Beginning Again by Mary Beacock Fryer Read Free Book Online Page B

to look earlier.
    Papa returned with the stallion a few days later from our land. “I'm in a hurry,” he said. “Have to meet the boys along the creek with the cart. They're bringing two small rafts of logs for the new addition. We're going to run the rafts as far up the creek as we can, then take them apart and bring the logs, a few at a time, in the cart. Ned, I'll need your help.”
    I could feel his eyes on my back as I went towards the cabin to tell Mama. Proudly I showed that I did not need to limp. The foot no longer hurt, but it did feel numb most of the time, which puzzled me. When I came out there was no sign of Papa, but I knew where to look. He was in the stable admiring the new colt, talking softly, stroking the mare's mane with one hand while the filly nuzzled his other. I knew he loved us more than his horses, but sometimes I wondered just how much more. Giving the colt a pat, he followed me outside and we hitched the stallion to our cart. A rough track followed the creek for a bit as it wound its way out to the St. Lawrence about ten miles west of Buell's Bay. We had gone perhaps halfway when we heard Sam's “Haloo” from the water.
    â€œCan you come much farther?” I called, running down the steep bank towards the sound.
    â€œA little way yet,” Cade called.
    â€œHelp me turn the cart, so we can follow them, Ned,” Papa shouted now.
    As the track was very narrow there was no room for the stallion and cart to turn. We had to unhitch the horse, swing the cart around by hand, and hitch him up again.
    â€œI'm pleased they're this far up, with that strong current against them,” Papa said, grinning with satisfaction.
    â€œCan you get much higher?” I called, again running down the bank towards the stream.
    â€œSure,” Sam shouted. “We're going right to the mill.”
    I kept going until I could see the two rafts, Sam and Jeremiah on the lead one, Cade and Elisha a short distance behind. The rafts were of white pines, to be squared for walls and cut into boards, and on top of each lay some cedar logs for the shingles. Sam tossed me a rope that was attached to his raft, and leapt ashore. Together we hauled the raft round a bend while Jeremiah steered with the rudder. We kept going along the winding creek until we were close to the swift waters which frothed below the mills. From here we could quite easily carry each log, and would not need to use the cart. We were already removing logs from the raft when Papa joined us.
    â€œI'll take the stallion home. We won't need him,” said he.
    I went to help Cade and Elisha with the second raft, and we hauled it along until dusk. Tying it securely to some trees, we walked home for the night. We were back at dawn, pulling it and taking turns manning the rudder. By the time we got as close to the mill as we could, there was no sign of the other raft for all the logs were piled outside the mill. We were not long in demolishing the second raft and carrying the logs to join those from the first.
    Mr. Coleman bustled about giving orders. Hired men heaved the first log in position in front of the saw and started squaring it. Other timbers followed, then they started cutting boards, for floor and roof. While they prepared the wood, we were back at the cabin building a fieldstone chimney for the middle of the addition. That way one chimney would provide fireplaces for both the guest bedroom and the parlour. We felt pressed for time with so many other things to be done, but neighbours rallied round as they always did when a house or barn was being raised. With many extra hands and our horses we soon had the frame up and were lifting timbers. Once the lower ones were in place Papa allowed for a window in each room.
    We used wooden pegs to fasten the timbers. Iron nails rusted too quickly. Next came the roof boards. Then Cade and I made a trip to the sawmill for cedar shingles. We had no time to lose, for we had to