Patrick paid Sarah. “Thanks a lot. I’m sure it’s real tasty bread.”
“I hope you’ll excuse me, but I need to get the rest of my laundry hung out, and then I have some other chores to do when I’m not letting boats through the lock.”
Patrick was tempted to hang around while Sarah did her chores but figured she might not appreciate it. Besides, he had some things of his own to get done at the blacksmith shop. So he picked up the bread and headed for the door. “I’ll see you soon, Sarah,” he called over his shoulder.
“Sure will be glad when we get to Walnutport,” Ned said, joining Elias at the bow of the boat. “I’m just about outa chewin’ tobacco, and I’m hopin’ you’ll stop at Cooper’s store so I can get some more.”
Elias frowned. “Chewing’s a nasty habit, Ned. You should give it up and spend your money on something more constructive.”
“Can’t think of nothin’ I’d rather spend my money on. Unless maybe it’s for a bottle of whiskey.”
“Whiskey’s a tool of the devil. It’ll take you down, sure thing.”
Ned shrugged his shoulders. “It’s my life, and I’ll go down any way I choose.”
“I know it’s your life, but the Bible says—”
“Don’t care what the Bible says and don’t need ya preachin’ to me neither.”
“I didn’t mean it as preaching, I just wanted you to—”
“Whoa! Whoa there!” Bobby shouted.
“What’s wrong?” Elias turned his attention to the towpath. “Oh no, one of the mules is down.” He steered the boat toward shore.
“Daisy stepped in a rut, and I think her leg’s broken,” Bobby said, eyes wide with obvious concern. “I can see the bone stickin’ out.”
“Now that’s just great,” Ned mumbled. “The last thing we need is a dead mule.”
“She’s not dead,” Elias said. “Bobby said he thinks she’s broken her leg.”
Ned slowly shook his head. “We can’t fix her leg.”
Daisy kept braying and trying to get up. Elias wished there was something he could do to help the poor mule.
“Look, boss, the critter has to be put out of her misery. Now I’m goin’ below to get my gun.”
Elias stood there in stunned silence. With only one mule, they’d never get to Mauch Chunk for another load of coal. They’d have to stop in Walnutport for sure now and see if they could find another mule.
Chapter 17
That afternoon, Elias’s boat limped into Walnutport with only one mule pulling for all she was worth. While Elias and Ned went to speak with Mike Cooper about getting another mule, Bobby stayed outside to keep an eye on the boat and feed and water Dolly.
Entering Cooper’s store, Elias spotted Mike behind the counter, waiting on Bart Jarmon, a burly boatman. Elias held back and waited until Bart had exited the store, then he stepped up to the counter.
“It’s good to see you again,” Mike said. “What can I help you with?”
“I need a new mule and was hoping you might know where I can find one.”
Mike’s eyebrows rose. “What do you need a mule for? I thought you had two good ones.”
“I did, but one of them stepped in a hole and broke her leg. Ned had to put her down.”
“Sorry to hear that.” Mike fingered his mustache. “Let’s see now… . I think Patrick O’Grady, the town’s blacksmith, traded some of his work for a mule awhile back.”
“Maybe I’ll head over there.”
Elias found Ned at the back of the store, no doubt in search of his chewing tobacco. “Mike says the blacksmith has a mule he might be willing to sell, so I’m going over to his shop and see if he’s there.”
Ned gave a nod. “Sure, go right ahead. I’ll get what I’m needin’ here and wait for ya at the boat.”
“Hopefully I won’t be too long.” Elias turned and headed out the door.
Patrick had just finished putting new shoes on the doctor’s horse when that fancy-talking boatman with the red blotch on his face showed up.
“I lost one of my mules, and Mike Cooper mentioned that you might have one I could buy,” Elias said, stepping up to Patrick.
Patrick nodded. “I do have a mule. Somebody who couldn’t pay for my services gave her to me a few weeks ago. Not sure what I’m gonna do with her, though. So if you’re interested you can have her for fifty dollars.”
Elias scratched the side of his head. “Guess that’s a fair enough price.”
“I think so, since a lot of mules go for as much as seventy-five dollars.”
“Has your mule ever pulled a canal boat?”
“Sure thing. Least that’s what her owner said when he gave her to me.”
“Okay, good.” Elias reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the money, which he handed to Patrick. “Guess I’d better get the mule and be on my way, because I want to make a quick stop to see Sammy Turner.”
Patrick’s eyebrows lifted. “Sarah’s son?”
“Uh-huh. The boy led my mules while my helper, Ned, was tending the lock for Sarah after she fell and hurt her ribs.”
“I heard about that. Ever since Sarah’s husband died, she’s been real protective of her kids. I was surprised she’d allow Sammy to go with you.”
Elias leaned against Patrick’s workbench. “Well, she didn’t exactly say he could go. Sammy took off without her permission.”
“I’m sure she was upset about that.”
“She was at first, but Sarah seems to be an understanding woman, and after I apologized and explained everything, she was quite nice about it.”
Patrick studied Elias several seconds. From the look he saw on Elias’s face when he’d mentioned Sarah’s name it made him wonder if the man might be interested in her.
“I’ve known Sarah since we were kids,” Patrick said. “I’d have to say that she and I are good friends.”
“I see.” Elias turned toward the door of Patrick’s shop. “Well, I’d best get that mule.”
“Sure, of course.” As Patrick led the way to the stall where he’d put the mule, he wondered if the boatman was using Sammy to get close to Sarah. Well, if he is, I’d better move fast.
“I see ya got yourself a new mule,” Ned said when Elias returned to the boat.
Elias ground his teeth together. “Yes, and I’ve already discovered that she’s got a mind of her own. The stubborn animal balked every step of the way.”
“Did Patrick say the mule was used to pullin’ a boat?”
Elias nodded. “But I guess that doesn’t mean she can’t be stubborn.”
“Well, hopefully she’ll do better once she’s harnessed up. Since Dolly’s the lead mule, I’m sure she’ll show this new one who’s boss. What’s the mule’s name, anyway?”
“I don’t know. Guess we could call her Wilma, since she’s so willful.”
Ned scratched the mule behind her ears. “All right then, Wilma, let’s get you harnessed and ready to go.”
“Before we head out, I want to go over to the lock tender’s house and see Sammy,” Elias said.
Ned frowned. “For cryin’ out loud! We’ve lost enough time already! If you get involved talkin’ to that kid, we’ll never get to Mauch Chunk.”
Irritation welled in Elias. It seemed like Ned was forever telling him what to do. “I won’t be over there that long. I just want to see how Sammy’s doing, and then we can get through the lock and be on our way.”
“You sure it’s Sammy you’re wantin’ to see and not his purty mama?”
Elias shook his head. “I’m only interested in Sarah’s son.”
“Whatever you say. After all, I’m just a dumb helper, and you’re the educated boss.”
Choosing to ignore Ned’s snide remark, Elias turned Wilma over to his outspoken helper and walked away.
When he arrived at Sarah’s, her three children were playing with their dog on the grassy area along the side of the house. As soon as Sammy spotted Elias, he raced right over to him. “Sur
e is good to see ya again! Can ya stay awhile and visit?”
Elias shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I just wanted to stop and say hello and see how you’re doing.”
Sammy grinned up at him. “I’m fine, but I’ll be doin’ even better after school’s out for the summer.”
“When will that be?”
“Tomorrow’s our last day.”
“I’ll bet you’re looking forward to being home all summer.”
“Sure am.” Sammy tipped his head and shielded his eyes from the glare of the sun. “Can we still go fishin’ sometime?”
“I’m planning on it. Thought maybe we could go when I’m in the area on a Sunday again. It’ll be after church, of course.”
“That sounds good, but I’ll have to ask Mama first.” Sammy’s forehead creased. “Sure wouldn’t wanna upset her the way I did when I led the mules for ya.”
“No, we surely wouldn’t want to do that.” Elias glanced at the house. “Where is your mother, Sammy? Is she inside?”
Sammy nodded. “She’s bakin’ more bread to sell to the boatmen.”
Elias was tempted to knock on the door and say hello to Sarah, but when he glanced over his shoulder and saw Ned and Bobby waiting at the boat, he changed his mind. “I’d better get going,” he told Sammy, “but I’ll see you again soon, I promise.”
Chapter 18
Two weeks later, Pastor William showed up at Sarah’s, explaining that Betsy wasn’t feeling well and didn’t think she could help Sarah today.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Has her morning sickness gotten worse?” Sarah asked.
He nodded. “She’s very tired, too, and the doctor recommended that she stay home and rest.”
“That’s probably what she needs to do then.”
“I’d stay and help you today, but I think I need to be at home in case Betsy needs me for anything.”
“You’re right; your place is with her. Since Sammy’s out of school now, I think with his help we can manage.”
“Are you sure? Maybe I can find one of the ladies from church who’d be willing to fill in for Betsy.”
“No, that’s okay. We’ll be fine.”
“All right then. I’ll be on my way.” Pastor William smiled and went out the door.
Sarah sighed, wondering how things would really go with just Sammy’s help today. Maybe she should have taken Pastor William up on his offer to find someone else.
For the past two weeks, Elias’s boat had been moving up and down the canal at a snail’s pace, thanks to the contrite mule he’d bought from Patrick O’Grady. The stubborn critter kept nipping at Dolly, tried to kick Bobby a couple of times, and stopped right in her tracks whenever she didn’t like something she saw. Elias had hoped to stop in Walnutport so he could go to church there, and hopefully take Sammy fishing, but so far it hadn’t worked out for him to be in that area on a Sunday. If Wilma didn’t start acting right he might have to sell her and invest in another mule—one that would cooperate so they could make better time.
On the brighter side, Elias had gotten word from his sister, Carolyn, who was a teacher in Easton. She’d surprised him by saying that she wanted to spend her summer break on his boat, and that she’d be glad to do the cooking, cleaning, and laundry for Elias and his helpers. That meant Ned could take over for Elias at the tiller more often, giving Elias a break.
Today, when Elias stopped in Easton to deliver his load of coal, he would pick up Carolyn. Of course, Carolyn’s letter had mentioned that Mother and Father weren’t too happy about her joining him for the summer. However, Carolyn had a mind of her own, so probably nothing their parents said had made much difference to her.
“You’d better quit daydreamin’ and watch where you’re steerin’ the boat,” Ned said, nudging Elias’s arm. “If you’re not careful you’ll run us aground.”
“I was just thinking about my sister, who’ll be joining us soon.”
Ned snorted. “Just what we need—some hoity-toity woman on the boat tellin’ us what to do.”
“Carolyn’s not hoity-toity. She’s pleasant, smart, and I think she’s a pretty good cook.”
“You sayin’ I’m a bad cook? Is that what you’re sayin’, boss?”
“I’m not saying that at all.” Elias bumped Ned’s arm this time. “Just think, if you don’t have to cook you’ll have more time for other things. Maybe you can get that stubborn Wilma trained to pull a little better, and then we’ll be able to travel faster, which means we’ll make more money.”
Ned puckered his lips. “You mean you’ll make more money, don’tcha? You’re the captain of this boat, not me.”
Elias merely shrugged. At least Ned hadn’t called him the boss again.
As Sarah’s day progressed, things went from bad to worse. She’d been trying to bake bread all day, but between the boats coming through the lock, and the children vying for her attention, by midafternoon she still had not made any bread. This wasn’t good, because she only had a few loaves left, and if any of the boatmen stopped and bought bread today she’d be out.
Wo–o–o–o! Wo–o–o–o! Wo–o–o–o! Wo–o–o–o! The moaning of a conch shell, and then another, alerted her that two boats were coming. Maybe after they’d passed through the lock, she’d have time to make some bread.
“I’ve got to go! Keep an eye on your sister and brother,” Sarah called to Sammy as she raced out the door.
Sarah let the first boat through, and then the second.
Wo–o–o–o! Wo–o–o–o! Another boat rounded the bend.
She’d just begun to raise the lock again, when Sammy raced out the door wearing a panicked expression. “Helen’s gone! I can’t find her anywhere!”
Chapter 19
Sarah quickly let the boat through the lock and dashed into the house behind Sammy. “Where’d you last see your sister?” she panted.
He shrugged. “I ain’t really sure.”
“What do you mean? Weren’t you watching her like I told you to do?”
“I was, but you know how Helen is, Mama. She moves around all over the place. I can’t be watchin’ her and Willis at the same time.”
“You can if you keep them in the same room with you.” Sarah cupped her hands around her mouth. “Helen! Where are you?”
“She ain’t in here, Mama,” Willis said when Sarah stepped into the kitchen. “She ain’t anywhere in the house.”
“How do you know?”
“ ‘Cause Sammy and I went lookin’.”
“That’s right,” Sammy put in. “We looked everywhere down here and upstairs, too.”
“Did you see her go outside?”
Sammy shook his head. “But she mighta snuck out when we wasn’t lookin’.”
Sarah’s mouth went dry, and her heart began to pound. If Helen went outside by herself, she could have fallen in the canal. Oh dear Lord, please let her be all right.
She drew in a deep breath and tried to think. “Where’s Bristle Face? He usually follows Helen wherever she goes.”
Sammy turned his hands palms up. “Beats me. Haven’t seen him for quite a spell neither.”
Another conch shell blew, and Sarah groaned. She needed to let the boat through the lock, but she needed to find Helen more than anything. Oh, how she wished Betsy was here to help her right now.
“Sammy, run down to the store and get Uncle Mike. Tell him that Helen’s missing, and that I’ve gone looking for her. Ask if he can leave the store long enough to come and let the boat through the lock.”
“I can do it, Mama. I can let the boat through the lock,” Sammy said.
Sarah shook her head. “No, you can’t. It’s too hard for you, and you might get hurt. Just do as I said and go get Uncle Mike.”
Sammy had just started across the room, when the door swung open and Kelly stepped in with Helen and Bristle Face. “Are you missing someone here?” she asked, looking at Sarah.
Sarah’s breath caught in her throat, and she bent down and swept Hele
n into her arms. “Oh, I was so worried. Where were these two?” she asked, looking at Kelly.
“Came over to our store. Helen said she was takin’ Bristle Face for a walk, and I figured she’d wandered off without your permission.”
Sarah nodded, feeling such relief. “I thought we could get along okay with just Sammy’s help today, but apparently I was wrong.”
“What do you mean? Where’s Betsy?” Kelly asked.
“She’s not feeling well, so she stayed home today.”
Wo–o–o–o! Wo–o–o–o!
“The boat’s getting closer; I’ve got to go. Can you stay and watch the kids while I open the lock?” Sarah asked her sister.
Kelly nodded. “Of course; and as soon as you’re done, I’ll take your kids to stay at my place for the rest of the day.”
“Thank you,” Sarah said with a nod. It might not be the best situation, since Kelly had her hands full watching her own two children, plus helping Mike in the store, but at least Sarah would be able to get some baking done when she wasn’t busy opening the lock.
“How are you feeling?” William asked Betsy the following morning when he stepped into the kitchen.
She leaned against the cupboard and heaved a sigh. “About the same. I had no idea being pregnant could make a person feel so sick and tired.”
“Dr. McGrath said that it’s different with everyone.” William gave Betsy a hug. “You’re just one of the unfortunate women who feels sicker than some. I’m sure it’ll get better, but in the meantime, I want you to rest as much as possible and drink that ginger tea the doctor suggested.”
“But I didn’t go to Sarah’s yesterday to help out, and I really should go there today.”
“No, you need to stay home and rest.”
“I’m worried about Sarah. How’s she going to manage with just Sammy’s help? He’s only a little boy.”
William slipped his arms around Betsy and kissed the top of her head. “You let me worry about that. As soon as I’ve had some breakfast, I’m going out to look for someone to help Sarah.”
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