No Less Than the Journey

by E. V. Thompson

  Wes and Aaron were among the first passengers to board the riverboat on which they would be sharing a cabin. Because of their earlier suspicions, they did not leave their cabin until the boat had passed the busy town of Baton Rouge on its long journey upriver, then they made their way to the saloon which, after dinner would be transformed into a gambling casino.

  By this time the sun had set and although the riverboat had a powerful light mounted above the bow, Aaron told Wes the pilot was guided as much by his knowledge of the river and the feel of the boat as by what he was able to see of the capricious river.

  The two men were just finishing their meal when Ira Gottland entered the saloon chatting to three other men. When Aaron stiffened perceptibly, Wes asked, ‘What is it? Do you know the men with Gottland?’

  ‘One of them,’ Aaron replied, tight-lipped. ‘He rode with an irregular Confederate group that boasted some of the worst thieves and murderers to be found on the frontier. If that’s the company Gottland keeps then he’s definitely up to no good.’

  Resuming his meal, he said to Wes, ‘Pretend you haven’t seen them together and talk naturally about the boat … the weather … anything you like, but whatever you do don’t let Gottland think you suspect anything.’

  Wes did his best to do as Aaron asked and succeeded in resisting the almost overpowering urge to look up and see what Gottland and his friends were doing.

  He was making an innocuous remark about the vast size of the Mississippi River when a shadow fell across the table. Looking up he saw Ira Gottland beaming down at them. ‘General … Wes! What a pleasant surprise, I had no idea we were to be travelling companions!’

  ‘Well now,’ said Aaron, matching the others geniality, ‘I guess Wes and I are equally surprised. If you’re eating, take a seat.’

  When Ira said he was not having a meal, Aaron invited him to help himself to a whisky from the bottle that stood on the table, adding, ‘You’ll find it a sight better than the rot-gut they sell in the New Orleans saloons – but what are you doing on board…?’

  While Aaron was talking, Wes cast a surreptitious glance around the saloon. There was no sign of the men with whom Ira had entered the room.

  Seating himself at the table and helping himself to a generous measure of their whisky, Ira said, ‘I’m on my way upriver to stay with a friend who’s bought land not far from Vicksburg. He’s made a whole lot of money selling timber as fuel to riverboats. Now he wants to do something with the land he’s cleared. I’m going up there to help … but how about you two, how far upriver are you travelling.’

  He addressed the question to Wes, who allowed the US Marshal to answer for him, ‘We’re both travelling to Missouri, Wes to do what he was doing in England – mining. As for me, like yourself, I’m going to visit a friend in Jefferson City. Did you ever serve under General Pike?’

  Ira shook his head, ‘Can’t say I did, but I’ve heard of him. I guess you two old war-horses will have a whole lot to talk about.’

  ‘That’s what old soldiers do best when the fighting’s done, Ira. We talk about the way things should have been done. Winning battles with the advantage of hindsight. It’s easier than fighting ’em on the spot.’

  ‘Don’t put yourself down, general,’ said Ira, ‘You did damn well when you were fighting them Rebs – and you’d do it just as well if you had to do it all again – you proved that, back in New Orleans. I’m living proof of that!’

  ‘No, Ira, shooting that man in New Orleans only confirmed what I already knew. I’m not a fighting man any more. I’ve stopped carrying a gun now so I won’t get myself mixed up in anything like that again. But how about you, are you travelling alone, or are there any more ex-Union men I’m likely to meet up with?’

  ‘I’m on my own, General. Like you, I’m just relaxing and enjoying travelling upriver on one of the finest stern-wheelers on the Mississippi. I believe it’s a mighty fine gambling boat too, once the eating’s done.’ Putting down his empty glass, he asked, ‘Am I likely to see you here later?’

  ‘Possibly,’ Aaron replied, ‘The girl we were talking to when we met you in the New Orleans saloon told us she’d be on the boat as a croupier. I might just come along to see how she’s making out.’

  Later that evening Wes and Aaron returned to the saloon which was now a busy and noisy casino. Lola was here and seemed pleased to see them – particularly Aaron.

  It soon became apparent she was an inexperienced croupier and as a result many of the more serious riverboat gamblers chose to play at her table.

  Wes knew nothing of the games being played. This, together with a need to conserve his money meant he took no part in what was going on.

  It was clear that Aaron was familiar with all the games being played and he too chose to gamble at Lola’s table, where he was a consistent winner.

  At some time during the evening Ira put in an appearance, but he lacked Aaron’s good luck. After being dealt a number of losing hands, he drifted away.

  Wes remained in the casino until midnight, when he informed Aaron he was going back to their cabin.

  ‘That’s fine, Wes,’ said the US Marshal, cheerily, ‘I’ll be back there before too long, but I’m riding a winning streak right now. I’ll stay until my luck changes.’

  Despite Aaron’s words, when Wes woke the next morning and looked across the cabin to Aaron’s bunk it was empty and had not been slept in. The US Marshal did not return to the cabin until Wes was dressed and shaved ready for breakfast.

  ‘I didn’t realize the casino would be operating all night,’ Wes commented, drily.

  ‘It wasn’t,’ the US Marshal replied matter-of-factly, ‘The plug was pulled on it around four o’clock.’

  When Wes responded with a raised eyebrow, Aaron said, ‘I went back to Lola’s cabin. We had things to chat about.’

  ‘It’s past eight o’clock now. It must have been more of a debate than a chat!’

  Wes had been attracted to Lola from their first meeting and there was an element of resentment in his response.

  Aaron shrugged, ‘Call it what you like, Wes. Lola is a bright girl. She weighed up Ira and has singled out the men we saw with him earlier in the evening. She told me they’ve been asking a whole lot more questions than casual gambling passengers usually do.’

  ‘What sort of questions?’ Wes asked.

  ‘They’re particularly interested in the amount of money taken by the casino; where it’s put for safekeeping when the casino closes down – and who holds the key to the safe.’

  ‘Hardly the sort of questions a casual gambler is likely to ask,’ Wes agreed, ‘but if they intend getting their hands on the casino takings surely they’ll leave it until the very last minute to rob the boat. Ira will be leaving the Missouri Belle in a couple of day’s time.’

  ‘True,’ said Aaron, ‘But if Ira and his friends have enough men to back ’em up they’ll figure on taking all the cash that’s being carried onboard. They won’t leave behind a large amount sitting in the safe. The place where he’s asked the captain to land him is a well-wooded and sparsely populated stretch of the river. If he’s planning to have friends come aboard there they’ll reckon on overpowering the sort of opposition they’re expecting and being able to take as long as they like to do what they want. I’m confident we’ll give them a nasty surprise, Wes, but it could be a hard fight.’

  Wes felt a surge of excitement – and fear – at Aaron’s words, but the US Marshal had not finished talking, ‘… We need to warn the others what to expect and when to be ready, but I don’t want to be seen talking to anyone. Ira’s not happy about having me on board and I don’t want him suspecting anything. Try to talk to Harrison Schuster without being seen. Have him pass on to the others what we’re expecting to happen. We should reach the place where Ira wants the boat to land him in a couple of days. I’ll let Harrison know more nearer the time. Gottland and his gang will be expecting to take everyone on board by surprise but the first thing they’ll wan
t to do is secure the pilot-house, I intend that you and I will be there waiting for them.’

  Looking speculatively at the Cornishman, Aaron said, ‘There’s just one thing we need to get clear, Wes.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘When Ira’s men come bursting into the pilot-house you don’t ask any questions. If I say so, you shoot – and you shoot to kill, is that understood?’

  Wes nodded, but the gesture did not satisfy Aaron. ‘If you’re uncertain of being able to do it you’re no good to me, Wes. We’re dealing with killers. Men who won’t hesitate to kill men, women or children to get what they want. If you have any doubts about being able to kill a man I don’t want you in the pilot house with me. Even the slightest hesitation could result in both of us dying and many of those on board the Missouri Belle along with us. That includes Lola – unless they decide they’d like to take her with ’em, and that would be a whole lot worse for her.’

  ‘I won’t let you down, Aaron.’

  After only a moment’s hesitation, Aaron nodded, apparently satisfied. ‘Good. Our lives and that of the pilot will depend on you, boy. Now, I’ll tell you what I have planned for the others….’

  CHAPTER 4

  For the next forty-eight hours life on board the Missouri Belle was little different to that of any other Mississippi river-boat. The passengers enjoyed good food and comfortable accommodation during the day and when night fell men adjourned to the casino. Here they gambled their money and flirted with the female croupiers who, with a display of sympathy that convinced all but the most cynical – or experienced – gambler, sweetened the losses made by most players.

  Although there were a number of men who did not spend the night hours trying to make a fortune in the casino, their absence provoked no curiosity. Many passengers were working-men, travelling upriver on the stern-wheeler because it was the cheapest form of travel to wherever they were going.

  Such men could not afford to risk their meagre capital on the spin of a roulette wheel. Their presence on board was disregarded by croupiers, gamblers – and by those who had boarded the Missouri Belle with more sinister pursuits in mind.

  The latter would have been disconcerted had they been aware of the number of firearms in the possession of some of these ‘working-men’.

  Aaron had briefed the men in considerable detail before they boarded the stern-wheeler. Now they were all on the riverboat together he ignored them, leaving Wes to carry any instructions on his behalf, while he spent much of the evening and night in the casino.

  When questioned about this by Wes, his excuse was that he was taking stock of the other gamblers, identifying those who were rich and likely to be targets for the river pirates. At the same time he hoped to pick out those who were also seeking out the richest men – but for very different reasons.

  In the meantime, Aaron also made such progress with Lola that he now did not return to the cabin he shared with Wes until the breakfast bell had been sounded on board the Missouri Belle.

  After his second absence, when he put in an appearance and changed his clothes in readiness for the new day, he said, ‘Last night was very interesting, Wes.’

  ‘I don’t doubt it,’ Wes replied, caustically, ‘I’m sure Lola has a great many talents to offer a man.’

  Looking sharply at Wes, Aaron said, ‘It has nothing to do with Lola – at least, not directly. One of the men we saw with Ira was in the casino last night. He’d been drinking more than was good for a man with something on his mind. He tried to persuade Lola to let him come to her cabin when the casino closed. He wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I stepped in and told him she had other plans. He told me to make the most of her while I could, because it wouldn’t be long before she found out that a Southern private was more than a match in bed for a Yankee general. Now, neither you, nor any of the others on board have mentioned anything about my rank in the Union army, so it must have come from Ira. Such a boast would seem to confirm what we already believe is going to happen.’

  Wes agreed. ‘When is it we arrive at the place where Ira wants the Missouri Belle to put him ashore?’

  ‘Soon after first light tomorrow,’ Aaron replied, ‘It’s the ideal time as far as Ira and his friends are concerned. Most passengers will still be in their beds and the crew will be no more than half awake.’

  His words gave Wes a moment of near-panic. The thought of fighting for his life against river pirates had never seemed quite real to him before. Now it was less than twenty-four hours away it had suddenly become very real indeed!

  ‘I hope everyone is quite sure of what they have to do,’ he said, anxiously.

  ‘I’ve put my orders and anything else I feel should be known into writing, Wes. I want you to take it to Captain Schuster. He is to take care of Ira and those of his men who are on board with him. Tell him to pass on the details to the others before coming to this cabin to speak to me after dark tonight. Everyone will need to be up and fully awake before daylight and know exactly what’s expected of them. Timing is important. I want to catch every one of those murdering sons-of-bitches – dead or alive. Either way they’ll no longer be a threat to decent folk.’

  ‘How about me, Aaron?’ Wes asked, ‘What exactly do you want me to do?’

  ‘You’ll come with me to the pilot house to deal with whoever comes there to put a gun to the pilot’s head – and we’ll need to get there long before dawn breaks. One of Ira’s men will come there for sure to make certain the pilot doesn’t try to pull the boat back from the bank when he realizes what’s going on. They’ll also have another couple of men down on the boiler deck to keep the engineer in line, but we’ll leave Schuster to deal with them. The main thing is not to scare off Ira’s friends who’ll be waiting onshore. We don’t want to open fire until they’re all at least halfway up the gang-plank.’ Aaron spoke without the slightest hint of excitement or apprehension in his voice.

  Wes wondered how he could remain so calm when discussing something that would result in the deaths of many men – the outcome of which was by no means certain. Then he remembered what Aaron had said to Schuster when they were all taking passage on the Northern Star from New York. He had mentioned his involvement in almost every major battle that had taken place in the recent Civil War. He would regard a gun battle involving probably no more than fifty men as little more than a skirmish.

  ‘How will we spend today?’ Wes asked him.

  ‘Once you’ve spoken to Schuster you can spend it how you like,’ Aaron replied. ‘I intend sleeping for much of the day. I suggest you do the same. We’ll be up long before dawn so that we’re wide-awake when things start happening. Now, let’s go and see what’s on offer for breakfast. Right now I could eat half a horse….’

  CHAPTER 5

  Wes took to his bunk for a couple of hours that afternoon but slept fitfully. He fared no better when he returned that night. Aaron’s relaxed snores did nothing to help.

  When he did eventually fall into a disturbed sleep it seemed to him he was shaken only minutes later by Aaron. The US Marshal did nothing to make him feel any less aggrieved when he said, ‘I’m proud of you, boy. Anyone who can sleep that well before a battle is a man I want with me when the action begins.’

  ‘What time is it?’ Wes asked, not yet fully in possession of his senses.

  ‘We have about an hour to dawn,’ was Aaron’s reply. ‘Check your guns and we’ll make our way to the pilot house. Pilot Stavros is working the night shift. He tells me he’ll have a Colt tucked in his belt, just in case we can’t cope.’

  ‘Do you think we’ll need to use our guns?’ Wes asked anxiously, trying hard to keep a tremor from his voice.

  ‘Perhaps not in the pilot house, but we’ll certainly use ’em when Ira’s friends try to come onboard. Does that worry you?’

  ‘I’ll manage.’ Wes replied, hoping he sounded convincing.

  ‘I’ve never doubted it,’ Aaron said, confidently. ‘Ira and his friends are in for a big surpr
ise. If everything goes according to plan, they’ll be out of business once and for all by the time the rest of our fellow passengers are fully awake.’

  Wes wished he was experienced enough to share Aaron’s confidence. He hoped, too, that when the occasion arose, he would be able to steel himself to use the guns that had been bought in New Orleans.

  River Pilot Stavros was nervous. When Wes and Aaron entered the pilot-house he was struggling to draw his revolver from its place in his waistband.

  ‘I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show. We’re almost at the landing. In fact, I’ve had to slow down the boat or we’d have been there before it was light.’

  ‘That wouldn’t have done at all,’ Aaron said, ‘If we’re too early they won’t be ready for us. I want to account for every man of the gang who shows himself and I don’t care whether we take him alive – or dead. One thing we can be certain of is that the first action is going to take place right here, in the pilot-house. They’ll want to be sure it’s them who are in command of the boat on the approach to the landing.’

  ‘But you’ve said that any shooting up here is likely to alert the other members of the gang who are on board,’ Wes pointed out.

  ‘True,’ Aaron agreed, ‘So we need to avoid shooting if it’s at all possible. Having said that, if it looks as though there’s no other way, then I expect you to shoot – and shoot to kill, same as I will. But if all goes according to plan Pilot Stavros will edge the boat inshore slowly enough to draw the pirates out of hiding. That way we should get ’em all. Right now we need to hide ourselves so that Ira’s men don’t see us when they come into the pilot house. I’ll squeeze myself into that cupboard over there….’

  He pointed to a low cupboard that faced the door, adding, ‘It’ll give me a good view of anyone coming in. You get beneath that table, behind the door.’