A Note to the Reader Ed, Brenna, Sergei, and Pavel have 700 miles of hard traveling ahead of them. Meanwhile, Jack has his own ideas about the best way to bring them home. Only one thing’s certain—it’s going to be one hell of a trip!

 
Our story continues…

 
Chapter Thirty-One

 
Black night had followed gray day. Rain fell steadily. A shaft of light spilled from the open door of Singing Wolf’s cabin, a lone beacon in a dark and brooding landscape. The lingering stench of exhaust and raw gasoline mingled with wood smoke and hung heavily along the riverbank.

No one noticed. Crazy Dog cut the ignition. The big outboard’s loud burble stuttered and then stopped dead. Jack didn’t wait. In two strides he had climbed the shore and was throwing his arms around Ed, slapping his back and roaring out a profane greeting: “How the hell are ya?” His deep baritone seemed to dispel all the silence of the Albany River country.

“We’re fine, Jack,” Ed replied. He grinned. “Just fine. But you’re a sight for sore eyes all the same.”

Jack stepped back and looked his friend up and down. Ed was filthy, and the stubble of a new beard covered his face, but he didn’t seem to be missing any important bits. Then Brenna shot out from the shadows and rushed forward to hug Jack, nearly knocking him off his feet in the process.

“Hold hard, there, girl!” Jack bellowed, surprised to feel tears gathering in his eyes. “I’m just a sentimental old fool,” he thought, but all he said to Brenna was “Real good to see ya!” And then he held her at arm’s length and inspected her, too.

“You’re a man of mystery, Jack,” Brenna said, returning his gaze. “How in the name of all that’s holy did you ever find us?”

Jack only laughed and kissed her cheek. “All in good time, girl,” he said. “All in good time.” Then he saw two figures standing quietly in the dark. Sergei and Pavel. He noticed their Kalashnikovs, too. Concern drove joy from his face. He turned back to Ed. “Introduce me to yer friends, will ya?” he asked, in a voice that didn’t sound at all friendly.… Read more…

 

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Hooked? A new chapter in our serial adventure novel, Trip of a Lifetime, will appear every Sunday. If you’ve missed a chapter, or if you’re coming aboard for the first time and want to catch up, just use the hot-linked title to go to the archives.

 
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A REMINDER This is a work of fiction. All the characters are figments of the imaginations. It’s NOT a paddling guide. If you’re planning a trip on the Albany River—or any other body of water, come to that—consult the most recent edition of a good guidebook and be sure you’re thoroughly familiar with all applicable regulations. While maps of Ontario show some of the waterways mentioned here, the places depicted in our story exist only in our minds—and in yours.