Wanted^Gravedigger by Christine Sterling

Author:Christine Sterling [Sterling, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-08T06:00:00+00:00

“I want double shifts until we get these graves done. We should have been done with at least three of them.”

“It turns out we needed them much larger than we originally thought,” Will said.

“Just do it. Split the duties with Zhang,” Dawson told Will. He then turned to the group of workers. “Double shifts, except on Sundays. Will and Zhang are in charge of making sure this gets done. I also want more men at the mine. The women can start sewing the bags closed. We need to get the bodies the moment they come out of the ground. Out of the ground. Into the bag. A bit of lime and then sew them shut. I don’t want that barrel opened unless it is absolutely necessary. And I want whomever is handling it to be fully protected. Fully. Do I make myself clear?”

The workers nodded.

“Get back to work, we need to get this done.”

Will picked up his pickaxe and shouted to the men, “Let’s go!”

Dawson led a group of men down to the mine. He found Ian, the Scotsman was barking orders, but when he saw Dawson approach with a group of men, he walked over to them.

“I just came from the clinic. Doc Childs said your men are going to make a full recovery. Apparently they didn’t get much on them. They’ll just have sensitive skin for a bit and it will probably undergo a slough.”

“How is the other?” Ian asked.

“Brawny?” Ian nodded. “He lost an eye and I guess he is going to be pretty scarred up. How did this happen?”

“Shame about that lad. I wasn’t here at the time it happened. I guess those workers were trying to pry the lid off the barrel and it went flying. I’m surprised they weren’t burned. Luck of the wind, I supposed. It went on quite a few people’s clothes, but those three got the worst. They were right next to the barrel when it was being opened.”

“I want to make sure that this doesn’t happen again. How many bodies do we have so far?”

“We just found the first.”

“Is it in a bag already?”

“It is. It is on the wagon waiting for transport.”

Suddenly there was a commotion behind them. Ian ran over with Dawson quickly on his heels. “What is it?” Ian asked.

“We found Mr. Pike!” one of the miner’s called out.

“Be careful removing him.”

“Isn’t that Betsy Sewell’s father?” Dawson asked. He had heard Tess mention that name.

“Yes. I guess someone should go get the marshal.”

“I can do it,” Dawson volunteered. He turned to his men, “I want you to put him in a bag once he is recovered. You bring him to the undertaker’s office. I don’t want him buried in the mass plot.” Zhang nodded.

Dawson watched as the workers went to delicately remove the dirt around Mr. Pike’s body. He said a quick prayer before turning on his heel to go find the marshal.

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