The Dawn of Fury (38 page)

“Your plan is acceptable so far,” said Powers. “Without hostages, they will be forced to surrender.”

“No,” Nathan replied. “I believe Stumberg's playing for high stakes. I expect him to have enough firepower aboard to blow you and your government packet out of the water. I said you will
challenge
them to surrender. I did not say they're going to.”

“If they do not,” said Grago, “I presume you have some alternative in mind.”

“I do,” Nathan said, “and aside from getting me close enough to board the
Queen of Diamonds,
I need only one thing more of you. I want a canister of black powder with a five-minute fuse.”

“My God,” Powers cried, “you're going to destroy the craft!”

“Do you have a better idea?” Nathan asked.

“Yes,” said Powers. “When they reach the landing here ...”

“They'll keep on going,” Nathan said. “Whatever Stumberg is, he's not a fool. Once you challenge him to surrender, he'll know he's reached the end of his string. I'm telling you, he'll head for international waters and safely in Mexico. I can stop him. You can't, unless you aim to ram his steamboat.”

“That's out of the question,” said Powers. “Our packet's half the size of his craft. But my God, man, do you realize the risk you'll be taking? If you're successful in freeing those unfortunate women on the lower deck, every man on board will be looking for you.”

“Not if you're keeping them busy,” Nathan replied. “Once you challenge them to surrender and Stumberg discovers his hostages are gone, I want you to have enough armed men on deck to keep their minds off looking for me. I want enough time to plant the powder, light the fuse, and hit the water. For that reason, I want your packet as close behind them as you can get. I figure, by the time I light that fuse and get over the side, I'll have maybe three minutes before she blows. Will that be time enough for you to gather me aboard and for Stumberg's boat to leave us behind?”

“God, no,” said Grago. “You're cutting it too fine. If this is the only way, then double the length of the fuse. I'd want them at least half a mile ahead of us.”

“Well?” Nathan asked.

“By God, it's daring enough,” said Powers. “Stumberg deserves to hang, but if he won't surrender, then your plan is fully justified.”

“I agree,” said Grago.

“We don't know when Stumberg's boat will be arriving,” Nathan said, “and we can't approach them until after dark. Is there any way—maybe by wire—that you can learn when they left St. Louis?”

“We already know that,” said Powers. “We don't expect them here until after midnight tomorrow. ”But if you're right and they refuse to surrender, we must intercept them long before they reach New Orleans. An explosion of such a magnitude will scatter debris for a mile. They should reach Natchez well after dark tomorrow. We'll pursue them from there, making our move when we're well past the town. Does that meet with your approval, Mr. Stone?”

“Yes,” Nathan said, “but I'll need a little time in the morning. I have some buryin' to do.”

“Give me time to get a horse from the livery,” said Grago, “and I'll ride with you. I'll need to check on Mr. Silver and make arrangements for his care until he can be moved. How much do these friends of your know ... about this?”

“They've known all along Stumberg was into more than just gambling. I'd trust Barnabas and Bess McQueen with my life. It was Barnabas who warned me about Stumberg's involvement in white slavery before I got involved with him.”

“If we all live through this,” said Powers, “I'd be interested in hearing how you got involved with Stumberg.”

“We shouldn't be seen leaving the hotel together,” said Grago. “Give me ten minutes, and then meet me at the livery.”

Nathan waited, and by the time he mounted his horse and reached the livery, Grago was waiting. They rode a block north, to a less-traveled street, and from there rode east. Neither spoke until they turned north on Bayou Road.

“You could have saved yourself a trip,” Nathan said. “Silver's in good hands.”

“I'm not doubting your word,” said Grago. “I have to make an in-depth report on Silver.”

“Is he related to you?” Nathan asked.

“Hell,” said Grago, “it's worse than that. Remember the little girl who jumped ship in St. Louis? Well, Trinity's my sister. She volunteered for this Stumberg assignment, and she has more than a passing interest in our Mr. Silver, if you know what I mean.”

“I reckon I know what you mean,” Nathan said, “and was I you, I'd do my damnedest to get the both of 'em into some other kind of work.”

When they rode into McQueen's place, he greeted them from the darkness, a Winchester in his hands. Once they were in the house, Nathan introduced Grago only as an army officer involved in the Stumberg investigation. When it was all over, before Nathan left New Orleans, he would tell them the whole story. They had earned the right to know. Grago told the McQueens exactly what he had told Nathan, and he was allowed to go into the room where Silver snored noisily. Bess turned back the cover enough to test Silver's forehead.

“He's building up to a fever,” said Bess. “The doctor said we should pour whiskey down him. Barnabas has a gallon of it.”

“He's never been much of a drinking man,” Grago said. “The hangover may hurt him more than the wound. We're in your debt for taking him in.”

“You're welcome to stay the night, Mr. Grago,” said Barnabas. “We have the room.”

“Thanks,” Grago said, “but I ought to get back to headquarters. I have to send a telegram to a certain young lady and tell her Silver's alive. Be at the hotel in the morning at nine, Stone. Wait in the lobby, if you like. One of us will meet you there.”

He rode out and Nathan sat down in a rocking chair. Suddenly he was very tired, and the events of the day seemed like a bad dream.

“About time you was turnin' in,” McQueen said. “We'll need to roll out early in the morning. Bess and me will look in on Mr. Silver and load him up with whiskey when he's in need of it.”

Bess led Nathan to a bedroom adjoining the one where Eulie lay. When she had closed the door, Nathan removed his hat, gunbelt, and boots. He stretched out, and, despite the fact his mind was in turmoil, he slept.

Nathan rose before first light, and when he reached the kitchen, Bess already had breakfast under way. McQueen sat at the table drinking coffee.

“Nathan,” said McQueen, “unless you have another place in mind, I think we should make a place for Eulie at the north end of the horse barn, under the oaks.”

“I can't think of a better place,” Nathan said. “There'll always be horses near. She would like that.”

After breakfast, when the eastern sky had begun to gray, Nathan and McQueen dug Eulie's grave. When they were ready, Nathan and McQueen carried the blanket-wrapped body while Bess brought the family Bible. Saturday night, working by lantern light, McQueen had built a rough wooden coffin. Now they placed Eulie in it and McQueen tightened the lid. Using ropes, they lowered it into the grave. McQueen took the Bible and read passages from it. When he had finished, he said a prayer. Cotton Blossom had remained silent until Nathan and McQueen began shoveling dirt into the grave, and then the finality of it seemed to strike him. He howled long and mournfully.

“God, Cotton Blossom,” Nathan shouted, wiping his eyes, “stop it!”

Cotton Blossom paused, but not for long. Finally, when the grave had been filled, there was nothing to do except return to the house. At first, it seemed Cotton Blossom would follow Nathan, but he changed his mind. He trotted back to the new-made grave and resumed his mournful howling.

“He's takin' it mighty hard,” said McQueen.

“Since we came to New Orleans, he spent more time with her than with me,” Nathan said. “I'm not sure when I'll be returning here. Maybe when I come back ...”

“We'll see that he don't starve,” said McQueen. “Just give him time.”

“I forgot all about Silver,” Nathan said. “How is he?”

“As well as can be expected,” said Bess. “I began giving him whiskey at three o'clock this morning, and I'll continue giving it to him until his fever breaks. That's all anybody can do.”

A few minutes past eight, Nathan rode to town and left his horse at the livery near the St. Charles. Reaching the hotel lobby well before the appointed time, he took a chair and waited. When Grago entered the lobby, Nathan remained seated. Grago took his time, and without a sign of recognition, left the hotel lobby by another door. Only then did Nathan rise and follow. He didn't hurry, and he allowed Grago to stay a few yards ahead until they were around a corner and out of sight of the St. Charles. Only then did he catch up, as they walked toward the river.

“How is Silver this morning?” Grago asked by way of greeting.

“Feverish and full of whiskey,” said Nathan. “He's in good hands.”

“The packet should be ready, with steam up,” Grago said. “Powers should have the canister of powder and the length of fuse. He's also having a small dinghy brought aboard. Once it's dark, that will float you down alongside Stumberg's craft. You'll have oars, and it'll be up to you to stay out of the backwash from the paddlewheel.”

“I don't aim to chase Stumberg's steamboat in a dinghy with oars,” said Nathan. “Since it will be dark when they reach Natchez, and since they'll be taking on wood, that's where I aim to go aboard. After that, I'll need time to open those cells on the lower deck and get those women over the side. Since I can't signal you, I'll want you and Powers to keep your eyes on the water nearest the south bank. Once the women are over the side and you've picked them up, the next move is yours. When you've laid down your challenge, then I'll take it from there.”

“You should be confirming all this with Captain Powers,” Grago said. “He's the ranking officer, and it's he who will be in the pilot house, directing the pilot.”

“I aim to talk to him,” said Nathan, “just as I'm talking to you. Time is important, once that fuse is lit, and I can't stop the clock's ticking.”

As they neared the river, Grago veered away from the landing. A hundred yards downriver was a trio of lesser docks that were seldom used, and it was at one of them the government packet had drawn up. It was a nondescript vessel, devoid of markings, and, compared to the Queen of Diamonds, pathetically small. There was no gangplank. A removable ladder provided entry. Once aboard, it seemed even smaller. There were but two decks, and the lower was devoted to a boiler, a firebox, and the storage of firewood. Its single stack puffed smoke. The pilot house was circular, with glass all around. There seemed barely room for Powers and the pilot. Powers beckoned to Nathan and he managed to get into the cramped glass cubicle.

“I wouldn't want to be stuck in here facing a good man with a Winchester,” Nathan said.

“Neither would I,” said Powers. “This is Captain Tolliver, and we want you to explain to us, one step at a time, what's to take place.”

Again Nathan went through the routine he had already covered with Grago. When he was done, Captain Tolliver whistled long and low. Nathan took that as a negative response and his temper rose.

“Damn it,” Nathan said, “I'm the one risking my neck. If you can't do this, don't wait till I'm aboard Stumberg's boat with a lighted keg of powder to tell me.”

“At ease,” said Powers. “Captain Tolliver's a bit awed by what you are about to do. That doesn't mean we won't be with you every step of the way.”

“Just keep two things in mind,” Nathan said. “Once I send those women over the side, their lives are in your hands. Then, when you have them safely aboard, you are to challenge Stumberg. Once he discovers he has no hostages, he'll ignore your challenge, and here's the second thing that had better be strong on your mind. I'll be lighting the fuse to that canister of powder, and by the time I'm over the side, we're maybe seven minutes away from hell-fire and brimstone. When I hit the water, I want you watching for me.”

“Count on it,” said Powers.

They were soon under way. With no private quarters and no bunks, it was a tiresome voyage at best. Nathan sat with his back against the pilot house and dozed. Besides Grago, Powers, and Captain Tolliver, there were just four more men aboard, and all of them were on the lower deck. If by some miracle Stumberg heeded the challenge and surrendered, this bunch would play hell boarding and capturing the
Queen of Diamonds.