Chapter 53. Dropping Off

Well, the sharp hunt was over. And they had been successful, in the fact that their hold was nearly overflowing with sharps, and that no one got hurt. Writing down these facts the next day Will thought the dry words didn’t convey what really happened. The fear he felt as Naomi was flicked into the water, pride at Minnie’s courage. Anyone reading this in the future would see that this happened, yet that was all, just the facts.

Will tried to put down more, the feelings, glimpses into their world. He could only hope for the best.

After the traumatic sharp hunt the crew had bedded down early, so it was an early rise the following morning. Business was as usual, breakfast for all in the mess. Will and Minnie started the boiler, checked the coal and water levels and they started steaming for Laketown. They should arrive just before dinner.

One thing about sea, or lake, travel is that once you choose a direction you just go.Don’t have to steer constantly, just keep an eye out and you are good.This is what Minnie and Will had worked out.There was always something to do on a boat, so one would be off tidying the tool room, or filling coal, or checking cargo, while the other was at the wheel.

“When you come back up, remember it’s tea time.”, reminded Will as Minnie was about to leave the wheelhouse.“It’s always tea time, but I’ll remember.” said Min as the door closed.The lake was a bit rough today, it seemed that summer was coming to the end.Fall was his favourite time of year, but he wondered what the lake would be like.He still wanted to go north, and they had been planning that trip.

Their maps showed coastlines, islands and so on but no towns or villages. Either nothing existed, which seemed unlikely, or they were old maps. It didn’t really matter, they were going anyway. A knock on the door, and Will saw Larry with a tray for him. He quickly opened and Larry hurried in. “Minnie said you needed tea, Cap. Here you are.”, he said. “Thanks Larry”, said Will warmly. Taking a sip from the covered mug, it really did hit the spot.

“Are we there yet?”, asked Larry.As Will glared the boy laughed, “Minnie told me to say that.”.Laughing too, Will replied “Good one lad, tell her you got me.Makes her happy.”.Larry saluted and left.He was going to miss all the kids when they arrived home, but it would be nice to be just the three again.Visitors are always like that, even temporary work crews.

Belowdecks Minnie had finished tidying the cabin. It was her turn for their room and she had to get the kids packed up today too, well her and Naomi did. Tracking down all their items would be interesting. After nearly two weeks on the boat it felt like home.

It was also noisy, kids rushing around searching for this sock, or their hairbrush. Stuff tends to wander around in two weeks. The deep cleaning and storage could wait until tomorrow, the day after was always busy. Lunch was soon anyway and then port. They would eat on deck, avoiding the last open hold though.

Will hoped the sharps would last until Laketown, they were beginning to smell and it would only get worse. The head buckets were mostly full and winching them up and out would be messy.There were going be unhappy carters and messy wagons in the future.

He heard the dinner bell ringing, and poking his head out, saw Minnie hammering away. She loved that bell. Deciding to eat with everyone he turned the throttle to full stop and let the Rose drift, the lake was smooth enough for that. Leaving the wheelhouse open he joined everyone on the bow. A light meal, fresh bread and cheese. Naomi was helping everyone get their share, Alexander and Rose helping too. A small helping for Will sufficed, just to fill that gap. Looking forward to a fresh beef dinner this evening.

The boat heaving on the waves could have killed some people’s appetite but these people were well used to the lake now. They had been together for weeks and had no fear anymore. They were still wary of the water and always would be, but not terrified. Joking around, singing just having a good time. Nearly home. After eating Minnie and Will went back to full speed and the Rose surged ahead, water foaming at the hull, wake left for miles behind. The miles to go were eaten away swiftly, and soon Laketown was in sight.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

Tooting on the steam whistle to let everyone know they had arrived. The teens gathered at the rail and could see people coming to the dock, quite the crowd had gathered. By the time Minnie guided them in and Will tied off there must have been two hundred people gathered. Parents, grandparents, friends…all were here to welcome the travellers home.

The children were ready to offload. “Hey, don’t forget to grab your gear, that’s still below,” Will called. The children stampeded down the gangway to their cabins, then back up, laden with gear.. Minnie ran off down the dock to let the crowd know everyone was safe. Will waited until everyone had their luggage and they trooped off down the long dock. “Stay close guys, not too close to the side Alexander, Rose slow down,”, he called as they walked. Nearly at the end and the kids broke and ran to the waiting arms. Tears falling, admiring looks, hugs everywhere. A grand reunion.

Stephen, Regina and the other councillors were there too. Naomi was delighted to see Regina, Stephen greeted Will and Minnie like an old friend. “Good to see everyone made it back safe, a good trip with no surprises I hope.”. Minnie laughed “Not likely.”. Will nodded “Very eventful trip, we’re all back ok, but there was some times.”. “Tell us all about it tonight, at the tavern..late dinner and meeting, sound good?” replied Stephen. Checking with Minnie and Naomi, Will agreed happily. They could hear the children telling their parents everything….”the sharp nearly ate the captain, a huge wave nearly capsized us, I helped get water…”.

The kids were telling and re-telling the adventures they had, memories they would keep forever. Some would come on other trips, especially when the barges were completed. Some wouldn’t, aging out, family concerns or just not up for it. Parents had come up to the crew and thanked them, Regina had been very grateful for Naomi’s safe return, and had been speechless for a few minutes when she heard of the sharp incident.

There were two wagons sitting at the back of the crowd and as things dispersed they headed down the dock to pick up the sharps. Will and Minnie started pulling the huge fish out of the hold. “Now that’s a big fish.”, said Dave as the first one came out. But when the last two made their appearance, all 20 feet of them, they were quiet. As were all the remaining crowd who stayed to watch. “You killed that Captain?”, asked Owen quietly. “Yeah we did, dad smashed that one and I got this one”, said Minnie pointing to one, nearly the same length as the eldest. “This one pretended to die, then really did when I crunched him, that one tried to eat Naomi and dad, but he was Nuh uh, you stay away and jumped in, scared me but we were okay right dad?”. Will patted his little friend on the shoulder “We sure are, you crunched that one good”.”

The wagons departed with the sharps, the buckets left behind were quickly dumped and rinsed. The drivers were quiet, it seemed as they were a bit at odds with the idea that the nice friendly captain and the chatty first mate could be so violent. They would have to work it out though, Will and Minnie had done what was needed.

As the laden wagons reached the lands end, Minnie and Will jumped off. Stephen was still here, apparently stunned by the size of the sharps. “Biggest I have ever seen Will.” Stephen shook his head. “You were lucky no one was hurt.”.

Will had to agree with that. “Next time we go fishing for sharps it will just be the three of us, no kids around. It could have been worse, much worse.”. Naomi had left with her sister but they all knew what he meant. He followed the wagons until they trundled out of sight. Then, bidding Stephen goodbye, Minnie and Will walked back to the Rose.

As they reached her Will stopped to admire the woodcut rose on her hull, the one that he and Minnie had touched that first day. It seemed so long ago and their new life was as comfortable as a pair of slippers. Patting the carving as they boarded he felt the warm wood of the boat, solid and dependable. “We going to dinner at Regina’s?”, asked Minnie, “Oh yeah we are, sometimes a dinner you don’t cook is just what you need.”, he replied.

They walked through the cabins, tidied where needed, rolled the bunk mattress and tied them in place. For the next crew. The mess was quiet and dark now, no more laughing teens everywhere. Galley empty. Will and Minnie headed to their cabin to clean up and change clothes for the evening. A short rest laying on the bed, just to recharge a bit, getting used to the quiet.

After a short while Will stood and got changed into clean clothes, hit the head and woke Minnie.“Shall we start to town, get some dinner?”, he asked.She yawned “Yeah, I’m starving.”.It didn’t take her long to get ready and they were walking along the dock toward town.

Afternoon had turned to dinner time, turning into evening.Tomorrow was a busy day, but weren’t they all really?Barges to check on, ore to unload, a boat to clean.Another voyage to plan, that what Will enjoyed most.Looking at the bow, heading out to sea.But business first.There would be a high amount of credit for the boat and crew after this run had been calculated .The sharps were much bigger than expected and the amount of skin was immensely valuable.

Will said “You know Min, if we do a run with the barges it will be longer than ever, we will need to resupply I think, like halfway through.”. Minnie thought for a bit then “We can’t carry enough hmmm. What if it was just crated in our ore hold and we filled that last.”. Will thought for a moment “Good idea, that would work, things like the staples, but not for the fresh stuff. I guess we will eat more fish, maybe make sushi…..yum.”. Explaining what sushi was, and how good it could be took a while. They were nearly at the tavern and Minnie was still not sure about it. Will either really, he hadn’t seen rice here yet.

But anyway, dinner time now . Will opened the door to the tavern and he and Minnie went in to the well lit pub . Something smelled amazing already.