LIZ is a story based on actual events. Four lives caught up in the turbulent times of the 1860's. The struggle to survive, and the desires of a nineteen-year-old girl coming of age, leaves her vulnerable. Lust, weakness, strength, treachery, happiness, disappointment, and despair alternate as she becomes the central figure in the lives of three lovers. As war clouds gather in the United States, threatening to divide that nation, a gold rush in Canada brings three men together while at the same time tearing them apart. In turn, they face the hazards and cruelty of sealing off Alaska, violent storms at sea, dangerous cutthroats, early ranching, and the hardships and horrors of the Civil War. The story takes place sailing the West Coast of America, ranching in California, across Panama, up the East Coast of America, the Civil War in Virginia and the hazards of a post Civil War journey by stagecoach across the United States.

Liz

By Bill Ratcliffe

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Bill Ratcliffe
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-5817-3

Contents

Chapter 1 A Business Venture, SAN FRANCISCO 1859.....................1Chapter 2 Fort Victoria..............................................13Chapter 3 The Sea Rover, Fitting Out a Schooner......................23Chapter 4 Liz........................................................33Chapter 5 Winter '59-60'-THE WALDORFS................................43Chapter 6 Fort Victoria-Fitting Out a Sealer.........................53Chapter 7 The Pribilofs..............................................73Chapter 8 Pregnant?..................................................83Chapter 9 St. Paul's.................................................89Chapter 10 Marriages..................................................93Chapter 11 A New Arrival..............................................99Chapter 12 California, May 1861.......................................109Chapter 13 Ranching, 1861.............................................121Chapter 14 The Poker Game.............................................125Chapter 15 The California 100 and the Grey Ghost......................141Chapter 16 The Elephant...............................................157Chapter 17 Liz and Vikki..............................................165Chapter 18 Cedar Creek................................................179Chapter 19 Appomattox.................................................191Chapter 20 The Aftermath..............................................201Chapter 21 Overland to California.....................................209Chapter 22 Old Flames.................................................227Chapter 23 A Beginning................................................235

Chapter One

A Business Venture, SAN FRANCISCO.

May 1859.

All that remained of the day was a setting sun and cloud puffs hovering above the rippling waters of San Francisco Bay. Below, the recently arrived Hannah Devida, an iron-hulled sailing vessel of three masts lay at anchor. Inside her main-cabin, Darcy and Jack sat patiently awaiting Joseph's reply. The smell of cigar smoke filled the room. On a worn, well-polished, mahogany table, three whiskey glasses settled in little swirls.

Again, the end of Joseph's cigar glowed momentarily; he exhaled a small puff of smoke.

"The rest of that load you have on board, Darcy, that you just brought back from the Sandwich Islands." Joseph paused, in order to speak he held the cigar off to one side between stubby fingers. "What did you say, five ton of sugar?"

"Aye, five ton of sugar, three ton rice," Darcy thought for a moment, "about two ton of sandalwood as well as some other odds and ends. But enough of that for now, Father, it's been a long eight months at sea, it's time to take in the sights."

Joseph leaned back in his chair studying the tall blue-eyed man with dark-wavy hair lounging across the table. He was proud of his son, at twenty-eight, already an accomplished sea captain; although, he often thought there were times when Darcy was a little too self-indulgent.

"Stay clear of the Barbary Coast, Darcy, you here? They just pulled another body out of the bay last night. One more botched shanghaiing by the crimps and their ilk. Besides, while you've been gone they struck gold up in the British Colonies, and we should have been in on it." Once again, in order to speak, Joseph held the cigar off to the side.

"Here's what I'm thinkin'. Miners got to get a permit at Fort Victoria before they can do any diggin'. A lot of 'em are pickin' up a grubstake in the Fort and headin' out in any kind of boat they can get for the Fraser River. There's money to be made there, just like here in '49, and, it aint in the gold fields. That's fools' thinkin'. It's in shipping, supplies and passenger fares. We live in a time of opportunity, gentlemen; so, let us not squander it."

"I've heard the waters up north are treacherous and not well charted Joseph." Jack spoke for the first time. The end of Joseph's cigar glowed again; he exhaled a small puff of smoke, ignoring Jack's remark.

"Here's what I think. Darcy, you take on as many passengers as you can see fit and head for Fort Victoria with the load you have on board. It should fetch a much better price up there. I want you to hang around there and find out what kind of cargo you can bring back on your return trip, maybe fur. Also, look over the land, there is probably opportunity in that direction."

"Land?" Darcy queried, "What would we want with land up there Father?"

"Land, lad, is what it's all about, money may make you rich, but land is what makes you wealthy and powerful. Land gives you substance." Joseph stood up and began to pace around the cabin, chin on chest, arms folded across his portly waist.

"Jack," and Joseph turned to his solemn partner, a balding, gaunt-faced man. "Yuh remember how it was in Frisco in '48- 49 Jack, when the news came they struck gold? Remember us desertin' that old brig The Ocean Rover. Everyone and his dog headed for the gold fields. You and me Jack, we had to hi-tail it with no sugar and not much more than a pail full of flour and some tea. And, do you remember the prices things cost us?" Jack's eyebrows went up and he nodded in agreement, "Aye, one egg, one dollar, worth it though Joseph, we wouldn't have what we have today if it hadn't been for that lucky strike up past Sutter's Mill. Luckily, we were some of the first ones up there. A lot of 'em starved."

"We'll need another ship. We can afford it." Joseph continued, "Steamers are too costly. They say, though, that fore and aft sailing vessels are selling for a good price around New England. The demand for steam vessels is startin' to put the builders of sailing ships out of work. Jack! How would you like to go to the East Coast and buy us another boat?"

Jack looked up "That would take nearly a year, Joseph. What with travelin' around the Horn and all, the gold rush could be over."

"Well Jack, why not take that new railway they put across the Panama a couple of years ago. They say it cuts two months off going 'round the Horn."

"Don't forget, Joseph, they also say it's risky. There's a lot of desperados and cut-throats travelin' that route these days, not to mention the yellow fever."

"Nonsense, times have never been so peaceful. I didn't know you was gettin' soft Jack."

"I aint soft, Joseph, you damn well know that. 'Course I'll go."

A few days after posting signs advertising passage to the gold fields the Hannah Devida, loaded down with sixty three eager fortune hunters at fifteen dollars a head, unfurled her sails and catching a light breeze and an outgoing tide was on her way to Fort Victoria. Darcy Devida, her twenty eight year old master, setting her course.

The old bark sailed out of San Francisco Bay on a southerly breeze. All canvas from the top royals to the bottom course sails drawing nicely on a close reach. After clearing the entrance to San Francisco, Darcy called to his mate, "Mr. Boyle, be ready to ease the starb'd braces. Have the helmsman take her off the wind and set a new course of northwest then haul in and trim up."

Mr. Boyle was quick to reply, "Aye sir." In quick time, three seamen gathered by each mast. At the mate's command, they loosened the long ropes attached to the yardarms and the bottoms of the sails. Slowly the ship came around; the sails fluttered briefly before being trimmed and adjusted to the new course, and then billowed out...