Chapter 37 Newton Ho!

Will awoke refreshed and full of energy.Minnie was beside him still but was stirring, legs kicking.He could hear activity above decks and below.Children were still fishing it seemed and by the smell the catch had been a good one.“Hey sleepyhead, wakey wakey.”. He poked Minnie in her side, she woke with a squeak.“Hi dad, time to get up already?”.She stretched out full length on their bed, still not very long though.Will visited the head followed by Minnie.Dressing in clean clothes they were ready for the final leg of the return to Newton.

Exiting the cabin the duo came face to face with Ed and… “Hey who are you again?”, asked Minnie. “I’m Nance”, the young girl managed. “Oh yeah, I knew that.”, laughed Minnie. The two children had let them know that Naomi had planned a fish fry to the afternoon and with that Will had another meal idea.

When Will had shown Naomi what French fries were she was..amazed. He an Min were in the galley after they woke up, have a tea or juice.Minnie liked all her drinks warmed, which was okay, but not his cup of tea at all.So they were just talking about everyday things when Will asked what she planned for the last meal on board.

He could already smell the fish cooking but he didn’t like to assume.“The kids did well fishing so I’m going to do a fish fry.”, she answered.“Oh that’s great, I love a good chippy…a fish and chip dinner….why are you looking at me.?”said Will.“What are chips?”, was the reply.“French fries, chips, maybe a poutine.”, he could tell she had no idea what he was talking about.

He let her know what chips were, what a poutine was, why he called it a chippy, and what the heck were squashy peas.It took a while to explain , but Minnie was onboard as soon as she was told what deep fried meant.Will and Minnie got to work cutting fries, Naomi found several large pots and started oil heating.

They couldn’t figure out a fry basket but they did have small metal scoops, which were used for ice fishing.To scoop ice out of the fishing hole, why they had some on board was just lucky.

As the chips cooked the smell of the oil and the fish moved through the boat, and all the teens drifted down to the mess.This meal was something new and they were all looking forward to it.Large trays of the fish and chips were brought in, along with freshly made mayonnaise and the children attacked.

They had never had chips before and Will had to explain they were his idea, from his old world.Fast food was an unknown here, and they found it hard to grasp it was such a part of that world.The food kept coming as batch’s of chips were done, Minnie like the fishie, but not the fries, “too greasy.”.

But dinner was a hit, cleanup took a while.The oil was carefully stored in empty demijohns for next time.Will planned on croquettes soon, either chicken, or beef. He sure would like that taste of home.

The galley and mess were clean so the crew went on deck to hook up again and get going. Minnie steered the Rose to each barge to hook up, then finally connecting the tow hawser to their boat. Will rowed back, hooked up the dory and lifted it up. At his signal Minnie hit half ahead and they started moving.

As before the Rose handled the towing easily, rocking more but still handling well.It was half speed ahead for Newton.

As before Will sat by the tow bollard, just in case. In the future he was going to engineer up an auto disconnect gadget. He had the strength to easily cut the thick line, Minnie could probably do it with a couple of cuts, but that was all. If they were busy and it had to go, yeah big trouble.

So he sketched and planned while they steamed on.The teen crew were up and around, visiting with him or down below.The only places off limits were the engine room and the wheelhouse, too many tempting things to touch.

As they neared Newton the water was getting a bit rougher, a wind was starting to pickup too.Not terrible yet, but getting more overcast as the afternoon turned to early evening.

An hour later and they had arrived back to Newton.There were hundreds of people waiting at the quays end, and when the Rose appeared around the coast, the cheering began.The slowed their speed to dead slow and started the process of dropping and anchoring the barges.

After all three barges were secure, they stopped off to drop off the teen crew. As they trooped along the quay they were all happy to come home, but a couple were sad too, to be leaving the life they had. Will supposed these kids would be the first to volunteer for the next trip.

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Now, back to work though. Will had a quick word with the councillors and they asked him to tie the barges off at the quay, as close to land as possible. Bringing them to the quay and warping the barge into position with a few gentle nudges from the Rose, didn’t take too long. Two barges on one side of the quay and one on the other. Emptying would start tomorrow morning, the crew would probably not be needed.

Minnie took the Rose to the end of quay and Will tied her off securely for the evening.There was much to clean up, readying the boat for the next trip,but not tonight.

Still being full from their chippy earlier, they just had tea and cake and planned for tomorrow. Sitting on deck while it was still nice out, then retreating to the mess when a light drizzle came on. A pleasant night indeed.

The next day, Wills to do list was pretty long. With cleaning up the temp crew cabins, scrubbing the deck, cleaning the holds, regular boats maintenance and so on. But first was breakfast, it turned out to be the crews favourite meal. This is where plans are made, trips thought out.

After unloading the barges today Will had planned to drop back to Laketown with the traded goods from Newton, maybe trawl a few nets of fish on the way when they got closer.From there head straight on west to see what they could see, straight on until something caught their eye.

The next day was busy indeed, hosing the decks and holds, pumping the bilge, bringing supplies aboard. As they worked they could see the barges were being unloaded, wagon after wagon was filled and trundled off. It was amazing how much ore they had loaded by hand on their trip. Minnie kept yelling “hey I remember that piece, be careful!”. It was always funny though.

A meeting with the Newton council was planned for the later afternoon, to work out what was owed in way of credit.The descaling of the boiler had been put off until the next time they came to Newton.Perhaps in the winter months.

Their boat was glistening in and out again, cabins were sparkling.Will and Minnie had done many wash loads today and had rigged lines across the deck.Sheets and blankets were flapping in the breeze, ready to pack away until the next load of temporary crew came aboard.

The councillors arrived by foot and by horse, Matt came in a carriage accompanied by Dave.He eased his way out gently and sat in a wheeled chair.“Feeling a bit delicate today, getting old is a blessing and a curse.”, he said.“We will all be there one day my friend.”, answered Will “Take iteasy.”.He took the handles of Matt’s chair and propelled him along the quay, Minnie and Naomi followed with the rest of the councillors and their aides.

As they reached the Rose Will hefted Matt and his chair and easily walked up the boarding stairs to the main deck. He gently set Matt down as the others joined him. “You’re very strong captain.”, said Evelyn. Will just nodded. Minnie and Naomi had arranged chairs and a table and everyone found a seat. A small selection of biscuits and cakes along with tea or juice were waiting on a tray for all to enjoy.

Will went for tea and a biscuit, Minnie looked at the juice and sighed.Dave noticed, “I promise you fresh milk as soon as I get back to land.”.“Thanks Dave, I can stick with juice, just kinda tired of it.”, said Minnie.After everyone was settled in they got to business.

“The amount of coal you brought was impressive. The barges increased the load per trip by a factor of twenty at least.”, started Gemma “That will see Newtons needs for the next few months at least.”. Will nodded “It was a lot of work, we’re glad to be of help, that’s why we’re here. It’s just too bad that where we were gathering was high in coal, but no other ores were found.”.

During the course of the next hour or so they worked out terms for the labor of the crew, the use of the Rose and so on.Will found out their society did not use money, but was a barter oriented group.Certain tradespeople were valued higher than others, but every member of society was given a base number of trade credits to use.

The amount of credits the crew had been awarded for their huge ore run was substantial. The trade for the oils they had brought was already complete as that was Laketowns business. So now they traded to fill their empty cupboards, any items they could think of..new clothes and so on. Each crew had an equal share and an equal share in this so there were no hard feelings.

It wasn’t all trade talking, there was just a general good time as well.Stories were told, at one point Will escorted several sides off of the water while they went fetch a late dinner, a few bottles of wine and two milk jugs.Minnie had seen them carrying the milk jugs and rushed to meet them, nearly drinking one all by herself.

It was late when everyone left the Rose.Will escorted the Newton group back to safety, leaving a sleeping Minnie and Naomi onboard.

Tomorrow was going to be an adventure for sure.

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William Harris

Age 41

Intelligence 17/50

Strength 35/50

Vitality 29/50

Stamina 29/50

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

Captain of the heartboat Rose

Navigation 3

Mechanic 3

Mason 1

Outdoor Chef

Minnie

Best dog of all

Age 5

Intelligence 13/25

Strength 18/25

Vitality 18/25

Stamina 18/25

Affinities for fishing, swimming, husbandry, mariner

First Mate of the heartboat Rose

Piloting 3

Mechanic 2

Crab Catcher

Shrimper

Joker

Naomi 0’Malley

Age 16

Intelligence 18/50

Strength 15/50

Vitality 14/50

Stamina 15/50

Affinities for cooking, fishing, gardening, swimming, mariner

Second Mate of the heartboat Rose

Management 2

Cooking 3

Homemaker 2