Staunton Series - Chapter X- Camping along the Fraser River

 Staunton Series – Chapter X

 

                                                     Camping along the Fraser River.

 

          It was Saturday morning. The brothers had the day “off,” to work on their place on the Fraser. They started out at Lowry’s for a good feed. John Lowry greeted them at the door with a welcome.” A hearty good morning to you, lads. What brings you by so early this morning? “ asked John.

 

“Well, we have a full day, “ said Jim. “Would you sit with us over coffee a bit,” asked Jim.

 

“Sure,” said John.” Let me ask Laura to bring us some coffee.”

“Jim can do that, John. I need him to order food for the rest of the day and an overnight as well. Ian, lad, would you go and talk to Laura about our food order?” asked Jim, smiling to himself.

 

Ian, brightened measurably and answered, “Sure, Jim. I will take care of that.” He rose and walked over to talk to Laura.

 

“I think Ian is smitten with your waitress, Laura, John,” said Jim.

“I see that,” said John with a nod. “well, good luck to them both. Laura only has a brother in the area. Peter works with you on your hotel job site. He is a carpenter, I believe,” said John

 

“Peter Sadler?,”  asked jim. “Sure I know the lad well.”

 

“On another matter John, I need some advice about handling these logger rascals. Ian and I have both laid out one of these clowns at Staunton’s. I think though that it will not be the last we see of them. Peter Sadler told me that these lads do not forgive or forget and love to nurture a grudge as bad as the Irish do.”

 

“That is a problem,” said John. “There are a lot of these lads north of here. And they do like to come in town and blow off some steam. The only advice I can give you is to carry a small leather sap with you, when stopping at a saloon. And watch out for bush-wackers. It also might be a good idea to purchase a long gun, for your place along the Fraser.”

 

“Aye, I had much the same thoughts, John. I guess we will just deal with the rascals when we encounter them.”

 

Ian came back. “Laura is getting us our breakfast and making up a bag of supplies for tonight as well, “ said Ian with a smile.

“She also has agreed to ride up to the Stanley Park with me next Saturday afternoon for a picnic, if that suits our schedule, Jim?”

 

“It does, Ian,” said Jim.” Sure, you could use some time off for yourself.”

 

John Lowry had listened and added,” I can spare Laura after the morning rush that day, if that suits you, Ian,”

 

“It does” said ian. The lads then dug into their very large breakfast plates and ate with a will. Afterwards, with a wave to John and Laura, they mounted up and set off for the Fraser site.

 

The brothers had picked up a wheel barrow and a bag of lime on their way to the site. There, they tied up their mounts and reviewed what needed to be done. They had finished digging the foundations for the main factory and nearby kiln. The next task was to place the corner poles and up right wall studs in place, so that when they put down the cement foundation floors, the posts would be well anchored in place. That took but an hour.

 

Next, Jim started to mix a bag of cement in the wheel barrow with sand and water. He added lime for quicker drying. When he felt the mixture was of the right consistency, he and Ian hand sloshed the cement mix into four-foot squares in the foundation floor areas.

 

“That ought to be about the right depth to carry the weight of the machinery when it cures,” said Jim. “Now Ian, if you would do the honors and trowel the surface smoothly, I will start mixing up another batch of cement.”

 

“Aye, Jim,” said Ian. “Sure, we have had enough practice in doing this chore correctly.”

 

Both the brothers set about their work with a will. They made a good team. When Jim had another batch of cement mixed up, he and Ian poured it in place. Jim and Ian switched off their respective tasks, so that they would be less tired at day’s end. By late afternoon, they had the cement foundations laid for both buildings and a small shed for the horses.

 

“I think we have done enough for the day, Ian,” said Jim. “Now let’s see what good food Laura has packed for us.”

 

The brothers munched on their sandwiches and drank a cool beer that they had left cooling in the river all day.

 

“Sue, the place is coming along nicely,” said Ian. ”In a few months, we should be able to take delivery of our machinery.”

 

“Aye,” said Jim. “I think by the new year we can hope to be ready to start operating. Next week, while you are off courting Laura, I will try and hand-make enough bricks to begin building the walls of the main building,” said Jim.

 

“Ian, you have that hook and line with you, do you not?” asked Jim.

 

“I do,” said Ian.

 

“Well, why don’t you try catching us a salmon for dinner later. The Fraser is full of them.” Said Jim

 

“Oaky,” said Ian. “After we finish eating, I will do just that.” And he did. He caught a  nice fresh salmon for them. From long practice, Ian gutted the fish, chopped off its head and then scaled it. It would be ready for frying ,over an open fire, later that evening.

 

“I think we are wise to camp here tonight, Ian.” Said Jim. “After all of that work, the odd critter or two might come by and mar  the surface of the new cement,” said Jim. “ I am guessing the smell of the new cement is already making several of the forest creatures curious. We had best build a big campfire to scare them off.”

 

In the descending dusk, the brothers built a large campfire and began to roast the salmon. It proved to be good eating. Afterwards, they pulled a blanket from their saddle packs and lay down on the dirt for a well-earned rest.

 

“Night, Ian.” said Jim. “In the morning, we can set up the wooden brick molds for me to start hand molding bricks next week.”

 

“Aye,” said Ian. “Good night, brother James.”

 

The brothers slept soundly in the darkened world of the forest. All around them various of the creatures came close to see what the site held for them. The hoot of an owl and the howl of a wolf fell on sleeping ears.  The flame of the campfire, the strange scent of the horses and  humans kept the forest creatures at bay. Around them, the Fraser rushed noisily by,  and the stars twinkled brightly above their rest.

 

                                                -30-

                                      (  1,169  words)

 

                                    Joseph Xavier Martin