Staunton Series. Ch.# 14 Ambush along the Fraser River

               Staunton series- Chapter #14

 

                Ambush along the Fraser River

 

         The following Saturday arrived quickly. The brothers started it out in the usual fashion, a stop at Lowry’s for breakfast. It gave Ian a chance to talk with Laura, while John and Jim talked over coffee.

          “How goes everything at the Yard” asked John,

 

           “Well enough, well enough, John,” replied Jim. “We have our hands full with the work that needs to be done. But, I think we can manage most of the projects before Winter sets in. The only dangers there is if the temperature gets too cold for the mortar mix to set.”

 

           “I think you are good until February, Jim” said John. “Winter temperatures hereabouts are pretty mild. The rains will come though. You ‘ll need to be ready for that.”

 

            “I hope so, John,” said Jim. “We have Laura’s brother Peter stopping by the yard today. The man is a talented carpenter. I need his advice on several issues.”

 

             “Well, we have to get going John. Let me pry Ian away from Laura first. She set up a sack of food for us for the day,” said jim.

Jim walked over to Ian and said. “It is time for us brother, to get going.”

 

              “Aye, Jim,” said Ian. “Laura has fixed us up with food for the day.”

 

               “Thank you, Laura,” said Jim. “Your brother Peter will be joining us today.”

 

                “I know, Jim,” said Laura. “ I get a running narrative on your progress every day from Selkirk,” she said with a smile.

 

                 The brothers mounted up and set off for the Fraser River.

There, they inspected all of their work and talked about what needed to be done today.

 

                 “I am going to ask Peter to look at our plans for the kiln roof first,” said Jim. “Then I am going to ask him for his help seating the sills and jambs for all of our windows and the building’s twin doors.”

 

                 “His opinion will be much appreciated,” said Ian. “He has a good reputation as a carpenter and workman at the Vancouver Hotel site.”

 

                 Just then they heard Peter’s booming voice call out. “Hello the camp.”

 

               “ And a very good morning to you, Mr. Sadler, senior and junior,” said Jim.

 

                The Sadlers dismounted and tethered their horses, unsaddling them and wiping them down. Selkirk already knew where the oats and water were kept .He left enough out for their mounts.

 

                 Peter stepped forward and handed Jim a small keg. “Nails, Jim. What else would you expect from a carpenter?”

 

                 Jim smiled, “Thanks, Peter. We are in need of them.”

 

               Jim walked Peter around the growing building, explaining what they were doing and expected to accomplish. 

                “First, Peter. I need your advice on seating sills and door jambs on all the windows and the twin entrance portals.”

 

              “I don’t think that will be a problem,” said Peter. “You have the white pine planking and boards for all of this here, don’t you?

 

              “Aye Peter, the mill delivered then last week,” said Jim.

 

            “Well, I think Selkirk and I can tackle these items pretty quickly, Jim,” said Peter. “I want to show the lad some carpentry practices as well. What else have you got, Jim?”

 

              “I wanted to show you my idea for a fire brick roof pole on the kiln. I will need some sort of temporary wooden brace, to hold the bricks in place until the mortar dries and the bricks lock the arched roof in place.”

 

                “Hmm,”  said Peter. “Let me think on that, while Selkirk and I work on all of the windows and the set of twin doors.”

 

               “Great, Peter,” said Jim. “ Ian and I will be laying brick all day for the building’s walls. The two of us should make good progress today.”

 

               The men split up an went about their tasks. The Mac Adams Brothers were a powerful team. The courses of the brick walls rose visibly by the hour.

 

              After four hours of hard work, the men took a break. They sat by the river and ate the sandwiches Laura had prepared for them. The beer had been left in the river and was icy cool to drink.

 

             “You lads have done a lot of work out here,” said  Peter.

 

               “Aye, we have,” said Jim. “I’ve no better partner than brother Ian,” said Jim with a nod to Ian. “And young Mister Selkirk has been a great help to us, too.”

 

                “ I think Selkirk and I can finish all of the carpentry work out here in a few hours, Jim.” said Peter.

 

                   “That would be grand, Peter,” said Jim. “ Thanks for all of your help..”

 

                      “We are glad to help out,” said Peter.

 

                     The men finished their food and took a last draft of beer before getting back to their work. In a short four hours, Jim decided it was enough for the day.

 

                  “Let’s call it a day, Peter,” said Jim. “Ian and I will clean up the site and hand-lay another batch of bricks for next week, before we head back.”

 

                   “Oaky, Jim. “ said Peter. “If you ever need more help, you know where to find me. Selkirk will be back next week as usual.” The Sadlers then saddled their horses and cantered out through the woods headed back to Vancouver.

 

                     “Well, Ian,” said Jm. “I will mix us another batch of clay, sand and water for the hand brick molds. Can you settle everything else up?”

 

                       “I will, Jim,” said Ian. The brothers went about their tasks.

When Jim was finished mixing the next batch, he and Ian hand poured the mixture into the brick molds. There would be enough for them to use next week. They were getting to the point where the brick walls end and the wooden joists supporting the roof trusses met. The trusses would be delivered next week by the saw mill, along with the cedar shingles.

 

                        “Let’s saddle up the mounts and head for home, Ian” said Jim. “We’ve  got a lot done today.”

 

                         After saddling the horses, the brothers walked their mounts through the pine trees. They were headed for the beaten old path that runs along the Fraser towards Vancouver.

 

                        Jim was about to ask Ian something, when he heard a loud explosion. “Boom” echoed through the woods. As he turned to Ian to comment, he was shocked to see him laying on the ground and writhing in pain.

 

                         “What is it, Ian,” Jim asked with alarm, momentarily startled.

 

                            “I think I have been shot,” Ian grimaced.

                             It was then that Jim noticed the tear in Ian’s right leg and the blood running down his pants. Realization of what was happening snapped him alert.

 

                             He unfolded the sheath of the long gun and readied it for use. Then he dug out some gauze that they both carried to staunch injuries on the job.

 

                             “Here, ian.  Stuff this in your wound. It will stem the bleeding,” He then gathered the reins of the nervous mounts and tied them to a tree.

                               “Did you see where that shot came from Ian,” asked Jim.

 

                                “No, but my right legs was facing to the southeast, out towards the path,” said Ian. “The gunner must be over there someplace.”

                               Jim sat next to Ian. He sliced open the pant leg and exposed the wound. Luckily, either the assassin had been a poor shot or  Ian had moved at the right moment. The wound was a red furrow on the lower portion of Ian’s leg. Jim wiped the wound  down, then poured some water over it and tied some gauze in place to stop the bleeding. That would have to do until they could get back to Vancouver for better care.

                                Jim whispered quietly. “The rascal probably figures we will make a run for it. He then will pick us both off in the woods. I’m going to lie still for a spell and see what I can hear or sense.”

 

 

                                  “Aye, Jim” said Ian. “Sure, the wound hurts like a bitch. But, I am fine until we get this rascal.”

 

                                  Jim lay still, peering over the sights of his long gun. He let his ears and his other senses try to determine what threat still lay out there waiting for them.

 

                                    In moments like this, you hear everything, The soft shushing sound of the Fraser was in the background. The sharp twill of birds competed with the dull bark of a fox or bobcat as they moved furtively around him, hunting always hunting for prey. Ten minutes turned into twenty. Still, Jim knew enough not to move.

 

                                     Thirty minutes after the shot, the sun began to set. Jim’s ears heard the movement. There, about fifty yards into the forest, he saw a man rise from cover. It was that bearded son of a bitch logger than Ian had laid out at Staunton’s. The snake had come back for vengeance.

                                     Without wasting another breath, Jim drew aim on the man, center mass and pulled the trigger. The force of the bullet as it smacked into the man’s middle made a dull “splat “sound. The rascal stuttered stepped sideways and then fell over like a gut shot boar.

 

                                       “I think I got him, Ian” said Jim. “It was that logger you laid out in Stauntons’ a few weeks back. He had plans to murder us both.”

                                          “He did, the dirty son of a bitch,” cursed Ian. ”I am glad you got him, Jim.”

 

                                         “I better go over and make sure the rascal is down for good,” said Jim.

                                          “Be careful Jim,” said Ian. “in case the rascal  is only playing possum.”