In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 29):

"I have proposed a course of action . . . reconnoitre the shores of the India Basin in the light of day."

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 30):

ENS is nodding as Conway speaks.

I agree, get some rest for now, then head out early and scout the beach to find and assess any and all tunnels. The Sheriff has said he'll meet the other men at the barn as arranged, and I assume Cole will go with him... does anyone else intend to go with them? Jake?

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 31):

I will go wherever needed.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 31):

"I agree with Charles an' the Perfesser that some more reconoiterin' is in order. Be good to know whether thaey'll be off-loadin' the wimmin onto the beach, or rowin' die-reckly into a tunnel, as Travis suspects."

"Seems to me that Travis an' the Perfesser is the ones to do the reconoiterin' at the brewery, since they've been thaere afore an' hopefully won't give rise to sus-pishunns by goin' thaere again."

"So, yeah -- I reckon that I'll head out with JEB an' Cole. I wouldn't mind gettin' a look at the beach area myself, but seein' as how I ain't been thaere afore, I don't want to git nobody wonderin' 'bout me."

Charles Conway addressed the group as a whole, responding to the various comments.

"Any of our adversaries maintaining a watch on the Basin may recognize any of you. Staying in small groups seems advisable. Having said that, I should not think that we must limit ourselves to only two pairs of eyes and feet on the shore. It is your decision, although there would seem to be enough time for reconnoitering the Basin and gathering the posse. Assuming the Sheriff still intends to collect the men in the late afternoon hours."

"I do bee-leeve that you're prob'ly right, Charles," Jake agreed with drawl and  a nod.

"Three of us most likely won't raise no more eyebrows than two. That bein' the case, I reckon I'll tag along with Travis an' the Perfesser this time out've the chute."

"I'd purely like to git me a look-see at the beach an' these-heare tunnels oh-ver by the Albion."

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 34):

I'll participate in the morning scout mission, then meet the men late afternoon.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 36):

I reckon four is more than enough. So, I'll let y'all go without me.

As is his custom, Charles Conway jotted a few more notes in his book.

"Two pairs of two, then, to scout the basin?" he asked, although it sounded less like a question and more a call for affirmation.

"Mr. Sunday, do you intend to return to the Albion after we adjourn?"

"And Mr. Trayne, I presume that you intend to meet Mr. Beauregard to assemble the other men. What of your activities before that time?"

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 38):

I'd be willing to do that. I am told our information says the delivery will be tomorrow night but I'd hate to miss it if the opponent had a change of plans.  I can help out tomorrow during the day as well.

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 38):

"Sounds 'bout right to me," Jake agreed with Charles' summation, giving a quick nod of his head.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 40):

ENS looks around at the men.

So we know who is going where and when, now we should discuss what we need there. Weapons obviously, but I intend to take along my medical kit and of course the antidote that I mixed up... Also binoculars, and a lantern for the tunnels... is there anything else we need?
This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:00, Thu 28 July 2016.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 39):

JEB gathers his rifle and shotgun (ammo included) for returning to the Albion with Travis tonight.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 42):

Travis and JEB stand alternae watches getting sufficient sleep for the next day's work.

Travis Sunday rolled 12 using 1d20+4.
Travis Sunday rolled 10 using 1d20+4.
Travis Sunday rolled 20 using 1d20+4.
Travis Sunday rolled 24 using 1d20+4.
Travis Sunday rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Spot Check (on watch).

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 41):

"I think that 'bout covers it, Perfesser," Jake responded to the easterner. I'll be taekin' my own field-glasses, as well."

"Reckon I might head over this evenin', along with Travis an' JEB. I want to have my Spencer available for the dust-up, an' I'd like to have the one that Randy used to carry thaere as well, to have as a back-up in case of cartridge-jams or other problems. An' I reckon that it'll be easier to git long-arms over yonder without a-tractin' attenshunn if'n it's done under cover of darkness."

"How 'bout you? You want to go over this evenin', or you gonna wait 'til in the morning? I can double back here an' walk over with you in the mornin' if'n them's yer druthers."

OOC: Jake will also be wearing his Colt sidearm, and will have extra ammunition for all of his weapons.

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 38):

Nodding, the wrangler responds.

Yes, I reckon I'll help Jeb round up the men when the time comes. In the meanwhile, I'll keep close to here.

Having continued his practice of taking notes, and acknolwedging Mr. Trayne response, Charles Conway paused to glean Professor Ringgenberg's answer to Mr. Richardson.

It appeared that he had more questions to pose, or perhaps another summary to offer. For the time being, he waited, pencil poised.
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:02, Fri 29 July 2016.

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 46):

ENS nods at Jake.

Your logic is sound Jake, I will join you all at the Albion tonight since carrying my equipment in the light of day might attract undue attention; even on a Sunday!

ENS looks over to Conway.

And where will you be tonight Mr. Conway?

OOC: The Judge edited this because of his own mistake in a previous message.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:03, Fri 29 July 2016.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 47):

Charles Conway completed his note and glanced at his fob watch before responding to Professor Ringgenberg. It is half-past 11 o'clock.

"The night is nearly done. I will return to my residence. In the morning, I will be at the cathedral. Which leads me to my next question. Do we plan to meet tomorrow afternoon, to finalize plans after the reconnoitre of the basin?"

Having posed a question to the men and having received no response, Charles Conway stowed his notebook in his jacket pocket and prepared to depart.

"I suggest that we communicate in some fashion before sundown. I shall ask Coop to join the assembled posse and he can serve as our runner. Good night, gentlemen."

OOC: Fade-to-black, fade-up at sunrise, Sunday, April 22, 1877.

------------------------------

The night proved uneventful.

The four men who had traveled to the Albion had organized a watch over the basin, through the window of the Albion castle's top floor. The room wasn't designed to accommodate four men, therefore sleeping on the floor was the only choice for at least one man at any given time during the various shifts. Conditions for resting could not be called ideal although they were a far sight from sleeping on the hard ground exposed to the elements. It would wrong to say the men were well-rested; recovered seemed more apropos. In the end a quiet night passed fully, with the moon yielding to the sunrise that called the men to action.

Earlier that night, as the pards had gathered their weapons and sundries, it became clear to anyone who hadn't deduced it already that Cole Trayne would be staying alone this night at the apartment. At least it had seemed that way, until the man known as Coop was heard on the stairs. It seemed that Charles Conway was a step ahead of the pards, sending Coop -- who must have been stationed nearby during the meeting -- to join Trayne. It wasn't the first time that Conway's man had slept here, more ordinary than extraordinary given the circumstances of the last several fortnights. Both men figured the need for a good night's rest, so they agreed to hold any conversation about recent events until the following day, something each man was reminded of when the morning sun penetrated the apartment shutters.

------------------------------

OOC: Each group of two should resume RP or actions as desired in the a.m. JEB will need to lead Travis at least for the time being, based on Travis' OOC forum post. Cole has the option of engaging in conversation with Coop, or setting out on his own in the city.

The Texan sat up from his spot on the floor, stretched his arms over his head, and rubbed his eyes. "C'mon, Jake -- time to git a wiggle on, boy!" he chided himself as he got to his feet -- a little stiffly, an impartial observer might have well decided. "Damned if'n my old bones don't fuss at me lots more'n thaey used to," he muttered to no one in particular.

Jake rubbed his eyes again, yawned, and scratched an itch in the small of his back. "So, I been wonderin', Perfesser -- you ever done any sailin', or boatin' uhv any kind?"

"I mean, what with you bein' born with that Yankee silver spoon in your mouth an' all." The rifleman's eyes sparkled and the corners of his mouth turned up in barely-suppressed grin . . . perhaps he was pulling the easterner's leg a trifle.

Clearing his throat, he continued. "Reason I ask is that I heard tell somewhaeres that thaeres currents an' such out yonder in the water. An' if'n that's the case, I'm athinkin' that they might have sumpthin' to say 'bout whaere them boats fulla wimmin'll be comin' ashore."

"Is what I'm sayin' makin' any sense, or was the fella who tole me that playin' me for a greenhorn when it comes to boats an' the like? An' if'n it's true, could a sharp-eyed fella spot these-here currents -- or whatever the hell you call 'em -- from the land?"

OOC: Eliminated a word that I decided was just a little too silly.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:15, Mon 01 Aug 2016.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 51):

ENS is working out his own kinks as Jake gets going... he is visibly amused by Jake's self-motivation.

Heh! Well I was on a sailing ship across the Atlantic when I came over from Europe as a younger man...

ENS displays a large grin.

Easier than walking! Ha! I also went on a river boat that went near the base of Niagara Falls... Those were some currents! I have heard that the bay out there has some strong currents, but the basin below should be calm enough for a ship and rowboats. I was trying to spot a likely slip from here last night but it was getting too dark; I will try again today.

With that ENS gets out his binoculars.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 52):

Jake nodded at ENS's explanation. "Reckon I might look over yer shoulder an' watch you work, if'n that's okay with you. You can learn me what to look for -- which informaeshunn 'bout currents an' such I'll most likely never need again, but I might be able to spin a campfire tale out've it."

"Plus, like we been sayin', it's prob'ly best to go 'round in pairs after yesterday mornin' -- even here."

As ENS begins to survey the area with his field glasses from the Albion window, he sees that he does have a better view of the beach front in the daylight. A few things become clear in short order.

There are numerous places were rowboats could come ashore, including some of the places where the professor and Travis saw campfires the night before.

There are few, if any places on this side of the basin, where a larger ship might dock. This seems to corroborate the information given by Sunday's contact at the brewery: the slave ship never docks, exchanges are made by small ships meeting it in basin. That could be almost anywhere.

To learn more about any tunnels that might exist, the men must go out on foot and explore the slopes and shoreline.