Chapter 7
As Jim West and Artemus Gordon traveled aboard the Aurora, they worked their way through all the paperwork confiscated from the League of Darkness, searching for references to their move to America.
That had already been separated and contained in four boxes. Much of it had been manifests of equipment and supplies. There were also letters written from the site commander, Tipton, to Europe, discussing his needs, complaining about the climate, and sending estimates on the progress of the slaves converting the cotton plantation to their uses. Jim noticed how the commander called his workers slaves, yet all these letters were dated after the war, well after the news of the war's end had reached Texas. The League evidently had not allowed word of emancipation into its camp. The commander also referred to a master plan, but didn't elaborate.
A few names had been mentioned of people who had been working with the League on this side of the Atlantic. None of them had been people the agents knew except a few Texas political radicals who were no longer in power or who had died during the war.
"George Nance had been one of the lesser plantation owners who had pushed through Texas session," Jim mentioned. "He had a plantation in this area. It was abandoned after his death. I understand his widow moved west to California with his sons after the war."
"Is his plantation the one we are heading to?" Artie asked.
"Won't know until we get there. I only know it was on the Trinity, that's all. This other name… It comes up often regarding the League's master plan. He must be a key player. Have you ever heard of anyone called Loveless?"
"Not at all," Artie said with a shrug. "If he is key to their plans for America, we should come across him once we reach the new base." He came out of his seat at the table to stretch and walk across the airship to Passepartout. "How long before we land?"
"Another two hours, sir," Passepartout said.
Passepartout was giving a wide berth to the area the League was occupying. He did not want the Aurora seen in case the enemy knew of her. He also did not want the Aurora stolen again. Losing her over Canada had done his master much harm.