CHAPTER XXXI--A GIFT FROM THE DEAD
Jimmy and his companions sat on the balcony formed by the flat roof ofthe veranda in front of Jaques' store. It was a fine evening and a lightbreeze stirred the dust in the streets of the wooden town. Beyond theugly, square-fronted buildings that straggled down to the wharf, thewater lay shining in the evening light, and through a gap the sloopshowed up distinctly, riding in the harbor mouth. On the other hand, ablaze of crimson burned above the crest of a hill and the ragged pinesstood out harshly sharp against the glow. Work was over for the day, andgroups of men lounged in chairs on the sidewalks outside the hotels,while here and there a citizen and his family occupied the stoop of hisdwelling.
Jimmy had briefly related their adventures in the North, though nothinghad yet been said about the party's future plans. Now, however, Jaquesand his wife were waiting to discuss them.
"Clay must have died soon after you left the yacht," the storekeepersaid. "As you believe his son is friendly, we have no opposition tofear; and we may as well settle what is to be done."
"Bethune is our business manager," Jimmy said. "Perhaps he will give ushis opinion."
Bethune leaned forward with a thoughtful air.
"In the first place, the matter is not so simple as it looks. We don'tknow the whole story of the wreck, and I'm inclined to think we'll neverlearn it. On the other hand, there's much to be guessed, and one couldform a theory which would be rather hard to contradict. In fact, exceptfor certain prejudices, I believe we could make some money out of it."
"You can call them prejudices, if you like," Mrs. Jaques broke in. "Forall that, it would be wiser to act up to them."
"It's possible," Bethune agreed. "Just the same, we're in a ratherresponsible position."
"I'm a trader," Jaques remarked. "I want a fair profit on the money Ilay out; but I stop at that. All the money I take is for valuesupplied."
Jaques turned to Jimmy.
"Now that we're talking about it, did you see where Clay got that case?"
"I didn't; nor did anybody else. We were too busy to trouble aboutexamining the hole he crawled into. I suppose there must have been aspace between the top of the strong-room and the floor of the poopcabin."
"It's a curious place to stow a box of gold. You can understand theirputting the sham case in the strong-room if they meant to wreck theboat; but then why didn't they ship the genuine stuff by anothervessel?"
"That," said Bethune, smiling, "is the point where my theory breaksdown. The only explanation I can think of seems too far-fetched tomention."
"We will let it go," Mrs. Jaques interposed quickly. "What do yousuggest doing with the gold you brought home?"
"We'll take it to the underwriters and press for all the salvage we canget. If they're not inclined to be liberal, we'll go to court."
"And the sham box? Will you give them that?" Mrs. Jaques asked.
Jimmy had been expecting the question, and he saw that he must speak. Heknew that a fraud had been plotted in connection with the wreck; but itwas not his business to investigate the matter. He admitted that thisview might be challenged, but he was determined to act upon it.Suspicion rested on Osborne; but Jimmy had made up his mind that,whatever happened, Ruth should not suffer on his account. No sorrow orhint of shame must rest on her. Moreover, he had, in a sense, made Claya promise; the dying man had trusted him.
"I claim that case," he said quietly. "I told Clay I'd give it toOsborne."
There was silence for a few moments, and then Jaques looked up.
"Well," he said, "I'm not sure that's not the best way out of it. What'syour idea, Mr. Bethune?"
"On the whole, I agree with you. Somebody may have meant to wreck thevessel, but we have no proof to offer; and, after all, it's the goldthat concerns us, and the underwriters who paid for it when lost willget it back. This ought to satisfy them; and I don't see that it's ourpart to go any further into the matter." He smiled as he added: "I'lladmit it's a course that seems likely to save us a good deal oftrouble."
They decided to deposit the gold in the vaults of an express company inVictoria, and that Bethune should then open negotiations with theinsurers.
"I guess I could sell the _Cetacea_ for you at a moderate price," Jaquessaid. "One of the boys here thinks of going into the deep-waterfishery."
"I'd be sorry to part with the boat, but we have no use for her," Jimmyreplied. "Our idea is that if we can get enough from the insurancepeople we might make a venture in the towing and transport line. A smallwooden, propeller tug wouldn't cost very much; and we might even beginwith a big launch or two."
"It ought to pay," declared Jaques. "The coasting trade's pretty good;in fact, I often have to wait some time before I can get my truckbrought up."
"It's only beginning," Bethune said. "The coastline of this province isstill practically undeveloped, but it's studded with splendid naturalharbors, and the extension of the new railroads to the sea will givetrade a big impetus. The men who get in first will make their profit. Ofcourse, I'm looking forward a few years to the time when the narrowwaters will be covered with steamboats, but in the meanwhile there's aliving to be picked up by towing booms for the sawmills and collectingsmall freight among the northern settlements."
He spoke with enthusiasm, and Jaques looked eager.
"I guess you're right. First of all, you have to see the underwriters;then if you have any use for a few more dollars, let me know. I mighthelp you in several ways."
They talked the project over, though Bethune and Jaques took the leadingpart, and Jimmy sat by Mrs. Jaques in a state of quiet content. At thecost of much hardship and toil, he had done what he had undertaken, andnow a promising future was opening up. He had confidence in Bethune'sjudgment; the path they were starting on might lead to fortune. Thethought of Ruth Osborne beckoned Jimmy forward. He was determined thatnone of the obstacles they would no doubt meet with should turn himaside. He had not his partner's versatile genius, but he was endowedwith a cool courage and a stubborn tenacity which were likely to carryhim far.
With a gesture his hostess indicated her husband and Bethune.
"They're getting keen, but I must say that Tom's not often mistaken inbusiness matters. He seems to think your prospects are good."
"We must try to make them good," Jimmy responded. "It was a fortunatething for us that we met your husband. We were in a very tight placewhen he helped us."
"I've wondered why you didn't go to sea again before that happened. Itwould have been the easiest way out of your troubles."
Jimmy grew confidential.
"I had a strong reason for not wishing to leave the province."
"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Jaques, and beamed upon him. "I understand. I hopeyou have made a wise choice. Falling in love is rather a serous thing. Isuppose she's pretty?"
"She's beautiful!"
Mrs. Jaques smiled.
"So you stayed in Vancouver on her account! She would naturally wish tokeep you."
"I have no reason for believing that," Jimmy answered with a downcastexpression.
"You mean--"
Mrs. Jaques gave him a searching look before she finished her sentence:
"--that you don't know whether she is fond of you or not?"
Jimmy hesitated, and the blood crept into his face as he thought of thenight he had helped Ruth out of the launch.
"It may be a long time before I find out," he said. "The trouble is thatshe's a rich man's daughter."
"What is his name? Your confidence is safe."
"Osborne."
Mrs. Jaques showed her surprise, and Jimmy laughed.
"Oh, of course you think I'm mad. Now and then I feel sure of itmyself."
She studied him quietly for a moment. He was handsome, and had anhonest, good-humored face, but there was a hint of force in it. Helooked reliable, a man to trust, and Mrs. Jaques had a warm liking forhim.
"No," she said; "I don't think so. Perhaps you're rash; but, after all,daring's better th
an cautious timidity--it carries one farther. Ofcourse, there will be difficulties; but I wouldn't despair. This acountry where a bold man has many chances."
"Thank you," murmured Jimmy. "You have made me hopeful." He looked upabruptly as Bethune addressed him. "Oh, yes," he said hastily. "Quiteso."
"Quite so!" exclaimed Bethune. "My impression is that you haven't hearda word I said."
"I believe that's possible," Mrs. Jaques laughed. "However, he has agood excuse. You can't blame him for talking to me."
The party broke up soon afterward, and the next morning the sloop sailedfor Victoria. Jimmy spent several anxious days in the city before he gota telegram from Bethune informing him that he had come to terms with theunderwriters. They were more liberal than Jimmy had hoped, and hethought there should be money enough to launch the new venture in amodest way. He gave the express company orders to deliver the gold, andthen set off to visit Osborne.
It was evening when he reached the house. He entered it longing to seeRuth and wondering how she would greet him, but disturbed about hismeeting with her father. He was shown at once into the library, andOsborne rose to receive him.
"Aynsley Clay told me that you would call, and I am glad you have doneso," he said cordially. "I hope you will stay for a few days."
"Thanks, I'm afraid not," Jimmy answered. "Perhaps I had better get mybusiness done. I really came because Clay asked it; he made me promiseto bring you something. I left it in the hall."
Osborne rang a bell and a square package neatly sewed up in canvas wasbrought in. Jimmy placed it on the table as soon as they were alone, andbegan to cut the stitches.
"I don't know whether you'll be surprised or not," he said, as heuncovered a strong wooden box which showed signs of having long beensoaked in water.
"That!" exclaimed Osborne, dropping into the nearest chair. "Who foundthat box?"
"I did--in the steamer's strong-room."
Beads of perspiration stood on Osborne's forehead, and he was breathingwith difficulty.
"Do you know--what it contains?" he gasped.
"Yes," Jimmy answered quietly. "It isn't gold. Some of the stuff isstill inside but I took the rest out to save weight."
Osborne leaned back in his chair, limp from the shock.
"When did you find it?" he asked.
"About eight months ago, roughly speaking."
"And Clay knew about it all along?"
"No. We didn't tell him until a week before his death."
"That sounds curious," Osborne said suspiciously. "Since you were silentso long, why did you speak about the thing at last?"
"It looked as if we might have trouble. Clay could have prevented ourworking, and when he came off to talk matters over we told him about thecase. In the end, he lent us his diver and all the assistance he could."
"And was that the only concession he made?"
"Yes," said Jimmy with a flush. "It was all we demanded and all we got.It would simplify things if you took that for granted."
"I suppose you know you were easily satisfied?" Osborne's tone wasironical.
Jimmy made no response.
"Am I to understand that the case is mine absolutely, to do what I likewith?" Osborne asked.
"Yes. You may regard it as a gift from Clay."
"Who knows anything about the matter besides yourself?"
"My two partners, and a storekeeper who financed us, and his wife.They're to be trusted. I'll answer for them."
"Well," said Osborne quietly, "you'll allow me to remark that you andyour friends seem to have acted in a very honorable manner. That Clayshould send me the case was, in a sense, characteristic of him; but Ihad no claim on you. If you won't resent it, I should like to thank youfor the line you have taken."
"I haven't finished my errand yet. You probably know that we salved aquantity of the gold, but you cannot have heard that we recovered andhave accounted for every package that was insured."
Osborne looked puzzled. He indicated the box on the table.
"You mean counting this one?"
"No; we found a duplicate, containing gold of rather more than thedeclared weight, on which the underwriters have paid our salvage claim."
Osborne started, and his face expressed blank astonishment.
"But it sounds impossible! I can't understand--"
"It's puzzling," Jimmy agreed. "There's obviously a mystery; but, aftertalking the thing over, my partners and I decided that we wouldn't tryto unravel it."
"Perhaps you are wise. You are certainly considerate. But, still, Idon't see--Did you find the thing in the strong-room?"
"Not in the room. Clay showed me where to cut a hole in the roof. Hecrawled through and brought out the box. I imagine it was hidden amongthe deckbeams, but we hadn't time to examine the place."
"Ah!" exclaimed Osborne; for a light dawned on him as he remembered hispartner's determined attempt to break through the cabin floor on thenight of the wreck. "Perhaps you are right. So the insurance people paidyour claim and asked no questions. Did they seem satisfied?"
"Yes. I think the matter's closed."
There was keen relief in Osborne's face, and the slackness of his posesuggested the sudden relaxing of a heavy strain. He sat very still for afew moments and then got up.
"Mr. Farquhar," he said, "you must guess the satisfaction with which Ihave heard your news. Indeed, I feel that I must think over it quietly.If you will excuse me for a while, Miss Dexter and my daughter will beglad to entertain you."
"But I must get back as soon as possible," Jimmy objected, feeling thatto stay, as he longed to do, would be embarrassing both to himself andto his host.
"You can't leave before to-morrow," said Osborne, smiling. "There's nonight boat now, the launch is under repairs, and my car's in town. I'mafraid you'll have to put up with our hospitality."
He rang the bell, and when Jimmy left him he sat down with knittedbrows. He wondered where Clay had got the gold. Then suddenly his fistclenched tightly and his frown grew deeper: he remembered that somebodyhad worked out the alluvial mine before they reached it. There was causefor grave suspicion there, particularly as the case had been put onboard secretly, without appearing on the ship's papers, which would havebrought it to Osborne's knowledge.
The box of gold, however, was not of the first importance. Clay, on hisdeathbed, perhaps by way of making reparation, had sent him a gift whichhad banished the apprehensions that had haunted him for years. WhateverClay had done, Osborne could forgive him now. At last he was a free man:the only evidence against him was in his hands, and he meant to destroyit at once. After all, he had bitterly regretted his one great offense;and his partner's last act had been to save him from its consequences.
CHAPTER XXXII--THE BARRIERS GO DOWN
When Jimmy was shown into the large, cool drawing-room, he stoodawkwardly still, with a thrill of keen satisfaction and an effort forself-control. He had so far seen little of Osborne's house, and thebeauty of the room had its effect on him. Curtains, rugs, furniture andpictures formed harmonies of soft color and delicate design, whichseemed to him a fitting environment for the occupant of the room.
Ruth wore a clinging evening dress, and Jimmy had hitherto seen her onlyin traveling and outing clothes. He could not have told how the dresswas cut, nor have described its shade, but he knew it was exactly whatshe ought to wear. The way it hung about her hinted at the gracefullines of her figure; it matched the purity of her coloring and showed upthe gloss of her hair. But although the effect was admirable, it wasdaunting, in a sense. She was wonderfully beautiful and in her properplace; he felt himself rough and awkward, and was conscious of hisdisadvantages.
Then, as she came toward him, his heart began beating hard. He thoughtof their last meeting with embarrassment. He had expected to find somechange of manner in her that would, so to speak, keep him at a distance.There was, however, no hint of this. It looked as if she had notforgotten how he had helped her from the launch, but had somehowrecognized it an
d its consequences. He was not a clever reader of otherpeople's minds, but he knew that they were nearer than they had everbeen before.
As she gave him her hand Ruth smiled up at him, but she spoke in a verymatter-of-fact voice.
"I am glad you have come at last. It is pleasant to know that you havegot back safely." She pouted prettily. "No doubt you had some businesswith my father, which explains the visit."
"It gave me an excuse for doing what I wished."
"Did you need an excuse? We gave you an open invitation."
"I felt that I did," Jimmy answered slowly; and Ruth understood. He wasdiffident but proud, and shrank from entering her circle by favor. Shepreferred that he should regard her, however, not as the daughter of arich man but as an attractive woman.
"You are too retiring," she rebuked him smilingly. "But I shall notbegin by finding fault. I want you to tell me some of your excitingadventures. Aynsley Clay was here, but he could not tell us much aboutyou--and he was, of course, in trouble."
"Yes," said Jimmy softly. "I'm sorry for him. He's a man you soon feel astrong liking for; and there was a good deal to admire in his father. Infact, we were on very friendly terms during the last few days we spentat the wreck."
Ruth was silent for a moment. Then:
"Tell me about the wreck," she requested.
"It's rather a long story, and you may find it tiresome."
"I've asked you to tell it."
Jimmy was glad of the opportunity, because he was determined that sheshould have no cause to doubt her father. There was much stillunexplained, but she must not suspect this, for it was unthinkable thatshe should bear any trouble from which he could save her. Still, he sawthat he must be careful, for there were points which needed delicatehandling.
While he began the narrative Ruth studied him carefully. He looked veryvirile and handsome with his bronzed skin, his steady eyes, and hisfigure fined down by privation and toil. Indeed, he had somehow an airof distinction; but he had changed and developed since she first methim. This was a different man from the pleasant, easy-going steamshipofficer. He had grown alert and determined, but he had lost nothing ofhis sincerity. He could be trusted without reserve, and she felt thatshe liked him even better than before.
His story of their adventures in the North was deeply interesting to thegirl; and she prompted him with leading questions now and then, for shewas keenly anxious to learn the truth about the wreck. For the last fewmonths she had been troubled by dark suspicions.
"But, in spite of everything, you reached the gold!" she exclaimed atlast.
"Yes," said Jimmy, seizing the opening he had waited for. "We got itall."
"All!" For a moment Ruth was thrown off her guard by a shock of reliefthat was poignant in its intensity.
"I believe so," Jimmy answered. "Anyway, we got every case that wasinsured. The underwriters seemed perfectly satisfied."
A wave of color flushed Ruth's face. She had, it seemed, tormentedherself without a cause. Her father, whom she had suspected, wasinnocent. There was no dark secret attached to the wreck, as she hadunjustly thought. Jimmy had banished her fears. The hardships he hadborne had bought her release from a haunting dread.
She realized that he might wonder at her agitation, but, after all, thisdid not count. She was carried away by gratitude to him.
"Thank you for telling me," she said, feeling the inadequacy of thewords. "It makes a thrilling tale."
"If it has pleased you, I'm content."
"Pleased me! Well, I can assure you that it has done so."
"Then I'm rewarded," said Jimmy boldly, losing his head as he saw thegratitude in her eyes. "That's all I wanted; finding the gold is lessimportant."
Ruth saw what was happening; his restraint was breaking down, and shemeant to give it the last blow.
"And yet you must have been determined to get the gold, since all youhad to face didn't daunt you."
"Yes," said Jimmy with a steady look, "I wanted it badly, for apurpose."
"Didn't you want it for itself? That would have been a very naturalthing." Ruth hesitated. "But you haven't mentioned your real reason."
He gathered courage from the glance she gave him, though the next momentshe turned her head.
"I'm half afraid, but it must be told. I was a steamboat mate without aship, a laborer about the wharves and mills, and all the time I had amad ambition locked up in my heart. Then my partner, Bethune, showed mea chance of realizing it, and I took that chance."
"It must have been a strong ambition that sent you up to fight with thegales and ice."
"It was. In fact, it was stronger than my judgment. I knew it was aforlorn hope, but I couldn't give it up. You see, I had fallen in lovewith a girl."
"Ah! I wonder when that happened? Was it one night when you met theSound steamer with your launch?"
"Oh, no; long before that. It began one afternoon at Yokohama, when agirl in a dust-veil and the prettiest dress I'd ever seen came up the_Empress's_ gangway."
"Then it must have been very sudden," Ruth answered with a blush and asmile. "The veil was rather thick, and she didn't speak to you."
"That didn't matter. She smiled her thanks, when I drew away a rope, andI'd never got so sweet and gracious a look. After that there were calmevenings when the _Empress_ swung gently over the smooth heave and thegirl left her friends and walked up and down the deck with me. I knew Iwas a presumptuous fool, but as soon as my watch was over I used to waitwith an anxious heart, hoping that she might come."
"And sometimes she didn't."
"Those were black nights," said Jimmy. "While I waited I tried to thinkit would be better if I saw no more of her. But I knew all the time thatI couldn't take that prudent course." He paused with an appealinggesture. "Ruth, haven't I said enough?"
"Not quite. Did you think, when you went to find the wreck, that yoursuccess would make me think of you with more favor?"
"If the wreck had been full of gold, it would not have made me yourequal; but I knew what your friends would think. It would have beeninsufferable that you should have had to apologize to them for me."
Ruth gave him a smile that sent a thrill through him.
"Dear," he said suddenly, "I want you--that's all in the world thatmatters."
She yielded shyly when he gathered her to him; and the little gilt clockon the mantel, with its poised Cupid, seemed to tick exultantly in thesilence that followed.
A half-hour had passed when they heard footsteps in the hall, andOsborne came in. He glanced at them sharply, and Jimmy's triumphant airand Ruth's blush confirmed his suspicions.
"Ah!" he said. "I imagine you have something to tell me?"
"That is true," said Jimmy; and Ruth smiled at her father.
"There is no reason why you should object, and you needn't pretend to bevexed!" she pouted.
"I think Mr. Farquhar and I must have a talk," Osborne answered quietly.
He made Jimmy sit down when Ruth had left them.
"Now," he began, "I'll confess to some surprise, and though, from whatI've seen and heard of you, I can find no fault of a personal nature,there are some drawbacks."
"Nobody realizes that better than myself," Jimmy answered ruefully. "Infact, I can honestly say that they seemed serious enough to prevent myhopes from ever being realized until half an hour ago. The only excuse Ican make is that I love your daughter."
"It's a good one, but, unfortunately, it doesn't quite cover all theground. May I ask about your plans for the future?"
"I'm afraid they're not very ambitious, but they may lead to something.My partners and I intend to start a small towing and transport businesswith the salvage money."
Osborne asked for an outline of the scheme, and listened with interestwhile Jimmy supplied it. The venture had obviously been well thoughtout, and he believed it would succeed. Farquhar and his friends hadcarried out their salvage operations in spite of Clay's opposition,which spoke well for their resourcefulness and determination. Knowings
omething of his late partner's methods, he could imagine thedifficulties they had had to meet.
"I think you have chosen a suitable time, because it looks as if we wereabout to see a big extension of the coasting trade," he said. "There is,however, the disadvantage that you'll have to start in a small way. Nowit's possible that I might find you some more capital."
"No, thanks!" said Jimmy firmly. "We have made up our minds not toborrow."
Osborne gave him a dry smile.
"I suppose that means that you don't see your way to taking any helpfrom me?"
Jimmy felt embarrassed. As a matter of fact, he still suspected Osborneof complicity in some scheme to make an unlawful profit out of thewreck; and in that sense his offer might be regarded as a bribe.
"We feel that it would be better if we stood, so to speak, on our ownfeet," he said.
"Perhaps you're right. However, I don't think you need object if I'mable to put any business in your way; but this is not what I meant totalk about. I cannot consent to an engagement just now, but after youhave been twelve months in business you may come to me again, and we'llsee what progress you are making."
"And in the meanwhile?" Jimmy asked anxiously.
"You are both free; I make no other stipulation. If Miss Dexterapproves, my house is open to you."
A few minutes afterward Jimmy found Ruth in the hall.
"Well?" she asked. "Was he very formidable?"
"I believe I got off better than I deserved." Jimmy told her whatOsborne had insisted on.
"So you are free for another year! I wonder whether you're fickle."
"I'm bound hand and foot forever! What's more, I'll hug my chains. Butyour father hinted that if I wished to see you, I'd have to win youraunt's approval."
"That won't be hard," Ruth laughed. "If you have no confidence in yourown merits, you can leave it to me. Now, perhaps, you had better comeand see her."
Miss Dexter spent some time talking to Jimmy, and he found her bluntquestions embarrassing; but she afterward remarked to her niece: "I likeyour sailor. He looks honest, and that is the great thing. Still, forsome reasons, I'm sorry you didn't take Aynsley, whom I'm fond of. It'scurious how little that young man resembles his father."
"Clay had his good points," Ruth said warmly. "He was very generous,and, although I don't quite understand the matter, I think he reallylost his life because he wanted to clear himself of all suspicion forhis son's sake."
"It's possible; there was something very curious about the wreck. He wasa brigand, my dear; perhaps a rather gallant and magnanimous one, but abrigand, for all that."
Osborne had come in quietly while she was talking.
"I owe Clay a good deal, and feel that he deserved more sympathy than hegot," he said. "He had his detractors, but the people who found mostfault with him were not above suspicion themselves."
"You are all brigands at heart," Miss Dexter declared.
"I'm afraid there's some truth in that," Osborne admitted with a smile.
Jimmy left the house the next morning, and soon after he opened hismodest office in Vancouver Aynsley called on him.
"I've come to congratulate you, first of all," he said. "No doubt, youknow you are an exceptionally lucky man."
"I'm convinced of it," Jimmy answered. "But in a sense, you'repremature; I'm only on probation yet."
He was conscious of some embarrassment, because he had learned from Clayabout Aynsley's affection for Ruth.
"Well, there's another matter. We raft a good deal of lumber down to thesea for shipment, and now and then buy logs of special quality on thecoast. I don't see why you shouldn't do our towing for us. I supposeyou're open for business?"
"We surely are." Jimmy gave him a steady look. "You're very generous inoffering me a lift up."
There was silence for a few moments, and then Aynsley smiled.
"I'll admit that if I'd ever had a chance before you entered the field,I might have felt very bitter, but I know I hadn't one from the first.As Ruth has taken you, I'm trying sincerely to wish you both happiness;and, if you don't mind my putting it so, I've a feeling that she mighthave chosen worse."
"Thank you!"
"Well, we'll let that go. I suspect my father had some reason for beinggrateful to you; he gave me the impression that you had taken a load offhis mind. I'm in your debt on that score, but quite apart from this, itmight be advantageous to both of us if you did our towing. Suppose wesee what we can make of it as a business proposition?"
They had arrived at a satisfactory arrangement when Aynsley left theoffice, and during the next few weeks more work was offered the new firmthan they could comfortably attend to. In a few months they decided tobuy a large and powerful tug, which was somewhat out of repair, andafter refitting her they found that they were able to keep her busy.Then they were fortunate in towing one or two exceptionally large boomsof logs safely down the coast in bad weather, and it soon became knownthat they could be relied on. When the work was difficult Jimmy tookcharge of it in person with Moran's help, while Bethune attended to theoffice and secured the good opinion of their customers.
It was, however, not until early in the next year that they really madetheir mark. A big American collier had stranded and been damaged whenapproaching the Wellington mines, and Jimmy assisted the salvors ingetting her off. Then the owners, deciding that it would be cheaper tosend her home for repairs, asked for tenders for towing her to Portland.Getting a hint from the captain, Jimmy hurried back and held aconsultation with his partners.
"We must get this contract, even if we make nothing out of it," Bethunedeclared. "It's our first big job and will give us a chance of showingwhat we can do. I suppose you feel confident about taking her down thecoast?"
"It won't be easy. She has lost her propeller and carried herstern-frame away. The jury rudder they have rigged won't steer her well,and I don't think the plates they've bolted on to her torn bilge willkeep out much water if she gets straining hard. However, I'll try it ifyou can find me another tug. She's too big for one boat to hold."
"There's the old _Guillemot_. We ought to get her cheap on a shortcharter."
Jimmy told him to see what he could do, and the next day Bethune sentoff a formal offer. On receiving it, the managing owner of the colliercrossed the boundary to consult with the captain.
"I'd like to give the San Francisco people the contract," he said."They're accustomed to this kind of thing, and their boats are the beston the Pacific. They ask a big sum, but I feel we can rely on them."
"You can rely on Farquhar. The salvage gang wouldn't have got her off ifit hadn't been for him."
"I understand his firm's a small one. His bid's low, but he says he cantow her down."
"Then you had better let him," advised the captain. "What that manundertakes he'll do. I've seen him at work."
He said more to the same purpose, with the result that Bethune securedthe contract, and Jimmy left Vancouver with two tugs immediatelyafterward. They passed Victoria with the broken-down vessel in fineweather, but that night it began to blow, and the gale that followedlasted a fortnight. What was worse, it blew for the most part straightin from the Pacific, piling a furious surf on shore. Three days afterJimmy left the Strait, the chartered tug put back with engines disabled,badly battered by the gale. Her skipper stated that he had left Jimmywith a broken hawser, hanging on to the collier, which was dragging himto leeward, nearer the dangerous coast. After that an incoming steamerreported having passed a disabled vessel with a tug standing by in themiddle of a furious gale, but although in a dangerous position, sheshowed no signals and the weather prevented a close approach. Then therewas no news for some time.
When offers to reinsure the collier were asked for, Bethune was summonedto Osborne's house. He found it difficult to express a hopeful view, andRuth's anxious look haunted him long after he left. Then, as publicinterest was excited in the fate of the missing vessel, paragraphs abouther began to appear in the newspapers. It was suggested that she an
d thetug had foundered in deep water, since no wreckage had been found alongthe coast.
At last, when hope had almost gone, she reeled in across the smokingColumbia bar one wild morning with her tug ahead, and Jimmy foundhimself famous when he brought her safe into harbor. Escaping from thereporters, he went off in search of coal, and put to sea as soon as hecould; but the grateful captain talked, and the papers made asensational story of the tow. It appeared that Jimmy had smashed twoboats in replacing broken hawsers in a dangerous sea, and had held on tothe disabled vessel while she drove up to the edge of the breakers thathammered a rocky coast. Then a sudden shift of wind saved them, but thenext night the collier broke adrift, and he spent two days stubbornlysearching for her in the haze and spray. She was in serious peril whenhe found her, but again he towed her clear, and afterward fought a long,stern fight that seemed bound to be a losing one against the fury of thesea.
Jimmy arrived in Vancouver early one morning, and that afternoon hereached Osborne's house, looking gaunt and worn. Osborne met him in thehall and gave him his hand in a very friendly manner.
"I must congratulate you," he said. "You have lifted your firm intofirst rank by one bold stroke. If you allow your friends to help you,there's an opportunity for a big development of your business."
"That isn't what concerns me most," Jimmy replied meaningly.
"Well," smiled Osborne, "I think I'm safe in trusting Ruth to you.Though the year's not up yet, you have made good."
As Ruth came forward Osborne moved away, and the girl looked at Jimmywith glowing eyes before she yielded herself to his arms.
"I've been hearing wonderful things about you, dear, but, after all, Iknew what you could do, and now I only want to realize that I've got yousafely back," she said.
THE END
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