by Eric Flint
“Are these makeshift quarters going to be sufficient?” Reuben looked around skeptically. The canvas partitions gave little privacy. The two stoves, one at each end of the room, gave just enough heat to take the chill off.
“Once we get twenty or so people in here, it should be adequate. With all the refugees in town, they should be thankful that they have four solid walls and a roof. Captain Foxe says that he will quarter any overflow on board the Köbenhavn . Its temporary cabins are set up and can handle any families that arrive. We’re just taking the single men here.” Bamberg pointed to the door in the rear. “The sanitary facilities will be stretched, but the cold weather should help some. There was a new pit dug last summer.”
Sir Thomas gave his approval. “You did a good job on such short notice, Adolphus. Two weeks seems like a short time for a group to travel in winter down the Elbe River. Have you heard how many miners are coming?”
“No, just that they left for Copenhagen about two weeks ago, and that I should expect a large group. Herr Cavriani was very sparse on the details. I’m not sure he was even there when they left. I’ll send a note to you when they arrive.”
* * *
Late the next evening, just after he had retired for the night, a loud pounding on the main warehouse door roused Bamberg. In a heavy dressing gown and cap, he hurried to the door. The local sergeant of the watch, Karl, along with another man, covered in snow, stepped in when he opened the door. “I have a group at the docks who say you’re expecting them. They say they’re miners from Bamberg and look down on their luck. I didn’t want them wandering the streets at this time of night, and in this weather, without making sure they were who they said they were. This man is their leader, Ludwig Steinbrecher.”
“You did well, Sergeant. They are expected. The families are to go to Captain Foxe’s ship' the Köbenhavn . Do you know where she’s docked?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have the families report there. The rest are to come here. Herr Steinbrecher, how many are there in your group?”
“I have eight families and eighteen single men. We also have two wagon loads of tools and household goods. I’ll send those to the Köbenhavn in the morning. The wives are looking forward to dry, rat-free quarters.”
“Rest assured, the quarters we have are dry, rat-free and heated. While you get everyone unloaded, I’ll roust out my assistants. We will get the fires going here to warm up the living area.”
Bamberg whispered to Karl, “See me in the morning; I’ll have something extra for your help, Sergeant.”
“Thank you, sir. My men will appreciate it.”
Chapter 10
Over the next few days, the miners and their families settled into their new quarters. The trip from Bremen had been difficult due to the weather, but uneventful. All had experience working in the iron mines of the Upper Palatinate. Leopold Cavriani had found them and convinced them to join the expedition on a shares basis. Sir Thomas and the Abrabanels were extremely pleased with the skills Cavriani had listed for the recruits in the correspondence the miners brought with them.
Adolphus arranged for the Company’s leaders to meet with the miners at the warehouse. Seating was crowded, but everyone had a place and the room soon grew warm. Sir Thomas called for silence. “The main goal of this initial expedition will be to start a colony in the south end of Hudson’s Bay, with a layover station in Newfoundland. The colony in Hudson’s Bay will initially serve as a fur trading post and provide a base for expeditions to locate and start mining operations for nickel and gold deposits. Herr Diedermann, your group of four families will be part of that effort. Your families will be housed at the fort, while your advance parties work at locating the deposits and start the initial site preparation. Yours will eventually be the largest operation but will take some time to develop.
“Herr Steinbrecher, your group will be able to start iron mining near the layover station in Newfoundland. There was a previous English expedition that located iron ore deposits on an island in the harbor we plan to use. Your group will develop that deposit. It has the potential to be the largest iron mine in the known world.” He paused to let the information sink in. “Now that you’ve heard what’s planned, are you still interested?”
The only sound in the room was from the logs popping in the fire. Diedermann and Steinbrecher turned to their groups to find out their thoughts. The discussion became quite animated for a time.
Steinbrecher’s group finished first. “We agree, but have some questions and suggestions. You mentioned a previous expedition. Will there be any problem from that and did they leave anything there?”
Sir Thomas smiled. “My father was an investor with that group. All they did was identify the iron deposit. We’ve confirmed from another source that the size of the deposit is much larger than they originally thought. Nothing was done at the site itself.”
“In that case, how many foresters do you have on the expedition? We will need some lumber for housing and a lot of timbers for the mine. Also, at least two pairs of oxen for hauling.”
Sir Thomas and Saul looked to Reuben, who was shuffling through his papers.
“Aha!” Reuben brightened as he found what he was looking for. “We have seven families of foresters amongst the refugees with seventeen adult males. Will that be enough?”
“That should be adequate. You have yourselves a mine crew.”
Diedermann’s group was still vehemently discussing their options. At first, Sir Thomas appeared concerned with the level of apparent disagreement. As he concentrated on the exchange, he realized he could resolve the issue easily. “Herr Diedermann, if I might interrupt for a moment. We realize your group is mostly experienced with mining coal. Your concerns on whether those skills can be used in locating nickel and gold deposits are valid, since you don’t know the source of our information. You will not be concerned with trying to find the deposits. We have maps and pictures from Grantville’s library, and an engineer who is familiar with prospecting. Once the sites are located and marked, you will be responsible for opening the site. We will send for a second expedition to handle the refining and transportation of the metals.” Sir Thomas sat down to wait for more questions.
From the back of the room, a voice rang out. “To the future of the Hudson’s Bay Company mines!” Steins were raised in a toast and quickly downed. The crowd surged toward the tables to sign the work contracts.
The next day the sun was bright and the southerly breeze brought the temperatures up enough to start seriously melting the snowdrifts. Captain Foxe sent John Barrow to oversee the movement of the families’ personal effects to the Köbenhavn and the tools to the Wilhelm .
John reported, “Everything’s moved and stowed, Captain. The captain of the ship they arrived on kept them in squalid conditions. The scoundrel should be flogged for treating women and children like that! And speaking of scoundrels, have you heard when we can expect to start loading our supplies? Time is getting short.”
“My latest contact from Bundgaard is that we can expect the tools, weapons, and equipment later this week. He said nothing about the food stores. I’m beginning to worry on that score. The siege at Luebeck has already driven food prices up and rumors are rampant about future problems. Thank God we bought when we did.”
John walked down the forecastle, muttering, “I hope you’re right, Captain, and the rumors I’ve heard are wrong. Otherwise that thieving bastard may ruin the whole expedition.”
* * *
The last patron had left the inn and Anna was in the kitchen, washing the last of the pots. Luke and Mette sat in front of the fireplace in the dining area staring at the flames. Luke's shirt was open and Mette was playfully tickling his gray hairs.
"Mette, how can I concentrate if you keep distracting me?"
"You need some distractions. Your problem with Bundgaard is wearing you down. You need to relax. If you don't, you might not make it to the wedding." Mette joked about it, but her concern was evid
ent. "You've been so worried with the food problem, we still haven't figured out how to tell the children we're getting married. If we don't tell them soon, we may have the first surprise wedding in history."
"I know!" Luke looked chagrined. "I just want to make sure that we do it the right way. Your late husband was a good father to them and I don't want that memory to be an obstacle. I've never had children and, quite frankly, it scares me more than a nor'easter. I'm afraid I'll disappoint them."
"Nonsense. You're wonderful with them and they love you! I'm sure if you just relax it will come to you." Mette kissed him and then went to check on Anna.
With the expedition's departure date rapidly approaching, Luke was overwhelmed with critical issues and just didn't seem to find a moment to solve the announcement problem. During the following week, small shipments of supplies continued to arrive, but no foodstuffs were included in the loads. Mette worked with him to review the supply lists. She discovered that he had overlooked many of the small, domestic items that the housewives would need. She pointed out that not only were these items needed, but they might also be good trading items with the natives. She asked Luke to come along with her went she went to buy them. It would give him a needed break and they could discuss the upcoming wedding without interruptions.
* * *
After the eighth stop, Luke wasn't sure how good an idea going shopping had been. He was in a daze and his feet hurt. Walking on cobblestone streets seemed worse than braving a heaving deck in a storm. As Mette dickered with a clerk for needles and pins, he started to daydream. Eventually his thoughts led to the one question still outstanding about the wedding, how to tell the children. As he stood there and pondered, the answer came. "Mette! I know how to tell the children!" Mette and the clerk looked at him as though he had lost his mind.
"Just what do the children have to do with pins?" As soon as she said it, Mette realized what Luke was talking about. "Men! Can't you ever concentrate on what's at hand?" Mette finished the dickering and paid for the sewing supplies. When she got Luke outside, she asked, "All right, what's the plan?" Luke explained as they continued walking home. By the time he had finished, Mette nodded agreement. "I just hope it works."
Luke reached over and took Mette in his arms, "I couldn't have done this without you. I can run a ship, but trying to handle children is something I have no skill with."
"You'll do fine, Luke. You just need a little more experience."
A child's shout caught their attention. “And speaking of experience, here’s a chance for you to get some.” The children came running up to greet them.
“Did you get us anything?” cried the smaller McDermott children.
“Not today, little ones. Now be good and go with the captain into the family room and maybe he will tell you a story. I’ll have supper there soon.”
Little Ilsa hugged Luke’s leg. “Can you tell us the story of the bear? I missed it when you told it last time.”
“All right, but first everyone get ready for dinner. If you do it quickly, I should have time. After supper, your mother may have another story to tell you.
The children scattered to get the table ready for dinner. When they were finished, they gathered in a circle around Luke and he recited the story of his ship’s encounter with the polar bear. The children were entranced until the final scene, when, on cue, Svend let out a bear roar. All the children squealed and laughed. Shortly afterward, Anna came in with the dinner meal, followed by Mette with flagons for herself and Luke.
* * *
Ilsa and Sean clapped when Mette sat down in the "story" chair after dinner. The two little ones climbed in with her. The others settled down around Luke.
"And now, my story. It’s very short and I’m not sure how it will end, but you can help finish it. There once was a widow with five children.”
“Just like us, Momma?”
“Yes Ilsa, just like us.” Mette continued, “She loved her children, but had been lonely for a long time. One day, a foreign prince stopped, seeking shelter. He was there on a quest to visit the king, but it took a long time to get in to see His Majesty. He was a good prince and treated the whole family well. Eventually, his great quest would lead him to seek an assistant to help with the journey.” Svend looked from his mother to Luke, as he realized where the story was leading. He smiled, but Luke motioned for him to hold his thoughts. "The prince was lonely and he came to love the family. One day, he asked the widow to marry him. The lady sat her family down after supper that night and told them a story to see how they felt about having a new father. The end.”
Luke rose and stepped over behind Mette. He took her hand in his and continued, “Children, your mother is the lady in the story. I’ve asked to pay court to her, but before we decided, we wanted to see how you felt first.”
Luke was suddenly buried in a mob of happily crying children, hugging him. A smothered, “I think they approve,” sounded from the bottom of the pile.
* * *
Luke and Mette planned for a small wedding but their friends decided otherwise. Time became a precious commodity. Two days before the wedding, Luke and Mette agreed that Mette would remain in Copenhagen until the resupply fleet sailed. That would give her time to sell the inn and for Luke to get a solid house built. They left unsaid the other reason for delay, the chance for famine the first winter. Luke was worried that the land near the planned site for the fort might not be productive enough. If none of the farmers chose to accompany the miners south or the crops failed, the first winter would be tough.
The day of the wedding arrived, bright and clear. Crews from the three ships, the stockholders, the settlers, and all of Mette's friends filled the nave of For Frue Kirk, the Lutheran cathedral, to overflowing. After a brief ceremony, everyone returned to the inn to celebrate; even the local watch stopped by to join the celebration. However, when John Barrow showed up later in the evening, Luke knew something was amiss. "John, I know you love a good party, but you told me you would be tied up all night loading the latest shipment of gunpowder. What's happened?" Luke had never seen John look so angry.
"We better go someplace quiet, sir. You're not going to like the news I just got." Luke motioned for John to follow him out the back door.
When they got outside, Luke said. "We should be able to talk here without being interrupted. Spit it out! What's happened?"
"That bastard Bundgaard has sold all our food! With the hoarding that's started from all the war rumors; on top of all the refugees already in town, Bundgaard says he won't be able to supply us with food until June. No extra cost, but we have to wait!"
Luke slammed his fist against the doorpost. "Damn! Mette said we shouldn't trust that scoundrel. I'll need to meet with our backers in the morning to decide what we can do. In the meantime, I want you to sniff around and see what really happened to our food. This could seriously jeopardize the entire expedition."
Trying to maintain calm expressions, they returned to the party. Luke walked over to Mette to join the circle of her friends. He did notice John leave the party with the sergeant of the watch.
Chapter 11
John stepped up nose to nose with the heavier of the two toughs at Bundgaard's office. "My captain is here to see Fister Bundgaard."
The guard glanced back at the door. "He's not available."
Bundgaard gave lie to the statement as he stuck his head out to call for a clerk. When he spotted Captain Foxe, he immediately put on a hang dog expression. "Captain Foxe, I assume you're here about your food stores. You have my apology. I've been forced to extend the delivery date. What with the war and such, prices and demand have gone up so much I would be foolish to deliver them now. I should have sufficient excess by June."
Luke was furious. He stepped forward but John caught him before he got to the guards. Luke shouted, "We have a contract and you've been paid! We have to have the food now!"
From behind the safety of his guards Bundgaard replied. "Captain, I would hate to have
to call on the authorities. You will get your supplies, when I say so! Until then, don't come back here! Now get out!" The guards reached for their weapons.
John gently pulled Luke around and whispered in his ear." Not now, Captain. This plays right into his hand. We'll find a better way."
As they turned to leave, the guards laughed and jeered. John glared at them and muttered, "You haven't heard the last of this! We'll get even."
* * *
Bundgaard laughed. Sailors never learn. They're all naive and so easy to gull!
He entered his office and closed the door. A short, overweight, but well-dressed visitor stepped out from behind it. Giscard de Villereal had been waiting for Captain Foxe to leave. He had just finished negotiating with Bundgaard for supplies for the French fleet blockading Luebeck. They had also discussed France’s concern with the Hudson’s Bay Company. Luke's arrival had interrupted the discussion.
"I congratulate you, Monsieur! A secure source of food for the French fleet and this annoying enterprise foiled in one act. If they can't sail until summer, they will surely fail. I will deposit the funds in your account today, as agreed. The minister was right in recommending you to us."
After he checked to make sure that Captain Foxe was gone, Bundgaard escorted his visitor to the door. Villereal winced as if his shoulder hurt, but after rubbing it, continued out the door. Visions of future commissions brought a smile to Bundgaard’s face. He watched his visitor disappear down the street.
* * *
Later that evening after transferring the promised funds and posting a report to Paris detailing his frustration of the expedition’s plans, Villereal walked back to the house where he lived alone. As he walked, the pain in his shoulder returned. This time, it seemed to spread down his arm. Suddenly, his chest felt like someone was sitting on it. Gasping for breath, Villereal looked around for help. The street was dark; even the moonlight seemed to be failing. He landed face-first on the sidewalk.
