Vancouver Ch. # XXII- part II

               “The Hudson Bay Store is delivering a load of sand and dirt today,” said Jim “They will also have a few more bags of mortar mix and lime for us. I have already paid them for those items.”

                “And you did a good job with the kiln, too Jim,” said Ian.

“The door assemblies look seated nice and tight.”

               “ While you two lads are hooking up the water-power wheel, I will build a small blaze in the lower fire box of the kiln. Then, I am going to lay a few hundred bricks onto the drying racks, for a slow cook of a few hours. That should dry them out pretty well. If that all works well, we can build up the fire below and close the kiln doors. If we them cook for a few hours, at high heat, they should come out hard as a rock, with a nice sheen to them. It is just like baking a cake,” said Jim.

                 The three men went about their tasks. With the water wheel turning, the cruncher and pug mill were in operation. If he added the right mixture of dirt, sand clay and lime, it would mix up like cake mix. The extruder would squeeze them out into the wooden molds and they would be in operation.

               “Selkirk, you may ss well head on out,” said Jim “ Ian and I have to sit here for a few more hours, util the bricks are fire-baked, and see what we have.”

                “Okay, Mr. Mac Adams. I will see you both for dinner tomorrow evening,” said Selkirk. He cleaned his tools, saddled his horse and waved as he rode on out to the forest.

                 “Sure, we are lucky to have a fine lad like that helping us ae we not?” said Jim.

                 “We are,” said Ian. “What else can we do while we are waiting for the bricks to cook?” asked Ian.”

                 “Well, I want to make sure that the whole machine assembly is properly seated,” said Jim. “Why don’t you throw out your fishing line and catch us some dinner?”

                 “Oaky, good idea.” said Ian. “We can use the coals from the fire box to fry the fish over, after I clan and gut them.”

                 While they were talking, the men from the Hudson Bay company came and delivered the mounds of dirt ad sand that Jim had ordered. They had the mortar mix and lime bags as well.

                  “Thanks, lads,” Jim said and then offered the men a cool beer. They happily  accepted and then mounted their wagon, for the ride back to Vancouver.

                  Satisfied with the machinery seating, Jim disconnected the water power axle and cleaned up the shop. Then,  he put out oats and water for the dray horses. He had engaged a local farmer to stop by once a day and make sure the animals were properly fed and watered.

                  Ian walked up from the bank with several large salmon. “They look pretty good, Ian,” said Jm. “Let’s clean and eat them while our cakes are baking.” 

                 The lads enjoyed their salmon, washed down with a few cooled beers. It was getting late in the day.

               “Well, brother, let’s have a look at our cakes,” said Jim.

                With a wooden handle, they pried open the upper drying rack doors of the kiln. Before them lay rows of beautiful well-finished bricks, that any contractor would pay handsomely for.

All the brothers could do was to look on at the wonder that they had created. Starting with an empty patch of land, they had raised up a brick mill with their own two hands. They had put together an operation that would hopefully functions for many years.

              Jim raised up his beer and said, ”Brother Ian, a toast to you and to our success in this business. Dad would be proud of us.”

             “He would that,” said Ian. I” will send off a letter on Monday, telling him we are ready to start operating. I will also tell him that he has equal shares in our enterprise, for the operating capital he furnished us with.”

             “Let’s head out Ian,” said Jim. “You have to get ready for services on the morrow.”

             “Aye, I do. And I am sure we are both looking forward to dinner at the Sadlers tomorrow night,” said Ian.

             “We are,” said Jim. The brothers saddled their mounts and set off towards Vancouver. There was a lightness in their hearts from the work that they had done and what they had created. Like all pioneers they had done it with help from no one. Tomorrow looked like a brighter day.

                                                    -30-

                                           ( 1,860 words)

                                    Joseph Xavier Martin