The Titans (40 page)

back unless you want us to leave him there-to " "Oh, Margaret-was Aunt Eliza's voice broke as she 550The Wounded hugged her niece. Margaret's eyes were riveted on the blond boy thrashing his heels on the platform. "comI Said cruel things to you at the shop. I'm sorry." Margaret wrenched her eyes away from the gruesome sight of the armless boy. "It's all right-was "No, it isn't. I realized that coming over here. I couldn't rest last night. I'm tired. That's why I said such cruel things. I'm truly sorry. Forgive me?" "There's nothing to forgive." "But-was "No. There isn't. I deserved every word." Softly, the older woman asked: "Why did you come here? To help?" "I came to look for-was She stopped. The blond amputee was being lifted back to his stretcher. He screamed. Margaret's heart broke. Her nod was as small as her voice: "Yes. I'll help." Let the memories hurt forever-I'm not hard enough to turn away from this. In a stronger voice, she said: "Tell me what I can do, Aunt Eliza." iv A half hour went by. A third tram arrived. Margaret lost track of time. Her dress grew filthy. Blood and pus stained her sleeves and collected between her fingers as she hurried along beside stretchers from the train: "Let me wash your face for you." A stubbled, boyish face grinned at her. "Well, ma'am, it's been washed four times a'ready. But go ahead if you want to." As gently as possible, she swabbed his forehead with the cloth. Then his closed eyes; his cheeks; his throat The Titans551 As he was carried on, he lifted one hand in a gesture of thanks. She turned back to the crates where Aunt Eliza and the two other women from St. Paul's were emptying red-tinted basins on the ties next to the platform. The blazing headlight box of the latest train blinded her for a moment. Two empty tracks separated her from the train, and as she stared at it, a new worry tormented her. Having told Aunt Eliza she'd help, she took the duty seriously. But it had prevented her from watching the arriving soldiers as closely as she wanted. If Gideon came in on one of the trains, she might miss him- "Clean water, Margaret," one of the women called. She dodged the elbow of a stretcher bearer and bent to dip her cloth in the freshly filled basin. The doors of the new train's boxcars were clattering open. For some reason the order of the cars had been reversed. Coffins were unloaded from the head end, stretcher cases from the middle, and the walking wounded were climbing down at the rear. She was wringing her cloth when she thought she spied a familiar face in the press of soldiers limping up the platform. She dropped the cloth- "Gideon-?" She gathered her skirts in her hand and jumped down to the track, running. By the time she reached the next platform, she knew there was no mistake. Laughing and weeping at the same time, she waved. Called to hitn again. But he didn't hear- He was walking. No bandages visible. No sign of injury. Just dirt and bloodstains on his once-splendid jacket and trousers. He moved slowly, his head down. A saber hung at his hip. Two revolvers jutted from a sash that had once been white. Some sort of flag was folded over the sash. "Gideon-here! Here I am!" This time, he heard. Raised his head, puzzled. All at 552The Wounded once he saw her across a pile of coffins on the empty track that separated them. A strange, hesitant smile lifted his mouth. She ran frantically around the coffins, her mind conjuring terrors. He wants to smile but he can't. He's hurt, but I can't see the wound- They literally crashed into one another. He flung his arms around her waist, hugging her so hard she felt her spine would break. She didn't care. He smelled abominable. She didn't care about that either. "Oh, Jesus," he said. It sounded like a sob and a laugh in one. "Margaret. Margaret-was She kissed his hair. His face. His throat. He hugged her again, his matted beard scraping her skin. Then he kissed her fiercely on the mouth. Finally they separated. Laughing, he wiped at his eyes: "I'm acting like some damn fool boy-was "Are you hurt, Gideon?" "No." "Are you sure?" "Yes. My Lord, what are you doing here? I never expected-was "I know. I know. But all I could think about was how I sent you away because I was frightened. Too weak to bear the thought of something happening to you. But not hearing from you was worse. So much- worse-and tonight, I knew-was The words tumbled out, almost incoherent. "comI knew I couldn't stand back any longer. I couldn't stay away. Not help. Not care-was His blue eyes took on a stark look. "Then I guess we've both changed some, Margaret." "What do you mean?" "You were right in everything you said before I left. Manassas was-Christ, I can't even begin to tell you. There were brave men there-my God, so brave you The Titans553 wouldn't believe it. I saw them die. Stabbed by bayonets. Blown apart by cannon. You were right, it-was One hand lifted, clumsily. "comx was no holiday. No place for boys who think soldiering's nothing but a grand game-was She couldn't keep her hands from caressing him; feeling for wounds. She found none- Except when she looked in his eyes. Aunt Eliza had finally located her vanished niece. She was staring with pop-eyed wonderment at the two young people walking close together, as if to draw strength from one another. "I don't understand why you were on the train," Margaret said. "There's not a scratch on you." "Nearly was. I lost Dancer at the river. Bull Run. A Yankee took a shot at me. I didn't see him. My back was turned. Poor old Dancer was nervous. He bumped against me just as the Yank's gun went off. The ball caught him in the belly. I had to shoot him. So I'm just the same as an invalid now. I haven't got a horse. I don't know where I can find another. But I have to look. That's why I got permission to hop the cars and come back to Richmond. It was either that or be detailed to sit in Company Q." Margaret halted. "So you're going back to the cavalry?" "Soon as I can. Not that I'm very excited about it. This is going to be a mean war. It may last a lot longer than we expected." "But the papers said the Yanks ran from the field!" "Not all of them. I think the ones that did had bad leadership. With better officers, the outcome might have been a lot different. Some of our own did their share of running, too." 554The Wounded She leaned her head against his soiled blue jacket "I don't want you to go back." "I have to. But before I do, there's something I'd like to be sure about-was Awkwardly, he scratched the end of his nose. Under the layer of grime his face was red. "What's that?" she said. "You, Margaret." She kissed him lightly, ignoring Aunt Eliza on the other side of the track. "Doesn't that tell you?" she whispered. He grinned, then grew apologetic: "I should have written. I didn't because I thought you were through with-was She pressed her fingers to his lips. "I was wrong. I hate to see you fight. I don't want to lose you. But I-was She turned red, too. "comI've decided I'd rather run the risk than never-I mean-was Flustered, she couldn't continue. They stood close together, oblivious to stares. He held both her hands: "You know what it was like hearing you call to me? It was like a miracle. Margaret-was Scarlet now, he blurted, "One thing would make it a devil of a lot easier to go back-was "What?" "Knowing that when it's all over, you'll give me your hand in marriage." She shook her head. He looked stunned: "But I thought-was "I love you, Gideon. I don't want to wait. I want to marry you now. Before you go back." Dawning wonder lit his face. "Oh, my Lord-was He threw his head back. "Eeeowww!" The whoop made Aunt Eliza start. The two Episcopalian ladies at her side raised their eyebrows. Suddenly Margaret was fearful again. If she married him and he The Titans555 died, the grief would be beyond imagining. Did she have enough love-enough courage-to face the possibility? To live with it day after day-his Gazing at his face, she knew the answer. She'd known it when she closed the shop and walked all the way to the depot in the rain. As Aunt Eliza said, there was always risk; always the promise of pain- But the promise of love was stronger. More than anything in the world, she wanted the love of this tired, bedraggled boy who had become a man. "You really mean it, Margaret?" "Yes, my darling, I do." "Come on!" He jerked her hand, practically dragging her off her feet. "I've got to take you to meet my mother-was "Is your mother here in Richmond?" He nodded. "My stepfather's working for the Treasury. I've never been to the place they're renting. But I wrote down the address." "I should stay until Aunt Eliza says it's all right to go. I've been helping her tend the wounded-was Astonishment: "You have?" "Yes." "Lord, things really have changed!" Gideon turned toward the older woman on the platform. Eliza Marble had gotten over her surprise and looked not a little annoyed by her niece's behavior. In a whisper, Gideon said, "She looks fierce." "Just tell her your favorite drink is cold water and she'll melt." "All right. I guess I'll stay with you. I might as well-I'll have to ask her permission to marry you." 556The Wounded Despite the ugliness in the shed-the maimed men; the coffins; the groans and occasional screaming- Margaret had never felt so happy. "Yes, I suppose you will," she agreed. "I don't think she'll chop your head off." She grasped his hand. "Let's find out." "Hell," Gideon grumbled. "Tacing the Yanks was easier than this." Vll At a few minutes past one o'clock that same night, Edward Lamont rocked back in his chair and slapped the page of the late edition that had appeared on the streets at eleven thirty. "By God," he smiled. "Right here in Richmond!" "Couldn't believe it myself until I read we'd captured civilians along with the soldiers," Josiah Cheever said. Mrs. Muller's Lager Beer Saloon was almost empty. A table in a rear corner provided complete privacy for the two men. Cheever's triangular face had a scarlet cast. Above the table a dim gaslight glimmered in a dark red cup. "Did your wife swallow that message saying there was an emergency at the Treasury?" ?"to think so. You picked a pretty convincing nigger boy to deliver it. Besides, she's been upset all day. Not thinking too clearly-was "Why?" "Gideon. He was at Manassas with Stuart's cavalry. The papers haven't yet printed the list of casualties." Lamont smoothed his mustache with a fingertip. Sipped from his stein. Then picked up the paper to reread the portion of the column Cheever had been so eager to show him: The Titans557 Among the civilians taken prisoner in the confusion following the enemy retreat were Congressman Ely of Rochester, New York, and a Washington journalist, one of many gathered near the field of battle. The journalist, a Mr. Jephtha Kent, represents The New York Union, a paper which has constantly hurled scurrilous accusations of treason at the Confederate States of America. Congressman Ely is unharmed. The journalist, however, was injured in the mad melee at Cub Run. His rented buggy overturned, and he was brought on to Richmond unconscious, suffering a possible concussion of the brain. Despite the repugnant political attitudes of the civilian prisoners, General Johnston's headquarters has issued a statement saying they will be humanely treated and given full medical attention. Similar treatment will be accorded some five hundred enemy officers and enlisted men who are likewise being forwarded to the capital for incarceration. "Right here," Lamont repeated, chuckling. "Sounds like he's half dead, too." Lamont nodded in a thoughtful way. "Makes the task that much easier, Josiah." "With a concussion he might die naturally." "Let's take no chances. We'll proceed as if he's going to recover. With a spot of luck, and some medical help, he probably will." "You have no reservations about going through with it?" Cheever's eyes grew faintly intimidating. "Our mutual friends are still counting on it." Lamont snorted. "Our mutual frsl They're more than willing to funnel money into the Treasury by devious routes. But if anything goes wrong at our end, 558The Wounded they won't know us. They'll never admit being parties to-was "They don't dare admit it," Cheever interrupted. "You know .davis would never use Yank money obtained the way we plan to obtain it. Use it knowingly, I mean." The actor grimaced. "A gentleman to the end. If the President was on a sinking steamer, he wouldn't jump into a longboat if he discovered it had been built in Boston." "You haven't answered my question. If you're worried about the personal risk, we can arrange for a third party-was "Like the idiot who failed in Baltimore? And the one you hired to try to get the job done in Washington? No, thank you. I prefer to do it properly." He leaned forward, his brow shining in the dark red light. "Not for gain, understand. I'll kill the first man who says I'm into this for personal gam." Intimidated himself, Cheever swallowed. "I know you're not, Edward." "I didn't marry Fan for gam. I didn't give a damn about the money that belongs to her sons until the political situation made it important. I have no second thoughts, Josiah." "Even though it means deceiving your wife?" Lamont waved. "I'm fond of Fan. I wouldn't have married her if I weren't. But as to deception-I've done my share. An actress or a saloon girl from time to time-it's never troubled my conscience. Do you imagine this would trouble my conscience? A chance to do something important for the cause-?" He took a hefty drink of beer; wiped foam from his mustache. "I work for old Memminger, remember? I know the government's financial situation-which won't change because that damn Davis still refuses to The Titans559 sell'our cotton abroad. We've got to whip that Northern crowd any way we can-was His eyes shone. "I lost a beloved aunt to a black boy. I'd do anything rather than see victory go to those bastards who want to foment nigger insurrection." His quiet rage shifted to Cheever. "I frankly resent your doubting my sincerity." "I didn't mean to suggest-was "The hell you didn't! Nothing is more important than dealing with the reverend. As a matter of fact, I'd say you're the one whose reputation's in question." "Now just a minute-to " "Keep your voice down! I'm only reminding you that you chose one bungler in Baltimore, and another one after Fan and I left the capital. Their capital," he amended. "The man in Washington came well recommended! And it's hard as hell doing business by cipher and courier. I had to hire him sight unseen. It's not my fault he was a sot who couldn't find the end of his arm, let alone one stinking reporter. If he'd been the right sort, Kent would be dea-was Lamont grabbed his wrist "Don't speak that name. Anytime-anywhere." Cheever's cheeks darkened. "But you're making accusations-was "Valid ones." "Is that why you've been operating behind my back?" "My." Lamont
smiled in a cold way. "There's very little you don't know, is there?" "Very little. I know you've been writing letters-was "To more reliable people in Maryland. I started when it became obvious your Washington agent wouldn't come through. I've been discreet. I only contacted one or two men I felt I could trust. Young Wilkes Booth, for instance. But I never got to the point 560The Wounded of revealing what I wanted done. Now we don't need outside help. The good reverend dutifully went out to Manassas with all the other reporters, including that London Times fellow I've been reading about-was He saluted the ceiling with his beer stein: "And a benign deity saw fit to come to our aid." Lamont set the stein on the table. "This time it's going to work, Josiah. But you've, got to help. I'll need special clothing-used clothing, which I can't be seen buying. Once we know where the prisoners will be quartered, I'll need a pass." "Since I'm in Walker's department, that should be no problem." "I'll do the-was Lamont smiled again. "comthe actual work." "YouTI be taking a terrible chance." "What's the alternative?" "Even with a pass, you can't simply walk in-was "Of course not. That's why I'm the logical choice. I'll go as someone else. I'll have no difficulty. But most important, doing it myself will give me immense pleasure." Cheever pondered, then nodded. "All right. Now how about your wife? Will she suspect?" "No. I've been cautious so far, and I'll continue to be cautious. Afterward, you can be sure I'll appear appropriately grieved. For weeks. And she'll believe it." "You mean we'll have to wait weeks for-?" "Yes. I'm not going to lick my chops and dip into the coffers the minute he's gone. She'd catch onto that in an instant. I have to be particularly careful because of that one foolish mistake in public-was "When we met?" A nod. "We should have acknowledged one another. We both reacted hastily-and wrongly. I know it aroused Fan's suspicion. I think she's forgotten about it, but in case she" hasn't, I have to proceed with extreme care. Lead her along. A hint here, a hint there-until r The Titans561 our goal seems like her idea. I can pull it off. She's deeply loyal. Besides, there's no real harm in caution. We both believe the war may last a good while. And once the reverend is no longer with us, putting the money in the proper hands is only a matter of time." At last Cheever looked satisfied. "Just like the reverend's comah-departure." "Yes. It's finally going to happen. Let's drink to it, Josiah-was He clinked his glass against that of his friend. His handsome face was composed; even cheerful. His dark eyes sparkled with little red highlights as he added: "The most important performance of my career." CHAPTER X The Murderer FAN'S LETTER had told the truth. The second floor flat the Laments had rented was shabby and cramped. The building and the neighborhood combbl Main Street east of the canal basin-were correspondingly dingy. Yet the flat seemed a paradise to grimy and exhausted Gideon Kent. Wood crackling in the tiny hearth generated a warmth he found unbelievably luxurious after exposure to the rainy darkness. A mantel clock brought from Lexington showed a quarter past three in the morning. Bundled in a dressing gown, Fan looked almost as tired as her son. She'd burst into tears when he knocked at the door, Margaret on his arm. After a lengthy conversation with his mother and his future wife, he'd left to see Margaret home, returning about two. He wiggled his disgracefully duty toes in front of the fire, yawning. His saber scabbard, sabretache and two Colts lay on the floor beside his chair. Edward sat opposite him. Fan's husband had come in a half hour before, having finished his night work at the overburdened Treasury. He said he'd rushed straight home from the office but would have to be back at the regular starting time. Edward had embraced his stepson when Gideon announced his intention to marry soon, then interjected enthusiastic comments while he listened to Gideon's