Burk paused for air, and Captain Hellyer took advantage of the moment and interjected a quick “Amen.” Then added, “Reverend Crossman, we don’t want to play favourites. Would you do the honours next time?”
“Of course,” Reverend Crossman replied with a straight face.
As the food was brought in, the captain warned that bad weather should be expected as long as we were in the northern Atlantic. He politely suggested we eat less than usual, especially if we were prone to seasickness. I noticed the dining table had developed a slight motion along with the ship and, with some trepidation, took a bite of the mutton in front of me.
“Tell me, Reverend Crossman,” Harriet said. “Are you and Reverend Burk fellow travellers? Will you be working together when we reach the colony?”
As always, my sister was at home in any social setting, and I was glad to see that she had regained some of her usual calm, self-assured demeanour. Both Lady Persephone and Mrs. Burk looked to the reverend for his response, but before he could, Reverend Burk spoke.
“Reverend Crossman and I do not share the same philosophy when it comes to the Lord’s work with the heathen. I firmly believe that the European civilization has defined the correct and only true path to salvation through worship. It is my role to bring light to the Natives to the extent that they are capable of understanding it.”
He smiled at everyone around the table, inviting comment, but no one spoke, though Mrs. Burk was nodding. I looked to Reverend Crossman to hear his point of view, but he kept his head down, staring at the mutton and applesauce on his plate. I wondered if his frown was for the food or the last comment.
Reverend Burk reached across the table for the wine bottle the waiter had left and poured himself a glass before he went on. “The burden I carry is a heavy one, and I say with all sincerity that I am relieved that the Lord did not see fit to trouble John with the same burden. Some of us are free to enjoy our earthly existence, whilst I must wait for my heavenly reward.”
Reverend Crossman looked up then, his blue eyes twinkling. “The good Reverend Burk has me there. I do enjoy my time in the colonies. Fishing, trapping, hunting. I’ve even tried my hand at panning for gold. But, there are a few things I take very seriously.”
“Such as?” I asked, curious enough to speak.
He turned his intense focus on me. “My luggage is filled with tools I plan to offer to the Natives for their fight against smallpox. They are dying in startling numbers, and the government does little. I’ve read of awful things, whole villages wiped out in a matter of days.” A cloud passed over his face. “Once we land in British Columbia, I’ll head up the Fraser Canyon and visit as many villages as I can, offering training and supplies. That’s what’s important to me.”
“I’d like to see how to administer those vaccinations,” Dr. Carson said from my left. He spoke in a strong Welsh accent.
“I’d like to see how they’re done, as well,” I said, moved by the reverend’s impassioned speech. “I have a long-standing fascination with medicine. Most of my experience is with animals. I’ve presided over the births of some calves and foals on our family estate—”
Harriet kicked my leg and I stopped short. Lady Persephone was studying me with raised eyebrows.
“My sister had a childhood infatuation with animals, but it’s an interest she’s long outgrown,” Harriet said quickly.
“You must show us how you convince the Natives to let you give them the pox, John,” Reverend Burk said, oblivious to any tension. “Your story would make for fine entertainment some evening. If our Miss Harding here is so impressed, you’ll be all the rage with the sixty single ladies on board.”
“I would be very happy to show Miss Harding and Dr. Carson how I do smallpox vaccinations,” Reverend Crossman said simply, returning to his mutton.
Dr. Carson turned to Reverend Burk. “How are the emigrant women faring so far? Are they in reasonable health?”
“There are issues I can’t discuss in front of the ladies, Doctor. It seems some of them are not the innocent maidens they had presented themselves to be for the resettlement plan. I find in my line of work that many low-class females will happily lie in order to cover their sins, but the truth always comes out.”
I lowered my eyes to my plate, but my appetite was gone. Outside the weather was picking up. The lantern that hung from the ceiling began to sway with the rolling ship, casting strobing lights and shadows about the room. The wind whistled through tiny cracks and openings in the outside wall of the room.
“Captain Hellyer,” Lady Persephone said, delicately dabbing the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “My chef could do no better with a humble dish of mutton. My compliments to your cook.” She turned to Hari. “Sir Richard and I are looking forward to our time in Victoria with Governor and Mrs. Douglas. We have been told they are wonderful hosts. I’m sure Mr. Baldwin sent letters of introduction?”
Hari could hardly suppress a smile. “Yes, of course. Charles only ever thinks of our comfort. We’ll be joining you and Sir Richard at the governor’s. Will you be staying long?”
“A few months. Richard is bringing a special dispatch from Pam. There’s great concern about the horde of Californian gold seekers flooding north now that their own gold rush has run dry. There’s even talk of an attempt at American annexation. They want the whole western coast,
