Heinrich turned toward Svend. “About time you showed up! I’m really glad you remembered your lesson.” Moans from around the fire quickly drew their attention back to the wounded.
With the detached calm of someone who had just faced imminent death, Luke noted that Kirima was not attending to her father. Kirima was examining Joseph, so Luke glanced over to Jack Hudson. The quick look was all he needed and he ran over to the pile of trade goods by the boats. Rifling through the stack, he found the bolt of cloth he knew was there and threw it to one of the two Inuit who were already seeing to Jack’s wounds. The shorter hunter immediately started to tear strips for bandaging the wounds.
A brief examination of the hunter the bear had dragged into the camp was enough for Luke to ascertain he was dead. The bear had crushed the chest in his jaws, puncturing the aorta. The pool of blood around the corpse was almost the entire blood supply a body could hold. The other victim was somewhere beyond the whale carcass. Time enough to search for him after the nearby wounded were treated. Luke took the flask from his hip and shooed the two Inuit away before they could smear grease on the wound. The books he’d seen in Grantville said alcohol was good for keeping wounds from suppurating. It was a shame to use such good rum for such a mundane purpose, but needs must ! He pulled the cork on the flask. Once the rum had liberally bathed the site, he took the bandages and bound up the wound. Luckily, the sealskin garments Jack had been wearing had kept the claws from digging in too far. The flesh was torn badly, but the muscle and tendons were still attached. If infection could be contained, there was a good chance of recovery.
Svend stood nearby, reloading his rifle, along with Heinrich. Luke motioned toward the whale carcass. “There’s still one victim out there. Go see if you can find him, and see if he needs tending.”
Heinrich interrupted, “Let us finish reloading. We don’t know that there isn’t a mate out there. We’ll go as soon as we’re loaded.” A final thrust with a ramrod seated the shot. Five seconds later, both rifles were primed and Svend and Heinrich walked slowly into the dark. Each scanned the quadrant to their front as they fanned out, rifles at the ready. Two minutes later, Heinrich called out. “We’ve found the other, but there’s no need to hurry. He’s definitely dead!”
One of the Inuit helping Luke with Jack Hudson seemed to get the gist of Heinrich’s call. He let out a wail. It surprised Luke and he turned to Kirima, “What’s wrong?”
Kirima said flatly, “That was his brother, Yutu! This was his first whaling trip. He came because his brother kept asking my father to bring him. Now he’s dead.” She turned back to Joseph. His coat sleeve was drenched in his own blood. “I’m not going to lose you too! You saved my life when you could have fled. She pleaded with Luke, “Pass me more bandages! I’ve just about got his bleeding stopped. Please use your medicine on him too!”
Luke finished binding up Jack’s wound and hurried over to see what he could do for Joseph. The wounds were more bloody than dangerous. Like Jack, Joseph’s clothing and his stumble, had avoided the major blow. There were five furrows across his shoulder that would hurt like the blazes for the next few weeks, but a quick job with a sail needle and thread would have him as good as new. As he poured rum on the gashes, Luke told Kirima, “Just bind him up. We’ll take him and your father to the ship and have the surgeon sew them up properly. Joseph’s not in any danger from those cuts. I’m more concerned for your father. His wounds are much deeper.” The concern in her eyes told Luke all he needed to know about Kirima’s affections. Joseph definitely had made an impression in a short time! A hail from the shore caught Luke’s attention. The longboat party was back, just in time!
Chapter 27
It was some time before the surgeon was able to break away and report to Captain Foxe on the status on his patients. He found Luke standing with John Barrow at the ship’s wheel discussing what further delays might result from the attack. “Excuse me Captain; I’ve finished with the patients.” He then stood there silently, waiting for the Captain to reply.
Luke looked at him, “And?”
Mordecai continued, “They both should recover. As you suspected, Joseph just needed some stitches to close the surface wounds. Barring any infection, Jack Hudson will recover too, but his arm will be stiff from the scar tissue. I had to leave a small area open to make sure any pus could drain properly. I bathed the wound again in rum, just as you ordered. Hopefully that will keep the infection to a minimum. He won’t be able to travel in an open boat for some time.”
“That’s what Mr. Barrow and I were just discussing. We’ll escort his party back to their village. It’s on our way and will give us a few days to talk further with him. Is he awake now?”
“Yes, but his daughter is with both of them. She sure seems concerned about Joseph.” His leer almost made Luke chuckle.
“You know Mordecai, you’re just a dirty old man. The young man saved her life. She’s a right to be concerned.”
The leer just got bigger. “I may be old Captain, but that was no chaste maiden kiss I saw her give him when I finished with him. I don’t know what went on there at the meal, but that boy sure is a fast worker!” He smiled like a father that saw many grandchildren in his future. “You go see if I’m mistaken!”
Luke motioned for him to precede him down the ladder. “Lead on! I want to see this warrior’s maiden.” When they reached the cabin the surgeon had set up as a temporary recovery area, Kirima was seated on Joseph’s cot holding his good hand while she held a heated discussion with her father. She stopped abruptly when Luke poked his head in through the doorway.
Jack Hudson looked like a schoolboy who’d just been caught by his teacher hiding a frog in the teacher’s desk. His eyes tried to focus on Luke, and after a second he mumbled, “Thank you very much for saving my people. I don’t know how I repay this debt.” He looked over to Kirima who gave a nod, “My daughter’s life is yours. She agrees.” He sighed and sank back, face down on the cot.
Luke wasn’t quite sure what had just transpired, until he saw the look on Kirima’s face. She was smiling like someone who had just won a valuable prize. As she looked at Joseph, Luke realized who the prize was . I just hope he’s in agreement and doesn’t upset my plans!
Luke turned around in the cramped cabin and shooed Mordecai out ahead of him. “Your patients seem to be doing fine! I’ll come back in the morning and speak to Jack then. I think their nurse will be able to handle any nonemergency needs until then.” He turned back to Jack and added, “I’ll see to your people and their boat. We’ll pass them a line and tow them back to your village so you won’t have to risk an open boat with your wounds.” Jack gave a weak wave with his good hand and fell quickly to sleep, his pain deadened by the rum he’d been given.
Svend arrived just then to check on his friend Joseph, but Luke turned him back with reassurances that all was well and that they really needed to rest. He gave Svend an errand to occupy his mind. “Go find the red headed native. I think he understands enough English that you can let him know that Jack Hudson should recover. Tell him we’ll help them finish their loading of the meat, if they need us, and we’ll tow them back to their village. Jack’s going to need rest and warmth for a while and we can give that to him aboard our ship. If he needs anything, he should ask you for it.”
When Svend arrived at the camp, the remaining hunters were holding an animated discussion. After some false starts, Svend was able to piece together enough English and Cree that Adam understood to convey the sense of his father’s instructions. The red head pointed to the wherry and indicated all was ready for departure. If the Köbenhavn would pass them a line, to tow the wherry, they would paddle the two remaining kayaks. When Svend tried to stammer out that it would be a long trip, implying they might not be able to keep up, Adam informed him not to worry, they would keep their speed down to where the sailing ships could keep up! When Svend finally realized what Adam had said, he started laughing and nodded agreement. He then gave the two
an update on Jack’s condition and assured them they could visit whenever they needed. Adam quickly asked if he could see him now and offered to take Svend back to the ship in his boat. Eyeing the lightweight craft, Svend diplomatically declined the offer, saying he needed to make sure his sailors returned promptly to their duties. Adam smiled and then pushed his craft off from the beach.
* * *
The next two days were touch and go for Jack Hudson. Despite the surgeon’s care, he developed an infection. On the third morning, he woke up and asked what was for breakfast. Mordecai was summoned and after a brief examination he announced, “It appears the fever has passed. If the patient can restrain himself from overdoing, he should recover. Just broth and biscuit for breakfast.”
Jack scowled at the announced menu, but eventually acknowledged after he’d finished that it was all he could handle. Luke arrived shortly before the meal was finished and sat down on the one chair in the crowded cabin. Kirima sat on Joseph’s cot, helping her father eat while he lay on his stomach, so as not to disturb the dressings on his back. After Jack finished the last of the broth and gave a contented belch, Luke asked, “So now that you’re back amongst the land of the living, what are your plans?”
Jack tried to fix Luke with a stare but failed. “I don’t know. I assume we’re heading toward our clan’s summer camp, so how soon until we arrive?”
Luke smiled, “As fate would have it, your recovery is well timed. We should be there within a few hours.” He pointed toward the stern. “We have the wherry in tow and the rest of your party is keeping ahead of us in their own boats. Adam was very helpful during your recovery. If you’re up to it, I have something we do need to discuss before you leave our hospitality.”
Jack tried to turn over but thought better after the bandages started to pull. “You’re right. We never did finish our discussion of the other night. What do you have on your mind?”
“You asked once why we were here and then left me with the impression you don’t want to go back to civilization. Is that your intention?”
Jack lay there, not answering for a few minutes and Luke began to wonder if he’d fallen off to sleep. Jack finally cleared his throat and replied, “I dreamt for many years about returning to England. I still miss many of the comforts; books, plays, foods.” A wistful smile came to his face, “Warm weather!” He gave a shiver to emphasize the point, but then continued in a graver tone. “But in the last few years, I’ve come to realize I’ve taken on responsibilities here. I’ve become a leader to my adopted people. Bringing the benefits of civilization to them, while protecting them from the uglier side of it, means more to me. I’ve tried to teach my people but I am no teacher. Kirima is very bright and deserves to have the chance to get an education and have a bright future. You said you wanted to trade with us and I agree, on two condition. You take Kirima with you and provide her an education and send us teachers in the future. She’s already agreed and just needs your blessing.”
Luke was surprised that Hudson’s request coincided with the plans he had intended to discuss. “I will be more than willing to assist in educating your daughter. We already have one teacher with us and I can send for another to arrive next spring. Kirima can start as soon as we get settled at our new home. With your permission, we’ll build a small trading house at your summer camp to house a trader when our next group arrives. It can have a school room included. That way, you can prepare your people for the new opportunities they’ll face.”
Jack smiled wanly, “That’s fine. I’m sure I’ll see some resistance to change. Waiting ‘til next spring is a good idea. The more gradual the change, the more likely the changes will be accepted and used.” He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Luke turned to Kirima and spoke quietly, so not to wake Jack. “Are you in full agreement with your father’s request? If not, I’m sure I can work something out with him.”
The look that Luke got was one normally reserved for half-wits. “I’ve heard stories all my life about my father’s native land. I thought most were just stories. Now I see that the truth was more than he had told me. You’d have to tie me up to stop me from going, that’s why he asked you. Besides, you have other incentives to entice me along.” She looked toward Joseph with a faint smile.
Joseph took Kirima’s hand. “I’m sure my father will welcome her to our village. Our peoples have lived in peace for many years. Besides, the reason he sent me with Captain James was to bring knowledge of the new ways back to my people too. A school will help show your peaceful intent better than any words you could say.”
It suddenly struck Luke that Joseph had been evaluating their intentions ever since he had sailed with Captain James. Thankfully, his intentions had always matched his actions. Hopefully, his father would listen to his proposal when they arrived. In the meantime, he had preparations to make for landing Jack and setting up the trading post. A hail from the masthead announced the village was in sight. He nodded, “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you to seeing to Jack’s needs for the transfer ashore. I have some tasks of my own if we’re to sail by the morrow.”
The entire clan crowded the beach as the small fleet approached. Luke watched through his glass as the small boats beached and told the news of the attack and deaths. Jack was already on deck, lying in a makeshift stretcher that could fit in the longboat for the transfer ashore. In a muted voice he asked Luke, “How are they taking the news?”
Luke walked over from the rail so he could answer without the entire crew hearing. “I think our presence has overwhelmed most of the crowd. It’s evident who the families are, though. Yutu is comforting an older couple and a young woman appears to be devastated.
Jack shook his head, “That would be Yotimo’s wife. She’s expecting later in the summer.”
“Would a gift of blankets and a lantern help her? We have some extras in our trade goods.”
Jack looked at Luke in surprise. “I should say they would. I don’t know whether you’re clairvoyant or just lucky, but a lamp is highly prized by my people. It will go far in helping her find a husband to raise her child.”
Luke motioned to a nearby seaman and whispered some instructions to him. Within minutes, three blankets, a lamp, and an iron cooking pot were added to the supplies going ashore.
The ships hove to without dropping their anchors. It took some time to safely hoist Jack’s stretcher over the side into the longboat. John Barrow made sure the stretcher was lashed down securely and even called the stroke as the boat made the short journey ashore. When they reached the beach, seven men splashed out into the surf to manhandle the stretcher ashore. They took Jack directly to his caribou hide tent and made him comfortable. Kirima stopped by briefly with Joseph and returned to the longboat with a small bundle of her personal treasures. Luke spent a longer time with Jack, reiterating his commitment toward Kirima’s schooling and making arrangements to have the lumber delivered in the spring to build the trading post and schoolroom. When the landing party returned to the ship, Jack Barrow was still hoisting the longboat aboard when Luke gave the order to make sail. His anxiety to reach the final destination was evident to Svend as he watched his father. He quickly finished his sketch of the landing site, making sure that it was detailed enough for the ship that would return in the spring would recognize the spot.
Chapter 28
Late July 1634 Copenhagen
The Bluefin sailed into Copenhagen harbor weighed down with her cargo of cod. Captain Nielsen contemplated the three linen packets and the pouch he had to deliver, wondering whose should be delivered first. A nearby argument between two sailors over whether they would go home first or stop at a tavern first made up his mind. Mette Foxe would get her letter first. The King and the Abrabanels would have to wait! As the ship tacked to reach the fishmongers pier, Captain Nielsen noticed that a number of changes had occurred since they had left. Out in the harbor, what could only be salvage operations were underway on a strange vessel. It looked like
some type of raft with walls. Ashore, there were distinct signs of damage from cannon fire. So the tales we heard were true! The Swede had attacked! Danish flags were flying from the palace and there were more strange ships anchored off the naval piers. Everything appeared peaceful and normal. A stop at Mette’s tavern seemed even more urgent now. He needed to find out what had been happening and who the other letters needed to go to now.
As he entered the tavern, Jan’s eyes took a moment to adjust to the dimmer light. Before he took two steps a cry of “Jan Nielsen, you’re back!” caught his attention as a pregnant Mette Foxe rushed to meet him.
“What news do you have? Are Luke and Svend alright? Is the new settlement safe?” Mette’s questions would have kept pouring out but Jan gave her a quick hug and then held her at arm’s length, studying her figure.
“Yes, to all your questions. And it looks like I’ll have to send the word to Luke that you’re doing well to. It appears your new marriage suits you well!” He laughed as she blushed. “I came here as soon as we landed to get Luke’s letter to you. The King will have to wait his turn.” He held up the other packets. Mette blushed at the implied compliment. “Now tell me what’s been happening since we left. From the harbor, it looks like someone attacked, but who won?”