They crossed the clearing and boarded the keel boat which rested against the bank.

As they did so, the cabin in the stern gave up a shattered presence in the shape of Tom Ware.

Murrell started violently.

"I thought you were hanging out in Memphis, Tom ?" he said, and his brow darkened as, sinister and forbidding, he stepped closer to the planter.

Ware did not answer at once, but looked at Murrell out of heavy bloodshot eyes, his face pinched and ghastly.