Vancouver- city of adventurers- Ch. # XXX delivering on a promise"

                                        Vancouver- city of adventurers

                                                                Chapter XXX

                                                     “Delivering on a promise”

 

         They had sealed the deal with Phelan lumber. That was “talking the talk.” Now they had to deliver on that promise, or “walk the walk.”

 

         That meant Jim and Ian had to crank up production for the next four days. Make and bake, dry and fry became their mantra. Get it done. Young Selkirk came in on Saturday and handled knocking together the crates for shipping.

 

          Ian had to skip his Saturday date with Laura. They just had too much to do at the yard. By Sunday night, though tired, they had all of the bricks made and ready to ship. On Monday and Tuesday, they crated the bricks, loaded them onto the drays and made the slow ride down to the Phelan Pier, to drop off the bricks. Two loads a day was all that they could manage. By Tuesday late, they had completed their delivery. The weary brothers arranged for their dray to be stabled with their horses near the pier. They walked back to Jim’s place and collapsed into bed. They slept like old logs in a swamp.

         Wednesday morning found them both up early. The sea bird sonata had wakened them early. They walked over to Lowry’s for an early breakfast. Ian made right for the kitchen to talk to Laura.

         Jim sat down with John Lowry over coffee.

        “Well, we have done it John. We delivered our last load of bricks to Hank Phelan yesterday,” said Jim. 

          “I am happy for you Jim, “ said John. “I hope this is the first of many deals for your brickyard.”

         “Now, we have to Ferry up to Nanaimo this Sunday, to build a foundation for Hank Phelan,” said Jim.

         “You are walking into the belly of the beast, are you not?” asked John.

          “Perhaps, John,” said Jim. “But if I have learned anything here in Vancouver, it is that you have to stand up to whatever problem is facing you. With Ian at my side, I don’t worry about anything.”

          “He is a good lad,” said John. “One that you can depend on to stand and fight with you whenever needed.”

          “He is that, John,” said Jim. ”Now if I can only pry him away from the future Mrs. Mac Adams, we can eat breakfast and get on to work.”

        Ian came back and sat down. ”Laura and I will be out walking this Saturday afternoon. I told her we would be away for a few days up North. Is that okay with us, Jim?” asked Ian.

        “It is,” said Jim. “We have done a lot of work in short order. You deserve a break.”

        “Thanks, Jim,” said Ian. ”I also told Laura to invite Peter to Staunton’s for a few beers tonight. I thought we could celebrate our first contract for a bit.”

       “Great Idea,” said Jim. “It will be good to talk to Peter and see if those silly chasing moonbeams plans for the Yukon have taken root.” The lads tucked into their usual mountain of pancakes.

           After breakfast, the brothers walked over to the Phelan’s pier. They hitched up their dray and horses. A brief stop, at Hank Phelan’s office, confirmed that he knew that the bricks had been delivered. All of the other requested supplies had been ordered. The clerk said that everything would be available, at the camp, by next Sunday night.

 

           “We had better stop at the Hudson Bay Store and order some more supplies,” said Jim. “We have used up a lot of our material in filling this order.”

             “Aye,” said Ian. “I am thinking we better make a deal with the store for a regular supply delivery.”

            They stopped by the store, placed their order for supplies and materials  and then drove the dray towards their yard. The skies were cool, but the sun colored the scenery like a painter with a  brush.

           At the camp, they hooked up the power wheel and started the whole “bake them and fry them” process. Hopefully, it would not be too long before another order came their way. They needed to be ready for it. Selkirk would be in again on Saturday. They would task him with nailing crates together for future orders.

 

           “I am thinking Ian, that we have to give some thought to this whole construction side of the business,” said Jim. “Good masons are as scarce as hen’s teeth right now. We could make our deals sweeter, if we offered to do masonry work as well.”

 

            “We can,” said Ian. “ I am just cautious in over extending ourselves right now. If we are laying bricks full time, we can’t be making them.”

             “True enough, Ian.” said Jim. “We will have to be looking for some good lad to hire that will help us. We can train him easily enough at our yard.” 

            “ Well, let’s clean up here and set off for Vancouver,” said Ian. “I told Laura to ask Peter to drop by Staunton’s by seven O’ Clock.”

           The brothers cleaned up their tools and machines. They saddled their horses and set out for Vancouver. The Winter sun was just setting out over the ocean.

           They tied up their horses at the rail at Staunton’s. A good-sized crowd had already assembled inside. All of the players were in the middle of their acts. Hookers, card sharks and rascals all vied to fleece the innocent pilgrims of every dime they could. 

            Two stools at the bar were empty. Ian and Jim sat down. ”Hey Barney,” hollered Jim. ”Can we get a beer and some whiskey here, or do we have to send to Seattle for it?”

            “Coming,” said Barney. He poured the drinks and brought them down.  “Good to see you lads,“ said Barney. “Rumor has it you are visiting the logger’s camp on Sunday. Are you lads daft?”

            “No, Barney. Just workmen fulfilling a deal,” said Jim. “Hank Phelan invited us up to do some work for him.”

                “Well, best you lads bring the long guns with you,” said Barney. Jim only smiled and drank some of his beer.

                “Jesus,” said Ian. “Does everyone know everything in these places?”

               “The lads talk when they drink,” said Jim.

               Just then, Peter Sadler walked in.

             “Evening Peter,” said Jim. “Good to see you again.”

             “And to you lads, as well,” said Peter. ”Do you think I might get a beer?”

             “Barney,” Jim hollered. “Set up the three of us, will you.” Barney nodded.

              “Laura said that you had a big order at your brick yard,” said Peter.

             “We did,” said Jim. “Hank Phelan helped us out with some business.”

             “Dealing with the devil, are we?” asked Peter.

            “Ah, he is a gentleman,” said Jim. “It is some of those knuckleheads that work for him who are dangerous. Ian and I are taking the ferry up to his camp near Nanaimo on Sunday. We have work there as masons.”

            “Well, I hope it works out for you both,” said Peter.

            “And what of your plans for the Yukon?” asked Ian.

 

           “My three mates have assembled all of the pics, shovels and gear that we will need for the trip,” said Peter. “We have four horses and three mules available, to carry our food and gear. We will have long guns and fishing gear to forage on our way up north. We have also decided to follow one of the “All Canadian routes.” That way, we can avoid both American and Canadian customs.”

             “It sounds like you have it all thought out,” said Jim. “I don’t think it wise, but you are full grown and make your own decisions. We just hope it works out for you.”

             “Thanks, Jim. If I hit it big I will share my riches,” he said with a smile.

             “Probably best not to tell Laura yet,” said Ian kindly. ”She would hide your gear and shoo your horse away.”

             “That reminds me Ian,” said Jim. “I have to tell the stable owner that we need someone to feed and water our mounts.”

              The chatter, about finding gold in the Yukon, blended in with all of the other lads at the bar talking about the same thing. Soon enough, the three lads left for their homes and bed. They all had to work tomorrow.

 

         The next few days spun by like a whirlwind. Make ‘em and bake ‘em occupied the brothers. On Saturday, Ian stepped out with Laura. They walked up West Georgia Street. The new Vancouver Hilton stood now at over six stories tall. It rose like a concrete Phoenix against the Vancouver skyline. They stopped at the café, owned by the godless American expatriates, and dined on fresh chicken, with potatoes and gravy. 

        “I hope you will both be careful up in those woods, Ian,” said Laura.

        “We will, Laura,” said Ian. “Two Mac Adams brothers, standing side by side, are a match for anything or anybody.”

        After dinner, the couple strolled back to Laura’s place. An even firmer kiss startled Ian. He was beginning to like this new side of her.

        “Good night, Laura. I will probably see you on Thursday,” said Ian.

        “Good night, Ian,” said Laura wistfully. She waved her hand, walked into her home and they were apart.

          Ian walked back to Jim’s. They gathered up their tools and a few articles of clothing for tomorrow. The ferry would leave early, from her dock and they would be off.

                                                                             -30-

                                                                      (1,584 words)

                                                               Joseph Xavier Martin