The Secret of the Reef, Page 7

  CHAPTER VII--GRUBSTAKED

  A light wind faintly ruffled the landlocked water when the _Cetacea_crept up to her anchorage off a small lumber port on the eastern coastof Vancouver Island. A great boom of logs was moored near the wharf, andstacks of freshly cut lumber and ugly sawdust heaps rose along thebeach. Behind these were tall iron chimney-stacks, clusters of woodenhouses, and rows of fire-blackened stumps; then steep, pine-cladhillsides shut the hollow in. Though there were one or two steamers atanchor, and signs of activity in the streets, the place had a raw,unfinished look; but the _Cetacea's_ crew were glad to reach it. Crampedby their narrow quarters on board, it was a relief to roam at large; andthe resinous smell that hung about the port was pleasant after thestinging saltness of the spray.

  But they had come there on business, and Bethune presently stopped a manthey met.

  "Which is the best and biggest general store in the town?" he asked.

  "Jefferson's; three blocks farther on. He's been here since the millswere started."

  "Is it necessary to go to the best store?" Jimmy inquired as they wenton.

  Bethune laughed.

  "Oh, no! Now that we've found out which it is, we can try somewhereelse. I've a suspicion that our business won't have much attraction fora prosperous dealer who can choose his customers. It's the strugglingman who's readiest to take a risk."

  "We'll leave it to you," Jimmy said confidently. Bethune had arrangedtheir commercial transactions with tact and shrewdness, and they haddiscovered that it was far from easy to obtain supplies without payingcash for them.

  After strolling through the town, they entered a small, wooden store,which had an inscription, "T. Jaques: Shipping Supplied," and found itsproprietor leaning idly on the counter. He was a young man with an alertmanner, but, although he was smartly dressed, Bethune, studying him,imagined that he had not yet achieved prosperity. Indeed, he thought hesaw signs of care in the man's keen face.

  Taking out his notebook, he enumerated the supplies they wanted, andexamined samples. The provisions were good; the store was neatly keptand fairly well stocked; but Jimmy, leaning on the counter and lookingabout, thought the goods had been arranged with some skill to make thebiggest show possible, which implied that the dealer had not much of areserve. Then, while the man talked to Bethune, Jimmy noticed a womanapproach the glass door at the back and stop a moment as if she wereinterested in the proceedings. All this suggested that his comrade hadoffered their custom at the right place. The provisions would not be alarge item, but they needed ropes, chain, and marine supplies, whichwould cost a good deal more.

  "I can send the small stores off whenever you want, but I can't give youthe other truck until the Vancouver boat comes in, and that won't be forfour days," Jaques said. He looked rather eager as he added: "I guessyou can wait?"

  "Oh, yes. I expect it will be a week before we get off."

  "Then, I'll wire the order. You'll pay on delivery?"

  "That," answered Bethune, smiling, "is a point we must talk about. Ithink I could give you ten dollars down."

  The dealer's face fell and he looked thoughtful.

  "Well," he said slowly, "I'd certainly like this order. What's yourproposition?"

  "I don't know that I have one ready. Perhaps I'd better tell you how westand and leave you to suggest a way out of the difficulty."

  "Come into the back store and take a smoke," invited Jaques; and theyfollowed him into an apartment which seemed to serve as warehouse,general living room, and kitchen. A young woman was busy at the stove,and after looking up with a smile of welcome she went on with hercooking; but Jimmy felt that she had given him and his comrades a keenscrutiny.

  Jaques brought them chairs and laid a few cigars on the table.

  "Now," he said to Bethune, "you can go ahead."

  "First of all, I want your promise to keep what I tell you to yourself."Bethune glanced quietly toward the woman.

  "You have it, and you can trust Mrs. Jaques. Susie does all her talkingat home; and there's a good deal of her own money in this store. That'swhy I brought you in. I allow she's sometimes a better judge than I am."

  Bethune bowed to Mrs. Jaques; and then, to Jimmy's surprise, he began afrank account of their financial difficulties and their salvage plans.When it came to their doings at the wreck, he made a rather moving taleof it, and Mrs. Jaques listened with her eyes fixed on the speaker and agreasy fork poised in her hand. Jimmy wondered whether Bethune wasacting quite judiciously in telling so much. The storekeeper leaned anelbow on the table, his brows knitted as if in thought; and Moran satstill with an expressionless brown face. Except for Bethune's voice itwas very quiet in the small, rudely furnished room, and Jimmy surmisedthat the projected deal was of some importance to its occupants. It wascertainly of consequence to his own party, for they could not continueoperations without supplies.

  "There's a bond on your boat already," Jaques objected, when Bethunepaused.

  "For about half her value. We could demand a public sale if she wereseized, and the balance would clear your debt."

  "It's hard to get full price for a vessel that's too small for a regulartrade. You allowed you bought her cheap?"

  "We did," Bethune carelessly answered. "Still, one has to take a risk."

  They were interrupted by a knocking, and Jaques went into the store anddid not return for some minutes.

  "Nolan, the river-jack," he explained, as he came in. "Wanted gum-boots,and I thought I'd better let him have them; though he hasn't paid forthe last pair yet."

  "That," Bethune smiled, "bears out my argument."

  Jaques looked at his wife, and she made a sign of assent, as if sheunderstood him.

  "Supper's nearly ready, and you had better stay," he said. "It's plainfare, but you won't find better biscuits and waffles than Susie's in theprovince. Besides, it will give us time to think the thing over."

  They were glad to accept the invitation, and no more was said aboutbusiness while they enjoyed the well cooked and daintily served meal.Jimmy was conscious of a growing admiration for his neat-handed hostess,with her bright, intelligent face, and her pretty but simple dress, andhe tried to second Bethune in his amusing chatter. Jaques did not saymuch, but he looked pleased. As for Moran, he steadily worked his waythrough the good things set before him. His one remark was: "If westrike grub like this, ma'am, we'll want to stop right in your town."

  "Then my husband will lose his order," Mrs. Jaques replied, and thoughshe laughed, Jimmy thought her answer had some significance.

  When she cleared the table Jaques lighted a cigar and smiled rathergrimly when Jimmy inquired if trade was good.

  "Well," he said, "it might be better--that's one reason why I'd like tomake a deal with you. There's less money in keeping store than you mightsuppose. I've been two years in this town, and my customers are mostlyof the kind the beginner gets--those who can't pay up in time, and thosewho don't mean to pay at all. The ones worth having go to the otherman."

  "Where were you before?" Jimmy asked.

  "In Toronto. But the wages I was making in a department store were notenough to marry on. With a few dollars Susie had left her and with whatI'd saved we thought we might make a start; but there's not much roomfor the small man now in the eastern cities, and we came out West. It'sa pull all along; but we'd make some progress if the blame bush settlerswould pay their bills."

  Jimmy felt sympathetic. The man did not look as if he found the struggleeasy.

  "Have you got your business fixed?" Mrs. Jaques asked, coming in from anadjoining room.

  "Not yet," Bethune answered. "I've a suspicion that your husband waswaiting for you; and I couldn't object, because I ventured to believeyou would say a word in our favor."

  Mrs. Jaques studied him keenly. He was a handsome man, with gracefulmanners, and she thought him honest; and it was difficult to associateduplicity with Jimmy's open face.

  "Well," she promised, "I'll go as far as I can."

  "Then we'll get d
own to business." Jaques turned to his guests. "Youfeel pretty sure you'll find the gold when you get back?"

  "No," said Jimmy frankly. "We hope so; but we can't even be sure we'llfind the wreck. The gale may have broken her up and buried her in thesand."

  "Then, if your plan falls through, I won't get paid."

  "That's taking too much for granted. There'll be something left over ifwe have to sell the boat, and we're able to earn more than our keep onthe wharf or in the mills. Your debt would have the first claim on us."

  "It would take you a long time to wipe it off on what you'd save out oftwo dollars a day."

  "Very true," Bethune admitted. "To clear the ground, I suppose youbelieve we'd try?"

  "We'll take it that you mean to deal straight with me. Anyway, youbelieve you have a pretty good chance of getting at the gold?"

  "I think it's a fair business risk. In proof of this, we're going backto do our best if you will give us the supplies we want. We wouldn't bewilling to incur the liability unless we had some hope of success."

  "Very well; you don't suggest my letting you have the truck and taking apartner's share on the strength of it?"

  "No," Bethune answered decidedly; "not unless you press the point."

  Mrs. Jaques nodded as if she had approved of the question and found theanswer reassuring. It implied that the adventurers thought the schemegood enough to keep to themselves.

  "I'd rather my husband stuck to his regular line," she said.

  "Then," said Bethune, "this is my proposition: Give us the goods, andcharge us ten per cent. interest until they're paid for. You'll get itas well as the principal, sooner or later."

  Jaques looked at his wife; and she made a sign of assent.

  "Well, it's a deal!"

  A half-hour later, when they rose to go, Jimmy turned to his hostess.

  "While your husband has treated us fairly," he said, "we have to thankyou, and that makes it a point of honor to show you were not mistaken."

  He noticed now that there were wrinkles which suggested anxious thoughtalready forming about her eyes, and that her hands were work-hardened;but she smiled at him.

  "One learns in keeping store that a customer's character is quite asimportant as his bank account."

  "That's the nicest thing I've had said about me since I came to BritishColumbia!" Bethune declared gaily.

  Mrs. Jaques smiled.

  "If you find the evenings dull before you sail, come in and talk to us,"she said.

  When they went outside, Bethune made a confession.

  "I felt strongly tempted to take our custom somewhere else. They're nicepeople, and it looks as if they found it hard enough to get along."

  "Whatever happens, they must be paid," Jimmy declared.

  "Yes," agreed Moran, who seldom expressed his opinion except on nauticalmatters; "that's a sure thing!"

  "How would it do to ask them to a picnic on one of the islands?" Bethunesuggested. "It would be an afternoon's outing, and it's generally smoothwater here. I shouldn't imagine Mrs. Jaques gets many holidays."

  The others thought it a good idea; and when the sloop was refitted andready for sea, Bethune put his suggestion into practice. His guests werepleased to come, and with a moderate breeze rippling the blue water,they ran up the straits in brilliant sunshine. Jimmy laid a cushion forMrs. Jaques near the wheel, and her rather pale face lighted up when heasked if she would steer. He saw that she knew how by the way she heldthe spokes.

  "This is delightful!" she exclaimed, as they sped on swiftly. "I used togo sailing now and then at Toronto, but all the time we have lived hereI've never been on the water."

  She glanced in a half-wistful manner at the sparkling sea. A gentle surfmade a snowy fringe along the shingle beach, and beyond that darkpinewoods rolled back among the rocks toward blue, distant peaks.Overhead, the tall, white topsail swayed with a measured swing acrossthe cloudless sky. Silky threads of ripples streamed back from the bows,and along the _Cetacea's_ side there was a drowsy gurgle and lapping ofwater.

  "You're to be envied when you sail away," Mrs. Jaques said, withsomething that was almost a sigh. "Still, it isn't all sunshine andsmooth water in the North."

  "By no means," Jimmy assured her. "I can think of a number of occasionswhen I'd gladly have exchanged the sloop for your back room, or, forthat matter, for a yard or two of dry ground."

  "One can imagine it," she laughed. "Well, you have to face the gale andfog, while we try not to be beaten by Jefferson and to meet our bills. Idon't know which is the harder."

  Jimmy felt compassionate. She was young, but she had a careworn look,and he surmised that she found life difficult in the primitive woodentown. It seemed to be all work and anxious planning with her; there wassomething pathetic in the keen pleasure she took in her rare holiday.

  Late in the afternoon they dropped anchor in a rock-walled cove with abeach of white shingle on which sparkling wavelets broke. Dark firsclimbed the rugged heights above, and their scent drifted off across theclear, green water. Bethune, who had been busy cooking, brought up anunusually elaborate meal and laid it out on the cabin top with the bestglass and crockery he had been able to borrow. His expression, however,was anxious as he served the first course to his guests.

  "I've done my best. I used to think I wasn't a bad cook; but after thesupper Mrs. Jaques gave us, I'm much less confident," he said. "It'seasier to get proud of yourself when you have nothing to compare yourwork with, and your critics are indulgent. Jimmy's been very forbearing;and it's my opinion that Moran would eat anything that's fit for humanfood."

  "I've had to," Moran retorted. "Anyway, I've seen you set up worse hashthan this."

  There were no complaints, and the appetite every one showed wasflattering. They jested and talked with great good humor; until at lastMoran indicated the lengthening shadow of the mast which had movedacross the deck.

  "It's mighty curious, but we've been an hour over supper, and there'ssomething left. Guess I never spent more'n about ten minutes at my grubbefore."

  Bethune took a bottle from a pail of ice in a locker and filled theborrowed glasses.

  "To our happy next meeting!" he proposed. "Our guests, who have made thetrip possible, will not be forgotten while we are away."

  The glasses were drained and filled again, and Mrs. Jaques turned to herhosts with a cordial smile.

  "May you win the success you deserve!" she responded; and a few minutesafterward Bethune, beckoning Moran, went forward to raise the anchor.

  The light was fading when they hove the _Cetacea_ to near the wharf anda boat came off. With many good wishes Jaques and his wife went ashore,and the sloop stood away for the lonely North.