Chapter 29 Newton

Everyone was eager to investigate the smoke trails but there was still much to do. Breakfast was an important part of their day and to skip it would be unthinkable to some. “No bacon today?” With drooping ears and tail Minnie asked sadly. “But that’s my favourite part of the day.”. Naomi patted her shoulder “Scrambled eggs with cheese, buttery toast and fried left-over ham, no bacon today though.”. Will looked up from his book, “you can have some of my ham sweetie, but not all, got it? I know your tricks.”.

As breakfast was brought out Minnie’s mood improved and she fell to happily.Naomi sat beside Min and passed her some of her ham, making the little persons day.The plan for today was to keep heading east and hopefully find the town of Newton.

Their meal took about an hour, chatting and eating. No hurry really, something might lay ahead but it would still be there tomorrow. After dishes were done, cabins tidied and boiler lite, it was time to go. Up anchor and half ahead. The smoke that Naomi had discovered was gone but where it had been was right on course for them.

Minnie on the helm as usual, Naomi below baking or planning a meal, and Will was in their workshop.His plane for a steam skiff had been perfected as he was now trying to build what he had envisioned.A small boiler providing power to a simple gearbox, could be a one person operated craft.It would sure ease multiple trips, like when doing an ore run.Rowing back and forth had been the hardest for Will, perhaps not so hard now but still taxing.

He had thought to copy the Roses boiler system but the complexity was far beyond his skill to build. He could understand how it worked and knew enough to repair things but not to build a copy. The plan was to convert the dory but it turned out to be just too small for the boiler and engine. So now he was planning to acquire a larger boat, stored on deck and lifted down as needed. Only problem was that boats were few and far between here and he did not have the skills to build something larger nor the time. Ah well, he thought, something for another day, perhaps in the winter months when we are not so busy.

At that moment he heard the steam whistle shrieking…Minnie must need something.Quickly heading to deck and then the wheelhouse he saw what she called him for, the town of Newton was in sight, and what a sight it was.

Compared to Laketown this village was easily 10 times as large, and that was just what hey could see from their spot on the lake. What appeared to be church spires abounded throughout the town, at least ten they could see. “Is religion a big part of their life here?”, asked Will, “I didn’t see that back in Laketown, churches that is.”. “Some people believe in higher powers but we don’t worship them. There used to be a church but not too many went, mostly older people, or people that had lost someone.”, replied Naomi.

Looking out at the bustling town ahead Will realized that life here was probably quite different than the small village they had left.Wondering what they could offer a place like this, if anything.However for all the life, buildings and people they could see, one thing was missing.Boats.None to be see and no sign of them either.Just a long dock pointing out to the lake, just like in Laketown.

Apparently they had been noticed as the beaches were filling with people, horse and buggy’s were stopping at the lands end of the dock too. As they steamed closer Will stood on the bow of the Rose and waved back at the crowds.Naomi was standing beside him and seemed quite nervous at the sheer number of people gathering ahead.Minnie was steering as usual and tooting the whistle happily.

Will decided not to dock just yet, for safeties sake.For all he knew the boat would be mobbed and the crew dragged off as a sacrifice at the nearby church.“I will head ashore in the dory, just me.You guys stay here until i get the lay of the land, as it were.”.Minnie had stopped the Rose and they were drifting about a hundred yards off shore and joined them on deck.She looked worried as they had never been apart since they arrived in this world. “I should be with you dad, I can grrrr at people you know, pretty scary when I want to be.”.Will nodded “I know you are but you are first mate and have to protect Naomi from the lake.’.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Naomi clutched Minnie’s arm…”stay with me okay, Captain will be all right.”.

Will connected the davits to the dory and swung it over side, lowered it to water and jumped down. Unhooking the lines he started rowing to the dock.

He knew that the odds were that no one would come out onto the dock to meet him and he was proved correct.There was quite a number of people gathered at the lands end waiting for him though.As he docked and tied off he could hear people calling out , Hey captain, good to see you, welcome, yay your here, is that a dog.

It looked like the whole town had turned out to meet him, there must have been nearly a thousand people lined up on the beaches and nearby green spaces.A group of 5 waited for him at the land, three older women, a young man and a very old man.All dressed similarly, in black with a red scarf and red hat.Nice fedoras, must mean they are in charge, thought Will, here we go then.

“Welcome captain, welcome welcome” called the younger man,“It is so good to see the Rose in action again.’.As Will neared the group they had all stepped forward onto the dock to meet him.“Hello neighbours,’ he said “I’m Will Harris, current captain of the Rose.”.Shaking hands all around, waving to the waiting crowds, he could sense the mood was cheery, no feeling of malice was coming from these people.

“So good to meet you captain, its been a few years since we saw the Rose at our dock.We always had hope a new captain would be found though.’, the older man said.“Let me introduce our council. I’m Matt, the oldest and longest serving councillor.”Starting to his left he gestured at the others, Evelyn with short grey hair and a stern look, around 45, Gemma was about 60 with shoulder length white hair, Samantha looked about 40 with curly red hair and a smiling face and last but not least the other man was Dave.He looked about 30 with a bushy brown beard and short hair showing under his red hat.

The group greeted Will enthusiastically and Will felt good about waving to the Rose and gesturing for Minnie to bring her in.As the boat motored in the crowd was cheering and waving at her.The steam whistle was tooting and coal smoke was billowing from her stack.What a sight she was as Minnie expertly guided her in.Will tied her off fore and aft and could feel the engine powering down.Smoke died off quickly and the boat rocked gently at the dock.

The town council had walked the dock with Will as he had tied off the Rose and they were happy to meet Naomi and Minnie.No one as much blinked the wrong way as the little dog person jumped down from the boat and happily greeted them.That alone impressed Will and reinforced his impression that this was a good place.Naomi had of course jumped down to the dock too as she could not stay on the boat without them.

“I have the list of our cargo captain,” Naomi said, handing a note to Will, “and a list of Laketown’s needs.”.Thanking her Will proffered the cargo list to the waiting council.Matt took it and the councilman showed it to the others.Happy smiles and nods showed that their cargo was both needed and appreciated.

“We can use everything on your list and more Captain”, said Dave.Gemma added “It has been a long time since a trade run came in.Did anything happen to Magnus?”.“We thought something must have happened to him, he left here just before a tremendous storm last time.” said Evelyn.Dave spoke out “I thought the boat was done for, but happily there she is.”.Will nodded “There was a disaster a few years ago, Magnus and his crewman were washed overboard and the Rose returned by herself.”.Matt bowed his head slightly, “he was a difficult man to know.”.

“Captain dad is a great guy”, piped up Minnie, “he teaches me stuff all the time and never gets mad, not ever.Even when we had the littles on board to get the good rocks and the yucky fish, told me to eat crabs but I said nuh uh, but I like shrimpies.Dad told me they were good and they sure were, buttery yummy yums.I ate too many and passed out, dad put me to bed,I love him.”.The council members laughed happily at the little person standing in front of them, yellow boots and hat, bib overalls with a tool belt around her waist, floppy ears and big brown eyes.“Your dad sounds like a nice man, and who might you be?”, asked Dave.“I’m first mate Minnie, I drive the boat , mostly.”, was the reply “and this is my friend Naomi, she cooks cookies and stuff, I stop the lake from eating her.”.Naomi shook the councillor’s hands mentioning she was from Laketown and had just joined the crew.

She was also welcomed by the council and the nearby residents of Newton.You could see the information spreading out through the crowd as it was passed on by person to person.The novelty of their arrival was still going and several vendors were working the crowds, selling snacks and drinks to the the hungry people.The smell of roasted meat had reached the crew and Minnie’s stomach gave a ferocious growl, causing Naomi to laugh outright.

Matt laughed too and said “ Would you and your crew like to join us for dinner? We could have it brought out to the boat and we could dine there and talk business.”. “That sounds like a great idea”, replied Will. “Do any of you have any restrictions on what you like?”, asked Dave.

“No crabs”, said Minnie laughing.

Menu

William Harris

Age 47

Intelligence 16/50

Strength 25/50

Vitality 24/50

Stamina 25/50

Affinities for gardening, cultivating, fishing, knitting, swimming, mariner ,

Captain of the heartboat Rose

Navigation 2

Mechanic 2

Mason 1

Minnie

Best dog of all

Age 5

Intelligence 9/25

Strength 13/25

Vitality 18/25

Stamina 18/25

First Mate of the heartboat Rose

Piloting 3

Mechanic 2

Crab Catcher

Shrimper