Rose Seven: Gambling

By Christopher Charles

"That's ten years of hard work back on that table!" Laurel yelled. "That little innocent smile of hers didn't fool me."

"You can't say she didn't know how to play!" Clinton yelled beside the door, "She clipped us in less than twenty minutes!"

"She just learned how to play y

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth Colerick
• Release date: Dec 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781950901333

Book preview

Copyright 2/21/09

11527513771

Rose Chronicles

Rose One   Witches Brew

Rose Two   Indian Curse

Rose Three   The Flood

Rose Four   The Island

Rose Five   The Spook

Rose Six   Passage

Rose Seven   Gambler

Rose Eight   St Louis

Rose Nine   River Race

Rose Ten   Going Home

Rose Eleven   School Experiment.

Rose Twelve   Slave Boat

Rose Thirteen  Preparation

Rose Fourteen  The Trail

Rose Fifteen   Indian Boy

Rose Sixteen- Rose, The Indian

7 The Gambler

By Christopher Charles

Prologue

Rose’s mother had forbidden her from playing with cards, but now she was on a riverboat and free. She found she enjoyed playing until Colonel Gatewood’s plantation was at stake. Now she had to save it.

1 Breakfast

Rose woke slightly when the Doctor entered her room and began moving her head around to check her head wound. Molly and Captain Morgan were beside him.

She has a good crease, the Doctor said. I can see why it knocked her unconscious. Course, it’s going to leave a nasty scar. He looked over a bruised mark on her left shoulder. She took a nasty blow here, but I don't think she broke anything. This other arm has some mean looking scars, but they're old ones.

Then she's going to be all right? Captain Morgan asked.

Hearing what she did last night, I'd say the wound didn't do her any harm other than the scaring.

Maybe she can move her hair around to cover it, Molly said.

She's a lucky girl, the Doctor went on. A little to the left and it could have killed her.

Thank God it didn't, Captain Morgan replied.

What was she doing in your pallor to start with, Captain? The doctor asked. She's a little young to be playing cards.

She was only holding them for her father, Molly said.

He's the one who should be getting the whipping here. Leaving her by herself with them two.

I forced the hand, Doctor, Captain Morgan said. It was my fault if anyone's.

Hympt! Seems you've been making a lot of wrong decisions of late. He moved towards the door. Better we let her sleep. I think you people have worn this poor girl out.

When they were in the hallway, the Doctor turned, You pushed this girl and you pushed this boat to extremes. Captain Morgan. You did it all in the name of money. You're one lucky man that this didn't end in tragedy like the Natchez.

Rose barely heard them going down the stairs. Her head stopped hurting after the doctor left her alone. She could feel herself falling into the blackness.

Captain Morgan went ashore to send a wire to the company's office in the city of Natchez. He placed an order for supplies, and quickly returned to his boat. He would have to attempt repairs while they moved up river. He needed help if he was going to have it done before they reached Memphis. He allowed his mind to work on it.

When he reached his boat, he saw a company of soldiers standing on the dock. They were watching the guns being tied down on the forward deck. A tall man was pacing in front of them. He recognized him immediately. It was Colonel Gatewood.

Walking up to him, he smiled, Welcome aboard, Colonel. Your men can board. We need to be leaving as soon as we're tied down.

Colonel Gatewood took Captain Morgan's hand. He squeezed it hard, It is safe to board? Looks as though you need a few repairs.

Sound as a dollar, but we're a little rough around the edges. We just came through one of the worst storms of the year to get here for you.

I appreciate it, Captain, Colonel Gatewood said, You know how much this trip means to me.

Yes sir, that's something we are going to have to talk about.

Colonel Gatewood looked at him closely, That is?

Captain Morgan looked down at the dock a second. Slowly he raised his head and looked the Colonel in the eye. I can't be entertaining folks when my boat is in the condition it's in, he said. No mistake now. I can make the delivery. I just can't be entertaining folks is all. You can understand that.

That's the reason I'm making this trip, Captain! Colonel Gatewood said sternly. You know the value I place on this!

There is a way, sir.

Yes?

I'm picking up supplies in Natchez. Now, if Leonard hadn't broken his leg, we might be able to repair things.

We have the manpower, Captain Morgan, if that's all that's holding us back.

I hate to impose on my passengers, Colonel, but I will promise them all a good show and free use of my bar when we put in at St. Louis for a couple of hours.

Colonel Gatewood turned to his lieutenant standing at attention with his company. You think we can accommodate the Captain, Lieutenant Briggs?

The big man squared his shoulders, Yes sir! I think it is very generous of Captain Morgan to open his bar to us.

Then take the men aboard, Lieutenant, Colonel Gatewood said.

They watched Ted securing the guns. When he finished, he looked up at Captain Morgan, and nodded.

I think we should board, Colonel. We can have breakfast in my cabin.

That would be very kind of you, Captain, Colonel Gatewood replied and boarded after his men.

Captain Morgan looked up at the wheelhouse and shouted. You can take her out when the steam's up, Clancy!

Clancy nodded, We'll be pushing off in five minutes, Captain.

Rose heard part of this but fell back asleep when the boat's big wheel began turning. She woke again when the boat pulled into Natchez to take on wood and supplies.

She heard men shouting directions. The material to repair the damaged saloon below was being brought aboard. She worked her way to the window and looked out. The soldiers were bringing aboard a mirror to replace the one over the bar.

She heard the door open behind her. Whirling around, she saw Molly standing in the