In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 507):

Yes, no details are needed, just a general description please.

ENS looks over to where Mr. Xu is, watching his reactions to the arrival of the women.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 504):

Art watches the events unfold.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 508) and James E. Beauregard (msg # 507):

Charles Conway shifts his glance momentarily between the lawman and the professor. He then returns his attention to the land in distance, across the water. Oakland, ENS recalls, is the name of the port across the bay.

"I can tell you no more than I can show you, now." answers Conway.

The lawman, who understood diplomacy well enough in his line of work, notices the object of the businessman's attention as he searches Conway's face for signs of deception, or inklings of meaning. JEB's eyes follow those of the businessman, tracing the line of sight under the moonlight and eventually fixing his own attention to the port across the bay. The learned lawman knew that Oakland was the terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad. Even at this time of night, lamp light dotted the landscape a few miles across the water. Details could not be seen at this distance, but the dim glow of civilization was readily apparent.

Conway continues. "If you have mistrusted Mr. Xu -- and by extension, sir, yours truly -- you have chosen an odd time to express your concerns."

While the lawman had concentrated on Conway, ENS continues to listen as he directs his visual attention to the procession of women into the longboat. Mr. Xu is in plain sight, speaking softly to the young women as he and his men help them into the watercraft. It may be a tight fit with all eight rowers, but the men seem to know what they are doing. By now, a third of the recently freed captives are settled in, most of their bodies hidden within the boat's walls, showing only the occasional movement of a girl's head. Another group is being lifted up and over into the craft. Much as the women had obeyed the orders of Lu, the professor himself and his pards from the cave to the beach, Ringgenberg observes the same subservient behavior now.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 506):

The rifleman had walked Horse towards Charles Conway, arriving to hear only the very end of an exchange between Conway, JEB and the professor. Jake had remained in the saddle, with the dead body of the ranch foreman, Barnes, still strapped to the hindquarters of Sunday's mount.

Breaking the tension a mite, perhaps even interrupting although it wasn't exactly his intention, the Texan drawls to Conway.

The businessman chuckles. "Well done, Mr. Richardson. Mr. Xu has already delivered on his end of the bargain."

Saying that, Conway turns to look at the rifleman. He notices the corpse behind Horse's saddle.

"Loose ends, Mr. Richardson?" The businessman glances around, seeing Luke Hadden leading another mount with dead bodies. He now seems to be doing a full mental accounting of the heroes, also noticing Carson in addition to the men who had made the contract with Mr. Xu only a few days ago.

OOC: Please feel free to continue conversation as desired, but the Judge is ruling that the order of conversation is linear in regard to the conversation among ENS, JEB and Conway, with Jake arriving and speaking after Conway's answers in msg #510.

Jake noticed Charles' glancing at the ranch foreman's body that was tied behund him, and placed both of his hands atop the saddle-horn as he responded to the latter of the man's comments. "I reckon you could say that, Charles. Them Tong bastards was game for a fight, I'll give 'em that. They didn't cut an' run when we sent some lead in their die-reckshunn."

The Texan paused, an' looked back and forth between Charles, JEB, an' the Perfessor, as if trying to understand the import of the tail-end of the conversation that he had overheard as he rode over.

Turning to the Perfesser and JEB, he asked, "Sumpthin' wrong?"

---

OOC: For flavor-text purposes, I am assuming that at some point during the evening Jake heard the "Tong" reference spoken regarding their adversaries.

Edit: Nothing substantive. Changed "happy" to "glad" (figuratively speaking) in my OOC comments.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:39, Wed 18 July 2018.

For clarity: no problem there. That term has been used since the beginning of Chapter 17 and there is every reason to believe that Jake has heard it and might use it ... iffin' his pointy-Texan-head so desires.

As the women are being placed onboard the boat, Cole carefully looks for any sign of relief from them that might indicate they are appreciative or thankful of their new situation. Or, conversely, any indication of negative body language providing a hint of increasing alarm.

Knowledge check - behavioral: 13

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 510):

Thank you for the clarification Mr. Conway.

As the last of the women are boarded on the boat, JEB gives them a parting wave not certain if any of them would see it but more as a gesture of closure to this chapter in his life.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 514):

Cole Trayne has no idea what the young women are thinking. Their demeanor has remained steadfast throughout the journey, from the cave to the longboat. The only thing that might occur to the wrangler, is that they appear accustomed to doing what they are told.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 512):

Conway nods at Jake's response. "These men, which I gather you had recruited to aid our cause," he begins, glancing again at the dead bodies including the two strapped to the stable-kid in Luke's care while he speaks, "have made a tremendous sacrifice. I wonder if they have families."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 515):

"You are most welcome, sir."

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 510):

ENS tags onto JEB's statement.

Yes, thank you for clarifying... I'm sure you recognize that we've been through much for these women; we just want to make sure they go to a good situation.

When Conway refers to the dead men, ENS comments again.

We will certainly pass on their belongings and their share in this endeavor to any family... small succor I'm afraid. But we do have 3 dead men and another very injured man still at the Albion. You seem very well connected Mr. Conway, do you have the means to help us deal with them discretely?

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 519):

Cole looks from Luke to the Professor. He nods appreciatively towards ENS, clearly pleased to hear someone else looking out for our dead.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 519):

It seemed to Jake that the Perfesser had answered Charle's inquiry about the dead men, and he nodded his agreement with the easterner.

He did add, "That wounded feller we had to leave behind -- he's got a friend lookin' after him. I looked in on 'em, an' judged that the wounded man was hurt too bad to risk movin' him."

"Don't know if'n any strings can be pulled to keep them two from gettin' into too much trubble -- that's assumin' that the wounded feller pulls through -- but if'n thaere's any way to haelp 'em out, I'm sure that it'd be appreciated by all concerned."

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 519) and Jake Richardson (msg # 521):

Charles Conway listens to both the professor and the rifleman. With a tilt of his head he acknowledges each man's words. A look of concern clouds his face for a moment. No, not concern, rather more like a certain pensiveness.

"Deal with them, Professor Ringgenberg? For the departed, I shall assume you mean to ask whether I may aid in giving them their proper burial so that they may pass on as the good book instructs us. I could help with arrangements, of course. Yes, of course. In the meantime, do you intend to take them to their homes or lodgings . . . or directly to the undertaker? I have no means to transport them, while you in fact do."

"As for the men at the brewery," Conway continues, turning his attention to Jake, "I suggest you return there soon." The businessman pauses, thinking. "Perhaps stealth is in order . . . I would not rush in like a flash flood, but there will be trouble if Mr. Burnell returns in the morning to find a wounded man in the Albion's chambers."

"Edgar must know your men are there. Yes?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:53, Fri 20 July 2018.

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 522):

ENS rubs his chin.

We can certainly take them to an undertaker, but will showing up with three men that have been gunned down raise questions with the constabulary? Perhaps you know of someone who will handle this discretely?

As for our wounded man, I plan to go to help him once our business here is done... I can give him medical aide, probably enough to be able to move him after.

Jake looked a little glum, interpreting Charles' comments about going back to the Albion to remove the wounded man as being an implied criticism of his own decision not to move Lyman.

He dismounted and moved over by Horse's head, still holding the reins. The Texan glanced about, looking to deliver Travis' mount back to the Michiganer.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 523):

"That is a strong point, Professor," Conway answers in reply to the question about an undertaker. "I did not intend to suggest either course of action. Simply inquiring as to you what you had in mind. That is why I wondered whether these men had families. If they maintained a local residence -- with people that know them, family or otherwise -- my first inclination would be to take them home."

"Glad to hear you can care for the injured man. I shall put him in my prayers tonight. Probably, it was wise to let him rest . . . assuming that Edgar had things in hand at the Albion, until we had completed this business."

The businessman, who had been watching the loading of the last of the young women into the longboat, returns his attention to those men gathered as if his second mention of Edgar -- the Albion's caretaker who aided the men not 30 minutes ago -- might generate a response.

By this time, Luke Hadden had moved nearby, listening to the exchange. Obviously, he does know the dead mean, and where they bunk. And Luke had interacted with Edgar when he and Fritz took the horses and bodies to the brewery. So far, the Scot hasn't interjected himself into the conversation, but clearly he is paying attention.

OOC: The Judge had already offered to FTB but the PCs seemed interested in playing out the epilogue in tying up the loose ends. If that remains true at this time, it is up to the PCs to figure out what to do with the dead men and the injured man at the Albion. If you just want Conway to take care of it, then the Judge suggest we re-consider the FTB at this time.

Cole dismounts Bess and walks her up to his friend Luke.

As he approaches, he motions towards the dead bodies.

Luke, did these here boys stay on the ranch or did they have their own places?

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 526):

The squat Scot replies, his face glum during the continued talk of his dead and injured pards. "We all bunk at the ranch, Cole."

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 525):

ENS nods at Conway, then listens to the others as they talk.

Art sticks a pinky finger in his ear and wiggles it about; removes it, considers it, and wipes tip on his pant leg.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 526):

Nodding, Cole continues.

They got family?

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 530):

"Nae hereaboots," answers Hadden, in his usual mishmash of Scottish brogue and frontier idiom.

The group of heroes watches as Mr. Xu's rowers launch the longboat into the India Basin. Just a moment before, Mr. Xu himself had stood and bowed to the men before pulling himself into the craft.

JEB had given a parting wave to the young women, not even certain why he had done it. To his surprise, a small head appears at the craft's stern, peering over the edge of the sturdy boat's top rail. Followed by a small hand that returns his weary wave.

It may have been the lawman's imagination but he believes the young girl, perhaps one of the youngest amongst the thirty, had also smiled at him.

A handful of Chinese men, presumably employed by Xu Xie Jing, remain in this small cove after the longboat moves away. They return to the ledge some short distance inland, where they had been when the heroes had visited this beach yesterday.

Yesterday. Less than 24 hours ago, truly. Much had happened. Men had lost their lives.

Now, the heroes look to each other as the difficulty is far from done. Some of the men were recently met, others old pards from after the war and some who came to know each other in the Flat back in Texas. Joined by Luke Hadden, Charles Conway and Alfred Cooper. And Lu Heng Bo, who had departed neither with Mr. Xu, nor with the Chinese who had moved at the ledge.

Before Cole Trayne could continue voicing any of his thoughts -- reticent as they may be -- Mr. Lu speaks to the group.

"Thank you," the highbinder says. He again wears a full black robe but he pulls back the hood. "Hold no doubt about your work here tonight," he says, with certainty in his voice. He bows and then dashes away. If anyone had spoken to Lu in return, they heard no response. Soon, the enigmatic form of Lu Heng Bo is consumed by the shadows.

That left only the men involved in the rescue mission. The first to speak is Conway, who had introduced the men -- all but Artemus and Luke, of course -- to Mr. Xu only days ago.

"Mr. Xu has paid us the agreed-upon amount and a small sum more. We had agreed to one-hundred dollars per man, which was seven of us at the time of the agreement. And of course he had paid us each twenty dollars in advance." The San Franciscan businessman produces a hefty pouch. "$600 in double-eagles. As our numbers have changed -- and we have the deceased to consider -- I shall take only two of the coins, half my remaining share."

Coop, who had been involved since the beginning, even before he had been introduced to Mr. Xu, takes his promised share, eighty dollars. He counts out four gold coins and pockets them, leaving $480 -- 24 gold coins in the bag.

Conway thanks the men. He suggests that they lay-low, if possible, but tells them to find him in his usual haunts in town if needed. Conway and Coop depart.

The heroes who had attended the initial meeting with Mr. Xu reflect on that time -- just a few days ago. Some had argued for eschewing any payment for accepting the mission -- as they considered it a noble cause at the time, despite any doubts they may have formed since then. Others had disagreed, saying things of the like that their days of "white-knighting" were over, that it was more than fair to expect recompense for putting their lives at risk. In the end, the agreement was as Conway had summarized. Each of  the men had agreed to $100 each, had taken $20 in advance. And had divided the expense funds the the Chinese businessman had provided -- most of which had been spent in the days leading up to the rescue of the young women from the Tong. Now, thoughts of the discussion return and the men who had said they would have done this for free are reminded of their own words as the group divides the gold coins minted by the U.S. Treasury.

That business done, Cole Trayne voices his thoughts about burying James, Peter and Barnes discreetly, in the hillsides. Luke Hadden, Trayne's pard from years ago here in the Frisco area, takes immediate objection to that notion. He insists that they take the men back to the their ranch. A proper burial there would suit Luke fine -- and Fritz, and the others would agree. "Nae sweepin' any o' this under the rug. Aye, these men gae their lives to help those women and I ain't aboot to hide any o' it."

There was no arguing with Luke on this point. Settled, the discussion turns to how to extract Fritz from the Albion. The men, having agreed upon a simple plan to return -- with a scout ahead to look for Edgar -- find that it works well enough. The brewery's caretaker, bleary-eyed and gently rubbing the back of his head, tells them that he had convinced the lawmen of his own innocence and directed them away from the basin. ENS promptly treats Lyman, enough to be able to move him as the professor had suggested earlier.

The men and their horses laden with the dead and injured set off for the ranches, to the southwest. They connect with the roads and find themselves at the ranch were Barnes was the foreman, and where Cole Tryane himself had enjoyed employment a few seasons ago. Once the horses are unloaded, Luke and Fritz help Lyman to his bed.

Finally, as the men look east at the slimmest rays of light from rising sun, the heroes wonder what fate has in store for them with the light of a new day.

<Fade to light.>

OOC: Chapter 17, msg #103 might be interesting to PC's. Also Ch17, # msg #110 (and numerous that follow)

If anyone has a care to discuss any details left out or left fuzzy by the Judge, feel free to do so in the OOC5 forum.