Jojo agreed with MaNuitu ’sta that the potlatch could likely be over if they waited for Colonel Pardeen to return and again attempt to secure military assistance, so Emmy decided she could delay no longer. Whitefall again refused to offer any contingent to accompany Emmy and vigorously argued for her to stay, assuring her there would be no rescue should she persist in her hard-headedness.
She sent out word to acquire the services of another packer-guide and quickly arranged with Edween to outfit three sturdy canoes, one for provisions and the trading goods and two to transport her small company.
She told Jojo she would bring Sarah, as well, because she knew she could not convince her daughter to stay behind, and Emmy sensed there was as much danger leaving Sarah behind in Fort Simpson as there would be to bring her along. There were very few women at the fort, and none appeared reputable, in her estimate. And René Marté’s behavior had frightened her. How many other men were like him up here? She wondered.
Jojo argued vehemently against this, noting that the girl would be a serious encumbrance and an additional temptation for slavers should they encounter them.
But Emmy, thinking of Marté’s leer, refused to reconsider.
The evening before they were to depart, Edween brought her three men who came forward to apply for the expedition.
“I’m sorry Ma’m,” Edween said apologetically, “…sent out the word a few days ago, just like you asked. Only three souls responded to the job offer, as generous as it was. Yes’m. It’s just too cold out there now and no one wants to go up into Tsimshian territory, no matter. They value their hides too much, they do.”
Edween looked at Jojo for affirmation. “Not the Tsimshian, exactly. It’s well...sometimes these potlatches get a bit carried away, and all.”
Emmy did not seem deterred by the innkeeper’s comments.
Edween went on. “First one, e’s a handy one. Not much woods experience but he says he needs the money. Second one’s pretty experienced on expeditions and such. He’s my bet. Third one knows the woods pretty well too, and he’s known by the natives ‘cause he’s traveled into their territory. But,” he paused, smirking at Jojo, “well, you’ll see.”
In the near vacant tavern mess hall, Jojo and Edween watched Emmy assess the first man, a huge slovenly lout with a protuberant, hanging belly. He professed he was skilled as a carpenter.
“You, sir, are dismissed,” she said quietly to the man, without hesitation after speaking with him for only a few minutes.
The second man said he had some experience as a guide, but Emmy noted that he carried the external characteristics of a chronic alcoholic—a flushed red face, withered limbs, firm protuberant belly, and a constant fine tremor.
“You, sir, are dismissed,” Emmy said, again politely but firmly after a few minutes of conversation.
The third volunteer for hire was Marano Levi, the disheveled man she had seen a few nights previously, still wearing a torn black cassock, under a tattered fur coat that had been sewn together with the pelts of different animals.
“You, sir...do you know the Tsimshian people?” She asked. “Can you speak Chinook?”
“Si, Senora,” Levi said, eyeing Jojo and Edween as he responded. “I have baptized a few of the people up there. Yes, I can speak Chinook.”
Levi then professed he knew the region well, having travelled it in his quest to spread the Word of the Savior. And he had survived living alone in the wilderness for six years.
“Very well,” Emmy said, looking over the man carefully. “Please show me your hands.”
Levi stepped forward and, again looking for Jojo and Edween’s reaction, put his hands into Emmy’s. She looked up into his eyes.
“You, Senor, are hired. You may leave now.” Emmy said.
Levi, stunned by her decision, nodded and backed his way out of the door.
“Mrs. Evers...the woodsman...” said Edween.
“We should wait for more volunteers to show up,” Jojo protested.
“You know we don’t have time to wait, Jojo,” Emmy said emphatically. Turning to the innkeeper, her voice was commanding: “Mr. Edween, that carpenter you provided has no woods experience and would eat all of his rations in the first day, and then likely will start on ours.”
Edween, embarrassed by Emmy’s conclusion, nodded numbly.
“The second man, your ‘woodsman,’ Emmy continued, “is an obvious alcoholic. I have no desire to attend to a man’s rum fits.”
Looking now at both Jojo and Edween, she said firmly, “The third, this Marano Levi, who dresses like a priest, but you say is not ordained, has honest hands and an honest face.”
“Mrs. Evers — ” Jojo protested again.
“I’ve made up my mind, Jojo,” Emmy said. “Mr. Edween, please inform Mr. Levi that we leave before sun up.”
“I’ll do me best, Mu’um,” the innkeeper said. “Nobody knows where he sleeps.”
Overhearing this, Sarah looked out the window. It was snowing again.
Jojo was disturbed by Emmy’s decision, despite understanding that Levi was likely the best of a weak lot, and despite the need for an extra set of hands to help them paddle the canoes. Jojo believed his own job had just been made all the more difficult by her stubborn decision. Levi was known throughout the region and was left alone by all the tribes, for he was a touched man.
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
It was raining lightly the next morning, and the snow from the previous week had turned into a slushy nuisance that made their transport of supplies to the canoes on the river below slow. Some morning light silhouetted them as they pushed off. That concerned Jojo, who had wanted their departure to go unobserved.
He knew that gossip might betray the small size of their party, unaccompanied as it was by any soldiers. And they had to make time. On a spring or summer day, the journey would take a week
