A Man Called Bradford: Western

Night over the river port of St. Louis...

Moonlight fell on the countless ships that lay at anchor here. Transport ships in particular, which stopped off on their journeys between New Orleans and the forts on the upper reaches of the Mississippi.

A dozen horsemen dashed through the narrow streets of the harbor district. They wore neckerchiefs in front of their faces. Some waved burning torches, the others had drawn Winchester carbines from their scubbards.

The pack reached the makeshift shore ...