Wilderness Days by Jennifer L. Holm Read Free Book Online Page B

French Catholic missionary. He came on the same boat I did.”
    “Is he having much success spreading the faith?”
    “I’m afraid not,” I said.
    “Poor man.” She grinned at me impishly. “But then again, who likes to be told what to do, even by a man of the cloth?”
    We rounded a bend in the trail and entered the large grassy clearing where the huge cedar lodges of Chief Toke’s village were clustered.
    “Are those the Indians?” Mrs. Frink asked.
    I looked about. Nearby, chopping a pile of firewood with axes, was a group of the men I had hired to harvest the oysters, all wearing identical shirts.
    “Well, yes,” I said.
    “How very interesting,” she said. “I thought they’d be more like the Indians on the trail. But here they are, all dressed up like us!”
    Sootie came running straight at me, chattering happily, and dragging her doll.
    “Boston Jane! Boston Jane!” Sootie yelled. “Is this your sister? She looks just like you, except your hair is prettier. But I like her dress better.”
    Mrs. Frink and I looked at each other in embarrassment.
    “Sootie,” I said, trying to slow the rush of words. “This is Mrs. Frink.”
    “What a charming child!” Mrs. Frink exclaimed. “Is that a doll you have there?”
    Sootie held out her doll for inspection. “Boston Jane made my dolly a new dress,” she informed her importantly.
    “And it’s quite a lovely dress, too,” Mrs. Frink complimented, and I smiled at the woman for her kindness.
    “Sootie is Chief Toke’s daughter,” I said. “He is the chief, or
tyee
, of this village.”
    “A chief?” Mrs. Frink said, impressed.
    “That’s right!” Sootie said proudly. “Because he is the most rich.”
    “Sootie, do you know where your father is?” I asked.
    She pressed her lips together for a minute and then said, “He is with Mr. Russell and Mr. Swan and some other man. I don’t like Mr. Russell very much,” she informed Mrs. Frink. “And he has a cow that keeps us up all night sometimes.”
    “Was that the gentleman with whom you were milking the cow when I arrived?” Mrs. Frink asked.
    “Yes. He was the first pioneer to come here.” I was preparing to launch into an explanation of Mr. Russell’s business and character when Mr. Swan, Mr. Russell, and a man who I supposed must be Mr. Frink came sauntering over to where we stood.
    “Ah, Jane, there you are. Capital,” Mr. Swan announced.
    “Miss Peck has been very kindly giving me a tour,” Mrs.Frink said, patting the man on his arm. “Miss Peck, may I introduce my husband, Mr. Frink?”
    Mr. Frink, who in distinct contrast to his wife, looked like he had just spent six months on the trail in his worn boots and dirty shirt, shook my hand.
    Mrs. Frink turned her attention to Mr. Russell. “Miss Peck tells me you were the first pioneer in the area, Mr. Russell.”
    “First but not last, ma’am. We’re real pleased to have you here.” To my utter astonishment, Mr. Russell removed his hat and smoothed back his hair. “We don’t get too many ladies out this way.”
    What about me? I was a lady! He had never once, in all my time on Shoalwater Bay, removed his hat because of my presence!
    “We’re very happy to be here,” Mrs. Frink replied with a gay smile.
    “That’s a real pretty dress you’re wearing, if you don’t mind my saying so,” Mr. Russell added, blushing furiously.
    “Why, Miss Peck, you didn’t tell me what a charming man Mr. Russell was,” Mrs. Frink said with a wide smile, extending her arm to him.
    Mr. Russell took it gallantly and led her toward the cabin.
    All I could do was stare.

CHAPTER SIX
or,
The Charming Mrs. Frink
    All at once, the men of Shoalwater Bay found it very important to bathe and wash and generally look presentable.
    They cut their hair. They scrubbed their hands. They brushed their teeth. Even Mr. Russell attempted to shave his straggly beard in order to look more respectable, but he succeeded only in carving his face.
    They vied