a delight to de eyes? Welcome aboard Mrs. Bower. You’re welcome to anything ye find onboard. Tea, coffee, hot cocoa. I tink dere’s some biscuits in de galley. If der’s anything else ye fancy, well then we’re kinda outta luck until we get to the ‘Couve.”
“We’re stopping in Vancouver?” Grace asked.
“Aye. I’ve got to pick up Father Fernier along de way.”
“He’s coming up a few days before the wedding?” Grace enquired. She knew Father Fernier was coming up from Vancouver to perform Jason’s wedding.
“’E might have one or two people ‘e needs to see first,” Frenchie winced.
“I see,” Grace said, smiling at the Captain. “I’m sure everything will be fine. Anne says he comes highly recommended. Lovely weather we’re having, isn’t it?” she said sarcastically.
“’Dat time o’ year again. Maybe we should turn de Northern Mary around and head for Hawaii. It’s been doin’ nuttin’ but rain fer days now.”
He noticed Grace’s smile fade.
“Oh but it’ll be fine fer yer wedding. I put in a special order.”
He winked at her and her smile returned. He could see where Olivia got her own beautiful smile. As he studied Grace’s face he could envision Olivia in twenty years or so. He realized he was staring and turned his gaze to the dock.
“Do you need a hand boys?”
“No, I think we’ve got it,” Aaron said. He and the first mate finished loading the cargo and disappeared below deck themselves.
“Go on down and git out of dis rain, lovely lady,” Frenchie said to Grace.
Grace went inside the cabin to join the rest of the family. They had all made the trip up for Jason’s wedding: Billy, Emily and her husband and Sister Anne. And Daniel. Olivia hadn’t seen her baby brother since Emily’s wedding. How he had grown! She was going to be surprised! William helped Frenchie untie the boat from the dock.
“You’ve got a fine looking family,” Frenchie said.
William nodded with pride.
“So my friend. Aside from the weather, what else is happening in your fair town?”
“Well,” Frenchie sighed, “since ye asked. Der’s been a mine cave in. Looks pretty bad. Dey’ve been down der for two days befer I left to come get you.”
“My Lord,” William said. “How many men are trapped?”
“Two,” Frenchie said.
“Frank?” William asked.
“No, Yan Li and ‘arry Yada. Ye might know ‘arry. ‘E’s de head assayer.”
William let out a sigh of relief.
“I’m sorry, that was rude. Of course I feel for the families involved, I just thank God it wasn’t mine. I don’t recall meeting the men before. Although the name Yada seems vaguely familiar.”
“Well ‘arry’s wife, she works for Olivia at de store.”
“Oh,” William acknowledged. “Akiko. Olivia has told me about her. I’m sorry to hear that. Grace was quite looking forward to meeting her. She’s quite an amazing woman, I understand. Do they know what happened?”
“If dey do, der not tellin’ me,” Frenchie said. “’arry’s and ‘is family are Catholic. I’ve got to pick up Father Fernier early in case dey ‘ave to give ‘im de last rights. Jimmy Yada, de son, ‘e works at de Beachcomber too, doin’ de deliveries and runnin’ errands.”
“I presume the town’s not in much of a mood for a wedding. This certainly puts a damper on things.”
“Well,” Frenchie pondered. “Whadda ya gonna do? Life goes on, n’est pas? But if der not rollin’ out de red carpet for yer family, it’s because der kinda busy right now. Jason shut the picture show down for a bit. He’s been working on de rescue crew like de rest of de men. Dey need everyone dey can get. Runnin’ twenty-four hours a day dey are.”
“I may as well go in and tell the others,” William said. “It sounds like they can use some fresh blood. Billy will be able to help once we get there. I’ll send Anne over to Akiko’s to give her some pastoral care. How’s Olivia holding up?”
“Well, I ‘aven’t ad to kidnap ‘er lately if dat’s what yer askin’.”
William gathered Frenchie knew nothing about the pregnancy.
Aaron poked his out from behind the cabin door. William told him briefly what was happening at Britannia.
“Well then,” he said. “It appears we have uncanny timing once again don’t we?”
William nodded.
“Frenchie. Do you have any hootch on this vessel?” Aaron asked.
“I’m in international waters I tink, so I tink the answer is yes. Although I was hopin’ dat was what you had in de crates.”
“No worries. My cargo is legal,” Aaron answered
“I’m not talkin’ about de U.S. and Canada border sir. I’m talkin’ about de Canada and McMichaelville border. A bit finicky ’e is lately.”
“Well, we’ll see what we can do to change that,” Aaron laughed. “I have a feeling we’ll be just what the doctor ordered for our friend McMichael.”
“You might as well go show him where the booze is,” William said, “before he ransacks the place. He’s read a few too many pirate stories, has my brother. While you’re at it, you’d better pour the mother of the groom a stiff one too. She’s not big on surprises, my Grace.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
McMichael found himself gazing towards the heavens. The rain had refused to co-operate with the rescue workers at the mine. It had been pouring down hard all night and didn’t show any indications of letting up.
“What’s happening now Frank?” he asked.
“We’ve got water pouring into the emergency shaft. With all this rain the earth and rock have become water soaked, and the debris is turning into a muddy mess. It’s not helping any. It’s got to be seeping into the safety room, if that’s where they are. They’ve been down there a few days now. It’s not looking good.”
“I know,” McMichael had to agree. “You and your men have been going non-stop, I know that. And I sense the men’s spirits are breaking. But just think of Harry and Yan, and think that it could have been any one of you trapped down there. You’re all to be commended for your efforts.”
“I’ll pass along your thanks to the men. We just wish Mother Nature would co-operate a bit more.”
“She has been a bit nasty here over the years,” McMichael commented, looking up at the slide area. That seemed like a long time ago now.
“I mean it though Frank. You’ve done a hell of a
job organizing the rescue.”
“We’re getting closer,” Frank acknowledged, “but it’s been a tough forty feet to bore through.”
“There are these new drills that use a combination of air and water,” McMichael began, “Aaron Bower has got a line on some. Ironically he’s bringing one with him for us to try out. I’ll probably never say this to you again Frank, but Frenchie can’t get your relatives here fast enough for me today.”
Frank smiled. “If there’s a dollar to be made anywhere, the Bowers will do it. But if that drill works, I might even kiss Aaron Bower myself.”
“It’s supposed to be quite something, but I won’t hold you to that. He tells me the process greatly reduces the silicon shards, which will have us all breathing easier, and I mean that literally. Silicosis might be a thing of the past. If it works as well as he says it does, I’ve got the go ahead to order more. We’ll be able to get rid of the old widow-makers. This will be one hell of a test.”
“It looks like they’re docking now,” Frank said.
The Northern Mary had indeed reached the shores of Britannia Beach.
“Well let’s get down there then,” McMichael said. He noticed Frank hesitate and knew Frank was not looking forward to seeing his father-in-law. Given the fact he had truly been working non-stop since the cave-in, McMichael decided to give him a break.
“Go find Hearn and tell him that new drill should be up to him in a few minutes. I understand he’s used them before so he’ll be able to show you the ropes. I’ll go meet the boat.”
“Thank you sir,” Frank said.
“Jimmy,” McMichael whistled, placing his hands between his teeth. “Come on son, I need your help.”
Jimmy had been bringing fresh drinking water to the rescue crew.
“What is it Mr. McMichael?”
“Put the water down. Frenchie’s boat is in now.”
“Do you want me to help carry their luggage up?”
Jimmy had heard that Olivia’s family was coming up for the wedding.
“No son. I think they can manage their own luggage. I want you to help carry the new drill that’s going to potentially get your father out of there. Think you can handle that?”
“Yes sir,” Jimmy said. His face remained solemn but his heart started to race.
McMichael could hear Mary Alice and Maggie talking as they passed by.
“God have Mercy on their souls,” Mary Alice said.
“Now Mary Alice,” Maggie began, “don’t give up hope.”
“Well that’s the horror. We don’t know whether they’re dead or alive.”
Jimmy’s face went ashen.
“Son,” McMichael said, “I know these past few days have been hell for you. If you need to let it out, go ahead. I won’t think any the less of you.”
“No,” Jimmy said. “I must be strong because my mother can’t.”
McMichael took a deep breath. The Yada’s were such a nice family. Every last one of them was full of character.
“I don’t want you to listen to gossip. I’m going to be honest with you. It’s true, we don’t know if your father is dead or alive. But I know your father. He is a stubborn man. If there is any way in this world to cheat death, he’s going to do it. Harry’s no quitter. I think we need to get down to the docks and help him with his cheating, all right?” He put his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder as they made their way down to the wharf.
Frenchie nodded to McMichael. He had young Daniel by his side. McMichael could see a lot of William in Daniel’s six-year-old face.
“Any news?” Frenchie asked.
“No,” McMichael said. “Nothing’s changed since you left. They’re still trapped.”
“Mon Dieu,” Frenchie sighed, shaking his head.
“What did you say Frenchie?” Daniel asked.
“I said you made as fine a first mate as der ever was, young Daniel.”
William and Aaron came on deck and nodded to McMichael.
“I understand you’ve got a bit of a problem John,” William said.
“That’s a bit of an understatement. Hello William, Aaron.”
“Well then,” Aaron offered, “we’ll save the pleasantries. We’d better get Bertha up and running.”
William looked at his brother.
“Bertha?”
“She’s not a big girl, this drill. But she packs a lot of whollop. Reminds me of a woman I knew once down in El Paso. Fiery sort, spent a lot of time...”
Frenchie covered Daniel’s ears with his hands.
“Well, you get the picture,” Aaron said.
The three men shook hands briefly.
“I’m sorry about the railroad John,” William said.
“Let’s not worry about that now,” McMichael said. “There’ll be time to talk before the wedding, I’m sure.”
“It’s still on then?” Grace asked as the rest of the family came on deck.
“Hello Grace. Yes. There was some talk of cancelling the wedding at one point, but we won’t have that, will we?”
“Well, under the circumstances...” William began.
“Under the circumstances nothing. You don’t know your future daughter-in-law very well do you? I’d never hear the end of this.” He waved them off the boat. “The crowd may be a bit smaller than Sarah planned. Some of the men will need to keep working, but the show as they say, must indeed go on.”
“Where’s Olivia?” Emily asked.
“You must be Emily. Olivia told me about you. I’m John McMichael. The store has been operating as a makeshift command centre for the rescue workers and she’s up to her ears in it. I know she’s thrilled you’re all here. Come with me and I’ll take you up there. I’m sure she can use your help.”
“Jimmy isn’t it?” William asked. “You’re certainly taller than the last time I saw you. When you’re finished with Aaron, take Sister Anne over to see your mother will you? Billy, help these men with the drill.”
“Yes sir,” Jimmy said. “But I must help with the drill first.”
“Frenchie can take Sister Anne to Akiko,” McMichael nodded to William. It was important to Jimmy, he knew, that he helped with the new machine. “Ah yes,” McMichael continued, “Billy. I understand you’re a carpenter. Welcome to Britannia. I’m sorry about the circumstances.”
“It can’t be helped,” Billy said.
He looked around at the scenery.
“These trees are a carpenter’s dream.”
“They are indeed. I’d like to do some remodelling in my house. Perhaps when this all settles down we can share some ideas.”
“That would be my pleasure,” Billy replied.
“Frenchie, where’s Father Fernier?” McMichael asked.
“I’m afraid ‘e couldn’t make it. We were met at de docks in Vancouver by one of the clergy who sent ’is regrets. ’Der lookin’ for somebody else.”
“The Cardinal has passed away,” Sister Anne said.
“Well,” McMichael said. “Let’s take this as a sign we won’t need any last rights. I’ll get on the blower and see what we can do. There’s another boat coming up tonight and if we’re lucky another priest will be on it.”
Sister Anne touched his sleeve and whispered in his ear.
“If it’s an emergency, I do know them, the last rights I mean. We wouldn’t want anyone denied a safe passage to heaven. I’m sure God will look the other way under the circumstances. Rumour has it I know a thing or two about Catholicism.”
“You may get a chance to say them yet. But if I’m not mistaken you don’t do marriages. If I don’t get a priest to marry Sarah on schedule, she’ll kill me and then you really will be put into action. I’m going to need all the help I can get before I make my own final journey.”
“The Lord does work in mysterious ways,” she laughed.
She followed Jimmy up the road.
“Your daughters,” McMichael laughed to William, “they don’t take no for an answer, do they?”
“N
ot very often,” William agreed. “Not very often.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Yan Li held two candles in his hand. That’s all that were left from the supply in the safety room and he knew he should keep them until help came. At least they had been able to make it that far, to the safety room. For eight days now he had been trapped in the mine in the tiny enclave with Harry Yada, and he could hear the drills getting closer and closer, the men’s voices becoming louder hour by hour. He now could distinguish some of the rescuer’s voices, giving him a sense of time and day as the workers went off shift, rested, and came back again. He thought he could hear Frank Fitzpatrick, so it was probably morning again.
There had been a steady trickle of water through the crevices in the rocks since they had been trapped, indicating to Yan that it had most likely been raining for some time. It was a welcome source of water if he needed it. He would be able to trap some water into the canteens he had found once they were empty. There had been enough water stored in the safety room for an entire crew, but still, Yan was rationing it, not knowing when or if they would ever be rescued.
While his clothing was cold and damp, and he was tired and a little hungry, there was little else physically wrong with him. Being of a very slender build, food was something he could take or leave, so he rationed the food he had found, eating when he felt it was absolutely necessary. Emotionally though, the time he was trapped seemed endless, and inside himself he harboured a fear of never getting out at all.
The man next to him groaned.
Yan looked over at the man, who was twenty years his senior. How suddenly frail he looked to him, as he lay there, his body stretched out on the rocks. Yan had moved him into a dry spot when then walls started to leak, so that he could rest.
“Sleep,” he said to Harry. He would wake him in a little while and make sure he had some food and water.
When the walls caved in around them, Harry had been hit in the head by falling rock, knocking him unconscious. Yan had applied pressure to the wound, as Harry had begrudgingly taught him, cleansing it and wrapping his head in gauze he had found in the first-aid kit. He was concerned that Harry may have suffered a concussion, so he kept waking him up every little while for what he believed was the first day they had spent down there. It had been so hard to keep any sense of time. While Yan didn’t get much sleep himself, taking care of Harry gave him a focus, shutting the predicament they were in from his mind.