Jewel's Gems (The Red Petticoat Saloon) by Maggie Ryan

Author:Maggie Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Blushing Books Publications
Published: 2016-03-11T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The remainder of the voyage saw smooth seas and no further confrontations between the women. Juliette talked to the men on board; gathering additional information about what to expect once they reached the gold-fields. Though she turned down many propositions for ‘entertainment’ to pass the time, her growing stack of coins told her that her gems were assured that boredom would not be a problem for them.

Captain Stewart proved to be a good asset as he gave her the name of a respectable boarding house where she could seek accommodations while in the city. She also took his advice to keep alert to heart.

“You ladies are easier pickins than nuggets,” he told her one evening when he was enjoying a cigar and she was enjoying the breeze at the rail. “San Francisco will be a great city but for now, well, it’s wild and full of desperate men chasin a dream.”

“You’re not a dreamer, Captain?”

“Lass, the Prosperity is my dream but I’m one of the few who are lucky enough to live my dream. For every man who strikes it rich, there are thousands that I’ll be taking home with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.” He blew out a ring of smoke and gave her a hard look. “I’m not one to butt into anyone’s business, but I know you are the leader of your group. Don’t let your guard down, not for a moment. Dreamers are one thing but there are those willing to take every advantage of anyone who appears weak. You be careful, promise?”

“I promise,” Jewel said. “Thank you, Captain, I’ll remember what you’ve told me.” He flipped his cigar into the ocean.

“See that you do, little girl. See that you do. You’ve got people depending on you doing just that.”

***

On the morning they reached San Francisco, she and the others watched as the ship approached Clark’s Point. “Have you ever seen so many people?” Opal asked.

“Or so many ships,” Amy added. The bay was full and as they waited their turn to dock, they could see hundreds of men scurrying about the wharf.

“You know, they actually beached the James K. Polk here to make a landing for passengers,” Juliette informed them. “This is where the people of California also received news that they became the thirty-first state to join the Union.” Sliding an arm around Nettie, she added, “I’m very glad to have learned that slavery is illegal here and hope that one day soon, the horrid practice will be outlawed everywhere.”

“How do you know all this stuff?” Amy asked. “I don’t even know much of England’s history.”

“I spent many years in school,” Jewel said. “I thought being a good student would make my father proud of me. Even though that was futile, I loved learning. Books were an escape for me. I guess I’ve never stopped wanting to learn all I can.”

The time she’d spent talking with the men on both ships, reading the newspaper to her great uncle, talking to Henry and to the captain proved time well spent as they disembarked the ship.

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