getting warmer. The sky was cloudless and blue. There was still no breeze. "It could have been a lot worse," Waller thought.

Fanning withdrew a small transistor radio from his pocket. He turned up the volume and they gathered close. After a moment, Fanning turned it down and said, "They are right on schedule."

Waller's stomach seemed to have a thousand butterflies in it. He walked over to his car and drank some water.

Time dragged on. Fanning kept checking his radio.

"OK, the speech is over. They are heading to the airport," he said.

"It's normally about a fifteen minute drive. They may go slow for the folks to get a peek," Ross said.

Slow minutes later, Fanning said, "They are boarding the plane now."

"Let's go," Waller said softly.

They loaded the weapons ontoseveral elderly men entered carrying musical instruments. They began setting up against the wall furthest away from where Leigh and Waller were sitting.

Willie brought two huge schooners of beer to the table. Ice slid down the sides. Leigh hoisted hers and toasted Waller. He touched her glass and took a long swallow. The band began to tune their instruments. Waller noted drums, a bass guitar, a fiddle, another guitar, and a strange looking instrument.

"Zydeco," smiled Leigh.

"Real Cajun stuff," Waller smiled.

"It doesn't get more Cajun than this. We'll leave before the fights start."

Waller figured that she probably wasn't joking. Willie came over with two large, steaming bowls and a large loaf of hot French bread.

Waller took a spoonful of the hot gumbo. Sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Good?" asked