Rivers West by L'Amour Louis

Author:L'Amour, Louis [L'Amour, Louis]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Louis L'Amour
Published: 2010-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

At the boat yard I had no trouble. Boats were building. Men were needed. Timbers were cut in a sawmill, but many needed added shaping, and I was a better than fair hand with ax or adze. I was hired on the spot.

That afternoon, John Dill, my boss, walked over to where I was working and kicked the chips I'd cut from a timber in facing it. The chips were almost uniform in size, and the timber as smooth as if polished. "You're good," he said quietly. "Have you built boats?"

"I am a shipwright," I told him. "I have built three schooners, a barkentine, and several brigs, along with a number of fishing crafts."

"I thought so." He watched me work for a time. "Have you built bridges?"

"Several ... and barns, as well."

"We've a steamer to build. One hundred and twenty-five feet overall, main deck, cabin deck and a texas."

I leaned on my ax. "You will build it here?"

"I shall. If you'll have the job, it is yours."

"You mean I shall be in charge?"

"I've watched you work. You'll do it. I want the job done by a man who loves his work, who loves the wood he works with and the tools he uses."

It was what I wanted. It was what I had come west to do. Now it was here. One hundred and twenty-five feet would make a handsome craft, and once I'd put one in the water I could write my own ticket. Why did I hesitate?

"Let me give you my answer tomorrow. I must think of what must be done and what I have to do."

"Well enough. You know where my office is. Come along when you've made up your mind."

For a moment longer I waited, thinking, and then once more I went to work, liking the clean, neat strokes of the adze, the way the chips broke away. This was what I had started to do in life, to build, to build boats that would carry the commerce of this wild land, go up its farthest rivers.

When I finished my day, it was dark. I stacked my tools and turned away from the river toward the hotel. If I was going to stay in Pittsburgh, I must find new, less expensive quarters. There was the faint scuff of feet on the street ahead of me. I stood very still. I'd had a bit of trouble on the previous day, and hoped for no more.

Hands chest high, whether to block a punch or lead one, I continued my walk

"John Daniel?"

It was Macaire.

"Macaire! We need to talk," I said.

"Aye," he answered. "Come sail with us. You can ship aboard us in any capacity you like. Or you can come as a passenger, as a free trader."

"You speak for yourself, Macaire. Neither Macklem nor Miss Majoribanks would allow it."

"If I speak for you, they'll take you. Will y'come, lad?"

"I cannot. Your Miss Majoribanks thinks I am common stuff—and dislikes me into the bargain. As for Macklem, he's a very dangerous man.

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