CHAPTER THREE
A Friend

June 23, 1900

A crowd lined the beach, but the men were so intent on the ship anchored out in the sea that no one noticed me. I hid under a freight wagon and watched barges heading out to the Tacoma. Chunks of ice floated in the waves and clunked against the pilings. Worn out, I lay on the cold sand and propped my head on my paws.

Carlick was already there, standing on the other side of the wagon. I heard his voice before I saw him.

“Sure, the Tacoma is bringing fresh food,” he told several men clustered around him. “After the hard week, we need supplies. But it’s going to bring more gold hunters, wanting to file claims.”

“You and McKenzie have claimed land already,” one of the men said.

“True—but we want more. We’re looking at claiming farther up the Snake River and putting it in the name of Alaska Gold Mining Company too.” Carlick handed one of the men some papers. “This has been approved by Judge Noyes. Get it done as soon as the courthouse opens. McKenzie and I don’t want that river land in some stampeder’s name. Let the newcomers mine the beach.”

“Yes, sir.” The man hurried off with the papers.

The barges began to return to shore. This time they overflowed with people. My ears tipped forward. Would one of the arrivals be friendly? Would someone offer me a home? The thought made me brave. As the first boats grew closer, I ventured from under the wagon.

The barges stopped offshore, and men in waist-high boots sloshed through the waves carrying people, boxes, and bags to the beach. Chattering and yelling filled the air.

I slunk closer, trying to see the faces of the newcomers. I saw exhaustion, misery, and disbelief. Their words sounded gruff.

“This is Nome?”

“Lord, it’s the end of the earth.”

“Don’t drop that valise, man; it’s my life savings.”

“We need to take the first ship that’s bound for Seattle.”

“Not on the Tacoma. Never again.”

Others nattered on and on about gold, just like Carlick.

“Gold on the beaches.”

“Gold in the sand.”

“Enough to make us rich!”

“We’ll go back to the States with bulging pockets.”

Barge after barge dropped off people and cargo and the crowd grew larger, but my hopes began to fade. No one seemed to have a kind word for a dog. Then I heard it: excited chattering like a noisy gull arriving for spring.

“Mama, we’re here! This must be the pot at the end of the rainbow, just like in my books!”

I peered toward the water. A woman and a girl were riding on the shoulders of two burly men, who carried them through the surf to the beach.

“But where is the golden sand?” the girl asked. “And the ten-foot-high snowdrifts? Where are the moose and grizzly bears? And the ptarmigan and the tundra? Oh, I want to explore it all!”

“Be still, Sally. Or you will fall into the sea.”

I raised my eyes to their faces. The girl’s was flushed with joy, the woman’s pale with a hint of hope. Longing filled me. Might these two be my new family?

The men set them on the beach, and others delivered a trunk, a crate, and several large bags. Only then did the woman’s expression grow uncertain.

“I got my sea legs on the Tacoma,” the girl said as she wobbled to and fro. “Now I need to get my Nome legs.”

“Stay close, Sally.” The woman glanced uneasily around her. “We must find someone to help carry our belongings.”

“We don’t need help.” Sally grabbed the end of the trunk and began to drag it up across the sand, away from the water and closer toward me. “We will prove to Grandmama and all the naysayers of San Francisco that we can survive in Nome.”

Mama gave a huge sigh. “That may be harder than I thought.”

“Grandpapa taught us to pitch a tent,” Sally said. “And how to build and start a fire. It’s good he’s made many trips to Alaska and could show us how to bone a fish and skin a hare.” She dropped her load in the sand.

“Careful with that trunk, darling.” Mama picked up a bag in each hand. “My typewriter is packed in there. It will be our livelihood.”

Most of the crowd had moved away, headed toward the barges filled with supplies. Sally sat on top of the trunk and dabbed at her face with her pinafore.

This was my chance.

I crawled from behind the barrel, wagging my tail. Once it had been full and silky. Now it was dirty and thin. As I crept toward her, I lifted my lip in a grin, hoping she would see the dog I used to be.

Sally’s mouth dropped open and her eyes filled with wonder. She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around me. “Oh! You are the most handsome animal I have ever seen!”

“Sally!” Mama’s voice was harsh, and I cringed. “What are you doing? That creature is huge, and look, he is snarling! Get away from him before he bites you.”

“He is not snarling,” Sally scoffed. “That is a smile. He is welcoming us to Nome.”

“He is dirty. He must be a stray.”

“No. He has a name.” Her fingers found my collar. “Look, his brass tag says Murphy.”

“Then he has a home to go to. Leave him be. We have enough to worry about. We must find a hotel to stay in before night falls.”

“It won’t be dark until midnight.” Sally ran her fingers gently down my spine. “And he does not have a home. He’s skin and bones, and there are scars under his fur. He needs a washing and brushing, and a good meal.”

“You and I need a washing and brushing and a good meal.” Mama pushed a stray hair under her hat.

Two men approached. Their smiles were pleasant, but I felt the threat of danger that hung around them. There were few women in Nome and even fewer girls. What did these men want with Mama and Sally? My hackles rose.

“Ma’am.” One tipped a dirty hat. “We’ll help you with your luggage.”

“Thank you, but no,” Mama’s voice was gracious, but she sounded anxious.

The larger one stepped closer. “I wasn’t asking for your permission.”

Sally grabbed my collar. “And she wasn’t asking for your assistance. Now leave us be or I will command my dog to attack.”

I growled, hoping to sound brave. Could they sense I was not?

The men glanced at me, then at Sally. For someone so little, her courage was so big.

“Next time, perhaps, ma’am,” one said. They disappeared into the throng of people and freight.

Sally blew out her breath. “See? Murphy has already proved that he’s our protector.” She enveloped me in another hug. “Nome may be our salvation, but it will also be dangerous. We need him, Mama, as much as he needs us.”

“I think you’re right, my brave but foolish daughter. Thank you for welcoming us to Nome, Murphy.” Mama patted me then and I could feel the exhaustion in her touch. “We have meager supplies and no firm plans for where to stay for the night, but if you would like, you are invited to join our small family.”

Family. I gave Sally a slobbery kiss, then nuzzled Mama’s hand. Stooping, she gave me a hard hug and I saw tears glimmering in her eyes.