Trapper Boy

by Hugh R. MacDonald

  Working in the mines would kill dreams in a hurry. There was little time to dream when you always had to have your eyes open. He figured his mother’s dreams were tempered by the lack of money coming into the household. JW put the pictures back in his satchel, and got ready for bed. As soon as he lay down, he felt the comforting arms of sleep envelope him, and he slept soundly until the sound of his mother’s footsteps rushed up the stairs.

  “John Wallace! Get up, dear! There’s been a cave-in at the mine. You have to go help. Hurry along. There’s men trapped.”

  JW pulled his clothes on, rushed down the stairs and was on his way out the door when his mother called to him.

  “Take this with you,” she said, handing him his satchel. “It’s your lunch. You could be there all night. Please be careful.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek before he headed out the door and on his way to the mine. He noticed the prayer book in her hands.

  JW could hear the commotion as he arrived at the wash house. Red was there barking orders, trying to keep the men organized. A mine rescue crew headed down the travelling way, as a few men came up to report the damage. JW stood by, listening as one of the men spoke. “There’s six men trapped. Smitty, Shawn McGuire, his son Mickey, two new fellas, and Andy. It’s mostly Tunnel Seven. The roof let go and a couple of the timbers cracked. There must be close to a hundred ton of coal in the tunnel! What little air there is in there won’t last long.”

  Red noticed JW standing behind him. “We can’t be sure. There could be an air pocket in there to last a while.” The man who had spoken first saw JW and quickly agreed with Red.

  “Sure, probably could be some air in there.”

  JW knew they were trying not to alarm him, but he also knew that he had to get below to try to help his father and the other men. He grabbed a pick and shovel and headed down the tunnel. He heard Red call to him, but he ignored him. He had to try to help his father. Patty was at the trap door when JW arrived.

  “Sorry ’bout your pa,” Patty said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Him and the rest all trapped in the tunnel with no way out. Sorry.”

  “Open the door, Patty. I gotta go and help get them out.” JW rushed along the track and saw several men shovelling coal from the face of the tunnel. He realized the man hadn’t exaggerated the amount of coal. There could be a hundred ton filling the tunnel. There was only a narrow passageway for the men to work in their rescue effort, and all were able to swing a pick and use a shovel better than he. He knew he would only slow them down.

  JW stood for a moment, praying, watching the men, trying to stay out of their way. He felt he had to do something and scraped some of the coal away. The speed of the pan shovels increased as the men raced against time to free their friends. Suddenly, they stopped shovelling, and one man brushed away some coal. Then JW heard the tinkling of bells and saw the head of Smitty’s horse as the miner uncovered it. The looks exchanged between the two shovellers sent a wave of fear through JW. He guessed it would take close to half an hour to uncover the body of the horse. Then they still had to move it out of their way in order to resume their rescue attempt.

  JW watched for another minute or so, then hurried deeper into the mine, away from the tunnel where his father and others were trapped, perhaps hurt or dying. He tried to push the thought from his mind as he carried the pick and dragged the shovel along behind him, metal on metal as it clanged against the rail. His satchel tapped against his leg. He slowed as he neared the tunnel where he and Mickey had gone on their treasure hunt. It was all worked out and abandoned, but he knew it was close to the other end of Tunnel Seven. He believed that only three or four feet separated the tunnels. His mind raced as he wondered what to do next.

  JW pulled the pictures from his satchel, and turned up the flame on his headlamp. He scanned them briefly then put them away and grabbed the pick. He looked to his left, then to his right, searching the wall for a place to begin. Hoping he’d made the right choice, he swung the pick with all his might. He hadn't used a pick much, and it stuck deep into the wall. Working it up and down, he managed to wrench it free. The next swing, he used a little less force, and a piece of the wall broke away. He continued to swing at an angle, and bigger pieces gave way.

  JW’s first concern was to try to break a hole through to provide air into the tunnel. He had to chip away a huge piece of the wall in order to be able to dig deeper. He dug closer to the floor so that the roof would hold. The last thing he wanted was to cause another cave-in. He guessed that he was about two feet deep in his digging when he thought he heard a tapping sound coming from behind the wall. Adrenaline surging through his body caused him to swing the pick too hard, and it lodged deep into the wall. Pulling the pick out, he swung again, and this time saw a large portion break free. He listened again and knew he could hear tapping, as he heard the sound from the other side grow louder.

  Suddenly, some coal fell toward him, and JW realized that someone was digging from the other side. A pick head came through the opening. He stepped back in surprise, as Shawn McGuire scurried through the small hole, followed by the two new men, who appeared shaken. “Thank you, thank you,” they both said. Mickey was next through and then Smitty. JW held his breath until he finally saw his father emerge from the tunnel. He hugged his father, almost lifting him off the ground.

  “So it was you that figured how to get us out,” his father said. “How?”

  “Mickey and I went exploring one night, and when we came to this point I could hear sound coming through the wall. I spent this morning looking at the pictures you drew, and I remembered where the tunnels almost converge.”

  Excitement filled the air as Smitty and Mickey came over, clapping him on the shoulders, thanking him. Finally Shawn McGuire said, “Thanks, boy. You done real good.” This was high praise from Mickey’s father, who had been nothing but misearable to JW before now.

  Bobbing lights came toward them as Red, Mr. Brown, the mine manager, and another man in a suit and tie arrived. There were looks of relief on their faces as Red counted the six men who had been trapped. “Thank God,” Red said. Mickey piped up, “Yes, Red, and you can thank JW too. He’s the one got us out. Him and his pa.”

  Red smiled at JW. “Way to go, boy.” Red hurried the men from the area. He wanted to get them checked over and get the story from them.

  JW squeezed his father’s hand as he left with Red. “I’ll see you on the surface, Da. I think you need to wash up.” Everyone seemed to be walking well and there didn’t seem to be any blood. JW listened as Mr. Brown spoke to the other man. The two of them were not dressed to be underground, and seemed uncomfortable in the dust and darkness. He listened as Mr. Brown spoke of Red’s retiring and of how difficult it was going to be to replace him.

  “There’s no one that can fill his spot. No one who knows the workings of all the different jobs,” Mr. Brown said.

  “Excuse me, sir,” JW said, interrupting the manager.

  “Yes, what is it, lad?”

  “My father knows every job that takes place underground and above as well.”

  “What does he do?” Mr. Brown asked.

  “He’s a pick miner, sir, but he knows all the other jobs too,” JW said.

  “It’s nice to see a lad proud of his dad, but I need someone who knows every facet of every job. Good day to you. You did a wonderful thing here today getting the men out,” Mr. Brown said and began to leave.

  JW picked up his satchel from beneath a pile of coal, and reached into it. Pulling the pictures out, he called after Mr. Brown. “Excuse me, sir, would you please take a look at these?”

  With obvious impatience, Mr. Brown turned back. “What is it then?” Taking the pictures from JW’s outstretched hand, he nodded as he glanced at each one. “Did you draw these, lad?”

  “No, sir, my father did, and he explai
ned how each job tied into the other.” Taking the pictures back, JW laid them out in sequence, which showed how each job was interconnected. “My father, Andrew Donaldson, who was one of the trapped men and helped get them out, knows how the ventilation system works and all the underground jobs too. He even took me to the breakers to show me what happens to the coal once it’s above ground. I think he could replace Red, sir,” JW said.

  “You do, do you? Well tell your father to come and see me tomorrow. Tell him Mr. Brown wants to speak with him. What’s your name, lad?”

  “John Wallace Donaldson, sir.”

  “Mind if I keep these pictures overnight? I’d like to have a closer look at them. I’ll give them back to your father tomorrow.”

  “That would be fine, sir. Thank you, Mr. Brown,” JW said and turned to leave. “Goodbye, sir.”

  “Goodbye, John Wallace.”

  Chapter 44

  JW waited outside for his father. He saw him coming toward him. The ordeal of the cave-in could not be washed away with soap and water – it was still present in his eyes. His father smiled an uncertain smile as he came alongside JW. They started on their way home and moments later put arms around each other’s shoulders like boyhood friends. Neither said a word, just breathing in the clean air. They both looked at the sky, marvelling at the broad array of colours on the trees below the magnificent blue. All thoughts of the coal mine left their minds. Before long, Gulliver came racing toward them. With JW and his father petting him, Gulliver bounded from one to the other, his wagging tail slapping against their pant legs.

  Mary Donaldson held the door open for her two men. She smiled, relieved, as they crossed the threshold.

  “There’s a pot of stew ready. Can you eat?” she asked.

  JW blushed a little as his father took his mother into his arms and kissed her for a long time. Her face was a little flushed when Andrew released her.

  “He saved us. Me and five others are alive because of his actions.”

  JW sat and listened as his father heaped praise upon him. The stew was hot, and he realized he was quite hungry after the first spoonful. He watched as his father’s food turned cold while he retold the story of how his son had been so smart and how he knew right where to dig to get them out. JW looked at the clock and knew he should get some more sleep before his upcoming shift.

  “I’ve got to get some more sleep. Ten o’clock’s not far away.” He rose and headed to the stairs. “Goodnight, Ma, Da.”

  “Goodnight, son,” they said together.

  “Ma, my lunch is still good. I didn’t eat any of it.”

  “I’ll pack you a fresh lunch. Try and get some rest, dear. Goodnight.”

  Chapter 45

  His father had been the one to wake him. More stew awaited him as he made his way down the stairs. After a quick wash, he managed to eat a good amount. As promised, his lunch was fresh. Strawberry jam sandwiches and a couple of molasses cookies. He was so glad that his father was okay, and he saw the appreciation in both his mother’s and father’s faces. He hugged them both as he left.

  JW didn’t mind the walk to the pit that evening. His fear of the dark wasn’t completely gone, but unless he heard a spooky sound in the night, he was okay. Mind you, he didn’t spend much time peering into the dark woods. Gulliver walked part of the way with him at night and that was enough.

  There was a loud cheer as he entered the wash house. He wondered what was going on until several men approached him and lifted him on their shoulders. After what seemed like a long time, they set him down. He was clapped on the back and had his hair ruffled many times over before everything quieted down. The ever-present Red was there. It was like he never slept. JW took his seat on the rake and lowered his head. He was surprised when, at the last moment, Shawn McGuire sat next to him. After a moment, Shawn cleared his throat.

  “I just want to thank you for saving my boy. You’re a smart one alright, just like Mickey says.” Then they both bowed their heads as if in prayer and readied themselves for the descent.

  That shift, and the next several days, seemed to fly by. Now, only the ones who had been in the cave-in acknowledged him with a clap on the back or, if it was Mickey, an arm around the neck. The accolades had been great, but JW was glad things were back to normal. He was relieved night shift was over, and he had a day off before starting on the day shift. He washed up and decided he would take his time before heading home. The walk to town was only a couple of miles, and he knew he had lots of time to sleep later. It would be a good time to pick up a few supplies at the Co-op.

  The bell above clanged as JW pulled the door open. It clanged again as he closed it. He saw the man behind the counter look up and smile.

  “Hello, Mr. Ferneyhough,” JW said.

  “Why hello, John Wallace. What brings you in today?”

  “I need a new pair of gloves, and I was going to pick up a few candies,” JW said as he reached into the bin with the gloves and pulled out a pair. His eyes fell to the scribblers on a nearby shelf, then he looked away. He placed the gloves on the counter and asked for two cents worth of candy. He watched as Mr. Ferneyhough tallied the items.

  “That’ll be eighteen cents, John Wallace.”

  “Just mark it on my bill, sir.”

  “Can’t do that, son,” Mr. Ferneyhough said.

  “Pardon?”

  “Your father closed out your account yesterday.”

  JW frowned as he reached into his pocket and pulled nine cents out, half of what he needed. He looked at the gloves and candies on the counter, dropped two cents and picked up the candies. He placed the gloves back in the bin.

  “Thank you, sir,” JW said and heard the bell clanging as he pulled the door shut behind him.

  —

  The long walk home was filled with questions. Why would Da close my account? I always pay it, and I don’t waste money. Well, maybe a few candies. But it’s my money. The questions continued to run through his mind, and he didn’t see or hear Gulliver coming. When Gulliver nudged his fingers, JW jumped, then laughed when he looked into the expectant face of his loyal, trusted friend.

  “You scared me, boy – and it’s daytime.”

  Gulliver’s response was to raise his head and do his full-body shuffle.

  “Thanks for coming to meet me, boy,” JW said, and rubbed the dog’s head. The rest of the fifteen-minute walk was in silence, other than the crunching of rocks underfoot.

  JW’s thoughts were jumbled, and he made a mental note to get back the pictures his father had drawn from Mr. Brown. In all the excitement of the cave-in, JW had forgotten to tell his father that Mr. Brown wanted to see him. He didn’t know what he truly expected Mr. Brown to do, but he wanted him to know his father was a smart man. It had been almost a week since he’d given the mine manager the pictures.

  A few of the chickens were scratching about in the yard, the younger ones mimicked the older ones in their search for food. He noticed the barn door was open and ran to close it. He didn’t want to have to chase after Lightning, although he knew Lightning would come at the sight of some oats. JW was surprised to see his father brushing the horse’s coat.

  His father turned to him. “We have to haul some wood soon, so I thought I’d spruce him up a bit before I put the bridle and traces on him. You want to brush him some?”

  “No, he seems to be enjoying what you’re doing.”

  “I saw your rat. I think he’s got a girlfriend.”

  JW felt the blood rush to his cheeks. “What?”

  “Oh, I saw you let him outta your satchel. Bad leg and all, he seems to be getting around pretty good.” Andrew Donaldson put down the brush. “Let’s go have some breakfast.”

  JW held the kitchen door open for his father.

  “How come you’re so late?” his father asked as they took
their places at the table.

  JW thanked his mother as she placed eggs in front of him. Then he looked at his father. “I went to the Co-op today after my shift to pick up some supplies.”

  “Is that so? How is Mr. Ferneyhough?”

  “He seemed well, but when I tried to buy my supplies, I mean, put them on my account, Mr. Ferneyhough told me my account had been closed ... by you.” JW looked from his father to his mother, then back to his father. “Did I do something wrong? Am I being punished? I only bought some candies and a scribbler, other than gloves, last time.”

  “No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just that only miners and people with jobs can have an account,” his father said.

  JW looked at his father. “I don’t know....”

  “Your father shut your account, because starting tomorrow you’re back in school,” Mary Donaldson said, smiling. “Full-time.”

  “What?”

  “I have a new job. Red’s job. Mr. Brown called me into his office, and we had a long talk. Apparently, somebody told him I knew quite a bit about the mine but failed to let me know that Mr. Brown wanted to speak to me,” Andrew said, smiling. He pushed the pictures across the table.

  “His son Davey told him that you had told the entire class about my drawings and about how the mine works. It means more money and full-time work, so you don’t need a job anymore. Hopefully I can keep things running as smoothly as Red did and over time have better working conditions for the men.”

  —

  JW’s excitement was such that he could hardly contain himself. He went outside and shovelled out Lightning’s stall and gave him extra hay and a handful of oats. He saw Tennyson slip into the stall to share in the bounty. A moment later another rat joined him. JW suspected this was the girlfriend his father had mentioned earlier.