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“Take a layover and come by the house the following morning and we’ll settle out then.”
Ryan internally grimaced. He didn’t want a layover. He wanted to claim what was rightfully his and be on his way. Just the very thought of hitting the open waters in his very own schooner had his heart rejoicing. But he held his objections back. After all, it couldn’t be easy to lose such a valued possession.
“Sounds good.” Then when it looked like Clive was about to leave, Ryan stayed him. “Wait, where do you live?”
“Last blue stone house on the north pier. Home with the vegetable garden out front. Wife likes to grow her own vegetables even if we own just a small plot of land.”
“Ok, great sounds good. I’ll come by first thing in the morning.”
“Come around brunch instead. It will be Sunday and the family attends church in the morning. You can meet all my daughters as they’ll have returned from worship by then.”
Ryan had to force down an instinctive frown. He had no interest in meeting Clive’s family let alone try to create small talk with them. After all, what would he say? Hi, I’m Ryan, the cad who stole your father’s boat from under him in a poker game. Not that he stole the boat, he reminded himself. He won it honestly, as he reiterated to Clive. It was a gambler’s oath to uphold their wager. It was also a better’s oath not to humiliate or shame the loser. Hence, though he was eager to claim his winning, he respected his opponent and the stakes he was willing to put forth for the sake of the game.
“That would have been nice but I really need to head out early as I missed the Francesca and need to sail north for home as the folks will be awaiting my homecoming.”
Home for Ryan was in Placid, a small picturesque town overlooking the eastern banks of Lake Huron on the Canadian side of the lake at the mouth of the Granton River.
“Won’t hear of it.” Clive shook his head. “You’ll stay for brunch and entertain my family with that sweet sounding harmonica of yours. It’s so rare they get such entertainment.”
Ryan forced a smile to his lips. Yes, that was him, he could always be counted on to entertain the folks. Just once, he wished he was needed or wanted for something more worthwhile. But being the youngest sibling of two older brothers, his place had always been as the performer. Leave it to big, strong Jay if it required physical work or quiet, reserved Garret if it required intelligence. Ryan, however, as long as he could remember, was the one left to charm.
Chapter 1
Lake Erie, en route to Detroit City
Two days later Ryan managed to secure a position as a deckhand on a cargo ship transporting a load of codfish to the Detroit market. The clipper had been out all night reeling in codfish off the coast of Newfoundland to sell at the seafood auction. Ryan envied the sailors and their expedition but was able to subdue the feeling of jealousy for the first time. His turn was just around the corner. Just as soon as he secured the Lady Evelina.
It was a race back to the market so the crew could fetch the best prices for their catch. The more deckhands they had, the faster the clipper reached its destination. They left Buffalo while the sky was still black and raced across Lake Erie at easily seven or eight knots. The massive but sleek cr
aft sped across the calm waters like a phantom gliding across the evening sky with her sails in full bloom. She was clipping at top speeds and before Ryan knew it, the captain called to clew up the sails.
This meant the coastline was approaching and they had to begin slowing the ship down. The crew scrambled to their respective riggings on one of the three masts that made up the ship. Ryan leaped over the rail deck and climbed up to the lower boom where he found his place amongst six other deckhands on the main mast. He anchored himself to the ropes then paused to raise his chin and close his eyes. There was nothing else like it. Standing up there in the riggings, with nothing but the ropes securing him to the vessel as she raced against the night. He loved the feel of crisp cool air on his face. He exhaled a satisfying sigh and thought there was no other place he’d rather be.
The lead deckhand shouted a command drawing Ryan’s attention back to the task at hand. He leaned over and began the chore of gathering the sail. As he did, his attention was drawn to the view beyond the stern. The bow of the clipper sliced easily through the lake as she sailed westward toward the dark coastline, however, in contrast, the view to the rear of the ship was the complete opposite. The mizzenmast stood before him slightly shorter than the main mast and hence cut a remarkable silhouette against the early dawn. Peeking slightly over the horizon, the tip of the sun had scarcely begun to rise but still managed to cut a spectacular ray of light through the black waters. The Great Lakes had some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets along their coastlines. They never ceased to amaze Ryan with their breathtaking views. Each was as unique and memorable as the next. That morning was no exception. The eastern sky was starting to light up like a magnificent painting of orange and yellow hues along with bold streaks of fiery red. He hoped that the bloodshot sky wasn’t an indication of what he could expect from the upcoming day.
Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.
It had been fair weather all summer long. With any luck, his streak of good fortune would continue as he hoped to take proprietorship of the Lady Evelina as soon as possible and to push off for home at the earliest.
Quickly but efficiently the crew began gathering the sail and furling it onto the yard then secured it snuggly with rope to keep it from unraveling. Ryan enjoyed the rapport he shared with his fellow sailors as they worked in unison and chanted an old sailor shanty. Once they finished securing the lower sail, they moved up to the topmast, then finished with the gallant mast just at the ship reached the most western point of Lake Erie and began its turn into the Detroit River. Instead of heading back down with the rest of the crew, Ryan climbed higher up to the crow’s nest where he could observe the view around the ship without anything obstructing his way. But for him, he liked the fact it made him feel on top of the world. The horizon went for endless miles.
From his perch, Ryan watched as the clipper sailed past the American coast. A handful of smallholdings scattered the shoreline. At first one or two were sporadically spread apart until the ship drew closer to the city and the lodgings began to multiple until eventually were overrun by several mills and factories. He could see early morning vendors going about their business of setting up their market stands along the riverfront. The heavy aroma of seafood merchants reached Ryan’s nostrils as the ship docked in the Detroit harbor and began to unload its haul.
With eager eyes, Ryan scanned the many boats bobbing at the docks until he spotted the Lady Evelina. Taking a deep satisfying breath, he produced a broad grin then proceeded to descend from his perch.
“Hoi, young Colby!” The captain greeted him on the boarding plank as he was about to take his leave. “You lookin’ like a dog with two tails…ya got a girl waiting for you, mate?”
Ryan chuckled. “A little lady, actually.”
“Then you best be off.” He held out a small pouch of coin. “Your stipends for helping us get back ‘n time.”
“You know what?” Ryan hoisted his rucksack over his shoulder and made his way for the dock. “Keep it. I’m feeling generous this morning.”
He had won enough coin in the poker game back in Buffalo to tide him over for a while. Plus plenty extra to take him on a long voyage. Though he wanted nothing more to go and claim his boat at that very moment, he agreed to Clive’s request to wait until brunch. He just wished they had scheduled it for early morning rather than later.
Nevertheless, Ryan headed for a nearby boarding house along the waterfront where he was able to wolf down a hearty breakfast and fill his belly with a warm mug of coffee. Then as soon as it was early enough, he headed for the street north of the harbor. He followed the wooden pier until it reached a cobbled pathway that ran parallel to the Detroit River. Though the river was wide, the banks on the opposite side were easily visible. Ryan paused to glance across the water to the Canadian side.
The river was the physical border that separated America from Canada. Home for Ryan was on the opposite shore. Though he loved his country, there was just something exciting about Detroit City. No other city along Lake Huron measured to the bustling excitement of Michigan’s former capital. Because of its close proximity to the border and the British troops, the capital had relocated to Lansing in 1847. This, however, did not deter the city’s growth. It was easily the largest city in the state.
