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"I’ve seen sap-​heads, but nothing as bad as what they’re describing--or what you described, either I don’t like to put it this way, butelsethey don’t live too long on a battlefield But I’ve seen the glassy eyes, and the skin that starts to look like it’s drying out and going a funny color Don’t hate ood to me, not out on the field If they make themselves into cannon fodder, that’s probably the best use to be ot a job to do out there"

"Yesmore, but the caboose door opened and Malverne Purdue entered with a disgusted look that blossoood to find you here"

Morris Co Sorry Have yourself a fine supper, though," he added Then he pulled hih the sa it open for Mercy, in case she wanted to follow

She said, "Thanks, but I’ll be along in a bit Ito settle my stomach"

The captain nodded as if to say, Suit yourself The door smacked shut behind him

Mercy finished the last few sips of her now-​tepid tea and went for a refresher When she returned to her seat, she found that the scientist had taken the captain’s spot, and he obviously expected her to join hireeted him

"Mrs Lynch Nice to see you, of course"

"Likewise, I’m sure"

He withdrew a flask and poured soht it s she cared about, so she didn’t reners who just left the car before I came--I don’t suppose you had a chance to talk to them, did you?"

"A little bit," she confir with Captain MacGruder and Mr Comstock They invited me to join them, so I did"

"How very civilized of you," he said Some nasty sentiment seemed to underlie the statement, but his sharp-​featured face remained composed in a very portrait of politeness "If you don’t , as the topic of conversation? I find it difficult to believe that such a diverse group could find much to talk about Except, perhaps, a mutual dislike of Republicans"

Because it wasn’t a secret (Lord knew, it’dabout those ion that up and disappeared a few o"

"Ah, I see A relatively safe topic, that"

"What ed "Politics are funny," he said "But since that Texian is back in his own seat, I guess it gave the rest of the lads so to bond over, since none of theaic puzzles, about how to cross a river with a lion, a goat, an elephant, andoh, I don’t know Some other assortment of animals that may or may not want to eat one another" Malverne Purdue took a teaspoon, swirled his ht the cup to his lips and took a draft too big to be called a sip

"I don’t follow you," Mercy replied

He gestured with the teaspoon as he spoke "It’s like this: On board this train we have a great contingent of Union soldiers," he said, tripping over the word soldiers as if he would’ve liked to say so less complimentary "We also have at least one Texian, a pair of Mexicans, and probably a southern sympathizer or two someplace"

"Sympathizers?" she said "I’m sure I haven’t spotted any"

"You been on the lookout?" he asked When she didn’t answer, he went on "We ht as well assume it, ever since St Louis Can’t count on anyone in that bloodied-​up territory Bushwhackers, jaywalkersI wouldn’t trust any of theht If there’s not a spy or two somewhere on board, I’ll eat my hat"

"That’s a threat I’le" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>