There were startled gasps when he told of the flintlocks and the ally he had found in Emile van Deskol. “And
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so,” Robin said, “I think we stand more than a chance of taking New Chicago from Capone. I know we can do it. It will be hard, it will be brutal, and some of us will undoubtedly die. But in this world where death is but an inconvenience, we have nothing to fear. Come, let’s drink to our success!”
To the cheers of the men, he led the way into the salon, where enough liquor had been stored for everyone aboard to share a toast. When it was done, Jules Verne led everyone in three cheers for Robin.
And Robin himself, riding high on the crest of their emotion, felt as though he were flying, as though he would never come down.
“I will need a few things,” Robin said.
It was the next afternoon; he and Jules Verne were in the riverboat’s salon. The Belle Dame was headed up-River for New Chicago at full speed.
“If it’s within my power, you know I will get them for you,” Verne said.
“First,” Robin said, “I need something like a portable periscope, to watch Capone and his men from cover.”
“We have mirrors on board,” Verne said. “It is simple enough to mount two of them in a box, arranged so you can look over walls or around corners.”
“Second, I need a thin sheet of metal, perhaps an inch wide and eight inches long—but it must be strong at the same time.”
“We have extra brass railings aboard. One can be cut to that size.”
“And I need something flammable—an oil-soaked rag would be ideal—and matches to ignite it quickly.”
“Will flint and steel suffice?”
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“If that’s all you have, it must.”
“It is; we have found no sulfur deposits yet. What else?”
“Nothing but luck.”
“That, my friend,” Jules Verne said, “must rest with Providence.”
When they neared New Chicago, the crew doused all lights and ran the riverboat in darkness. Robin moved forward, studying the shoreline. Here and there fires from human settlements glimmered faintly through the trees. Overhead, alien constellations shone palely down, providing a wan sort of light that made the River’s waves shimmer ever so faintly silver.
Several crewmen sat silently in the prow, dangling their feet overboard, calling instructions back to the pilothouse. The pilot avoided sandbanks as best he could. Twice Robin heard the Belle Dame’s keel scrape sand.
At last they rounded a bend in the River and New Chicago, some three or four miles distant as yet, came into view. Its thousands of lights and campfires gave the sky a glow visible for leagues in every direction.
“I think we should land here,” Robin said. “We’re about an hour’s walk away. We can be there well before dawn.”
“Good,” said Verne. He hefted his longbow. “This time I am ready for Capone.”
“No,” Robin said. “I want you to stay aboard. You’re too valuable to risk in the fighting.”
“I did not journey all this way—” Verne began.
Mutch said, “Think of your wounds, sir. They’re not fully healed. If you rip out the stitches…”
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CJaude de Ves whispered something in French in Verne’s ear. Jules Verne frowned, but finally nodded and turned to Robin.
“You all seem united against me in this matter,” he
said. “So be it. Take all the men you require; I will
remain aboard the Belle Dame until success is assured.”
“What if you’re attacked?” Robin asked. “Surely you
need some crew to protect the. riverboat.”
“The Belle Dame carries a few surprises for anyone foolish enough to attack her,” Veme said with a wink. “As for my crew, I need five strong men, no more.”
“Very well,” Robin said, “though I would gladly leave twice that number.”
Verne rose with sudden determination. “Let us see to the boats,” he said. “The sooner New Chicago is freed, the happier I will be.”
On deck, Verne gave the orders and the riverboat put in as close to shore as it could. The crew broke out four boats this time. Robin and his men went ashore first, then Verne’s men followed. The Belle Dame pulled back and began to drift down-River with the current, away from New Chicago. Veme would hide around the River’s bend until dawn.