Read Online Chain Locker by Bob Chaulk - Free Book Online Page B

of it purchased from the War Surplus store: long underwear beneath his khaki woolen pants, with puttees around the legs. He pulled a sweater over two heavy shirts and reached for the long army coat that made him look like a slightly undersized soldier ready for the trenches. His two sisters were upstairs in the middle of a squabble that was consuming his mother’s attention. He quietly dumped the books from his leather schoolbag behind the woodbin, filled the bag with bread from the pantry, and slipped out the door.
    Wet snow had fallen overnight, and now there was a light rain sprinkling, making the roads and pathways greasy. As he half-walked and half-slid his way down the hill to the harbour, he could see the black smoke rising from the coal-burning ships working up steam in preparation for getting underway. Perfect, he thought. There would be a minimum of waiting time and less chance to get discovered.
    Sealers from dozens of outport villages swarmed the city and the docks, some knowing and others hoping there would be a place for them on one of the nine steamships fitting out for this year’s hunt, most of them vessels that were household names in Newfoundland. With so many sealers and so few ships, competition to get a spot was intense, often leading men as well as boys to stow away. Lookouts were everywhere.
    As he stood on Harvey and Co.’s wharf, where he was supposed to meet Hubert Kelloway, Jackie caught a glimpse of Eddie Carnell and Michael Grandy weaving among the bystanders. Richard McCarthy had made it clear that he would not be going. The consequences of disobeying his father were too much for poor Dickie to abide, having suffered under his father’s harsh discipline for all of his short life. Jackie could not remember ever being struck by his father, and he knew nothing of the fear that his friends had for theirs. Maybe he would finally get his first ass-kicking when he returned. He would worry about that when the day came round.
    He spied the governor, surrounded by crowds of people waiting for his annual speech wishing the fleet safety and prosperity. Jackie looked around for the Archbishop, who usually showed up as well. Yes, there he was. Today was definitely the day; the Archbishop himself had given it divine sanction. He tried to keep his eyes on Eddie and Mike to see which ship they boarded. They had said they were going to try for one of the newer steel ships, which carried bigger sealing crews, among whom it would be easier to blend.
    Jackie soon lost sight of the older lads. Time passed. No Hubert. Either he had lost his nerve or his father had caught him. Off to Jackie’s left was a wooden, three-masted steamer, belching black smoke from her tall stack. He had seen her coming through the Narrows many times after a successful hunt, majestic with her sails set. He sauntered over.
    â€œGet outa the way!” a rude voice barked from behind, and three men marched up the gangway.
    â€œIs that the powder?” the gatekeeper asked. “Take it back aft. The bosun will tell you where it goes…hey, wait a minute.” The sentry ran to catch up with them. “You got a leak in one of them cans.”
    Jackie glanced around. This was the appointed ship and now was the time. With the sentry occupied, he straightened himself up, took on the air of one accustomed to the sea, and marched nonchalantly up the narrow gangway and onto the Viking , trying his best not to look hasty. For the first time in his life, he found himself on the deck of a ship—and a sealing ship at that! There was a steady clamour around him as men loaded the last of the provisions and others shouted and waved to friends or relatives on shore. So far, nobody had noticed him, but where could he hide without detection for a day or two?
    Being on the ship when she left was no guarantee that he would be on her for the whole voyage. He had heard lots of stories about sealing craft turning back to rid