“I have to agree with Sigmund, they’re a bunch of the worst jackasses you’re ever going to run into. Pardon my language as well,” Lane added.
“Shouldn’t we be using medicine and science to fight a disease, not fear and quarantine? What of the Chinese Girls’ School? We need to see if we can rescue them if they didn’t escape before.”
“Mistress I suggest you change into something more suited for this adventure, Lane and I will get ready. I fear this is going to become ugly before the end.”
The trio didn’t take long, Lane returned in what resembled something from the old wild west complete with a six-shooter slung to his hip. Helena wore her riding gear that was the best thing she could think of and Sigmund essentially the same riding gear with his gas powered automatic pistol concealed under his coat.
“Park as close as you can to Montgomery Street and Montgomery Avenue. We may need to walk from there,” Helena said as they left the estate.
Traffic heading into town was light, most roads clogged with carriages and people streaming away from the city center. Lane drove with the steering wheel as much as the steam whistle at times using his fist to emphasize where he wanted to go.
Helena grew anxious, she continually tapped her walking stick on Bessie’s floorboard.
Sigmund said, “Looking at how chaotic the streets have become four miles from downtown. I can only imagine what it is like closer to the bay,” he turned and looked Helena in the eyes. “Are you absolutely sure about this? It might get dreadful.”
“I am not going to leave those girls alone in the city. We’re getting them out.”
“Very well,” Sigmund then handed Helena a small revolver. “I won’t insult your intelligence, I know, you know how to use it. Only use it with care. Once you kill someone, you can’t take it back.”
Helena took the pistol, she had fired hundreds of different weapons over the years, one of the advantages of being the general’s stepdaughter. However, when she took the small revolver, it weighed heftier than the largest rifle she’d ever fired. She didn’t say a word, only nodded, indicating that she knew the gravity of the situation they drove into.
Lane and Sigmund’s concern over traffic became unfounded. The closer they got to Chinatown the less traffic they encountered. With still a block to travel, they reached the first blockade.
Helena didn’t like the looks of it at all, six armed men stood guard over the wagons that had been turned on their sides blocking the road. They watched for people trying to escape Chinatown, not people trying to break in. Lane stopped when the closest man, cradling a double barrel shotgun in the crook of his arm held up his hand.
Helena began speaking before the automobile came to a stop. She tried to sound as mature as she possibly could, “Look here sir, I’m sorry, but we must be allowed to pass your blockade. There are some children in the area that we’ve come to take to safety.”
“Well don’t you just sound all fancy. Little girl playing dress-up. Look here little lady you need to go on home before I pull you out of that fancy horseless carriage tan your hide real good.”
Helena didn’t know what to say. No one ever spoke to her like that before, she prepared to slap his face with her cane when Sigmund stayed her hand.
“Mistress now is not the time for this battle,” he motioned with his head to the four men aiming Winchester rifles in their direction.
As much as Helena hated to admit it, she knew their three pistols held no match for four rifles at a distance and a shotgun at close range. If the three of them died here, there would be no way to rescue the children.
“Lane take us away from this disgusting person,” the wittiest line she could come up with.
“That’s right you rich bitch, we finish flushing out the trash down here, you can bet we’ll come take care of you people livin on the hill!” the man spat tobacco as an exclamation to his sentence.
Helena was furious if Sigmund hadn’t been there she’s sure she would’ve shot that man dead for being so insolent.
“There are times for picking battles, we are not running away, think of this as a strategic withdrawal. Fighting a hopeless battle is suicide. We need to try a different way,” Sigmund said as he visibly flexed his hands wanting to pound someone.
“I understand, it doesn’t make it any easier, but I understand,” Helena leaned back her jaw set and arms crossed.
“Lane, we will try some of the other blockades maybe we can find one that isn’t guarded by jackasses.”
Lane tried three other barriers each guarded by men more emboldened than the first. Helena came to the realization that they were not going to be able to talk their way to the children.
“Do you think the Pinkerton men stayed?” Helena asked hopefully.
“I doubt it. They recognize if they cross these men they could lose their lives, or their families could lose their lives. Bravery is in short supply in times like these.”
Lane had been quiet for such a long time, “Sigmund, do you think the south side of Telegraph Hill has been quarantined?”
“I doubt it, that is a good distance away. Besides, if they get rid of the Chinese and the Negroes that would only leave the Irish to do the dirty work and you know they’re just too stubborn.”
“I think this calls for drastic measures, I’m going to drive to the corner of Dupont and Greenwich streets, I’ve a friend that might still live down there,” Lane said.
“How good of
