Dinosaur Wars

Chapter four - Friends?

Addison's work party wound its way through the narrow gulley that led to the bay where Pelorus lay serenely at anchor. They stopped near the rowboats that they had left stowed upside down, high on the beach. Jack gathered the reins from the horses from each of the men.  

Half the party heaved the boats upright and checked the hulls were still intact while the other half began unloading the pack animals.  

Masters took the field-glass away from his eye. The high ridge from which he viewed Addison's party gave a generous view of the coastline, the indents of bays, the curved lines of surf coursing in, and Ajax at anchor a mile distant in a separate bay. His own substantial work party was also making its way to the coast, to their vessel. He mounted his horse, and began making his way down the steep incline of the ridge.

*****

Pat and Sven pulled at the oars of the boat as Adam and Jack sat with the precious cargo of eggs, ensuring it came to no harm as they rose and lurched over the incoming waves. Onshore, Addison kept his eyes on the rowboat until it was over the breakers. 

The process of ferrying men, animals and equipment to the ship had begun. A laborious task, though no one grumbled today. Each went about spirited in their task. Men, normally exhausted after a substantial trip inland, the arduous work of excavation, then the long walk back, whistled jigs and joked with one another. Addison would have noticed this if he wasn't himself feeling so energized. The blood darted through his veins and the lungfuls of ocean air seemed the freshest he'd ever breathed.  

It's was when the last of the lighters had made it over the breakers that he noticed the hoof beats mixed in with the crash of waves. He turned to see Masters riding onto the shore. Hi jubilant mood broke in two. Masters dismounted on the fringe of the beachhead as Addison marched up.  

"You made good time, James. That storm nearly blew us to Hell and back." 

"I have an injured man." 

"How is he?"  

Addison pushed past Masters to unload from a packhorse the saddlebags that contained his notebooks and field equipment.  

"Better than anticipated." 

"I'd like to meet with him, to arrange compensation." 

"That may work in your factories, in your coal mines, whatever else you own, but it doesn't work here. Not with me." 

"I understand you're angry, James. I apologize for my man's actions. His orders were to protect my interests. He took that meaning too far."  

"Smooth, very smooth."  

"I only wish to make things right. To make amends for an injury made on my behalf and without my knowledge." 

"I can't argue with bullets, but I can argue with you. My whole work party was in danger, not just one man. I felt the air from one of those shots fly past my face. That was more than a warning, that was an attempt on our lives. It's not something I can easily forget." 

"Again, all I can offer is my apology. And anything I can do to help." 

"Help?! Start choosing different fossil fields and different men to harrass!" 

Addison hurled the blanket from horse's back onto the ground. 

"Our goals are the same, James - scientific advancement, the reconstruction of the past. Our combined efforts would reap richer rewards. This incessant rivalry only saps us both." 

"It's your actions that make us rivals." 

"Then those actions will change. From this day forward. You have my word." 

Masters held out his hand. Addison looked at it, then into Masters' face: How could he trust this man? Addison didn't move. He could feel the eyes of the crew that remained ashore on him. 

Eventually, reluctantly, Masters removed his hand. He looked around at the expectant faces then back at Addison.  

"Again, I aplogize, James. If you find an accomodation between us in your thoughts, I would be responsive to that. Let us work, if not together, then not against each other." 

Masters paused a moment. He climbed into the saddle then reined his horse around. 

"Wait!" 

Masters halted, the hint of a smile on his lips. Addison walked after him.  

"I want a civilized world, I should act like a civilized man." 

He held up his hand to Masters. They clasped hands.

*****

Adam was at the helm as Pelorus sliced through the water, its three masts carrying full sail. Addison was beside him. They watched as the much larger Ajax steamed alongside, its tall funnels pumping out smoke. The Ajax sounded its horn and Masters waved from the deck. Addison raised his hand in acknowledgement. Adam's remained firmly on the wheel. 

"How can you kiss and make up with him?" 

"He's also a man of science." 

"He shot our cook." 

"And he admitted that and apologized. He tried to make matters right by Jack, which shows a conscience. And Jack, of course, is well. The damage has been undone. Besides, it's better to be in a state of peace than war." 

The wake of the Ajax hit the Pelorus and Addison had to hold on to the compass housing as the clipper was rocked from side to side.  

The steamer powered into the distance. 

"It shouldn't let him off the hook." 

"Some things can be forgiven, Adam. It doesn't mean we should forget." 

Adam didn't respond, but stared unblinking, straight ahead into the bright, open emptiness of the horizon.