Rose Nine River Race
()
About this ebook
Rose could not move. She watched the paddles coming towards the wheelhouse.
Captain De La Rosa saw them coming only an instant. He pulled the fog horn cord again. The loud sounding blast filled the night air.
On the Shanadoa Rose was trying to turn the wheel rapidly to the right trying to take them away from the riverboat.
Ted looked back at the Shanadoa's paddle wheel. It was swinging away from the other boat. The hard-left turn had changed the direction of the stern. "Turn back!" He yelled. “You have enough room!"
It was too late. Rose felt the giant paddle strike the boat. Huge planks flew from the wheel as it devoured the bow of the Shanadoa. The giant wheel was coming for the wheelhouse. She saw the raft. It was caught in the wheel. It was coming up towards her.
Gripping the wheel, she dropped to the deck and covered her head. She closed her eyes as she heard the side of the wheelhouse coming apart. The noise was deafening, but she hung onto the wheel. She felt the roof being torn loose. The devil wanted her soul! She screamed, but the loud noise from the paddle wheel drowned it out.
Suddenly it was quiet and dark. Rose looked slowly around. She was covered with wood. The left side of the wheelhouse along with the roof was gone. She worked her way up through the debris. Somehow the left smokestack remained, but everything else was gone.
There were no longer any windows to look out of. The wheelhouse was level with the wheel. She could not see the bow.
Read more from Christopher Charles
Rose Sixteen, Rose the Indian Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBodhi One Aliens Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Fifteen Indian Boy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDetective Harriet Brown One A Mystery Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose One Witches Brew Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBuffalo Boy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings8 Saint Louis Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBodhi Five Alien War Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Thirteen Preparations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Twelve Slave Boat Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBodhi Six The Blackness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Fourteen The trail Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Seven The Gambler Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Six The Passage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBodhi Two Black Hole Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLucky Seven Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDetective Harriet Brown Three Kidnapped Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Four The Island Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Three The Flood Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Ten Going Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDetective Harriet Brown Two The Cruise Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Two Indian Curse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Five The Spook Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBodhi Three Asteroid Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDetective Harriet Brown Four The Prince Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBodhi Four Earthstar Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Eleven School Experiment Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAna Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Rose Nine River Race
Related ebooks
Rose Nine: River Race Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRose Fourteen The trail Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Legend of Chip: The Perilous Journey Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSolitary Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rose Seven The Gambler Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTreasure Hunt Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCaptain Mendonça Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Pirate Danced and the Automat Died Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Goodwill Ambassador Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDancaster's Pardon Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMystery and Mayhem volume two Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Winter Bomber: Forgotness Book 3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe River’s Dream: A Cozy Mystery: An Infinite Cats Mystery, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEpisode 4: Calum's Expedition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Black-Eyed Susan Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings1809 Ben Brown Vive Le Roi Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSlaughter of Eagles Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Breakout Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rose Eight: St. Louis Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRoswell Boneyard: Portals of Yahweh, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLatitude 19°: A Romance of the West Indies in the Year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Twenty Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Woman of the Road and Sea: The Honest Thieves Series, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCustard's Last Stand Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Admirable Tinker: Child of the World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSuper Bowl Super Bowl Super Bowl Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFables Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEnd of the Chapter - Book III - Over the River Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Crowing Hens of Totulu Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStrike of the Mountain Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Clubbable Woman Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Action & Adventure Fiction For You
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Summary: by Rebecca Yarros - A Comprehensive Summary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Darkness That Comes Before Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5James Patterson's Alex Cross Series Best Reading Order with Checklist and Summaries Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Count of Monte Cristo Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: by V.E. Schwab - A Comprehensive Summary Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The End of the World Running Club Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Outlawed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Most Dangerous Game Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Huckleberry Finn Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Last Kingdom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wool: Book One of the Silo Series Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shift: Book Two of the Silo Series Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Shack Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Our Town: A Play in Three Acts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Termination Shock: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Scarlet Pimpernel Books Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Golden Notebook: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dust: Book Three of the Silo Series Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Learn Italian! Impara l'Inglese! ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND: In Italian and English Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prodigal Summer: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Grace of Kings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Billy Summers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5River God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Swamp Story: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shantaram: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Learn German! Lerne Englisch! ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND: In German and English Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Rose Nine River Race
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Rose Nine River Race - Christopher Charles
Copyright 2/21/09
11527513771
This is the Nine story in the sixteen book series, Rose Chronicles (click).
Other Books by the Author (click)
9 River Race
By Christopher Charles
Contents:
Prologue
1 The Crew
2 Discovery
3 Plans Unravel
4 The Race
5 Rescue Party
6 Runaway Boat
7 The Chase
8 Night Run
9 Confessions
10 The Raft
11 Joel
12 The Accident
13 Aftermath
14 The Boiler Blows
15 New Orleans
Prologue
Mr. Clemens pulled out of his spot in the race and has given it to Colonel Gatewood along with a wager, his riverboats for Colonel Gatewood’s plantation slaves. He has no intention of allowing him to win. It becomes a life and death struggle with Rose trying to survive on the riverboat running out of control downriver with the boiler about to explode.
1 The Crew
Colonel Gatewood entered a large bar near the waterfront. He had been looking for the crew of the Shanadoa. He was not concerned at first thinking they were taking a well-deserved shore leave. He went ahead and ordered the core logs to be loaded. They asked him how much he wanted. He told them to load the boat to the top.
He also made some arrangements for more logs downriver. He brought up his own people from his plantation. He arranged for a large drop after Greenville.
The day wore on and the crew did not appear. The logs and provisions were loaded. He was ready, but where was his crew. He became anxious. When the sun began to set, he went looking for them. This was the fourth bar he had been in. Someone had told him that this bar was a favorite of Captain Morgan.
The room was filled with smoke and the smell of cheap liquor. His eyes traveled along the bar looking for anyone familiar. They came to rest on a lone man sitting in a booth at the far end. Working his way through the crowd, he stood in front of Ted, the steam engineer.
Ted looked up at him, smiled, Hello, Colonel. It's been a tough day.
Where is everyone?
Fired! We were given our walking papers right after you left, sir.
Fired?
Colonel Gatewood asked, Who fired you?
Old Man Clemens! Except the girls might have been transferred to another boat.
Captain Morgan and Clancy?
Fired! They're seeing the old man tomorrow contesting it.
Where are they now?
No idea! There's a lot of celebrating going on. I'd suspect they're on some boat getting drunk. The Captain and Clancy have a lot of friends you know.
Colonel Gatewood sat down across from Ted, I've bought the Shanadoa.
You, sir? What about the race tomorrow?
Mr. Clemens pulled out and sold me his spot. I thought the old crew would come with it.
You're racing the Shanadoa?
Yes.
Ted smiled, You have a wager with the old man?
Colonel Gatewood nodded.
Now it makes sense. The wager's big?
His shipping line to my plantation was the wager."
You haven't a chance, sir,
Ted said shaking his head. He's spiked you good.
There's a chance if I can put together a crew.
You might get somebody by tomorrow, but you can't be particular,
Ted said thinking hard.
How do we go about it?
You willing to pay a thousand or so?
If I have to, but the prize is one hundred thousand dollars.
No offense, Colonel, but you won't be winning. The Shanadoa's old except for her boiler, and everyone knows it. You can't be pushing her, or she'll come apart on you. You need to do that to win.
I'm not quitting without trying.
Ted shrugged his shoulders, I might get you a crew of five for two hundred a piece.
Then a thousand it is!
Colonel Gatewood said, But I pay once we reach New Orleans.
You better give me a few hundred to get them interested, or they won't be showing.
The Colonel took out his wallet, gave Ted five hundred dollars, When can I expect to see them?
Some will be drunk by now. It'll take some sobering I'd expect, sir.
Can I rely on you?
Colonel Gatewood asked looking at him hard.
I'm no scum! I'll do my best to bring you a crew by tomorrow morning.
Sorry, Ted, I didn't mean to be insulting you. I'm under a lot of pressure here.
I understand, Colonel. I'll get you a crew, but I don't want you expecting people like Clancy.
I know you'll do your best.
You should know racing downriver is dangerous especially at night when you can't see. You have to go slow. This race will be won at night. This is a survival race, sir.
Then maybe we have a chance,
Colonel Gatewood said.
There's always a chance, sir.
2 Discovery
The sign over the small office said, Detective Brown.
Sergeant Meade stood outside with Mrs. Stone and Mr. Donovan. He knocked at the door a second time, He did expect us?
He insisted we come right over,
Mrs. Stone said.
Then he probably knows something about, Rose,
Mr. Donovan said. I need to be wiring her mother something soon. It better be good news.
The door creaked open. A small man wearing glasses stood in the doorway. He smiled and allowed them to enter. Right this way please. I believe I have found your niece, Mrs. Stone.
Niece?
Mr. Donovan asked.
Mr. Brown turned back to Mrs. Stone, Oh, I thought everyone knew of your relationship with the young lady.
Apparently not, Mr. Brown,
Mrs. Stone said.
Then you must be…
Mr. Donovan tried to say.
Your wife's younger sister, Mr. Donovan,
Mrs. Stone said. I would have mentioned it earlier, but Joan forbid me. I was left with Doctor Rouge and his wife while my father sought his fortune. I was to follow when there was enough money. There never was and times changed things. I sort of became an embarrassment to the family.
Yes,
Mr. Brown said, Can we get on with the problem at hand? I believe time is of the essence here!
Certainly, Mr. Brown.
I believe I know where your daughter is, Mr. Donovan.
Instantly he had their attention. Hesitating a few seconds, he continued, I believe she is staying inside Mr. Clemens' house. Your earlier suspicions became realized upon my surveillance. I have seen two girls looking out the upstairs window. One is a black girl and the other one appears to be your daughter, Mr. Donovan.
But why would she be staying there?
And why did their servant deny seeing her?
Sergeant Meade asked.
These questions can only be answered by paying Mr. Clemens a visit,
Mr. Brown said. I suggest we proceed in that direction immediately. I believe Mr. Clemens will be leaving shortly to attend the boat race.
3 Plans Unravel
Mr. Clemens was having his early morning breakfast when Frederick entered the room.
A Mr. Laurel and Clinton O'Neal are here to see you, sir.
Send them in, Frederick!
Mr. Clemens said.
Yes sir,
he replied, and left the room.
Mr. Clemens quickly swallowed a piece of sweet bread, and sipped the last of his coffee. Now, we will hear from our mercenaries,
he said to himself.
The O'Neal brothers entered the room. They were not offered a chair. They remained standing in front of Mr. Clemens.
We're sorry to be disturbing your breakfast,
Clinton said, But we thought you might like to know what we did last night.
Yes, yes,
Mr. Clemens said, Forgive me for not offering you something to eat, but my time is short. I need to leave immediately.
This is only gonna take a minute,
Clinton said.
Go ahead,
Mr. Clemens said, Be quick about it!
Laurel here set the boiler to explode ten minutes after hitting full steam, Clinton said,
To make it look accidental."
Mr. Clemens looked at Laurel. To blow out the back?
There's no predicting,
Laurel said. It might take the whole boat. I told you that before.
Then you're not getting the other thousand until it does,
Mr. Clemens said. He reached into his pocket and withdrew one thousand dollars and gave it to Clinton.
Frederick returned and whispered in Mr. Clemens ear, There is a Captain Morgan and Mr. Clancy at the door, sir.
Mr. Clemens turned to the O'Neal brothers, You Gentlemen will have to leave. Frederick will show you the way out through the servant's entrance.
But the other thousand?
Laurel protested.
After the end blows, Gentlemen,
Mr. Clemens said, After the ends blows!
Laurel and Clinton followed Frederick out of the room. Mr. Clemens dropped back into his chair, and asked, What’s next?
Frederick returned with Captain Morgan and Clancy. Mr. Clemens stood and offered his hand.
Nice to see you again, Captain,
he said. And you too Clancy.
This not a social call, Mr. Clemens!
Captain Morgan said. We're here out of protest!
You mean losing the Shanadoa, Gentlemen?
Mr. Clemens asked. He paused a second and