Chapter

In the Belly

The men had followed Adam from a distance, sticking to the shadows and squirming through back alley's. They were concerned for a moment when they thought they might have lost him. Hopsing had caught Ben and the others as they perambulated. "Missah Cotwight, Missah Cotwight."

"Hopsing?"

"Someone have your boy." He said excitedly.

"Yes, I know." Ben motioned for him to keep his tone low.

"We find him. We get him back."

"You found him? You found Joseph?" His hope and desire to get his youngest back overrode the more obvious conclusion that Hopsing would been talking about Adam.

"Joseph? No not Joseph. Adam." By this time Hoss and Clancy who had fanned out came over. "They take him to warehouse." Hopsing motioned out. As Ben looked to where Hopsing had gestured he suddenly thought of the other hands and paled.

"Where are the men?"

"They go to get him back."

"No. They can't. We have to stop them."

"What you mean, stop them?"

"We have to call them off. Get 'em back here. Where are they?"

"I take you to them." He led the men to the back of a tall greyish but moderately new building. Tolliver was leaning on some crates looking down at the basement windows in a building across the street. Sam stood next to him. The building they were scrutinizing was older than the one at their backs. It was built of brown stone or brick. Difficult to discern in the dark. The only light came from the basement windows.

"Mister Cartwright." They greeted as they saw the group approach.

"Sam, Mr. Tolliver." He shook their hands cordially. "What's all this about?"

"Well the men said they saw a man being carried into that their basement down there. They said they had good cause to believe it was Adam." The men that had spread themselves out near surrounding the building had come back over at Ben's presence.

"It was Adam alright." You'd don't think I'd recognize Adam if I saw him." Hamp exclaimed. "He looked hurt too. He wasn't walking on his own."

"Of course it was Adam."

"I knew it. See Hank I told you."

"Don't you worry bout nothing Mister Cartwright. We'll help you get him back."

"No."

"No?"

"What you mean no?"

"Listen, a lot has happened since we last saw you."

"We can see that."

"This is all a part of the plan?"

"A part of the plan? What plan?"

"We sold Adam."

"You sold Adam?" Hopsing exclaimed aloud. Speaking everyone's feelings.

"It's kind of a lot to explain right now."

"Well it sure would be nice if you tried." The foreman's tone was accusatory.

"Here's the summary. They found out about Danny and came back for Joe. Now both boys are missing."

"Oh, I'm sorry about that Mr. Cartwright."

"If they found out about him, why wouldn't they just let Danny go?" Hank questioned.

"You think they might have killed him?" Sam asked sullenly.

"Last we heard, he was still alive." The men looked relieved. Their relief was short lived when he added. "They hurt him pretty bad though."

"How bad?" Jose queried.

Hoss provided the answer. "It's possible that if we don't get to him, he ain't gonna last the night."

Johnny had to ask. "Why keep him at all? If he ain't no use to them, why keep him?"

"They didn't. They assumed I wasn't going to pay so they sold him."

"They sold him?" He was dumbfounded. "Hurt like he is?"

"To the Tong."

"The Tong?"

"It's a very powerful and deeply rooted organization."

"I've heard of them." Willy was one of those hard men with a sordid past. Ben didn't know much about him but wouldn't be surprised to learn if he had his own run-in's with them before.

"If he's that hurt," Hamp asked. "then what good is he going to be to anyone?"

"They're putting him on a boat."

"Shanghaing him." Hoss expounded.

"Shanghai?"

"Sometimes, it's just about making capacity." Ben explained.

"Have you been to the police?"

"Yes. Unfortunately there's not much they could do for us."

"How about the Maritime Office?"

"Yes we've been there too. Between the two of them we were able to track him to the Sun Beauty. That would be the most likely boat he'd be on."

"We could assume that if he ain't on that boat then they're holding him over for the next one that'll be leaving out in three days. We know where that boat is, but if he ain't on it then that means they probably got him in there." Hoss pointed across the way. "Trouble was, we didn't know where there was until now."

"So you sold Adam in hopes he would lead you here?"

"That's right." The men exchanged glances recalling the conversation they had hours prior about how far a Cartwright was willing to go. "That's one reason. The other is, we was hoping he would see Danny and be able to protect him while we make our way in."

"What if they don't?"

"Don't what?"

"What if they don't take Adam to Danny? What if Danny is on that boat but they leave Adam here? How you going to get both boy's out?" Ben glanced at his son then at Clancy.

"That was something we didn't want to have to face. But we were going to wait a bit see if they moved him, if not hit the boat then come back for Adam."

"Pardon me saying but that's a mighty bold move, considering how all up in arms they'd be once they find out their boats been hit."

"I guess God answered our prayers. That is if you guys are willing to help." The men looked at each other already knowing the answer, just seeing if any one of them was going to back out.

"Yes, yeah." They said in unison.

"What can we do?"

"Well you see. We're going after Sun Beauty. If they don't move Adam, then we'll need you to hit the basement at the same time we get Sun Beauty."

"And if they do?"

"Hit it anyways." Clancy said.

"Couldn't we use these men to take the Beauty?" Hoss said.

"We're assuming that if they take Adam there then that automatically means they would have taken Danny there. But what if they didn't? What if they take Adam but kept Danny behind? If they had an ounce of humanity and thought Danny was too far gone they might have kept him back in hopes he'd recover in time to catch the next ride out. Now that we have enough men, I think they should hit this place anyways."

"We will if we have to. If Danny's not on that boat. We'll come back. But there's no point on splitting the forces and hitting both spots if we don't have to."

"We know that Shinmoto, the one who bought Danny, supplies to just one fleet. Because of that we know every boat in the fleet participates in the practice of shanghai. Danny may not be on that boat. But if Danny isn't and we just so happen to see some boys in there that look like they don't want to be there, we should try and get them too."

"Yeah."

"Of course."

"That's a good idea."

"Hopefully Danny will be there. But if not, we'll rescue who we can. We'll have to get who we do find to the police quickly and then be ready to move real quick like on the basement right after. Johnny and Hamp. You stay here. Your job is going to be to watch the basement. If they move Danny out of there while we're on that boat you follow them. If it looks like they're going to try and kill him, well, just use your best judgment." He said it without saying it.

"We got you Mr. Cartwright."

"Wait a minute. If Danny is as hurt as you say he is than they're going to expect us to take him to the doctors." Will said. "If the Tong is as powerful as you say they are, won't that be one of the first places they'll look for him?" They stood in unnerving silence.

"What choice do we have? If he's hurt. Don't none of us know how to fix him." Hank said.

"I know someone." Hopsing offered. "I know doctor. Not in hospital. We take boy there. I go talk with doctor. I make all the arrangements."

"Look at that." Sam called out. "They are moving him."

"Okay, Jose, Dan, Sam, Willy and Hank come with us."

~.~

They followed the men, staying in the shadows. They squirmed through the buildings approaching the docks. They were heading in the direction of Howitson's pier.

"Follow me." Ben took the men up ahead, to a hill that overlooked the pier.

"There he is!" Hoss exclaimed from the trees. Two men drug a limp body across the dock. It was definitely Adam. His black shirt and hat stood out. He was playing his part well. At least Ben hoped he was still acting. They watched as he was carried around to the side of a cargo ship. 'Sun Beauty' They were able to make out the scroll on the side. He was carried onto the deck and disappeared within the hull.

"Let's go." Hoss got up to get him.

"Wait." His father grabbed his arm to stop him. He nodded out towards the ship bidding him to watch. Hoss laid prone again. A few moments later two men returned and walked back down the dock, disappearing within the buildings.

"There's probably at least one person still there standing guard. There could be more."

"We have to go in as quietly as possible. Our best hope is to get in there and get out without making a sound. Whoever is there, we have to take them without firing a shot. Hoss?"

"Yeah, I got it."

"The best thing we have going for us is the element of surprise."

"You got a plan?"

"I think I've got a pretty good one. Clancy, how well can you swim?"

"Not bad."

"Good. I'm going to need that cane."

~.~

It took a while for Adam's eyes to adjust to the darkness. He could hear them before he could see them. Even after the men left there were men here, in the room. He could hear them. He was in a small section at the front of the ship just past the cargo room. The sounds were meek and subtle. Breathing, a random scuffle, the dragging of chains, and occasionally a moan. The men in here with him weren't his captors, he deduced, they were captives. Captives afraid to move or cry out. Perhaps unsure of him, knowing nothing of their new roommate. Friend or foe. Or perhaps of what lied just beyond that door. Perhaps not all of them were even conscious. As his eyes adjusted he still couldn't make out faces or features but outlines.

"My names Adam. Who else is in here?" Breathing changed. Alert and aware. Still afraid.

"My names Jasper." A voice broke through the darkness. Young but still grown.

"Who else?"

"Virgil." Virgil sounded younger. More afraid.

"Anybody else?"

"A few, but they're asleep."

"You know who they are?"

"No."

"Can you describe them?"

"I didn't get a good look at them. They're all young like us. That's about all I could tell you."

"Were they awake at any time? Did you get a chance to talk to them?"

"No. Two of them are drunk or drugged or something. The other one was beaten. I could tell that right away." He wondered if that was Daniel. "They still chained him up."

"Are you bound?"

"They've got me chained. I'm attached to the wall."

"Hands or feet?"

"Feet."

"How about your hands?"

"Behind me."

"What about you Virgil?"

"Same."

"I think they got the others the same way." Jasper said. "They were here before me, but I could hear their chains when they move." He was definitely the braver of the two. "They brought the hurt one in after me. How about you?"

"Same. Can you undo yours?"

"Don't try. If they catch you." Too late. He was already working on his.

"Jasper, I've got people coming for us."

"Yeah." He scoffed. "Me too. I got a ma and pa and two brothers. Problem is they've got no idea where I'm at."

"Well, my pa knows exactly where I am at."

"What are you talking about?"

"Listen, I can't explain right now, but I've got people coming to break us out. Problem is getting past the guards." Tsk. Eliciting his help might be a bit more challenging. "You ever see yourself as a sailor?"

"No."

"How about now?" He was silent. "Would you like to go home?" He didn't have to answer. "If we work together I can get you there."

"You really got someone coming?"

"Sure do."

"What do we do?"

"I think first we've got to wake up the sleeping gents."

~.~

Clancy slunk through the water creeping up to the ship. Hoss was at his side. They'd slipped into the waters from the adjacent dock and had made their way to the stern which faced open waters. The cold water was a shock when they first entered but drive and focus warmed them.

"I'll go no more a roving with thee fair maid."

The tune sliced through the night air. That was their cue. Their father swaggered on dry land. Dropping a canes end with every left foot. Singing and whistling this old tune. Whatever guards might be on deck would be drawn to the drunken singing sailor. Not expecting someone to come out of the waters at their back. At least that's how it was supposed to work.

There was two of them staring over the deck onto dry land at his father making a fool of himself. He wished he could watch the show, as he was sure it was a sight to behold, but he had a job to do. The men turned at the tap on their shoulders and were struck down. Hoss whistled and his father made haste on board followed by Willy, Hank and Jose who came from the shadows. Sam and Dan stayed behind to act as lookouts. They all remained as quiet as they could be, for the sake that there might be more threats. The men on board made their way into the hull of the ship spreading themselves out among the many compartments.

~.~

"After feeling in the dark and finding their faces, they managed to rouse two of the three into a semi-conscious state. They were drowsy and disoriented. Jasper did well at keeping them talking. Adam tried for the third, still unsure as to whether or not it was Danny. Regardless the boy was hurt pretty bad, just like Jasper said. He had the feel of someone trampled by wild horses. For all he knew he really was. He didn't know they didn't find this boy out there on the trail somewhere. Not knowing the extent of his injuries he thought it best to leave him alone until they could get some light in here to see what it was he was looking at.

Adam went back to the others to help them from the binds that held their wrist.

"What now? Jasper asked. "How do we get out of these legs?"

"Well, it seems to me that we're going to need a key."

~.~

Hoss heard the shouting from down below. The hairs went up on his neck. "This way." He made haste and the others followed. Down on the lower deck Ben pointed out the different passageways directing the men to split up.

"Get me out of here!" The boy shouted. "Open the door." Adam waited in the corner. They heard the thumping down the stairs followed by jingling in the lock. He could make out the white in his eyes as he gave him one final glance. I hope this works. Adam was ready. The door bust open and immediately Jasper strikes the unsuspecting guard but he doesn't go down. Instead, the guard grabs the kid by the shirt and cocks his hand back. Adam jumps into action.

"Hoss, Stop!" He grabs his arm. It was a good thing to. Though it's never been tested, he suspected his middle brother could kill a man with one blow, if he really wanted to. His father and Clancy come in behind with a lantern they pulled off the wall, stepping over a man laying facedown at the base of the stairs just outside the door. It took Hoss a moment to gauge the situation. Expecting a hardened seaman within his grasp was instead a frightened boy who wore a bruised face that he didn't give him. His clothes were wet and tattered and a chain entangled his right foot. "Hoss, Jasper. Jasper, Hoss."

"Your brother?" He nods.

"My brother and this is my father, Ben." Still very nervous at being in the grip of this prodigious man, he gave a half-cocked smile. "Hoss we need the keys." Adam drew his attention, giving him a new purpose. He looks down at both of their ankles. Hoss released the young man and immediately got to feeling around the murky water beneath him for where he might have dropped the set when he was attacked, if that's even what you would want to call it.

"Thought you might want this back." Ben handed his eldest his pistol and holster.

"Thanks." He smirked and wrapped the belt around his waist.

"Is he here?" Clancy asks as he pushes past. Hoss had broken through Adam's fetter's and set about releasing the other's.

"I don't know. There's one man I couldn't wake. Shine the light over here." Ben held the light over the still form. Jasper and Virgil stood behind to see for themselves the man who hadn't made a sound.

His face was bruised and bloodied. His hands bound behind him like the others. He was still. Dishearteningly still. He could have been dead for all they knew. If not dead yet, they were sure he was dying. All this for nothing. A life wasted. Adam knelt down and felt for a pulse. "He's alive." There was a hint of excitement in his voice but he still felt solemn. He was still so far gone. "Come on. Help me roll him over." Hoss and Clancy knelt down on his other side. They gently roll him over to release him and stop at his crudely bandaged hand. The sight of it was appalling. A hand that bad should never have been bound. There was no need.

"Adam, look at the bandage."

"I see it Hoss." He responded solemnly.

"No Adam. Look. Those are Joe's clothes."

"Are you sure?"

"Those are his pants and that's his sleeve. That's what he was wearing. Right Pa?" Hoss looked to Ben to confirm. "When he was on the bridge, his clothes were torn. Don't you remember?"

"That's right, son." The image of his son, torn and tattered, so prominent in his mind. Hoss stared back at the dressing. Joe had wrapped Danny's hand with whatever he had available. In this case, his own clothes.

"He was with them. They were together pa. This is proof of it. He has to know where Joe is."

"We just have to get him to wake up to tell us."

They tap at his face, trying to get the boy to wake. He wouldn't move. Not a budge nor a flinch.

"Come on Danny, wake up."

"Stop. It's useless." He was out. His breathing was heavy and raspy.

"We can't wait around here for reinforcements. We've got to get him out of here. Finish getting his binds." Clancy and Hoss worked together. When he was freed they pulled him upright.

"Be careful with him. We don't want to hurt him anymore than he is."

"Come on." Morgan said. They lifted him and he fell limp. Clancy was under one arm. Adam under the other. His head lolled forward and his feet dragged as they carried him from the underbelly of the ship. It was eerie how limp he was. Not rousing for nothing.

Dan met the group outside. "How's the boy?"

"They messed him up pretty bad. He's not waking." They took him into the alleyway and laid him on top of some shipping crates.

"Dan, Willy; get these men to the police." Ben ordered, talking of the other boys they helped free. As his men took the boys away, they heard shouting from a shipping house as men ran towards the boat they'd just escaped from.

"We don't have much time." Adam spoke what they all knew to be true. They tried again to wake him. Clancy and Hoss tapping at his face. This wasn't happening quickly enough. The men exited the boat looking out into the alleys. They were soon to be discovered.

"We've got to move."

"We can't keep dragging him around unless we've got a place to take him. We're just going to keep doing more damage to him." Clancy said.

Hopsing made it back to them not a moment too soon. Coming from the wagon he hid behind the buildings.

"I talk to doctor. He know you coming."

"Alright, you lead the way."