Chapter 5 Chapter 5 On board the "Football"
The "Football" sailed on April 16, 48 hours late.If the 1,200-ton ship did not carry passengers over that tonnage, it was because the shipping watchdog insisted against it.
Moreover, the waterline indicated by zero on the hull has already gone down to the bottom of the water.
Over a 24-hour period, dock cranes loaded the migrants' untold packs of boxes, heavy mining equipment; plus herds of cows, horses, donkeys and reindeer, with hundreds more Dogs, of the Saint-Bernard or Eskimo breed, which form the sledge teams when crossing the lake.
The passengers on the "Football" were of all nationalities: British, Canadians, French, Norwegians, Swedes, Germans, Australians, people from the southern and northern parts of the United States, some with their families, others is alone.
All these people crammed into the ship, making the ship full of chic chaos.
The number of officials has been increased in the cabin. It used to be two people, but now it is three to four.The bottom cabin became a large dormitory, with rows of shelves and hammocks hanging from it.As for the deck, it is difficult to walk on it.Some poor people couldn't afford a $35 cabin, so they crowded around the bulwarks.There they cook simple meals, wash and do household chores in full view.
Ben Rado gets two bunks in the back cabin.The third berth was occupied by a Norwegian named Roying who had a plot on the Bonanza River, a tributary of the Klondike.This is a calm and kindly man, bold and cautious, of the Scandinavian race; they succeed by tenacious, persistent effort.Originally from Christiana, he returned to Dawson City after spending the winter in his hometown.An unsociable but not obnoxious traveling companion.
Luckily the brothers didn't share a cabin with Hunter, the Texan.Besides, even if they wanted to, they couldn't live in the same room with him.Hunter used US dollars to open the way and got a 4-berth cabin for him and his companions.Many passengers begged the two rough men to give them the two vacant berths, but without success.What they got was a brusque rejection.
It was noticed that this Hunter and this Malone—the name of the Texan's associates—didn't ask the price at all.They spent the money they earned from mining the gold like crazy, throwing a lot of money on the gambling table.There is no doubt that during the journey, they will stay in the gaming hall of the "Football" for a long time.
The "Football" left the port and Vancouver Bay at 6:00 am, and then entered the canal in order to reach the northernmost point.From there, it's a short journey north along the coast of the United States, sheltered by the Queen Charlotte Islands and the Prince Degar Islands.
During the 6-day voyage, it was impossible for the passengers behind to leave the poop reserved for them.They could not go to the deck for a walk elsewhere, which was full of wooden sheds for cattle, horses, donkeys, and reindeer; and packs of dogs roamed about, barking as they walked among the wretched crowd.The men were young, but already marked by poverty; the weary women were surrounded by sickly children.These people immigrated not to develop their own mines, but to work for big companies and compete with each other for that wage.
"Well," said Sammy, as the steamer pulled out of the anchorage, "you've got your wish, Ben. This time, we're really on our way to El Dorado. We're part of the gold diggers, too. These people don't seem to be the most commendable people."
"It's hard to change them, my dear Sammy," replied Ben Rado. "They have to be dealt with just as they are."
"I don't want to deal with them," retorted Sammy. "Damn! We can't be compared with these people. We inherited a plot, I'm fine with it! The plot is full of gold nuggets, I agree! But it's not The reason we became gold diggers.”
"Agreed," replied Ben Rado, with an imperceptible movement of his shoulders that worried Sammy Skin.
The latter emphasizes:
"We agreed to go to the Klondike to sell Uncle Josiah's land, didn't we? . . . Goodness! Just thinking about it, we might have the same instincts as these adventurers , desires and habits! . . . "
"Attention!" Ben Rado quipped. "You're going to preach, Sammy!"
"Why not? Ben, yes, I loathe this disgusting lust for gold, this horrible lust for riches, which exposes one to so much misery. It's gambling. It's the chase Lottery jackpots, chasing big gold nuggets...ah! I'm in Montreal getting ready to pack for the wonderful season of Green Valley, if I'm not sailing on this boat and headed to some unbelievable regions!"
"You promised me not to repeat old stories, Sammy."
"It's over, Ben, and this is the last time. From now on, I'll just think about..."
"To Dawson City?" Ben Rado asked teasingly.
"From there, Ben, from there," Sammy Skinned answered.
When the "Football" sailed in the canal, the passengers had not yet suffered from the sea, but just felt a little shaking.However, when the ship passed the top of Vancouver Island, it was at the mercy of the wind and waves of the sea.
It was cold and windy.Waves crashed violently against the gravel off the coast of Columbia.The gusts of wind mixed with rain and snow blew over quickly.One can imagine the suffering of the passengers on deck, most of them seasick.The cattle were also put to the test.A chorus of cows braying, horses neighing, and donkeys howling amidst the roar of the storm is unimaginable.Some of the dogs ran and rolled along the walls of the deckhouse, and it was impossible to hold or tie them up.Some mad dogs jumped on people's necks to bite people, and the owners of the dogs shot and killed several dogs.
At this time, Hunt, the Texan, and his fellow Malone, were gathered around a gaming table in the company of a group of gamblers who had been called the day before.Day and night from the amusement hall that had been converted into a casino came the savage and vulgar insults and noises.
As for Ben Rado and Sammy Skin, it goes without saying that they have no qualms about bad weather.They were steadfast observers who did not leave the poop all day, returning to their staterooms only as night fell.They never get tired of seeing the sight in front of them: the chaos and hustle and bustle on the deck, and the coming and going of some people in the poop, who may be as vivid and unique, but more distinctive, most of them are representatives of a class higher than adventurers .During the first few hours of the voyage, they must have noticed two passengers, or rather two female passengers.They are clearly different from the miserable people around them.Two young women, let's say young girls, between 20 and 22 years old; from their "family look" they were sisters.One has black hair and the other has blond hair. Both are small in stature, but both are beautiful.
They are inseparable.The blond is always seen next to the black, who seems to be the head of this first-class combination.They had taken long walks aft together since the morning, and then ventured out on deck, passing among the poor, stopping by mothers with children in tow, and trying to render all sorts of little services to mothers, These services are only available to women.
Ben and Sammy had seen this touching scene from the poop several times, and they became more and more interested in the two young girls.The treacherous surroundings accentuated the girls' modesty and dignity, and a refinement so evident that not one of these vagabonds whom they encountered at any moment disrespected them.
What were these lovely young girls doing on board the "Football"?The two brothers asked this question, but could not find an answer.To their benign interest in the girls was gradually added a growing curiosity.
Moreover, it cannot be denied that among the passengers there were those who expressed their admiration for the two girls.At least two people paid special attention to them, Hunter the Texan and his damned henchman Malona.They would attest to this whenever they decided to leave the gaming tables for a quick breath of fresh air on the poop.They elbowed each other, exchanged hurtful glances, added more or less offensive words uttered loudly and clearly, and circled around the two sisters, who seemed oblivious to their presence .
Ben Rado and Sammy Skinn had seen this trick so often that they wanted to intervene.But what right do they have to do so?At any rate, Hunt and Malone did not exceed the limits of tolerability on the occasion, and the objects of their vulgar courtesies did not ask for anyone's help.
Therefore, the two brothers had to watch the neighbors on the Forty Mile River in the future from afar, and hoped more and more that a chance would make them know the two girls.
This opportunity did not come until the fourth day of the voyage.Under the protection of the Queen Charlotte Islands, the sailing conditions of the "Football" are not so difficult, and the sea is calm.On the landward side, fjord after fjord, similar to those in Norway, must have brought back quite a few memories of their homeland in Sammy Skin and Ben Rado's roommates.Around these fjords rise high cliffs, most of which are lined with trees.Villages flashed in between, at least fishermen's hamlets, often some lonely little house inhabited by descendants of Indians who lived by fishing and hunting. When the "Football" passed by, they came to sell their products to many buyers.
Some distance behind the cliffs there were mountain peaks, the snow-capped peaks of which were faintly visible through the mist; on the Queen Charlotte side there were only narrow plains and dense forests whitened with frost.Here and there, too, were a few settlements of thatched huts, and on the shore of a narrow cove a few fishing boats waited for a favorable wind.When the "Football" arrived at the top of Charlotte Island, the two brothers made contact with the object of their kind attention: two female passengers.This contact is made in the most ordinary way.An unfortunate woman gave birth to a child on board, and the sisters raised money for the mother's charity, and the child was strong and healthy.
As usual, the blonde followed the brunette, who held out her hand to Ben and Sammy as she did to the other passengers.After they gave her a few pennies, Ben Rado opened the conversation and got what he wanted to know, unceremoniously.He knew in a moment that the two female passengers were not sisters but cousins. They were the same age, separated by only a few days. Their surnames were Egerton, the blond one was named Edith, and the black one was named Jane.
These facts were told to them in a few clear and concise words without hesitation or scruple, after which she left, faithfully followed by her cousin who did not even speak.
These brief confessions simply do not satisfy Ben and Sammy's curiosity.On the contrary, they have more room for speculation.There were two brothers named Edgerton, who were for a time well-known throughout America.They were big businessmen, upstarts in a few hours in daring cotton speculation.They had great fortunes for a long time, then, through bad luck, they went bankrupt, and disappeared among a crowd of strangers who had devoured and would devour many others. people.Do these two fabulous billionaires have anything in common with these two female passengers on the Soccer?
Getting the answer to this question is easy.The ice has been broken, and now, instead of being bothered by high society etiquette when approaching the Arctic Circle.So, less than an hour after their initial meeting, Ben Rado approached Jane Edgerton and resumed his investigation with a straightforward inquiry.
The answer will come soon.Yes, Edith and Jane were the daughters of the two "Cotton Kings," as they used to call their fathers.Both are 22 and penniless; their father used to shovel gold with a shovel.They are alone and homeless.It had been a long time since their mother died, and the Edgerton brothers were killed in a train accident six months ago, so they were orphaned.
Both Edith and Sammy remained silent while the question was briefly answered.They're perhaps more shy, and in any case less assertive, and they seem like they could really be the ones to talk to.
"Miss Edgerton," continued Ben Rado, "we did not take the liberty of telling you how surprised we were when we saw you aboard the 'Football', and asking what your purpose was in making such a difficult journey? "
"Not at all presumptuous," replied Jane Egerton, "one of my uncle's former physicians, Dr. Peelcox, who was recently appointed superintendent of Dawson City Hospital, gave a post of nurse to my cousin. Sister Edith, Edith accepted immediately and set off immediately."
"To Dawson City?"
"Go to Dawson City!"
Ben Rado's eyes remained calm, Sammy Skin's eyes were puzzled by surprise, and both of them turned their eyes to the blond-haired Edith.The latter endured it quietly, without showing any awkwardness.They could examine the young girl all they wanted, and the longer they procrastinated, the more they believed that the girl's audacity was justified.Little by little, they discovered the soul hidden behind the beautiful faces.Clearly, Edith was different from her cousin.She did not have the bold gaze, clear language, and decisive attitude of her cousin.However, a careful observer will not doubt that she has the same calm strength and strong will as her cousin.These two characters have different ways, but the advantages are the same.If one can be summed up in decisions and actions, the other is good order and method.Seeing that smooth, somewhat square forehead, and those blue eyes full of clear wisdom, people will understand that all thoughts and all new feelings will automatically find their own in the special grid with labels inserted. Location.When needed, Edith Egerton could take them out at will, without looking for them, as from a well-organized drawer.In short, this lovely mind has all the advantages of a perfect filing cabinet.There is no doubt that this Goldilocks has the temperament of a high-level administrator, and it is certain that she will make a great contribution to the hospital of Dawson City.
"Exactly!" said Ben Rado without any surprise. "Then, what about you, Miss Jane, do you intend to dedicate your life to alleviating human suffering?"
"Oh, me," replied Jane, smiling, "I'm not as lucky as Edith, and I've got nothing to do with society. Since there's nothing in the South that I should miss, I'll go North with her to find There's a way out. That's it."
"What way to find a way out, my lord?"
"Sir," Jane replied calmly, "like everyone else, prospecting for gold."
"Yeah!" Sammy exclaimed in shock.
In respect of matters, we have to say that Ben Rado used all his self-control to not lose his composure like his cousin, and also in order to enforce his principle: that a man worthy of his name should never be surprised by anything.Exploration, this weak girl!
At this point Sammy Skin's untimely exclamation seemed to hurt the frail girl, who turned to him.
"What's so surprising about that?" she asked aggressively.
"But...Miss Jane..." Sammy, the good man who was not relieved, said repeatedly, "Don't you think?...a woman..."
"Excuse me, sir, why can't women do what you men do?" retorted Jane Egerton calmly.
"Me!..." Sammy protested, "but I'm not going to explore, I!... And, if I'm the owner of a plot and I go to that damn place, I can't help myself, please You believe that. My only wish is to get back from there sooner."
"Well!" agreed Jane, with a hint of arrogance in her voice, "you're not alone here, though. Thousands of people do what scares you. Why can't a woman do what they look like?" ?”
"My God!..." Sammy stammered again, "I feel...physically...healthy...even if it's just clothes, hell!"
"Health?" answered Jane Egerton. "I wish you as much health as I do. Physical strength? The toys in my pocket give me the strength of more than six Hercules put together. As for my costume, I can't see it." How could it be any worse than yours. Perhaps there are more women who can wear trousers than men who can wear skirts!"
Having said this, Jane Egerton - certainly a staunch feminist - broke off the conversation with a nod to a utterly overwhelmed Sammy.She briefly shook hands with Ben Rado and left, followed by her silent cousin.The latter kept smiling calmly as the conversation was coming to an end.
However, the "Football" has passed the northernmost point of Queen Charlotte Island.It will face the waves of the sea after passing through the Dixon Estuary with Prince De Garle Island to the north.But because the wind was from the northeast and from the mainland, the rocking of the boat from side to side was not so severe.
Prince de Gal is the name of a rather complex archipelago, with a group of small islands to the north.
In the past, Bakhanov Island was extended. The Russians built the New Archangel Fortress on the island, and the main city of Sitka on the island became the provincial capital. This was after the Moscow Empire agreed to give Alaska to the United States. .
On the night of April 19, the "Football" passed by Port Simpson, Canada's last stronghold on the shore.A few hours later, it entered the waters of Alaska in the United States. In the early hours of April 20, she approached Wrangel Harbor at the mouth of the Sitkin River.
At that time, there were only about 40 houses in the city, a few operating sawmills, a hotel, a casino and several entertainment venues, and it was the season when business was booming.
The miners who were going to the Klondike by the "Telegraph Branch" instead of the road over the lake from Skagway disembarked at Wrangel.But that road is no less than 430 kilometers, and the conditions are extremely difficult, but the cost is cheap.So, despite being told that sledges were not yet passable on the road, some fifty emigrants disembarked, determined to challenge danger and fatigue on the endless plains of northern Columbia.
From Wrangel onwards the waterway narrows and the curves sharper. The "Football" arrived at Juno, a village that was about to become a town, a city, after passing through a veritable labyrinth of small islands. It was so named by its creator in 1882.
It was this Juno and his companion Richard Harris who discovered the deposits in the Silverbow Basin two years ago, and brought back gold nuggets worth 60,000 gold francs a few months later.
It was during that period that the first miners came, attracted by the sensational discovery and development of the goldfields in the Cassia region, which predated the Klondike.Soon there will be 240 pounding hammers working in the gold mine of Tread City, which can crush 1500 tons of ore in 24 hours, bringing 4.5 million francs in revenue.
When Ben Rado told Sammy Skin of his marvelous harvest on the land:
"Really," replied the latter, "it's a shame that Uncle Josias didn't expect to pass by here on his way to his future land on the Forty Mile River."
"Why do you say that, Sammy?"
"Because maybe he stopped here, so we can stop here today."
Sammy Skin is right.If it's just to Skagway, there's nothing to complain about.On the contrary, however, Skagway is only the beginning of the real difficulties if one goes over the Chilcoot Pass and goes from the lake to the left bank of the Yukon.
And yet, were not all these passengers scrambling to venture out into the regions watered by the great artery of Alaska!If they think of the future, they don't think of toil, or trials, or danger, or disappointment.For them, the mirage of gold rose higher and higher on the horizon.
After passing Juneau, the ship continued up the channel, and ships of some tonnage could sail to Skagway, where the "Football" arrived the day after tomorrow.Some punts can continue on to the town of Dye.To the northwest is the radiant Mui Glacier, 240 feet high, whose snow and ice are constantly caving into the Pacific Ocean.
During the course of the last evening on board a good show was put on in the games room.Several of the regulars lost their last dollar.Among these crazy gamblers, the Texans Hunter and Malona are naturally indispensable.Besides, the others were not much better, and it was hard to tell what was different about these adventurers, who tended to congregate in the casinos of Vancouver, Wrangel, Skagway, and Dawson City.
Judging by the sounds from the gamblers' room, it was certain that it was the scene of tragedy.Shouts and vulgar abuse abounded.There are fears that the captain of the "Football" will be forced to intervene.Other passengers thought it prudent to stay in their cabins.
It was nine o'clock when Sammy Skinner and Ben Rado attempted to return to the cabin.When they opened the door of the great drawing room through which they had to pass, they saw Jane and Edith Edgerton on the opposite side, also preparing to return to their rooms.The two brothers walked towards them to say goodnight to them.At this time, the door of the casino suddenly opened with a whoosh, and twelve or thirteen gamblers rushed into the living room.
Leading the charge is a basically drunk Hunter, who has reached the final limit of overexcitement.Holding a purse stuffed with banknotes in his left hand, he bellowed a veritable victory song at the top of his lungs.A group of adventurers surrounded him, cheering him like a storm.
"Great! Great! Great!" Malone shouted rhythmically.
"Hurrah!" they all shouted in one voice.
"Ulla!" Hunter repeated.
Then, he was getting closer and closer to being completely drunk.
"Man!" he cried in a thunderous voice, "bring champagne! . . . 10, 20, 100 bottles of champagne! . . . I won them all tonight! . . . all! all! all!"
"All! All! All!" shouted the crowd in unison like an echo.
"I invite everyone to drink, passengers and crew, from the captain to the last sailor!"
Attracted by the noise, more travelers came to the living room.
"Hurrah! . . . Whoa, Hunter!" the adventurers cheered, clapping and stomping their feet at the same time, their voices deafening.
Hunter no longer listened to these people yelling.Suddenly, he found Edith and Jane Egerton, blocked by the crowd and unable to leave.He rushed over and put his arms around Jane's waist roughly.
"Yes, I invite everyone to drink," he cried again, "and I haven't forgotten you, pretty boy..."
Facing the sudden invasion, Jane Egerton remained calm.She moved her fists behind her back and then slammed into the sad man's face, perfectly in keeping with the sport of boxing.However, how can these puny fists deal with a man who is out of control, not to mention that alcohol temporarily increases his strength by 10 times!
"Hey!..." Hunter laughed, "Pretty girl is amazing!... Then..."
He didn't finish his sentence.A powerful hand grasped the rogue by the throat.He rolled ten steps irresistibly.
The hall was relatively quiet.All eyes are on two adversaries, one famously violent and the other just proving his strength.A little dazed, Hunter was on his feet, with his saber unsheathed, when a new event changed his deployment.
Someone came down from the deck, and the sound of footsteps on the stairs probably heralded the arrival of the captain, who had been attracted by the noise.Hunter stretched his ears. He knew that he was powerless, so he looked at his opponent.This person's attack was so fast that he didn't even have time to see the person's appearance clearly.
"Ah! . . . it's you! . . . " he said, recognizing Sammy Skin.
He put the knife back into its sheath, and said in a menacing tone:
"Let's see, my friend!"
Sammy, who was motionless, really didn't seem to hear, and Ben Rado came to help.
"You choose the time and place." He stepped forward and said.
"See you at Forty Mile River, gentlemen of No. 129!" Hunter yelled and rushed out of the living room.
Sammy remained motionless.Usually he didn't even dare to press a fly to death, and was dumbfounded by his violent movements.
Jane Edgerton approached him:
"Thank you, sir," she said in her most natural voice, giving his right hand a firm shake.
"Oh! Yes, thank you, sir," repeated Edith, in a more agitated voice, and shook his other hand.
Sammy didn't understand until he came into contact with these two hands.However, did he realize what just happened?With the vague smile of a man who descended from the moon:
"Good evening, ladies." He said politely.
Unfortunately, the two young girls could not accept this courtesy, because they had left the living room for 30 seconds before Sammy was about to discover their presence.
Notes:
Notes: