To The West Part 14

"Hudson's Bay, Baffin's Bay, Davis' Straits--all up at the North Pole.

Think n.o.body never learnt jography but you?"

"Ah, well, never mind where it is," I said impatiently; "they're going out there."

"And they've coaxed you two boys away from a poor lone widow woman to go with them," cried Mrs Dean; "and it's a sin and a shame."

"I a.s.sure you, Mrs Dean--"

"No, sir, you can't."

"Will you be quiet, mother!" cried Esau angrily, "and go on with your supper, and let us. You're crying right into the salt."

"I'm not, sir! and I will not be put down by a boy like you. I say you shan't go."

"And I say I shall," replied Esau surlily. "If you don't know what's for the best, I do."

"It isn't for the best, and it's cruel of you, Esau."

"Well," said Esau, turning to me, "I've made up my mind, Gordon; she won't care when it's all over, and then she'll see it's for the best for all of us. So once for all, will you stick to it?"

"Yes," I said, "I am quite determined now."

"Hear that, mother?"

"Oh yes, I hear, sir."

"Then don't say sir; and let's finish supper comfortably, for I haven't had half enough. But let's have it all over, and then settle down to it. So once for all, I'm going out to British Columbia to make my fortune."

Mrs Dean had been sitting down for some little time now, and as Esau said these last words she started up, gave the table a sharp slap with her hand, looked defiantly at us both, and exclaimed--

"Then I shall come too."

We two lads sank back in our chairs astonished. Then we looked at each other, and we ended by bursting out laughing.

"Oh, all right," said Esau at last. "That's right, mother.--She's coming to do the shooting for us while we build up the house."

"Ah, you may laugh, sir. But if that's a place that is good for two lads like you to get on in, it's a good place for a respectable hard-working woman who can wash, and cook, and bake bread, whether it's loaves or cakes."

"Well, mother can make cakes," said Esau, "and good ones."

"Of course I can, sir; and very glad you'll be of 'em too when you're thousands of miles from a baker's shop."

"Yes; but the idee of your coming!" cried Esau. "Haw, haw, haw!"

Somehow it did not seem to me such a very preposterous "idee," as Esau called it, for just then I too had an idea. Mrs John was going that long waggon journey; what could be better for her than to have a clever little managing, hard-working woman like Mrs Dean with her?

But I did not say anything about it then, for I had to think the matter over. Only a few hours ago it had seemed as if my connection with Esau was likely to be in the way of my accompanying the Dempsters; now matters were taking a form that looked as if my friendliness with him was to be the reason, not only for my being their companion, but of helping them admirably as well.

But matters were not quite in shape yet, and we all went to bed that night feeling as if Esau's opinion was correct--that the little supper had not been a success.

CHAPTER NINE.

DIFFICULTIES.

Mrs Dean was in waiting for me next morning, and attacked me directly.

"Do, do, pray try and help me, my dear," she whispered, so that her voice might not rise to the little bed-room where we could hear Esau stamping about, knocking the jug against the basin, and snorting like a hippopotamus over his ablutions. "You have such a way with you, and Esau looks up to you so as being a gentleman, and I know he'll do what you tell him."

"Nonsense, Mrs Dean!" I said; "surely he'll mind his mother more than he does me."

"No, my dear, no," she said sadly. "He has always been the dearest and best of boys, and I used to make him think just as I liked; but of late, since he has been grown big and strong, he generally ends by making me think as he likes, and he is so obstinate."

"Oh no; he's a very good fellow."

"Yes, my dear. Hus.h.!.+ don't talk so loud. You see he has got it into his head that it is the best thing for us, and I want you to get it out."

"But how can I, when I think the same?"

"Now, Mr Gordon, my dear, you don't--you can't think it's best for you two boys to go trapesing hundreds of thousands of miles, and going living among wild beasts in forests."

"I'm afraid I do, without the wild beasts," I said.

"But suppose you were both taken ill, my dear, there's no hospitals, or dispensaries, or doctors out there."

"But you said you would come with us, and if we were taken ill, where could we get a better nurse?"

"It's very kind of you to say so, my dear, and of course I shouldn't think of going without some camomiles, and poppy-heads, and a little castor-oil, and salts and senny, and jollop. Yes, and a roll of sticking-plaster. And that reminds me, how is your poor ear?"

"Oh, not very bad," I said laughing. "But there, I'm afraid I cannot do what you wish, Mrs Dean, for if Esau does not come, I shall certainly go myself."

"And he'd be sure to, then, my dear. He'd have been a soldier by this time, only you kind of held him back. He does think such a deal of--"

"Hallo, you two! Ketched you, have I, making plots and plans?"

"No, no, my dear."

"Why, you've been coaxing him to get me not to go."

"Well, my dear, it was something of that sort."

"Yes, I know, mother. That's just like you, trying to stop me when I'm going to make a big fortune."

"But you don't know that you are, my dear. Such lots of people go abroad to make fortunes, and I never knew one yet who brought a fortune back."

"Then you're going to know two now--him and me. Breakfast ready?"

"Yes, my dears; and I thought you'd like some hot rolls, so I went and got 'em."