“Bobby’s too sick to lead the mules,” Elias said. “He needs to lie on his bunk and rest, because if he keeps walking, he’ll probably keel over.”
Ned grunted. “What are you plannin’ to do? Are ya goin’ to leave the boat here until the boy feels well enough to walk?”
“No, I’ll lead the mules, and you can steer the boat.”
Ned’s bushy eyebrows shot straight up. “Are you kiddin’ me?”
“No, I’m certainly not. If we want to keep going, then it’s the only thing we can do.”
Ned spit his wad of chewing tobacco into the canal. “That’s great. Just great! I doubt that you can lead the mules any better than the kid.”
Elias set his lips in a firm line. He’d show Ned how well he could lead the mules.
Chapter 8
The next morning as Sarah was about to join her children for breakfast, she heard the familiar moaning of a conch shell.
“Oh no,” she said with a groan. “Another boat’s coming through.” She’d begun working at five thirty and had already opened the lock to six boats.
The conch shell blew again, and Sarah knew that even though Betsy hadn’t arrived yet, she really must go.
“Sammy, keep an eye on your sister and brother,” she instructed.
“Okay, Mama.”
“And don’t any of you leave the house,” she said as she hurried out the door.
Sarah’s fingers felt stiff and cold as she struggled to put the pin in the wicket.
Suddenly, before Sarah realized what had happened, she was jerked backward and fell on her back. A stab of pain shot through her ribs. She was sure they must be broken. She tried to sit up, but the pain was so intense, all she could do was lie there and moan.
Elias had been walking the towpath since yesterday morning, and he was beginning to have an appreciation for how hard young Bobby worked. The boy was feeling somewhat better today, but was still too weak to walk. So Elias had decided to lead the mules again, as he was determined to see that Bobby got the rest he needed.
As Elias approached the Walnutport lock, he was shocked when he saw Sarah Turner get knocked to the ground.
“We need to stop!” he hollered at Ned.
“What for?” Ned leaned over the boat and glared at Elias. “I thought we was supposed to be goin’ through the lock.”
“The lock tender’s been hurt!” Elias pointed to where Sarah lay on the ground. “I’m going over there to check on her.” He secured the mules’ lead rope to a nearby post and dashed over to where Sarah lay.
“What happened? Are you hurt?” he asked, squatting down beside her.
“I…I was pulling the pin from the wicket and ended up flat on my back.” She curled her fingers into the palms of her hands tightly, obviously trying not to cry. “I think I may have broken my ribs.”
“Let me help you into the house, and then I’ll go into town and get the doctor,” he said.
She shook her head. “I can’t go in the house. Someone has to let your boat through the lock.”
“I’ll have Ned secure my boat, and then he can tend to the lock if any other boats should come through.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t expect him to do that. I need to—” She flinched as she tried to stand.
“You’re in no shape to be working right now. I’m taking you into the house.” Gently, Elias slipped his arm around Sarah’s waist, and then he walked her slowly toward the house. They were almost there when Betsy Covington, the preacher’s wife whom he’d met at Cooper’s store the last time he’d stopped, showed up. When she looked at Sarah, her face registered immediate concern.
“Sarah, what happened?”
Sarah explained what had happened to her, and then Elias told Betsy that Ned was going to take care of the lock while he went to fetch the doctor.
“That’s so nice of you,” Betsy said. “Let’s get Sarah inside so she can lie down.”
They stepped into the house, and Elias helped Sarah into the parlor and over to the sofa. “I’m going out to tell Ned what he needs to do, and then I’ll head to the doctor’s office.” He paused and looked at Betsy. “I’m not that familiar with Walnutport yet. Where is the doctor’s office anyway?”
“It’s on Main Street, next to the barber shop.”
“Thanks.” Elias turned and hurried out the door.
When he stepped outside, he found Ned standing by the post where he’d tied the mules.
“Sarah may have broken some ribs, so you’re going to have to act as lock tender while I get the doctor,” Elias said.
Ned’s bushy eyebrows furrowed. “You’ve gotta be kidding!”
“You told me once that you’d worked as a lock tender for a while.”
Ned shrugged. “So?”
“So I’m sure you know exactly what to do.”
Ned motioned to the boat, which he’d tied up. “What about our load? How are we gonna get that delivered to Easton if we waste time hangin’ around here?”
Elias’s spine stiffened. “Helping someone in need is not a waste of time. And for your information, I’m wasting time right now, standing here arguing with you when I should be on my way to the doctor’s office.”
Ned grunted. “You’re a do-gooder, just like your grand-pappy was.”
Elias smiled. He saw being compared to his grandfather as a compliment. “Are you going to tend the lock or not?” he asked Ned.
Ned released a noisy grunt. “I’ll do whatever you say, but only because you’re the boss.”
Chapter 9
When Elias returned with Dr. McGrath, Pastor William was at the house. “How’s Sarah doing?” he asked Betsy, who sat at the kitchen table with the children.
“I fixed her some tea, and she’s resting on the sofa, but every time another conch shell blows, she gets upset and says it’s not right for someone else to be doing her job.” Betsy rose from her seat and came to stand beside him. “I’m really concerned about her. She pushes herself too hard and is doing the work of a man when I’m sure she’d rather be taking care of her children.”
“Sarah needs to provide for them,” Pastor William said. “And she’s been doing a good job of it, wouldn’t you say?”
Betsy nodded. “But now that she’s been hurt, she may not be able to work at all.”
“Ned’s helping out,” Elias interjected.
“That’s true, but he can’t tend the lock indefinitely,” Betsy said.
Pastor William slipped his arm around Betsy’s waist. “Let’s wait and see what the doctor says. In the meantime, the best thing we can do for Sarah is to pray.”
“Well, your ribs don’t appear to be broken,” Dr. McGrath said as he examined Sarah. “However, they are severely bruised. I’ll give you some liniment to put on them, but you’ll need to rest for the next few days to give your ribs a chance to heal so you don’t injure them any further.”
Sarah shook her head. “I can’t lie around here and rest. I need to tend the lock.”
“I’ll be right back.”
When Dr. McGrath left the parlor, Sarah leaned her head against the arm of the sofa and listened to the wood crackling in the fireplace. If not for the pain in her ribs it would have felt nice to lie here and relax.
A few minutes later, the doctor returned with Betsy, Pastor William, and Elias.
“The doctor told us that he wants you to rest, and I think I have an answer to your problem,” Elias said as he approached the sofa.
Sarah tipped her head. “What’s that?”
“My mule driver’s sick right now, but if I can find someone to fill in for him, then I’ll leave Ned here to tend the lock and I’ll head to Easton with my load of coal. By the time I get back, you may feel up to tending the lock again.”
“I’ll lead the mules for you,” Sammy said, rushing into the room.
Sarah shook her head vigorously. “Absolutely not! I won’t have any child of mine walking the towpath for hours on end.”
“We’ll go slow
and easy,” Elias said. “And I’ll make sure to keep a close eye on the boy.”
Sammy took a seat on the sofa beside Sarah and clutched her hand. “Please, Mama. I know I can do it. It’ll make me happy to do somethin’ helpful while you’re here gettin’ better.”
Sarah looked up at Pastor William, whose deep blue eyes wore a look of concern. “Will you please tell my son what a bad idea that is?”
“I can do it, Mama,” Sammy said before the pastor could respond. “I’m good with animals, and I’ve walked the mules a bit when some of the boats have stopped at Uncle Mike’s store.”
Sarah frowned. “What were you doing walking the mules?”
“Wanted to see what it was like, so one of the mule drivers let me try it awhile.” Sammy puffed out his chest. “Leadin’ the mules wasn’t hard a’tall. Fact is, I kinda liked it.”
Sarah shook her head again. “I said no, and that’s final.”
“But, Mama…”
Holding her sides, Sarah gritted her teeth and pulled herself off the sofa. “I’m not seriously hurt, and there’s no need for Ned to stay and tend the lock.”
Betsy rushed forward and took Sarah’s arm. “You heard what the doctor said. You’re not up to working yet.”
Pastor William nodded. “My wife is right. You need to spend a few days resting so your ribs can heal.” He turned to Elias. “If your offer’s still open to leave Ned here to tend the lock, then I’ll head back to town and see if I can find a mule driver for you.”
Elias nodded. “My offer’s still open. I’ll go explain the situation to Ned, and then I’ll move my boat over to Cooper’s store, because I need to get some supplies.”
“Want me to lead the mules so ya can get the boat over to the store?” Sammy asked.
Sarah held up her hand. “No! You need to go to school.”
“But I’m already late, Mama. Can’t I stay home today and help out around here?”
“Betsy came here to help. Now I want you to head for school right now.”
Sammy frowned. “Don’t see why ya hafta treat me like a baby all the time. Don’t see why ya don’t want my help.”
“It’s not that I don’t want your help. I just don’t think you should miss any school.” She motioned to the kitchen. “Now go get the lunch I made for you earlier and be on your way.”
With shoulders hunched and head down, Sammy shuffled out the door.
Pastor William gave Betsy’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’m off to see if I can round up a mule driver for Elias, and then there are a few members from our congregation I need to call on. I’ll see you at home this evening.”
Betsy smiled. “Have a good day.”
Elias looked over at Sarah. “When I go to the store for supplies, I’ll ask Mike Cooper if it’ll be okay for Ned to bed down in his stable when he’s done working for the day. But he’ll be back over here early tomorrow morning, ready to tend the lock.”
Sarah managed a weak smile. “Thank you, I appreciate that.”
After Elias and William left, Betsy turned to Sarah and said, “I’m going out to the kitchen to check on the children, and then I’ll make us a pot of hot tea. While I’m doing that, why don’t you lie down and rest?”
Sarah heaved a sigh. “Oh, alright. I can see with you all ganging up on me that I really have no other choice.”
“I still don’t see why I have to hang around here playin’ lock tender while you head to Easton,” Ned said after Elias had instructed him to lead the mules so he could pull the boat over to Cooper’s store.
“I told you already. Sarah’s ribs are badly bruised, and the doctor wants her to rest.”
“But how are you gonna manage on the boat without me, and who are you gonna get to lead the mules?”
“I’ve seen a few other canalers manage their boats alone, so I’ll get by somehow.” Elias pointed in the direction of town. “The pastor’s gone looking for someone to lead the mules, and as soon as he shows up, I’ll be on my way.”
Ned folded his arms and spat on the ground. “This is somethin’ like your grandpappy would’ve done, and all I’ve gotta say is, sometimes a body can be too nice!”
Elias shook his head. “There’s no such thing as being too nice. It’s a Christian’s duty to—”
“Now don’t start preachin’ to me. I had enough of that when I was workin’ for your grandpappy.”
“I’m not preaching. I’m only saying—”
“Don’t care about a Christian’s duty. I ain’t no Christian, so my only duty is to work hard and try to earn a decent living.”
Elias was tempted to argue, but he knew it would fall on deaf ears. He figured the best way to witness to Ned was through his actions. Maybe if he saw Christianity put into practice often enough, he’d realize he was missing something and would eventually seek the Lord.
“I’m getting back on the boat now,” Elias said. “So it might be a good idea for you to get the mules heading down the towpath in the direction of the store before another boat comes along needing to get through the lock.”
Ned grunted. “Whatever you say, boss.”
Elias boarded the boat and took hold of the tiller. When they arrived in front of the store, he lowered the wooden plank and stepped onto the grassy bank. “You’d better get back to the lock now,” he told Ned. “I hear a conch shell blowing in the distance, so it won’t be long until the lock needs to be raised.”
Ned opened his mouth like he might argue, but then he snapped it shut and ambled down the towpath in the direction of Sarah’s house.
Elias hurried into the store, rounded up the supplies he needed, and was about to pay for them when Sammy entered the store.
“What are you doing here?” Elias asked. “I thought you’d gone to school.”
Sammy shook his head. “Went home to ask Mama one more time if I could lead your mules.” He gave Elias a lopsided grin. “She finally gave in and said I could go.”
Elias rubbed his chin as he studied the boy. “Are you sure about that?”
Sammy nodded. “Guess we’d better get goin’, huh, mister… What’s your name, anyway?”
“It’s Elias. Elias Brooks.” Elias looked at Mike Cooper, who stood behind the counter, boxing up his supplies. “If Pastor William comes by with someone to lead my mules, would you tell him I’ve already found a mule driver and that we’re on our way to Easton?”
Mike’s mustache twitched, and his forehead wrinkled as he studied Sammy. “Are you sure your mama said you could go with Elias?”
Sammy bobbed his head. “And I’m ready to go now!”
Mike looked back at Elias. “I personally think Sammy’s too young to be leading the mules, but if Sarah said it was okay then I guess I have no say in it.”
“Will you give Pastor William my message?” Elias asked.
Mike nodded. “I’ll be sure to tell him.”
Elias paid Mike, scooped up the box, and headed out the door behind Sammy. He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake by taking the boy along, but the eager look on Sammy’s face gave him the confidence to believe that everything would go just fine on the trip to Easton.
Chapter 10
Sarah yawned and pulled herself to a sitting position. She had no idea how long she’d been sleeping, but the shadows on her bedroom wall told her it must be late afternoon. She rose slowly from the bed and ambled over to the window facing the canal. A boat was going through the locks. She’d been sleeping so hard she hadn’t even heard the captain blow his conch shell. As much as she hated to admit it, having Ned here to tend the lock was a comfort. It would have been difficult, maybe even impossible for her to carry out her duties, hurting the way she did.
Sarah’s stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten anything since noon. It was probably getting close to supper, and the children would no doubt be hungry. She really should go downstairs and help get their supper going so Betsy could go home and fix something to eat for her and Pastor William.
; Sarah moved over to the dresser and peered at herself in the oval looking glass. She’d taken her hair down when she’d come upstairs to rest, and it was a tangled mess. She squinted at her reflection as she pulled her comb through the ends of her hair. The dark circles lying beneath her eyes seemed more pronounced than usual.
Many days, the first boat would come through the lock as early as five in the morning, and the last boat might not arrive until nine thirty at night. The only day Sarah got to sleep in was Sunday. Even then, she was up early so she and the children could go to church. Sometimes Kelly would take Sarah’s children to her house after church so Sarah could rest. She didn’t know what she would do without the help of her sister, as well as her dear friend Betsy. Even near-strangers like Elias had offered help. She still couldn’t believe that he’d headed to Easton without anyone on the boat to help him. He’d obviously been successful in finding someone to lead his mules.
Sarah’s stomach rumbled again, pulling her thoughts aside. Moving slowly, she left the room and made her way carefully down the winding stairs.
When she entered the kitchen, she found Betsy standing in front of the stove, stirring a kettle of stew. The tantalizing aroma made Sarah’s mouth water.
“Did you have a good nap?” Betsy asked, turning to look at Sarah.
Sarah nodded. “I slept longer than I thought I would.”
“I’m glad you did. You needed the rest.” Betsy motioned to the table, where a gas lantern had been lit. “If you’d like to take a seat, I’ll fix you a cup of tea, and we can visit while I finish making supper.”
“Don’t you want my help?”
“I can manage. Besides, you’re supposed to rest.”
Sarah pulled out a chair and winced as she sat down. “I can’t believe I fell asleep like I did. I haven’t slept that hard in ages.”
“With the long hours you’ve been working, you need all the rest you can get.” Betsy placed a pot of tea on the table and a cup for Sarah.
“Where are the kids?” Sarah asked as she poured herself some tea.
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