Rose Nine: River Race

By Christopher Charles

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth Colerick
• Release date: Dec 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781950901371

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

9 River Race

By Christopher Charles

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.

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 and said, 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