Cast of Characters

 

Who were the Glace Bay boys?

Alexander McKay – Scottish, born in 1760.

Edward Dryden – English, born in 1761.

Kelly Caribou “Luskuch Mabou” – Micmac Indian, born about 1758.

Alexander was a born leader, always full of ideas for things to do. His passion from an early age was building things. Although he would not study architecture until much later, he often told how he built his first log cabin at the age of 10. He took to heart his father's observation “People often fail in life because they do not plan, they never learn how to predict the future from reading the past.”

Edward was always ready for an adventure, he preferred to jump in, not to plan things out. Although charming and friendly, he was hot tempered and often got into trouble. A solid friend and skilled fighter he left the complicated stuff to his companions. Riches did not matter to him half as much as the quest to get them. He drew much motivation from the story of Robinhood and from idealized accounts of the English Civil War, as a struggle between good peasants and corrupt nobles.

Kelly was the most complicated of the Boys, being raised in both Native and European ways. Although only a few years older than the others, he often showed wisdom well beyond his years. Following his father's commentary “People will judge you based on how well you speak their language.” he learned French & English at a young age, then went on to master many more languages. 

 

In the 1760s there was a fishing village and small coal mine at Glace Bay, Cape Breton Island. Alexander's father worked the mine. Edward's was a fisherman. Kelly's was a hunter and guide.

In 1775 the Boys, seeking adventure, signed onto a British merchant ship. A terrible idea, they agreed, because all they got was hard work, abuse and no pay. This was simply the way with apprentice sailors at the time. A year later they jumped ship in Jamaica, to join the crew of Loganic, a small trading ship out of Halifax. Although it flew the British flag with pride, the Captain Jerred Berred, was a scoundrel and none to keen on discipline. The work was still hard but the sense of camaraderie and equality was much better, as was the pay.

In 1777 the Boys made their first trip to the mysterious island. Upon returning to Halifax, they used some of the treasure to buy the ship and refit her for more privateer work. Alexander became master, while Edward acted as captain and Kelly served as first mate. Most people did not take them seriously, seeing how they were still boys. “Ye can't be a captain at 16.” Edward was often told. To deal with the situation Alexander developed the fiction that the ship was owned and operated by his father. He hired a new crew of young men and one grumpy old sailor, who could act as captain. This annoyed Edward, but he bowed to the wisdom of his friends. “People will trust what they expect to see.” Kelly said to settle the debate.

Although it was never discussed, the Boys intended to return to the mysterious island, one day.