A band seemed to form around his chest.You can never have her for your wife. She’s not forthe likes of a mixed breed riverboat captain,a familiar accusing voice said from deep inside him.You have nothing to offer her. Nothing at all.
Gerome Berkshire sat across from Samuel Lakewood, frustrated that the older man wouldn’t hear him out.
“If we do things my way, we can lay low for a time and let others take the blame for the guns and whiskey. Once they’re arrested and put in jail, we can go back to our plans.”
“How easily you sell out your friends,” Lakewood said, shaking his head. “The fact of the matter is that right now Portland needs our attention.”
“But listen to me, please. The destruction from the storm is the perfect chaos to push our plans forward. With all of this mess tying up the legal authorities as well as the army, we can move a great many firearms to the reservation at Warm Springs and let those being sent to Grand Ronde be discovered. It wouldn’t be the new guns, just the old ones that are missing all their firing pins. Think of it. It would allow me to give the army something that would make them trust that I’m trulyworking for them. Otherwise I’m afraid they’re going to throw me in jail for not giving them more useful information.”
“We don’t even know if those places were affected by the storm,” Lakewood countered. “They may both have suffered as we have.”
“It seems unlikely that a storm would cover such a distance. Why don’t we get someone to ride out to each of the reservations and bring us back a report? Someone fast enough to get out there and back without delay.” Gerome shifted in his chair. “You don’t know how these people work. They are determined to shut us down once and for all. The storm damage will buy us some time and create enough confusion and disorder that we can accomplish a great deal. The men at the reservation are primed and ready to go to war. Just think about it. The city is in shambles and the Indians rise up. Imagine the trouble that will cause and the fear it will put into the hearts of neighboring people. More important, the government will see me as a true informant. That’s to our benefit.”
Lakewood tapped his fingers together. “You may be right. The storm’s destruction will serve us well in this matter. Let’s first find out just how far the damage extends. Then we can decide how to proceed.”
“I’ll get on that,” Gerome said, smiling. “What the army doesn’t realize is that I have made friends with the soldiers. For a little bit of money, those friends share information with me. Information that nicely aids our cause.”
The older man nodded. “Find out what they know about the extent of the area hit by the storm and report back to me. Let’s figure out how to make this work to our advantage.”
CHAPTER12
It took over an hour for Andrew and Faith to pick their way through the city. Not only was the wreckage an obstacle, but Faith often needed to rest. By the time they reached Nancy and Seth’s house, it was dark and quite cold.
“Please come inside and warm up,” Faith encouraged as Andrew helped her up the porch steps. “I know everyone will want to thank you for what you’ve done.”
Andrew said nothing, but when Faith reached for the doorknob, he stopped her. “I’ll say hello to your family, but first I want to thank you for the way you share your beliefs without hesitation. I’ve believed myself to be a Christian for a great many years. My mother taught me that Jesus is God’s Son and that He died in my place. As a child, it was hard to really understand, but as an adult who read and tried to understand the Old Testament, I could see the complications of the life the Jewish people lived and their need for someone to come and reconcile them to God. All the sacrifices they made—the blood they spilled for their offerings and sins—it was never enough.”
Faith nodded. “I saw that too. I remember being so gratefulwe didn’t have to slaughter animals for sacrifice anymore. I don’t think I could have done it, and yet that was the law.”
“None of us could ever have kept up with that law,” Andrew replied.
“No.” Faith glanced toward the window where the soft glow of lamplight made the house look inviting.
For several long seconds, neither said anything, and Faith found herself wondering about Andrew’s reasons for commenting as he had. She’d never been shy about asking difficult questions, so she decided to simply ask him about his heart. But before she could, Andrew spoke again.
“I’ve never met someone who puts their beliefs into action as you do. You truly don’t seem to notice skin colors or people’s cultures. You spoke of God not seeing man on the outside but looking at his heart. I fear when He looks at my heart, He’ll be disappointed. I’ve closed it off and tried to avoid people and conflict. Then you came along and wormed your way in.” He gave a nervous chuckle. “I didn’t mean that to sound insulting at all.”
Faith laughed. “I wasn’t insulted. But if my worming has helped put you on a course of reconciliation with the Father, then I’ll gladly take the analogy.”
“I guess I’m just trying to say thank you. I was angry, and my heart was steel. The way of love—of God’s love—was something I truly did not comprehend. But I’m beginning to see it now. You’ve opened my eyes with your honesty and kindness.”
Faith lowered her face. She hadn’t been totally honest, and in recognizing that aspect of their relationship, she felt awash in guilt. How could she pretend to be so open and honest—so immersed in God’s Word and ways—when she hid part of herself? The part of herself that would limit her acceptance in most social circles?
“Come on. It’s cold out here, and my head is really starting to hurt.” She opened the door. “Nancy? Seth?”
Her cousin came rushing to the foyer, where Andrew was shutting the door as Faith removed her coat. Faith looked at her coat, amazed at the cleaning job Ben had done. There wasn’t a sign of blood anywhere.
“We’ve been so worried. Are you all right?” Nancy asked, embracing Faith. “Oh, you’re frozen.”
“I’m fine. Some debris hit me in the head and cut me. I have four stitches and a tremendous headache.” She pulled back and smiled. “You remember Captain Gratton, don’t you?”
“Please call me Andrew.” He extended his hand as Seth joined them, followed by two ladies.
“Andrew, this is my cousin Nancy and her husband, Seth. They were on theMorning Starwhen we sailed to Oregon City at Christmas. Behind Seth is Mrs. Weaver.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Weaver.”
The old woman gave him a nod.
