Olivia's Mine (30 page)

“My Lord,” William said. “How many men are
trapped?”

“Two,” Frenchie said.

“Frank?” William asked.

“No, Yan Li and ‘arry Yada. Ye might know
‘arry. ‘E’s de head assayer.”

William let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m sorry, that was rude. Of course I feel
for the families involved, I just thank God it wasn’t mine. I don’t
recall meeting the men before. Although the name Yada seems vaguely
familiar.”

“Well ‘arry’s wife, she works for Olivia at
de store.”

“Oh,” William acknowledged. “Akiko. Olivia
has told me about her. I’m sorry to hear that. Grace was quite
looking forward to meeting her. She’s quite an amazing woman, I
understand. Do they know what happened?”

“If dey do, der not tellin’ me,” Frenchie
said. “’arry’s and ‘is family are Catholic. I’ve got to pick up
Father Fernier early in case dey ‘ave to give ‘im de last rights.
Jimmy Yada, de son, ‘e works at de Beachcomber too, doin’ de
deliveries and runnin’ errands.”

“I presume the town’s not in much of a mood
for a wedding. This certainly puts a damper on things.”

“Well,” Frenchie pondered. “Whadda ya gonna
do? Life goes on, n’est pas? But if der not rollin’ out de red
carpet for yer family, it’s because der kinda busy right now. Jason
shut the picture show down for a bit. He’s been working on de
rescue crew like de rest of de men. Dey need everyone dey can get.
Runnin’ twenty-four hours a day dey are.”

“I may as well go in and tell the others,”
William said. “It sounds like they can use some fresh blood. Billy
will be able to help once we get there. I’ll send Anne over to
Akiko’s to give her some pastoral care. How’s Olivia holding
up?”

“Well, I ‘aven’t ad to kidnap ‘er lately if
dat’s what yer askin’.”

William gathered Frenchie knew nothing about
the pregnancy.

Aaron poked his out from behind the cabin
door. William told him briefly what was happening at Britannia.

“Well then,” he said. “It appears we have
uncanny timing once again don’t we?”

William nodded.

“Frenchie. Do you have any hootch on this
vessel?” Aaron asked.

“I’m in international waters I tink, so I
tink the answer is yes. Although I was hopin’ dat was what you had
in de crates.”

“No worries. My cargo is legal,” Aaron
answered

“I’m not talkin’ about de U.S. and Canada
border sir. I’m talkin’ about de Canada and McMichaelville border.
A bit finicky ’e is lately.”

“Well, we’ll see what we can do to change
that,” Aaron laughed. “I have a feeling we’ll be just what the
doctor ordered for our friend McMichael.”

“You might as well go show him where the
booze is,” William said, “before he ransacks the place. He’s read a
few too many pirate stories, has my brother. While you’re at it,
you’d better pour the mother of the groom a stiff one too. She’s
not big on surprises, my Grace.”

McMichael found himself gazing towards the
heavens. The rain had refused to co-operate with the rescue workers
at the mine. It had been pouring down hard all night and didn’t
show any indications of letting up.

“What’s happening now Frank?” he asked.

“We’ve got water pouring into the emergency
shaft. With all this rain the earth and rock have become water
soaked, and the debris is turning into a muddy mess. It’s not
helping any. It’s got to be seeping into the safety room, if that’s
where they are. They’ve been down there a few days now. It’s not
looking good.”

“I know,” McMichael had to agree. “You and
your men have been going non-stop, I know that. And I sense the
men’s spirits are breaking. But just think of Harry and Yan, and
think that it could have been any one of you trapped down there.
You’re all to be commended for your efforts.”

“I’ll pass along your thanks to the men. We
just wish Mother Nature would co-operate a bit more.”

“She has been a bit nasty here over the
years,” McMichael commented, looking up at the slide area. That
seemed like a long time ago now.

“I mean it though Frank. You’ve done a hell
of a job organizing the rescue.”

“We’re getting closer,” Frank acknowledged,
“but it’s been a tough forty feet to bore through.”

“There are these new drills that use a
combination of air and water,” McMichael began, “Aaron Bower has
got a line on some. Ironically he’s bringing one with him for us to
try out. I’ll probably never say this to you again Frank, but
Frenchie can’t get your relatives here fast enough for me
today.”

Frank smiled. “If there’s a dollar to be made
anywhere, the Bowers will do it. But if that drill works, I might
even kiss Aaron Bower myself.”

“It’s supposed to be quite something, but I
won’t hold you to that. He tells me the process greatly reduces the
silicon shards, which will have us all breathing easier, and I mean
that literally. Silicosis might be a thing of the past. If it works
as well as he says it does, I’ve got the go ahead to order more.
We’ll be able to get rid of the old widow-makers. This will be one
hell of a test.”

“It looks like they’re docking now,” Frank
said.

The Northern Mary had indeed reached the
shores of Britannia Beach.

“Well let’s get down there then,” McMichael
said. He noticed Frank hesitate and knew Frank was not looking
forward to seeing his father-in-law. Given the fact he had truly
been working non-stop since the cave-in, McMichael decided to give
him a break.

“Go find Hearn and tell him that new drill
should be up to him in a few minutes. I understand he’s used them
before so he’ll be able to show you the ropes. I’ll go meet the
boat.”

“Thank you sir,” Frank said.

“Jimmy,” McMichael whistled, placing his
hands between his teeth. “Come on son, I need your help.”

Jimmy had been bringing fresh drinking water
to the rescue crew.

“What is it Mr. McMichael?”

“Put the water down. Frenchie’s boat is in
now.”

“Do you want me to help carry their luggage
up?”

Jimmy had heard that Olivia’s family was
coming up for the wedding.

“No son. I think they can manage their own
luggage. I want you to help carry the new drill that’s going to
potentially get your father out of there. Think you can handle
that?”

“Yes sir,” Jimmy said. His face remained
solemn but his heart started to race.

McMichael could hear Mary Alice and Maggie
talking as they passed by.

“God have Mercy on their souls,” Mary Alice
said.

“Now Mary Alice,” Maggie began, “don’t give
up hope.”

“Well that’s the horror. We don’t know
whether they’re dead or alive.”

Jimmy’s face went ashen.

“Son,” McMichael said, “I know these past few
days have been hell for you. If you need to let it out, go ahead. I
won’t think any the less of you.”

“No,” Jimmy said. “I must be strong because
my mother can’t.”

McMichael took a deep breath. The Yada’s were
such a nice family. Every last one of them was full of
character.

“I don’t want you to listen to gossip. I’m
going to be honest with you. It’s true, we don’t know if your
father is dead or alive. But I know your father. He is a stubborn
man. If there is any way in this world to cheat death, he’s going
to do it. Harry’s no quitter. I think we need to get down to the
docks and help him with his cheating, all right?” He put his hand
on Jimmy’s shoulder as they made their way down to the wharf.

Frenchie nodded to McMichael. He had young
Daniel by his side. McMichael could see a lot of William in
Daniel’s six-year-old face.

“Any news?” Frenchie asked.

“No,” McMichael said. “Nothing’s changed
since you left. They’re still trapped.”

“Mon Dieu,” Frenchie sighed, shaking his
head.

“What did you say Frenchie?” Daniel
asked.

“I said you made as fine a first mate as der
ever was, young Daniel.”

William and Aaron came on deck and nodded to
McMichael.

“I understand you’ve got a bit of a problem
John,” William said.

“That’s a bit of an understatement. Hello
William, Aaron.”

“Well then,” Aaron offered, “we’ll save the
pleasantries. We’d better get Bertha up and running.”

William looked at his brother.

“Bertha?”

“She’s not a big girl, this drill. But she
packs a lot of whollop. Reminds me of a woman I knew once down in
El Paso. Fiery sort, spent a lot of time...”

Frenchie covered Daniel’s ears with his
hands.

“Well, you get the picture,” Aaron said.

The three men shook hands briefly.

“I’m sorry about the railroad John,” William
said.

“Let’s not worry about that now,” McMichael
said. “There’ll be time to talk before the wedding, I’m sure.”

“It’s still on then?” Grace asked as the rest
of the family came on deck.

“Hello Grace. Yes. There was some talk of
cancelling the wedding at one point, but we won’t have that, will
we?”

“Well, under the circumstances...” William
began.

“Under the circumstances nothing. You don’t
know your future daughter-in-law very well do you? I’d never hear
the end of this.” He waved them off the boat. “The crowd may be a
bit smaller than Sarah planned. Some of the men will need to keep
working, but the show as they say, must indeed go on.”

“Where’s Olivia?” Emily asked.

“You must be Emily. Olivia told me about you.
I’m John McMichael. The store has been operating as a makeshift
command centre for the rescue workers and she’s up to her ears in
it. I know she’s thrilled you’re all here. Come with me and I’ll
take you up there. I’m sure she can use your help.”

“Jimmy isn’t it?” William asked. “You’re
certainly taller than the last time I saw you. When you’re finished
with Aaron, take Sister Anne over to see your mother will you?
Billy, help these men with the drill.”

“Yes sir,” Jimmy said. “But I must help with
the drill first.”

“Frenchie can take Sister Anne to Akiko,”
McMichael nodded to William. It was important to Jimmy, he knew,
that he helped with the new machine. “Ah yes,” McMichael continued,
“Billy. I understand you’re a carpenter. Welcome to Britannia. I’m
sorry about the circumstances.”

“It can’t be helped,” Billy said.

He looked around at the scenery.

“These trees are a carpenter’s dream.”

“They are indeed. I’d like to do some
remodelling in my house. Perhaps when this all settles down we can
share some ideas.”

“That would be my pleasure,” Billy
replied.

“Frenchie, where’s Father Fernier?” McMichael
asked.

“I’m afraid ‘e couldn’t make it. We were met
at de docks in Vancouver by one of the clergy who sent ’is regrets.
’Der lookin’ for somebody else.”

“The Cardinal has passed away,” Sister Anne
said.

“Well,” McMichael said. “Let’s take this as a
sign we won’t need any last rights. I’ll get on the blower and see
what we can do. There’s another boat coming up tonight and if we’re
lucky another priest will be on it.”

Sister Anne touched his sleeve and whispered
in his ear.

“If it’s an emergency, I do know them, the
last rights I mean. We wouldn’t want anyone denied a safe passage
to heaven. I’m sure God will look the other way under the
circumstances. Rumour has it I know a thing or two about
Catholicism.”

“You may get a chance to say them yet. But if
I’m not mistaken you don’t do marriages. If I don’t get a priest to
marry Sarah on schedule, she’ll kill me and then you really will be
put into action. I’m going to need all the help I can get before I
make my own final journey.”

“The Lord does work in mysterious ways,” she
laughed.

She followed Jimmy up the road.

“Your daughters,” McMichael laughed to
William, “they don’t take no for an answer, do they?”

“Not very often,” William agreed. “Not very
often.”

Yan Li held two candles in his hand. That’s
all that were left from the supply in the safety room and he knew
he should keep them until help came. At least they had been able to
make it that far, to the safety room. For eight days now he had
been trapped in the mine in the tiny enclave with Harry Yada, and
he could hear the drills getting closer and closer, the men’s
voices becoming louder hour by hour. He now could distinguish some
of the rescuer’s voices, giving him a sense of time and day as the
workers went off shift, rested, and came back again. He thought he
could hear Frank Fitzpatrick, so it was probably morning again.

There had been a steady trickle of water
through the crevices in the rocks since they had been trapped,
indicating to Yan that it had most likely been raining for some
time. It was a welcome source of water if he needed it. He would be
able to trap some water into the canteens he had found once they
were empty. There had been enough water stored in the safety room
for an entire crew, but still, Yan was rationing it, not knowing
when or if they would ever be rescued.

While his clothing was cold and damp, and he
was tired and a little hungry, there was little else physically
wrong with him. Being of a very slender build, food was something
he could take or leave, so he rationed the food he had found,
eating when he felt it was absolutely necessary. Emotionally
though, the time he was trapped seemed endless, and inside himself
he harboured a fear of never getting out at all.

The man next to him groaned.

Yan looked over at the man, who was twenty
years his senior. How suddenly frail he looked to him, as he lay
there, his body stretched out on the rocks. Yan had moved him into
a dry spot when then walls started to leak, so that he could
rest.

“Sleep,” he said to Harry. He would wake him
in a little while and make sure he had some food and water.