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and diverse other recreations not available in woodyards, so the time spent at the landing was not near as boring, but nonetheless everyone was anxious to be off. A half-dozen passengers, impatient with the delay when the weather was good-the boat seemed in fine fettle, and the stage was high-came up to Marsh and demanded a refund of their passage money. They were indignantly refused, but Marsh still seethed and wondered aloud where Joshua York had got himself to.

"York ain't dead," Marsh said. "I'm not sayin' he ain't goin' to wish he was dead when I get ahold of him, but he ain't dead yet."

Behind the gold spectacles, Jeffers' eyebrow arched. "No? How can you be so sure, Cap'n? He was alone, on foot, going through the woods by night. There are scoundrels out there, and animals, too. I do believe there have been a number of deaths around New Madrid the last few years."

Marsh stared at him. "What's that?" he demanded. "How do you know?"

"I read the papers," said Jeffers.

Marsh scowled. "Well, it don't make no difference. York ain't dead. I know that, Mister Jeffers, I know that for a fact."

"Lost, then?" suggested the clerk, with a cool smile. "Shall we get up a party and go look for him, Cap'n?"

"I'll think on that," said Abner Marsh.

But there was no need. That night, an hour after the sun had set, Joshua York came striding up to the landing. He did not look like a man who had spent two days off by himself in the woods. His boots and trouser legs were dusty, but other than that his clothing looked as elegant as on the night he had left. His gait was rushed but graceful. He bounded up the stage, and smiled when he saw Jack Ely, the second engineer. "Find Whitey and get the steam up," York said to Ely, "we're leaving." Then, before anyone could question him, he was halfway up the grand staircase.

Marsh, for all his anger and restlessness, found himself remarkably relieved at Joshua's return. "Go ring the goddamned bell so them that went ashore know we're leaving," he told Hairy Mike. "I want to get us out on the river again soon as we can."

York was in his cabin, washing his hands in the basin of water that sat atop his chest of drawers, "Abner," he said politely when Marsh came rushing in after a brief, thunderous knock. "Do you think I might trouble Toby for a late supper?"

"I'll trouble you to ask why we been wastin' all this time," Marsh said. "Damn it, Joshua, I know you said you'd act queer, but two days! Ain't no way to run a steam packet, I tell you that."

York dried his long, pale hands carefully, and turned. "It was important. I warn you that I may do it again. You will have to accustom yourself to my ways, Abner, and see that I am not questioned."

"We got freight to deliver, and passengers who paid for passage, not for loungin' around at woodyards. What do I tell them, Joshua?"

"Whatever you choose. You are ingenious, Abner. I provided the money in our partnership. I expect you to provide the excuses." His tone was cordial but firm. "If it is any solace, this first trip will be the worst On future trips, I anticipate few if any mysterious excursions. You'll get your record run without any trouble from me." He smiled. "I hope you can be satisfied with that. Take hold of your impatience, friend. We'll reach New Orleans eventually, and then things will go easier. Can you accept that, Abner? Abner? Is anything wrong?"

Abner Marsh had been squinting hard, and scarcely listening to York at all. He must have had an odd look on his face, he realized. "No," he said quickly, "just two days, that's all that's wrong. But it's no matter. No matter at all. Whatever you say, Joshua."

York nodded, seemingly satisfied. "I am going to change, and bother Toby for a meal, and then go on up to the pilot house to learn more of your river. Who has the after-watch tonight?"

"Mister Framm," said Marsh.

"Good," York said. "Karl is very entertaining."

"That he is," replied Marsh. "Excuse me, Joshua. Got to get down below and see to things, if we're goin' to get underway tonight." He turned abruptly and left the cabin. But outside, in the heat of the night, Abner Marsh leaned heavily on his walking stick and stared off into the star-flecked darkness, trying