land. I want to get a
closer look at it."

The spokes flew under Helmer's hands, and the _Victory_'s side paddles
churned up the water.

Raoul, followed by Kingsbury, hurried down the stairs to the foredeck,
where his own dozen militiamen, all Smith County boys who had
reenlisted, watched him stride the planks to stand beside the
six-pounder. It had saved the townspeople at Victor; now, mounted on the
_Victory_'s foredeck, it would finish the Sauk.

The late morning sun beat without mercy on the open deck, and sweat
trickled down from Raoul's armpits. He wanted to throw his jacket off
and wear just a shirt, but the military blue, the gold braid and the
brass buttons gave him authority that he'd found he needed, not so much
in dealing with his own men as with other officers.

Hodge Hode said, "We got 'em treed now, Colonel."

"But stay under cover," said Raoul. "These raccoons will be shooting
back." His eyes tried to tear holes in the thick greenery on the island.

The Smith County boys crouched down behind the bales of hay lined along
the railings and cocked their flintlocks.

Raoul patted the gun's black muzzle affectionately, and the three
artillerists in blue jackets grinned and nodded at him. They had put
their shakoes aside and wrapped rags around their heads to keep the
sweat out of their eyes. Beside the cannon were stacked canisters of
grapeshot and flannel bags of powder. In a few minutes, Raoul thought
with pleasure, that grape would be sending a heap of red devils to Hell.

As the _Victory_ steamed around the tip of the island, Raoul searched
the forest with his telescope. He guessed the island to be a quarter of
a mile long. It was deeply forested enough to conceal hundreds of
Indians.

Midway along, he saw a gleam of sun on brown skin in the shrubbery near
the river's edge. He swung the telescope back to the spot. Nothing now.
But the quarry was there, all right. His lips drew back from his teeth.

"Captain Bill," he called to the pilot house. "Turn our bow toward the
island. Kingsbury, get ready to fire."

Kingsbury saluted and called orders to the gun crew. A gunner slid a bag
of powder into the six-pounder's muzzle and rammed it home. Another
pushed a canister of grapeshot in after it. The third held the burning
linstock ready.

Raoul called to the bridge. "Captain, hold her position." The captain
waved acknowledgment from behind the glass, and Raoul heard him ring a
bell relaying his ord