Last week, Sam told how the paddle-wheelers were constructed at Tte Jaune.
Two weeks before Sam and Joe had started their delivery run of dynamite from the Siems-Carey warehouse Mr. Bates had a visit from an old friend. Captain J.P. Baker of the B.C. Express Shipping Company, a rival of Foley, Welsh and Stewart, had arrived at Mile 53 on the train from Edmonton. He asked Mr. Bates to line up some firewood-cutting contractors at Tte Jaune Cache. Apparently many cords of firewood would be needed to run his company's only sternwheeler on the upper Fraser. He was also looking for men who could work during the summer on board his ship the 'B.C. Express.'
Captain Baker had left Mile 53 in a canoe with a companion and started out on the long trip to South Fort George. His idea was to study the river on the way down with particular focus on the part around the Grand Canyon. He was planning to run the B.C. Express from South Fort George to Tte Jaune Cache for the summer on a weekly, round-trip schedule.
When Joe had been filled in with the details of the new job opportunities, he rushed off to find his friend. "Hey, Sam, are you signing up for the summer? I'm going to be a deck-hand on the B. C. Express."
"No, thank you," said Sam. "I enjoy my independence. And, besides, Mr. Bates can't find another living soul to take that dynamite-run on the river. He's supplying me with another pointer boat just like the Ruth-Ann."
"You mean to say he swallowed that story about the big rock in the river? You're going out again with a load of dyno?"
"That's right," answered Sam. "Bates even raised my salary."
"What are you going to do about a partner?" asked Joe.
"Well," said Sam, "I got some friends over by the Shuswap Indian village. I think I can talk one of them into helping with the deliveries."
"I have to get over to the Wall brother's place and check on my horse and guns." said Joe. "I better get going." He raised his right hand towards Sam.
The two friends shook hands and said their goodbyes. Joe started hiking in the direction of town. He could hardly wait to pack up his belongings. The B.C. Express would soon be arriving at Mile 53.
In the next episode, BOOTS FOR THE DECK-HAND, Joe visits Crumby's General Store on the Main Street of Tte Jaune Cache and enjoys a walk down by the Fraser River.
