Chapter Forty #2
For Hutchins, who had been as skeptical as anyone else at first, this general change of heart was only reinforced when after the deaths of Mackachy and Oule-Eye, he saw firsthand how Hearn, instead of arguing or trying to make excuses, kept his cool and settled on a shrewd and sensible course of action to help protect the trade even as Norton spat and raved.
After witnessing that impressive display, and noting afterward the success of Hearn’s stratagem, Hutchins treated the deputy with a new respect, and Hearn, in return, perhaps in part because they now shared a small but important secret, seemed more willing than before to ask the surgeon for his opinion and to trust him with tasks beyond the merely medical.
They did not become friends—Hearn’s manner was still too reserved and self-contained for that—but they were sufficiently comfortable in each other’s company that when Norton’s health worsened and Hearn was required to take over most of his duties, it was not a surprise to anyone when Hutchins was asked to take on, temporarily, the deputy’s role.
When Norton finally died, it was felt only natural that such an arrangement should be made official and permanent.
That July, after finishing his long day’s work in the trading room, Hutchins invariably takes his supper in Hearn’s apartments, and usually, because of the season, the two of them are joined by another officer and one or more of the Indian trading captains.
On this particular occasion it is Easty the clerk; Kozdaw, a trader of long-standing; and Kozdaw’s eldest son, Conreaquese.
The conversation quickly turns to the sad and unexpected deaths of Shaw and Norton, with Kozdaw offering his sympathies and extolling the fairness and generosity of the two dead men.
Hearn and Hutchins in reply remind him that individual servants may pass away, but the Company survives and flourishes, so he and his friends can rest assured that whenever they bring furs to trade, whether next year or ten years from now, there will always be someone at the gate to greet them kindly and give them splendid gifts.
An hour later, when the brandy is all swallowed down and the visitors stand to leave, Hearn whispers to Hutchins that he should stay on a while and points him to the armchair by the fire.
He steps out into the yard to say a final farewell to Kozdaw and his son, then comes back inside and offers Hutchins another glass of brandy.
“I have something to tell you,” Hearn says. “Something which I suspect will take you by surprise.”
“Is there a difficulty with the recent trades? Has someone voiced a complaint?”
“Not at all. You’ve conducted all the business perfectly fairly and wisely so far as I can see.
The matter concerns myself and my position here.
” He pauses a moment as if considering how best to broach a difficult topic, then smiles at Hutchins strangely and sits.
“I have made the decision to resign from my post and return to England on the next supply ship. It is a decision I have been considering for some time, but now my mind is firmly made up and I thought it only proper that you should know.”
Hutchins is naturally taken aback and wonders for an instant if Hearn is playing a joke on him.
“Are you being quite serious?”
“I am, entirely.”
“Then I confess I don’t understand it,” he says. “Why would you give up now when you have only just achieved your ambition and are beginning to get used to your new responsibilities?”
“It was never my ambition to become chief factor, whatever some others may think. It was as much a surprise to me as it was to everyone else when Magnus Norton promoted me to deputy, and of course none of us expected that he would die soon after and I would have to take his place.”
“But you’ve done so admirably. The business of the Fort has continued on just as smoothly as before. Indeed, rather better in most regards.”
“I have been fortunate to have your able assistance, but the truth I’ve come to realize is that such work, though valuable and well-rewarded, is not much to my liking.
I’m a seaman by trade, as you know, and I want to return to the sea.
I considered going back to my role as first mate on the whaling sloop under Captain Purvis, but after having served for a period as chief factor, I feel that such a reversion would seem absurd and uncomfortable for all involved, so I have concluded that it’s best I should leave.
You will of course take my place as governor after I depart, and I recommend you select Easty as your second-in-command. ”
“You choose me as your successor?”
“Who else?”
“I’m most grateful, but even so, I must encourage you to think again. There have been so many sudden and startling changes here since your return from the Barrens that a period of stability would be welcome. Why not stay for another year at least?”
Hearn shakes his head.
“I can’t stay any longer. Besides my strong desire to go back to the sea, I also feel a duty to report firsthand to the committee in London all that happened on the expedition to the copper mines.
No doubt they will have many questions about the wisdom of such a project and the way in which it was conducted, and I am the only one left alive to answer them. ”
“You still believe that the shock of losing Shaw and Abel Walker played a part in Norton’s final illness?”
“I’m certain it did. He told me as much himself. The whole thing was a great calamity, and I would like to ensure by my testimony that nothing similar ever occurs again.”
“When will you announce your departure to the men?”
“In a few more weeks, once the supply ship arrives. There’s no need to create uncertainty by saying anything earlier than that. Until then, I trust I can rely on your discretion.”
Hutchins nods and leans back in the chair to think over all he’s just heard.
“I could say you’re not the man I thought you were, Tom Hearn,” he says after a pause, “but in truth, you have always been something of a mystery to me, and now you will always remain one, I suppose.”
Hearn shrugs and appears surprised by this suggestion.
“There’s no mystery about me. I’m a simple fellow. I only want what everybody wants.”
“I’m not certain that’s the truth. I think you may have hidden depths. Or at least a few nooks and crannies that no one else is privy to.”
Hearn shakes his head, then, smiling as the two of them stand up, spreads his arms out wide, and turns about like a dancer.
“I’m only what you see in front of you, Mr. Hutchins,” he says, “nothing more. This is all of me complete.”