Read Online The Freedman and the Pharaoh's Staff by Lane Heymont - Free Book Online Page B

the back with a malformed hand, hidden by a thick glove. “We have our men to join—and I remind you to never speak of what is said between us.”  
    Verdiss scowled as he left the grove followed by Narce. The two headed into the thundering night toward town. Verdiss couldn’t stop flicking his tongue.

 
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    Chapter Twelve
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    â€œCan’t we stop? I’m tuckered out,” Fallon grumbled as he drudged through the noxious waters of the bayou. The sludge crept up to his knees, but it didn’t bother him. Gators slithering around did. Out of the corner of his eye he’d spot one staring at him. Not to mention his legs ached, and his back could give way any moment from the sack of equipment over his shoulder. Fallon begged Narce to let him prove himself. He didn’t mean sending him out into the swamps to find Constable Rayford and the thieves. At least Percy came with him, but Narce also sent that deadbeat Galin.
    â€œWe just rested twenty minutes ago, you lazy deadbeat,” said Galin. He glared back at Fallon. “It’ll build you character. Teach you how to be a man.” He laughed, turning to Percy. “Right?”
    Percy stopped, gasping for air, a hand on his sagging chest. “No . . . no the kid’s right. I need some rest.” Percy collapsed onto his ass in the thick water.
    â€œFine, you parlor soldiers. I’m fit as a fiddle, so I’ll scout ahead,” said Galin. He glared at Percy, his face twisted in disgust. Flexing his muscles like a buffoon, he winked at Fallon as though he should be awed. Once satisfied, Galin hurried off.
    Fallon patted Percy on the back. “Come on, Percy, admit it, the harder you push, the more weight you’ll lose. I’m fine now, so come on!” He jumped, sending muck everywhere.
    â€œI’m up. I’m up,” Percy grunted, climbing to his feet. “Let’s move out, copperhead, and catch up to that fool.” He smiled and set off after Galin.
    Â  Copperhead? I’m still just a copperhead to them. Fallon sulked as he followed Percy. It took him a few months before realizing the term wasn’t a compliment. Born in the Union side of Virginia, he’d left it behind when his father died in the war. After that, a boarding house in East Virginia took Fallon in. I’m not a copperhead, heck, I was raised in the Confederacy . It didn’t matter to any Southerner he’d met—he was still Yankee scum.  
    Trees swayed in the delicate breeze, their leaves whispered to Fallon. Stay alert. Watch out for that gator. Careful, there’s one! He imagined the wind carried his father’s voice from the heavens. Fallon sighed.  
    They walked for hours, treading through the swamp. Several times one or the other realized they were lost and had to double back. It took he and Percy two hours to catch up to that deadbeat Galin. Of course, he knew where the constable was, but the bayous were massive. “And everyone gets lost once. This is just my once,” said Galin.  
    By nightfall, the chill air returned to the swamps. With night came terror. Flashes of light darted through the haze and thickets. Fallon couldn’t keep track of them all. Percy’s wrong. They’re not fireflies . He held tight to his Starr pistol. The Creoles said the witch lived in this swamp and if that was true then so were their other stories. Horrible creatures, serpents and dark spirits. Worse, were the Lugarues, people who at nightfall tore their skin off and turned into wolves. They could be anyone. Even Percy! Fallon drew his weapon, then found himself falling ass back into the muck.    
    â€œWatch where you’re going!” Galin glared back at Fallon. “There it is." He pointed ahead to a hut with a surrounding porch which sat five feet above the water on stilts. “That’s voodoo magic.” Galin nodded to a layer of brick dust running along the