The Argo Goes West

105, Battle of Sacramento, part 3

In Car 4 of the Argo, which was parked at Arcade Station, Clay Roberts, vice-captain, heard gunfire and rushed outside. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt came out from the next car No. 3 with a grim face and asked Roberts. "What's going on!"

"I'll check right away," said Roberts, running toward the riverside. There were some people hanging out on the river bank, and Roberts wanted to talk to them. They were Chinese workers cleaning up the garbage. When Roberts asked what had happened, they said they had no idea in their poor English.

Roberts went to H Street. A policeman with a thick moustache was running. Roberts stopped the officer and questioned him. A policeman told him that a battle had started outside the West Gate.

Roberts hurried back to the Argo and told Roosevelt about it.

Roosevelt folded his arms and said. "The west gate is the area where the Argo members are encamped."

"Yes sir."

Roberts sends Sergeant Romolo to the West Gate for more information. Floyd Murdock, a Washington Post reporter, was to accompany him.

"Just in case, I'd like to move the Argo to the west gate. How about that?" Roberts asked Roosevelt.

"Go ahead," replied Roosevelt. "The problem is opening the gates. Let me ask the deputy mayor."

Roberts then ordered Chester, the engineer, to hasten preparations for departure. In addition, he asked Pete Stryker to deliver a message to Captain Harris, who has been away since the morning and has not returned.

Finally, Roberts went to Car 6 and told Doc Morton what had happened. Also there was Cassandra Jackson, who had escaped from a mad house. Cassandra listened to Roberts and said with a confident face. "It's all Helen's fault."

Doc Morton protested against her.

"Don't say anything silly. We still don't know what happened."

Cassandra was taken aback and wailed, "Sorry."

"Cassandra," said Roberts. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"If this is a battle and there are a lot of injured people, Doc alone will not be enough. Of course, I will ask the doctors in town to help, but if you don't mind, can you help me?"

"What should I do?"

"Doc's assistant, a nurse."

"I would like to cooperate, but all the doctors in this town know my face. They will try to bring me back to the mad house."

"If you wrap your face in bandages, they won't know who you are," said Roberts. "Please. Lives are at stake."

"I will," replied Cassandra. "I'm not a nurse, but I'm better than the nurses at my hospital."

"That's reliable!"

"I have one more request."

"What is?"

"Can you pretend that I am mute, so that my voice will find out?"