Previously, Caribou Joe paid a visit to the Photographer at Mile52.
Joe put the paper receipt Mr. MacKay had given him in the inside pocket of his coat. The photographer had promised the finished portrait by the next time Joe was in town.
Now, the only thing left to do was to get a hair-cut. Joe's shoulder-length hair would soon be lying on the floor of a Barber Shop. Joe found the service exceptional. All the 'Ladies' were terribly friendly and he gladly paid the twenty-five cents for the trim.
The girl that cut his hair explained that, "To clean up all those little bits of hard-to- reach hair that ends up under your collar, we would like to recommend a full bath. There is a gentleman just down the street that offers a tub on wheels, Sir."
"A tub on wheels?" asked Joe.
"That's right," said the girl. Mr. Wimbles has a place where a tub of river-water is rolled over a hot camp-fire and fine out-door bathing is then offered at a dollar a time."
"No thank you very much. I try not to take too many baths," said Joe.
Later, Joe was walking down the rail-way tracks between Mile 52 and Mile 53. His cloth bag, which held his clothes and other personal belongings was slung over his shoulder. The new boots continued to squeak as he stepped from one railroad tie to the next. Joe was wearing his usual set of clothes. They included his floppy hat, wool pants that had only been washed twice that winter, a wool shirt that was missing both its breast pockets, and his new work-boots. "What an outfit!" thought Joe. He continued on down the tracks towards the Siems Carey Warehouse.
When Joe came close to the Mile 53 docks he heard the sound of a steam whistle. The steam-ship was approaching. Joe hurried along as fast as he could. He was soon at the railway crossing beside the new water tower. Joe found the B.C. Express already tied up. He quickly searched his bag for the letter of introduction that Mr. Bates had given him. Joe was to present the letter to Captain Baker when boarding the sternwheeler.
Joe watched as the dock workers made secure the mooring ropes. A crowd of spectators were gathered on the wharf to greet the passengers and crew. He walked along the wooden platform examining the huge ship that was to be his new home for the next few weeks.
Joe decided to board the vessel after the last of the passengers had disembarked. He made his way to the gangway. Then, with his kit-bag slung over his shoulder, Joe walked across the wide wooden planked gangway to the forward deck.
An elderly grey-haired gentleman who had been sitting in a wood and canvas deck-chair leapt to his feet and confronted Joe. "Ticket please," said the man.
In the next episode, UP THE GANGWAY,
Joe meets some of the crew members on board the B.C. Express and has a brief interview with the Captain. Another adventure is about to begin.
