by Eric Flint
Embarrassed, Luke accepted the telescope back. "I'm glad they're there. I pray everyone is still safe." He looked up to see how the sails were drawing. "We should be there in two hours." He glanced at Rene's hands. They were scorched, but the calluses had kept them from serious injury. "Go take care of those burns and get your people ready. I'm sure they'll want to go ashore as soon as we arrive."
Rene looked at his hands, wondering what Luke meant. They were just starting to sting. "Just like a landlubber! You'd think someone my age would know better." He headed below, shaking his head at his stupidity, to get some grease from the cook.
* * *
The Baie de Mordienne was just as Rene had described. Once past the headland, the bay opened up, with low, wooded hills behind it. In the winter, it would be a dangerous anchorage. Any easterly winds could bring ice and a ship would be trapped. There were about two dozen rough huts and cabins on the hills behind the beach. One boat was onshore, being cleaned of weed and caulked. Nets were spread along the beach and fish was being dried on racks. The arrival of the Coquette had everyone down to the beach. The Köbenhavn was still hull down to the villagers and the Coquette had no way to signal, if the sailors had even sighted the Köbenhavn. As the Köbenhavn entered the bay, someone dockside spotted her. The Coquette was too far inshore with the prevailing breeze to escape an enemy, so she tied up at the ramshackle dock and awaited the visitor. The villagers scattered over the hill in case there was trouble. Luke had a French flag raised to signal that they were friendly. He then anchored a cable length from the dock and prepared to lower his boats to return the fishermen to their friends and families.
As the boats were being lowered, Luke surveyed the small group of sailors on the dock. Everyone held some type of weapon, whether it was a belaying pin or a fish gaff. He walked over to Rene. "I feel like I just went through this scene a week ago. I'm glad you're going first!"
Rene laughed. "See the gal with the spear? That's my sister-in-law, Anna. Looks like she's still mad at me for convincing my brother to come here! Maybe you should do the honors again, Captain." He bowed and waved Luke to the waiting boat.
"Very well. But this is the first time I ever saw a Frenchman scared of a woman." That brought a roar of laughter from the waiting survivors.
"Touché, Captain!" Rene clapped him on his shoulder. "Let's face the foe together!" The two captains descended the battens to the boat. The rest of the survivors, with their meager belonging, and the boats' crews clambered down and prepared to row ashore.
As they approached the dock, the man next to Anna shaded his eyes and then called out, "Is that you, Rene?"
Rene stood up and roared back, "Jacques, your eyesight really must be failing if you can't recognize your own brother!"
Others on the dock started to point and shout. Weapons were dropped in place and the crowd rushed to the arriving boats. The bedlam and obvious shouts of joy brought the rest of the village back to see what had happened. Luke, and the boat crews, were a small island of tranquility on the dock, until the villagers realized they were responsible for the return of their friends and family members. Gallic passion then swept them up in a tide of embraces and kisses. Luke soon found himself in the bear hug of an older, gray haired matron. With Rene hovering behind her, he realized that it must be Rene's wife. Just then, a larger wave hit the dock and it gave a small shudder. Rene shouted out over the noise, "Everyone ashore. We can tell our tale better there and we won't risk getting drowned!"
As they walked toward the village, Rene leaned over to Luke to make himself heard. "I wonder what else suffered while we were gone? That dock wasn't rebuilt this spring like it should have been."
"Maybe you won't need to worry about it if things go as we hope." Luke gave a vague nod toward the north.
"You're right, my friend. We can build a new one there."
* * *
Supplies and spirits were brought from the Köbenhavn and the celebration lasted well into the night. When the singing quieted, Rene walked over to the bonfire and called for everyone's attention. "I know I speak for everyone here when I say we owe a debt of thanks to our rescuers. Captain Foxe, thank you!" Luke stood, made a small bow and sat back down. Rene continued. "We've been rescued from the devil, but we still face the deep blue sea. With only two boats, we cannot support a village this size, we can't all return to France, and we have nothing with which to build any new boats." The fishermen around the fire nodded in agreement. "So what do we do? Stay here and slowly starve or do something about it?” There was a scattering of ‘ Non!’ from the men. “The Compagnie has done nothing to help us.” He pointed to Jacques. “From what you've said, they can't even help themselves. The Dutch leveled La Have after they captured us. This village is now the largest French settlement on Isle Royale. Our new friends here have already settled a large group in Newfoundland and have reached an arrangement with the English at Ferryland to support them in the future, too.”
Rene paused to take a swig from a wineskin. After he wiped his mouth with his sleeve, he continued, pointing at Luke. “They have financial backers that see a bright future for this country. They need settlers that want to make a good future for their families. Strange and wonderful things are happening back home. They say people from the future were brought to the German lands with knowledge beyond our wildest dreams. I've seen a small part of this in the new navigation tools Captain Foxe used to sail here. He has maps of this island far better than any available. He asked me to speak to you about a proposal he has made. Just north of here is another bay that is protected and can be secured. It also has large coal deposits his company is interested in. He has proposed that we move our village to that site. They will help build new homes for us to live in and new boats to replace those we lost. What they ask in return is that we supply food for the miners they will bring to dig the coal and the militia that will defend the new port. Anyone who wants to quit fishing and work the mine will be welcome too." Rene turned to Luke and gestured for him to add anything else.
"What Captain Chaumont has said is true. I represent the Hudson's Bay Company and we are looking at mining the nearby coal. We want to be partners with those people already settled here."
Jacques interrupted. "What about the Compagnie des Cent-Associes ? We're French and you're Danes. What will they do when they learn about you? They may not be here now, but they will return, just like locusts."
Luke answered, "Well actually, I'm English, and most of our investors are English, Germans, and Swedes. As for the Compagnie, as Rene said, they seem to be pretty scarce around here. Even some freebooters like the Kirke brothers could kick them out and the Dutch just did it again. I don't see them giving two clipped sous for this area. They just bought the English colonies further south and they should be tied up there for many years to come. You will be just like the English at Ferryland. Abandoned, because new and better opportunities came along for their investors."
"What says you won't abandon us, too?"
"Over forty million livres in steel and precious metals says we won't."
The villagers were dumbstruck. Finally a voice was faintly heard. "Forty million?"
Luke knew he had struck just the right note. "Yes, forty. We have information that indicates where the deposits are located and the tools to mine them. What we need are people smart enough to see a future with us." He waited for the buzz of conversation to die down before he continued, "I know this is unexpected and I don't need an answer now. Talk it over tonight and we can meet again in the morning. My crew and I thank you for your hospitality and bid you good night."
Luke gathered up the crew that had come to the party and returned to the ship. The conversations around the fire could be heard well into the night.
Chapter 23
Late the next morning, after his hangover had dissipated, Luke went ashore with just Svend and Mr. Barrow. They met Rene as he emptied the night slops. He too looked much the worse for the night's festivities. Luke commente
d, "You look how I feel this morning. Two old men like us should know better."
"Yes, Captain, but how else do we keep the young ones in their places?" Rene winced, but smiled.
"It went well after we left? We could hear some, even out at the ship."
"They all eventually came around. Old Berthe wanted to know if he would have to build a new hut himself. I told him no, that your crew would do it. Was I wrong in saying so?"
"No, Rene. As I said when we spoke before, the cabins will be built before they move. Will they send the boat with the letters as I asked?"
"Yes, they saw the wisdom there. And the benefits too! The pay you offered did the trick."
Luke took Svend aside. "I want you to get an accurate count of how many cabins we will need to build at the new site. Make sure you allow extra space for families. Let them know why you're asking and make note of any special requests. Get me a count of people and a rough idea of the cargo we will need to move. Can you handle that?"
"Yes, sir. One census coming up." Svend went off with Rene to start the counts.
"John, I want you to get with the captain of the Coquette and make sure of the arrangements. Give him copies of my charts to reach Christianburg and find out how soon he can leave." Luke returned to the ship to complete his letters to the Abrabanels and Mette.
* * *
Two days later, both ships prepared to sail. The few people remaining in the village turned out to wish everyone Godspeed. They would use the time available to finish careening and repairing the other fishing boat. The Coquette raised anchor first and cleared the headland on a long reach. The Köbenhavn took longer, since they needed to finish loading supplies that would be moved to the new settlement. Rene helped John stow the gear. An hour later John reported back to the captain that everything was secure. "Very well, Mr. Barrow. Weigh anchor and let's be on our way. We've a fair wind and should be there before nightfall."
"Aye, aye, Captain." As he walked forward, he called out, "Man the capstan and prepare to make sail!" As the anchor broke free of the bottom, the Köbenhavn paid off at her head and followed in the path of the Coquette. When she cleared the headland, she turned to the west northwest and headed for Spanish Bay. Late that afternoon she dropped anchor just west of the river that flowed into the bay. Luke surveyed the shore through his telescope. "It still looks peaceful, but we'll stay on board tonight." He closed the glass and handed it to Svend. "Please find Mr. Reinhardt and bring him to my cabin. The three of us need to discuss how we will proceed from here." Svend slid down the handrail to the main deck and then ran below to find Heinrich. Luke remarked to John, "I just hope he has that much energy in two weeks. He's got a lot of hiking and survey work coming up."
* * *
The next two weeks were a blur of activity. Throughout the first week, the need to reach Hudson’s Bay in good weather remained as a concern for Luke. To the crew and the new partners, Luke was very upbeat, but Svend heard the mutterings through the thin cabin walls at night. All he could do was try to finish his tasks quickly. Svend accompanied Reinhardt and the three miners during their survey for the coal deposits. They rowed across the bay, to the town site, Sydney Mines, shown on the uptime map. After an hour of hiking, they discovered a large area of surface coal that gave every indication that was just the tip of a larger, underground deposit. They spent the rest of the day helping Svend lay out the area for the mine and set stakes for future excavation work. They finished two days earlier than planned.
When Svend returned with the maps and drawings, a meeting with the French was held at the site. It was decided that the mine would have cabins nearby for the miners, but the fishing village would be across the bay. As Svend said, "The mine will need a large area for the works and for the docks. No need to have everyone living on top of the tailings. With all this space to use, let's make it a healthier site to start with."
Luke looked surprised. He hadn't expected such forethought in someone so young. "That's an excellent idea. Show us how you plan to lay out these sites." Svend unrolled his drawings and Luke, Svend and the village leaders studied the plans. It took a while to explain what the drawings meant, but once they understood and could relate them to the land, they gave a hearty endorsement. The next morning, clearing began for the new mine and settlement.
Shortly after the first foundations were laid out, a delegation from the village workers came to Captain Foxe. Their spokesman asked, "Captain, I know this may be presumptuous, but we would like to ask a favor."
Luke was surprised by the request but said quickly, "We're all working together. What can I do to help you?"
"Can we include a church in the construction plans? We know we have no priest now, but maybe in the future someone will come." The spokesman stood twisting his cap in nervous anxiety.
Luke relaxed, since he had already anticipated this moment when he sent the letters off. "I apologize for not saying something sooner. A church will go up just as soon as the houses are done. As for a priest, I requested that one be found to accompany the next group of miners. While there may not be a state church, there will be churches for those who want them. I can see this place growing fast enough that that would have been a grave oversight. Rest assured, you will have a priest before the year is out." Luke had to struggle to keep from being hoisted on the shoulders of the group. He was too old for that type of celebration. Seeing the signs of the cross and prayers among the group left him with a feeling that the decision for religious freedom may have been the best decision for the new lands.
While the clearing was progressing, Svend and Heinrich set out with their party to survey the surrounding countryside. Captain Andersen would need detailed maps of the area to decide the best defenses for the terrain. Joseph worked as the scout, and the three miners continued to search for additional mining sites. The fourth day out, they paused near a large pond for the evening meal. Heinrich directed the set up. He tossed some empty water skins to Svend.
"Would you go back and get some water from the spring we just passed? Karl can collect some firewood while Joseph keeps watch." He pointed at the two remaining miners. "Gunther, you and Franz break out the cooking pot and start preparing a stew. I'll follow in a minute, Svend, to help carry the water skins back."
As Svend left to get the water, with his gun and the water skins, Heinrich reminded him to watch out for trouble. Svend told him one mother was enough, thank you. Heinrich then pulled out a flint and steel to start a fire. Karl already had a small pile of kindling ready and in a few strikes, the fire was lit. Heinrich picked up his rifle and followed after Svend. He heard Karl mutter that some fresh meat would be nice for a change. He caught up quickly to Svend. After a short hike they reached the spring and filled the skins. As they walked back, he said, "I think we may stay here a day and do some hunting. Our supplies could use some fresh meat to stretch them out and there were quite a few signs of game around that spring."
"I don’t know if we can afford the time, but I'd like to go with you, if you don't mind. I've never gone hunting before and father said I should learn from you."
"I don't see why not. I've heard you're a good shot and you seem to be able to handle yourself in the woods. We can leave Joseph to guard the camp." With that settled, they continued on quietly toward the camp. When they arrived, Franz was tending the fire. Heinrich asked quietly as he set the water skin down, "Where's Karl?"
"He went down to the pond to see if he could catch some fish. He said he was tired of the dried meat." Franz poked at the fire, and then added a larger branch.
Heinrich raised his eyes skyward in supplication for deliverance from fools. A commotion in the brush in the direction of the pond caught their attention. They all turned toward the sound. When it came again, Heinrich and Svend grabbed their rifles and raced off toward the pond. Heinrich was furious, "I told him to stay close. We don't know what's around here."
As they approached the pond, they could see Karl struggling to pull a fish ashore. There we
re already two large ones lying at his feet. He let out a whoop when the fish he was fighting broke the surface in a leap. It was at least a foot long. At the same time, a roar sounded from the brush about thirty feet away. All three men turned to see a large black bear rear up. Heinrich called out, "Karl, set the pole down and back away slowly." The bear dropped to all fours and stared in Karl's direction. Karl just stood there, too petrified to move. The fish flopped on the ground in front of him. Heinrich broke from cover, yelling and waving his gun, trying to spook the bear. Instead the bear started to amble toward Karl. The scent of fish had his full attention.
Heinrich dropped to one knee, brought the rifle up, and fired in one smooth motion. All he got was a misfire. Waving the rifle had somehow dislodged the priming. Without thinking, Svend raised his rifle and took aim. Time stood still as his training kicked in. Aim, lead, hold the breath, and gently squeeze the trigger. The bear was just about to Karl when he fired. The impact of the bullet sent the bear sprawling. It also broke Karl's trance and he started to run. The bear rolled over and started to chase Karl, but its pace was labored.
In the meantime, Heinrich had reprimed his rifle and took careful aim. This time the rifle discharged and the bear dropped dead in his tracks. A head shot had taken him down. Svend came running up, reloading as he ran. Heinrich motioned for him to slow down. "It's over. You don't need to trip and shoot one of us." Svend stopped and grounded the butt of his rifle. He still finished reloading, just in case. Heinrich walked over and clapped him on his back. "Your shot was excellent, but a lung shot would have taken a couple of minutes to kill him. Luckily, I was able to reprime in time and get a close head shot. Bears that size are notoriously difficult to kill."
Karl staggered back as they checked the bear to make sure it was dead. "You saved me! Thank you."
Heinrich fixed him with a furious stare, "No thanks to you, you fool. This is why I told you to stay together. It's spring and they are hungrier than usual. To him, you were just his next big meal. Only luck, and Svend's shot, kept you alive. Grab those fish and take them back to camp. I hope you enjoy them, because they almost cost you your life." He turned back to the bear and started to show Svend how to skin it.
