In 1878 the whole country was abuzz with news of a total solar eclipse coming on July 29. The best view would be in Rawlins, Wyoming; scientists and curiosity seekers would be arriving there from all over the world. When Heyes and Curry heard about it they naturally thought of the gambling prospects, but they’d settle for a good view of the eclipse if that didn’t pan out.







Heyes dropped a hardtack in his coffee and watched a black line slowly move across it. He took it out, shook off the drops and started nibbling the soaked end. He raised his eyes when Curry rode up.

“How’s it taste?” asked Curry.



Heyes swallowed in a gulp. “You could say it has some taste, once you can chew it, that is.” He grimaced. “It sure doesn’t taste good.”

“That figures. Is that all we’ve got to eat?” Curry dismounted, tied up his horse, and walked toward the camp fire.

“There are a couple Johnny cakes in my saddlebag,” offered Heyes, “and I’ve got a pot of beans and bacon warmed up.”

“I’ll skip the Johnny cakes,” Curry said as he sat down and poured himself a cup of coffee. “If I’m desperate enough to eat that stuff I’ll settle for the hardtack; if I soak it long enough it’ll taste like coffee, only salty. But the Johnny cakes are worse; they make lousy coffee taste like stale, salty, cornbread. I’m not that desperate.” Curry took a sip of coffee. “I’ll pass on the beans too; I’m savin’ my appetite for dinner at the hotel in town.”

“I told you we can’t go into town until we know it’s safe. After all the stories about Rawlins and the eclipse, I bet half the country’s there, and Rawlins is probably crawling with the law. After we know it’s safe, we can ride on in. Then we can do a little business,” Heyes smiled, “poker style. We’re bound to win some easy money with all these greenhorns.”

“I rode there while you were busy settin’ up your fire and makin’ your beans and coffee.”

“You went there after what I said?”

“Why not? I had to ride my horse somewhere for exercise. I figured with as many people as you thought would be there, no one would notice me. And no one did.” Curry smiled complacently.

“What did you see?”

“Not much. All I saw were a bunch of Easterners standin’ near the train and millin’ around the hotel. It’s right next to the train.”



“Nothing unusual going on?”

“Well, there’s some people messin’ around with some big tubes on stands. There were some other people hangin’ around the hotel, too, but I didn’t see any law.”

“Those big tubes are telescopes, Kid. Like I told you, this time tomorrow it’ll be black as night around Rawlins. Those Easterners will use those telescopes to see the stars we normally can’t see during the day.”

“Yeah, I figured it was somethin’ like that,” Curry shrugged dismissively. He sipped his coffee. “I went over to the hotel, too. That’s how I found out they’re servin’ a huge meal after the train comes in at four.”

“So that’s why you’re saving your appetite.” Heyes put down the hardtack he was about to make another attempt to nibble on. “You seem pretty sure we can just walk over there and help ourselves.”

Curry pointed his coffee cup in Heyes’ direction. “Why not? You brought disguises; well, sort of. All those Easterners and foreigners are wearin’ bowler hats and suits. We brought our suits; so, you were right about them and the hats.”

Curry got up and walked over to Heyes’ saddlebags. He pulled out a corncob pipe and two bowler hats. He took off his Stetson and put one of the bowlers on, without looking at it, while he walked back to the campfire.

“I figured we’d wear those hats at night to blend in with the crowd,” Heyes responded. “That way we could take our time checking out the law in town. I didn’t think you’d ride right into town in broad daylight.”

“Too late now. Guess we can just ride on into town and eat with no worry.”

“Listen, Kid, I didn’t plan on us wearing our suits to dinner; much less joining a dinner party!”

Curry walked over to Heyes and put the other bowler on his partner’s head. He stood back and appraised the effect. “Looks pretty good,” he joked. Then he stuck the corncob pipe in his mouth. “How do I look?”

“The pipe was for me, Kid; it’s part of my disguise.”

“Yeah, you need it more than me. Tell you what; I’ll practice my shootin’ and you can practice your pipe smokin’.”

Curry gave the corncob pipe to Heyes, turned around, and walked off with a strut.

“Your hat’s on backwards,” Heyes called after him. “Next time you might want to look at it before you put it on.”


oooOOOooo

Curry paced off his targets and took position. After a few shots, a horseman angled toward him from behind. Curry whirled to face the rider, gun drawn and aimed at him. The rider wore fringed hunting buckskins, a short hunting shirt decorated with patches of red and blue stained leather, and a pair of delicate white embroidered moccasins. His short, bright brown curls were covered by a velvet sombrero cap with a broad gold band.

“Good shootin’,” the stranger said in a Southern drawl. He put one hand on his hip as he sat tall in the saddle and he tilted his hat to one side to display the gold band to advantage. He had all the appearance of a man posing for a picture or a crowd.

“Thanks.” Curry relaxed and holstered his gun.

“My name’s John Baker Omohundro, better known as Texas Jack. You’ve heard of me, I assume. And you are…?”

“Thaddeus Jones. And no, I don’t think I’ve heard of you.”

The rider held up his chin and moved his head at a certain angle, as if to show off his sombrero cap. “I’m pleased to meet you, Thaddeus. I have a touring company. We do Western adventures; shootin’ and ridin’ shows that thrill audiences all over the country. I used to tour with Buffalo Bill, but I was such a favorite with the people that I decided to manage my own company.”

The rider reached down toward Curry with his tasseled leather gloved hand. Curry looked at it and shook it, reluctantly.

“I said that’s good shootin’ and I meant it.”

“You camped out here?”

“Yep.” The fancy rider turned and pointed behind him. “I got a spot just below that ridge.”

“So, what brings you out here, the eclipse?”

“The eclipse?” The rider waved his gloved hand dismissively. “Everybody’s talkin’ about it, I know. You could say I’m tangentially here for that; I’m here for the publicity.”

“Publicity?”

“Yes. In my business you’ve got to get your name out. A reporter from the New York Herald is travelin’ with Edison and sends back daily reports. I’m goin’ to get my name in one of those reports.”

“Edison?” asked a puzzled Curry.

The fancy rider put on a self-satisfied smirk. “Surely you have heard of the Wizard of Menlo Park, the great inventor Thomas Edison. His name is in all the papers.”

“Well…”

“He’s comin’ out here to test some kind of new invention durin’ the eclipse. Probably half of the folks in Rawlins are here to see the eclipse, but I bet you even money half came out only because Edison’s here and they want to see what he’s up to.”

“So I suppose that’s why you’re here,” Curry surmised, with a slight bit of disdain, “to see what he’s up to.”

The rider laughed. “No sir; tomorrow there’ll be lots of reporters with spare time on their hands just itchin’ for a story. I’m their man. I’ll come up with somethin’ to grab their attention. There’s some great publicity here for a showman who knows how the press works.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Curry announced.

The rider looked slightly insulted. “Ridiculous! No sir; that’s how business works. Edison’s a publicity hound, too, that’s why he travels with that reporter.”

In the distance a whistle announced the arrival of the four-o’clock train.

“There’s the train; Edison’s on that one. I want to be in Rawlins to see that. I hear he’s been ridin’ on the cow-catcher since Omaha.”

“Edison’s been ridin’ on the cow catcher?”

“Yep. Listen, if you’re lookin’ for a job, I might have an openin’. By any chance, do you happen to shoot from horseback Comanche style?”

“Nope; never needed to.”

“That’s too bad. A Comanche rider would spice up the act: draw in a bigger audience. I saw that fancy ridin’ and shootin’ when I fought the Comanche in Texas.”

“Well, I’m not interested in bein’ in any cowboy shows anyhow, ‘specially with a fella who dresses like you.”

“These are proper show clothes, boy,” Texas Jack said curtly. “You probably can’t shoot in front of a crowd anyhow.” He jerked his reins and rode off.

Curry watched him ride towards town and shook his head. “That’s ridiculous!” he mumbled as he aimed for another shot. He took a couple shots and was about to take a third when he saw Heyes standing on a rise. He holstered his gun and walked over to his partner. Together they watched the train inch slowly towards town.

Heyes shielded his eyes with one hand. “You see something on the cow catcher?”

“Yep, looks like a man in a black suit with a white overcoat.”

“I’ve got to get a better look at that.” Heyes grinned. “Let’s get closer.”

The two men angled down the rise toward the tracks until they had a clear view of the slowly approaching train and the man on the cow catcher at the front of the locomotive.

“He looks familiar,” Heyes said. “I think I’ve seen his face in the papers; I just can’t place it with a name.”

“Yeah? He’s been in the papers? Maybe that’s Thomas Edison.”

“Thomas Ed…” Heyes looked at Curry askance. “Kid, you wanna bet on that?”

Curry looked thoughtful, and spoke hesitatingly. “Alright, how about loser pays for dinner?”

“You’re on.” Heyes turned to look at the train, not seeing Curry’s smile.

As the train approached, the man waved his hat at them. He held onto the pilot beam, and he had a big smile on his face, so big, it seemed to stretch from ear to ear.

“Did they give you a ticket to ride that thing?” Heyes called out.

“Oh yeah, I’ve got a ticket,” the man laughed. “Don’t worry about that; are you men here for the eclipse?”

“Yes sir,” replied the Kid.

“Great,” the man replied. “It’s going to be quite a show; see you in town!”

Heyes and Curry watched the train slowly pass.

“Well, I’ve never seen that before!” exclaimed the Kid.

“Me neither,” added Heyes. “I think I’ll stick to riding inside trains.

“Uh huh. We’ve had our share of jumpin’ from the outside.”

Suddenly, gunshots rang out from the back of the train.

A shackled and handcuffed man had jumped out of the caboose and started moving up the ridge. A rail man leaned out of the rail car and shot after him but missed. As the caboose came by, the rail man called out to Heyes and Curry, “Did you see him?”

“Yeah, we saw him,” Curry said. “He won’t get far, he’s movin’ real slow.”

“He tried to rob a train two days ago but we caught him in the act; he’s kind of stupid. If you bring him into town I’ll see you get a reward. Ask for Grenville Dodge.”

Heyes and Curry tipped their bowler hats. “We’ll get him, mister,” Curry replied.

“By the way, who’s that guy on the cow catcher?” asked Heyes.

“Edison,” the rail man called out just before the train passed out of earshot.

He and Curry watched the train disappear. “Edison?” Heyes mumbled incredulously. He put his hands on his hips and looked suspiciously at the Kid, who was grinning broadly.

The Kid tipped his bowler up on his forehead. “Now we have two reasons to go to town. We have to bring that fella in, and you have to buy me dinner.” He started to walk towards the rail line.

Heyes followed. “Uh huh; if we don’t bring that fella in they just might think he jumped off the train at this spot because he’s a friend of ours, and they might get to wondering about who we are.” He caught up with Curry. “That fella can’t be too stupid if he got away,” he grumbled. “I didn’t know you knew who Edison was.”

“I can read too, Heyes. And, anyone who jumps off a train handcuffed and chained IS pretty stupid, like that fella said.”

They walked along the rails to where the man had jumped. Curry pointed to the side of the ridge just beyond the stone ballast. “There’s his tracks. Looks like he’s limpin.”

They followed the general direction of the man’s tracks. Heyes stopped just a few steps beyond the top of the ridge, “There he is!” he said.

The shackled man had fallen and was still panting. He’d managed to shove himself along the ground and under some brush, and cover himself with some twigs and leaves.

Heyes and Curry stared at the man’s face. One of his eyes was nearly white, and appeared as if made of glass and set in wrong. His face was also extremely irregular. The rim of his ear came around to a sharp edge and was serrated.

The man stared back.

Heyes squared himself beside the man, tipped up his hat and grinned. “Howdy, what’s your name?”

The man spit on Heyes’ boots.

“Tsk tsk,” Heyes replied.

“Can you walk?” asked the Kid.

There was still no reply.

Heyes looked up at Curry and then shrugged. He pulled out his revolver and put the barrel against the man’s head. “Should I shoot him, Thaddeus?”

“I dunno. In one way it could be easier. We wouldn’t have to worry about him tryin’ to escape. On the other hand, a dead weight is, well, a dead weight.”

“If he doesn’t move he’s a dead weight anyway. We might as well shoot him if he won’t move on his own.”

Heyes cocked his gun and the shackled man made a slow attempt to struggle to his feet. Curry helped the prisoner steady himself.

“Good choice. I think he made a good choice, don’t you, Thaddeus?”

After the three men walked back to the makeshift campsite, Curry kept his gun on the prisoners while Heyes quickly broke camp. Curry gestured with his revolver toward the horse trail in the brush. “Alright, let’s get on toward town.” The prisoner led the way, followed by Curry. Heyes held the reins of the horses and kept an eye out.


oooOOOooo

Heyes and Curry were met with applause by a small group when they arrived at the rail station with the prisoner in tow. Two men stepped out of the group and shook Heyes’ and Curry’s hands. “Thank you, gentlemen, for your help. I’m Gustave Schnitger, U.S. Marshal, and this is my deputy.”

Heyes and Curry exchanged a glance at this news. The two men quickly led the prisoner away, and Heyes shrugged almost imperceptibly.

A well-dressed gentleman stepped forward and greeted Heyes and Curry with a vigorous handshake. He was followed by the rest of the group, who smiled at them admiringly. “Well done, well done, gentlemen!” he began. “I’m Grenville Dodge, Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad, and I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Heyes and Curry managed to appear only slightly ill at ease. Heyes coughed into his gloved hand. “I, uh, we didn’t expect a reception committee.”

“I imagine not. However, we didn’t expect to lose the prisoner. We’re extremely grateful that you recaptured him. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience.” He reached in his coat pocket, pulled out a wallet, and gave Heyes and Curry each a twenty dollar bill.

Heyes and Curry looked at the money, then at each other, and turned back to their benefactor. “Thank you, sir; that’s mighty gracious of you,” Heyes said as he shook the man’s hand. “I’m Joshua Smith,” Heyes replied.

Curry shook the man’s hand as well. “Thaddeus Jones; twenty dollars is mighty thoughtful,” he added.

“Who is the prisoner?” asked Heyes.

“We don’t know, he won’t tell us. He was captured two days ago trying to rob this train. We are remanding him to the Territorial Prison. And you, are you here for the eclipse?” he asked.

“Yes, sir, we’re camped out of town,” said the Kid.

“That’s right,” added Heyes. “We read about it in the papers and thought something like this would be a once in a lifetime event. We couldn’t miss that.”

Curry’s eyebrows rose a tad.

“It’s a pleasure to meet upstanding American citizens like you. Not only staunch supporters of law and order, but interested in scientific progress, I see. I think the railroad would like to do more for you than a mere forty dollars.”

“Me and my friend were just doing what any upright American would do,” began Heyes, looking modest as the Kid nodded, “and we appreciate your generosity, but…”

Dodge gestured toward a special railway car that had been moved onto a side rail. “You are welcome to use this Pullman while it is here. It has carried some very distinguished scientists from Europe, as well as the Draper party. They have all moved into the hotel. You will be guests of the Union Pacific during the eclipse. Meals are on Union Pacific at the hotel, and laundry service will be provided.”

“Well now, that’s real kind of you, but…” the Kid looked at Heyes.

“Please accept, we can’t have men like you camping outside of town. We are very grateful for your assistance. We could not stop the train to catch the fugitive because of our important travelers’ schedules. However, if we had lost the prisoner it would have reflected very badly on our company. No doubt the press would have made a story out of it. You have helped the Union Pacific maintain its reputation.”

“My friend and I are only too happy to be of help to the railroad,” Heyes said.

“That’s right; the railroad has always been a big help to us,” added the Kid.

“For transportation,” Heyes said, quickly.

“Good. Then it’s settled. I’ll leave you in the hands of Henry, our porter. Henry, see that Smith and Jones get their choice of unoccupied cabins. Be sure to give them meal tickets for the hotel.” Dodge shook their hands. “Good day, gentlemen,” he said, and left.

Henry, the porter, stepped forward and tipped his cap. “Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones, I am pleased to meet you,” he said, formally. “Do you have any luggage that you wish for me to carry to your rooms?”

“Rooms? Well, we’re....” Curry began.

“You will have your own keys to the cabins. Do not worry about security, if you have anything of value that is” he sniffed. “I have a key to the train, and I never leave the train when it’s in transit.”

“Good man, Henry,” said Heyes patting him on the shoulder. “We’ll feel secure with you around, keeping guard.” The porter shook Heyes’ hand off.

“We’ve only got our saddlebags and guns,” said Curry.

“I see,” the porter responded. “Please follow me to your rooms.”

The men took their saddlebags and guns off their horses and followed the porter to the train. While they walked, the porter glanced at the men’s dirty boots and dusty pants. “These are first class rooms, in the very best coach Pullman has to offer.”

When they reached the train the porter led them down a narrow hallway along one side of the ornate coach. “As Mr. Dodge mentioned, meals will be served at the hotel. However, you are welcome to bring back anything. Ring the bell on the back door and I will open the car for you. We do ask that you maintain quiet in the car and the cabin at all times as a courtesy to our other passengers.”

Heyes and Curry exchanged amused glances. “Are there any other passengers?” asked Heyes.

The porter looked at the two men with slight disdain. “No sir, they’ve all gone to the hotel.”

The porter opened the door to a cabin. “These are your rooms. There is some food and drink stocked. The items are fourni gratuitement”

“Grat what?” asked Curry.

The porter sighed. “Free of charge, gentlemen, help yourself. Would you like me to fix some fresh coffee while you make yourselves comfortable?”

“Sure,” Heyes answered. He sat down in the easy chair and put his dusty boots up on the ottoman.

Curry was already pouring drinks from a decanter. The porter took another look at Curry’s and Heyes’ dusty boots, smiled smugly, closed the door, and left.

“Do they know who we are?” Curry asked.

“I don’t think so. If they did, Dodge or the marshal would have arrested us, when all those deputies and train police were here.

Curry took a sip of his drink, looked around the cabin, and gave Heyes a smile. “I’m goin’ to shave, get my suit on, and see what’s for dinner.”

Heyes laughed, “I figured that’s what you’d say.”

Curry went into the bath closet and started shaving while Heyes sat down on his bed and started to remove his boots.

“You still owe me a dinner,” Curry said to Heyes as he looked in the mirror with his face full of lather.



“Kid, that bet was for tonight.”

“Nope. That bet was for dinner. I didn’t say when.”

Heyes shook his head sadly. “I thought we were partners.”

“We are. You’re just the partner that owes me a dinner.”


oooOOOooo

The porter knocked on the door. “Coffee, gentlemen,” he said.

“Come in,” Heyes answered.

The porter entered with a tray and looked shocked when he saw Heyes and Curry transformed from dusty cowboys to clean-shaven gentlemen in suits and bowler hats.

Curry took a cup of coffee off the tray. “When’s supper?”

“I expect soon,” he said in a strangled voice. “The scientists are lining up for a picture now, and then they’ll go over to the hotel and dine.”

Heyes took his cup off the tray. “We’ll have time to go to the livery?”

“Certainly,” Henry coughed, “gentlemen.”

The porter paused, and took another look at Curry’s and Heyes’ clothes. “If you gentlemen would bring me back supper from the hotel I would be greatly obliged. I am not a chef, and the only items here I know how to prepare are canned beans and bacon.”

Heyes looked thoughtful. “My partner and I can appreciate your situation, Henry. You know, my friend and I were talking about how it would be more convenient for all three of us if he and I had a key to the railroad car.”

“I understand,” the porter said with a tinge of disappointment, “but that would be against Union Pacific policy.”

“Then I guess you’re gonna be eatin’ beans and bacon,” Curry said.

“Henry, you can trust us,” Heyes said ingratiatingly. “We won’t mention the key to Mr. Dodge.” He smiled. “I understand the food at the hotel is excellent.”

The porter paused for a moment. He licked his lips. “We have an agreement, gentlemen!”

“Good,” Heyes said. “Now give us a key and we’ll be on our way.”

“Here are the keys to your cabin; you mustn’t mention this to Mr. Dodge.”

“You have our word,” Curry said.


oooOOOooo

Heyes and Curry gave their names to the hotelier. “You are with the Draper party, gentlemen. May I check your hats?”

The men handed over their bowlers and the hotelier handed them hat checks. “Just go into the dining hall and serve yourself at the buffet. The first two drinks are free.”

A pleased smiled crossed Curry’s face.

The two men entered the small dining hall and looked around. Texas Jack was standing at the bar, still in his fancy dress, drinking and chatting with the bartender. The diners were all dressed in formal evening attire: tuxes and tails, and were involved in intense discussions.



Curry’s eyes wandered over each of the diners. “We’ll stick out like a turd in a punchbowl,” he whispered to Heyes.

Heyes shrugged. “Let’s see what’s on the buffet table.”

Curry’s cautious eyes wandered over to the buffet table. It was stacked with tempting food. “Buffet means all you can eat, right?”

“Right.”

Curry took a second look at the buffet table piled high with food. “On second thought, I think we look fine. At least I do.”

Heyes grinned as he followed the Kid to the serving table.

Texas Jack eyed Heyes and Curry while they filled their plates with food. When the two men turned around and looked for a table, he frowned and whispered in the bartender’s ear.

Dodge waved them over. “Gentlemen, join us, please.” He pointed at two empty chairs at a table where five gentlemen were enjoying their dinners and wine. Heyes and Curry took their places and looked around at the men.



“Gentlemen, let me introduce our guests, Mr. Joshua Smith and Mr. Thaddeus Jones. These two men troubled themselves to bravely apprehend the train robber we were marshaling to Rawlins.”

Dodge gestured to the man to his right. “This is Edward Fox, correspondent, New York Herald. He is accompanying Mr. Edison on assignment, and filing wires on the eclipse for the paper.” Fox looked at Heyes and Curry inquisitively.

The bespectacled man next to Fox nodded his head and smiled warmly at Heyes and Curry as he was introduced. “This is George F. Barker, physician, scientist, and professor of physiological chemistry and toxicology at Yale.”

Barker laughed. “Grenville, you have the order reversed. These days I am professor first, scientist when I have spare time, and physician only for myself.”

Dodge gestured to the man to the right of Barker. “Henry Draper, astronomer, astrophotographer, and I dare say astrophysicist, with his discovery last year of oxygen on the sun.”

Draper lifted his champagne flute toward Dodge with a wink. “Thank you, Grenville, that’s very kind.”

“I’ll introduce myself, Grenville,” said the next man, who was tall and very muscular. He gave everyone a stern look. “Thomas Tipton Thornburgh, Major, United States Army.”

Heyes and Curry exchanged a guarded look.

“Major Thornburgh will lead our hunting trip after the eclipse. We hope he will keep us safe from the Utes.”

“Well, Grenville, I will do my best,” Thornburgh replied with a wink.

“Finally, Thomas Alva Edison,” Dodge said, gesturing to the man who sat next to Curry, “whom I believe you already know.”

“That’s right,” Curry offered, “he’s the fella that was ridin’ the cow catcher.”

The men laughed. “Capital,” said Grenville, “you have a wonderful sense of humor, Mr. Jones.”

Draper stood up. He held his champagne flute aloft. “Gentlemen, I propose a toast - a toast to Thomas Edison, whom history will remember for only one thing: that he was the only man who ever rode a cow catcher from Omaha, Nebraska, to the Sacramento Valley.”

The Draper party broke into peals of laughter, raised their glasses, and drank to the toast. Heyes and Curry joined the toast.

Curry, who was seated next to Edison, saw a chance to ask his question. “Mr. Edison, how’d you get the engineer to let you sit on the cow catcher?”

Fox answered before Edison could speak. “He has a letter of permission from Jay Gould.”

“Jay Gould signed a letter for you to ride the cow catcher? How did you manage to convince him to do that?” asked Heyes.

“Mr. Gould not only owns the railroad,” Edison began with a tinge of resentment “he owns the Western Union, for which I provided years of tireless service.”

Draper interrupted. “Gould owns most of the telegraph lines in the country.”

“And he owns New York politics too,” added Fox, the reporter.  “I see that first hand.”

“Now I would like to draw everyone’s attention to the great service Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith provided,” said Dodge.

“Bully, bully,” Barker said. “Bravely done, as Dodge said.”

“It wasn’t too hard,” Curry responded. “He was wearin’ chains and handcuffs.”

“Now partner, it wasn’t that easy,” Heyes quickly added. “He was tough enough to manage to jump off a moving train and walk away. He must have been from a New York gang.”

Dodge looked surprised at Heyes’ comment. “How did you know he was from a New York gang?”

“Easy,” replied Curry. “He had a chewed-off ear and his eye was gouged out.”

“Jehoshaphat!” exclaimed Barker.

“Mr. Jones is correct,” added Fox. “That’s how the Tammany gangs fight.”

“That poor soul probably thought his prospects might be better out West,” Barker said.

Fox looked at Heyes and Curry. “You seem to know a lot about the criminals here. How do you two support yourselves in this wild country? Are you lawmen?”

Heyes and Curry looked at each other. “Ah,” answered Heyes, “we have done some work for the law.”

“That’s right,” Curry added brightly, “we’ve been deputies a couple of times.”

“Otherwise,” Heyes was quick to add, “we take any work that keeps us honest.”

Dodge smiled at them affirmatively. “No man can do better than that.”

A waiter began to clear the table. Edison moved his chair back. “Gentlemen, thank you for the conversation and the company. Fox and I now must get some rest. It’s been a long trip, and I have the tasimeter to set up and calibrate tomorrow. Good night.”

With that, Edward Fox and Thomas Edison left for their room. Texas Jack left the bar and followed them.

A waiter approached the table carrying a basket. “Sir,” he said to Heyes, “here is the extra food you ordered.”

Heyes smiled at Dodge. “For Henry.”

Dodge turned to Heyes. “Joshua, I am touched by your generosity.”

“It’s the least we could do, after all you have done for us,” Heyes replied.

“I wish we had more men like you,” said Thronburgh.

“Just bein’ good, upright citizens,” said the Kid.

“And fewer like that felon,” added Dodge.

“Gentlemen,” Thornburgh announced, “we have about an hour until dusk. I propose a short, fast game of cards; any suggestions?”

Draper turned to Heyes and Curry. “If Thaddeus and Joshua agree to stay,” he suggested, “we will have six players, and that would be perfect for a game of...” He paused, and then looked again at Heyes and Curry for a suggestion.

Heyes and Curry looked at each other.

“Maybe Montana Red Dog for a start,” Curry suggested.

Draper looked puzzled.

“Perhaps Blackjack might be better,” suggested Heyes. “All we need is someone to be dealer.”

“Ah yes, also known as 21, or as the French would say, ‘Vingt et Un,’” said Draper. “Well, that is decided.”

Just then, a gunshot rang out; then there was the sound of someone running above them on the second floor. Pandemonium broke loose in the dining hall. Diners stood up in alarm and some pulled handguns out of their chest holsters underneath their jackets. Then they all pointed to where they thought the shot had originated.

The German and French scientists yelled, creating a cacophony of languages. An English scientist walked over to the Draper table. “Draper, we did not come all this way to be shot at! We were promised security. First there was the train robber, and now - what is this all about?”

The hotelier burst into the dining hall. “Texas Jack threw me out into the hallway in front of Edison’s room, and now he’s shooting!” he exclaimed. “Can anyone help? Does anyone know Jack?”

“I know this Texas Jack,” Major Thornburgh called out to the hotelier. “Lead me to Edison’s room. I’ll take care of Jack.”

Everyone at Draper’s table followed the hotelier and Thornburgh. When they reached the second floor, hotel guests were standing outside their rooms armed with rifles.

“Rifles!” exclaimed a bemused Curry as the group passed astronomers standing in the hallway awkwardly holding their weapons. “What are they plannin’ to do with those?”

“They heard of Wyoming’s reputation, Thaddeus,” Dodge said. “That robber you caught was quite befuddled by the rifles that appeared when he tried to rob the train.”

Major Thornburgh shook his head as they passed an Englishman holding his rifle with his hand over the muzzle. “They’re more likely to shoot their own feet.”

When they reached the back of the hotel, Edison and Fox were standing in the hallway. Texas Jack was nowhere in sight.

“My dear friend,” Barker began, “what happened?”

“We were asleep,” Edison began, “when a thundering knock on the door awakened us.”

Fox continued, speaking histrionically, “I opened the door to see who it was. A tall, handsome man with flowing hair, dressed in Western style, barged into the room. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was somewhat inebriated. He introduced himself: ‘I am `Texas Jack' - John Omohundro,’ he said.”

“He said he wanted to see me,” Edison continued. “He had read about me in the newspapers. He started yelling and boasting. He is quite a talker.”

“The hotelier came running up the hallway,” Fox continued, “and requested him not to make so much noise. Texas Jack then thrust him out into the hall.”

“He then tried to excuse himself,” Edison said. “He said he wasn’t in ‘the best of shape.’ I think he meant he had been drinking.”

“He boasted that he was the ‘boss pistol-shot of the West,’” Fox added, “that it was he who taught the celebrated Doctor Carver how to shoot. Then he suddenly pointed to a wind vane on the freight depot, pulled out a Colt revolver and fired through our open window, hitting the vane.”

Dodge broke in, irate. “He did that? That’s railroad property!”

“Even after waking up the entire floor he wouldn’t leave,” Edison said. “It was only after I told him I was tired and would see him in the morning that he left. I only hope I can get some sleep before tomorrow.”

“I hope we all get some before tomorrow!” Barker exclaimed.

Edison paused, and then laughed. “Well, I took this trip to see the country, and so far I’ve succeeded! This really would just be funny if it wasn’t such a shock. Is he one of the bad men of Wyoming? ”

“No, he’s not one of our bad men,” Dodge said. “I’ll take you over to the jail tomorrow morning and show you some real bad men, if you like. But tonight we need to take care of Texas Jack. Does anyone know his whereabouts?”

“I think I may know where he is. I met him a few hours ago,” offered the Kid. “Come to think of it, he said he was going to see Edison so he could get his name in the papers. I didn’t know he’d do something like this.”

“He wanted to get his name in the paper?” asked Fox incredulously.

“Where did you meet him?” Dodge asked Curry.

“Where we were camped out; he showed me his spot.”

“I think we’ve had enough excitement for tonight,” Dodge said. “I suggest we postpone our game of cards until after the eclipse tomorrow. Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones, and George – would you wait for me, Draper, and Thornburgh downstairs? I have a plan.”

“Yes, of course!” Barker agreed with relish. He turned to Heyes and Curry. “Please join me, gentlemen; you need to tell me the rules to Vingt et Un so that I stand half a chance of winning tomorrow.”

“How about I deal, so you can learn,” Heyes suggested as he, Curry, and Barker turned to go. “In fact we can make a few, small bets; that’ll help you understand the game even better.” Curry raised his eyebrows at Heyes.

“Capital idea!” Barker responded. “Let’s start there.”


oooOOOooo

Dodge, Draper and Thornburgh joined Barker, Heyes and Curry at the table in the dining room.

“I’ve decided that my best role in this game is dealer,” exclaimed Barker. “Smith and Jones have done a good job preparing me for my future Blackjack career. The experience was worth the money.”

Draper laughed warmly. “Somehow, George, I thought that’s how it would turn out.”

Dodge turned to Heyes and Curry. “Gentlemen, we just spoke to a very fine gentleman regarding the Texas Jack incident. He has a small job for you, and I can assure you that he will remunerate you both. It is not dangerous. I urge you to meet him and sincerely consider what he has to offer.”

“Who is this ‘very fine gentleman’?” Heyes’ voice held a note of suspicion.

“He specifically requested that he introduce himself,” replied Draper. “But I can assure you that all three of us know him personally and we consider him one of the finest, most trustworthy men we’ve had the privilege of meeting.”

“Yes, quite true,” Thornburgh agreed.

Heyes and Curry exchanged a questioning glance and then looked at Dodge, Thornburgh and Draper. Heyes and Curry shrugged.


oooOOOooo

The Kid and Heyes were ushered into a room. A finely dressed man stood next to a telescope set up near a window at one end of the well-appointed suite. He had penetrating eyes, but they twinkled with sincerity and good humor.

He walked over to a desk, sat down, and gestured at two chairs in front of it. “Please sit, gentlemen, make yourselves comfortable.”



Heyes and Curry settled, stiffly, into the chairs.

“Mr. Dodge, Major Thornburgh and Mr. Draper have spoken highly of you. I have also learned that you marshaled an escaped train robber this afternoon. I want to thank you. We need men like you in Wyoming.”

“Thank you,” replied Heyes. “We were just doing what any law-abiding citizen would do.”

“That’s right,” Curry added.

The man addressed them warmly. “I think we should introduce ourselves. You are….”

“Thaddeus Jones,” Curry said.

“Joshua Smith,” Heyes said.

“I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith. I am John Wesley Hoyt, physician, lawyer, professor, and I also happen to be …” Hoyt stopped midsentence. He was startled by the looks on Heyes’ and Curry’s faces, which had suddenly become fiercely unsettled. Their arms had stiffened to their chairs, and they stared back at him with open eyes. “… Governor of the Territory of Wyoming.”

The three men sat staring at each other, without blinking.

The governor’s expression slowly changed. His eyes grew as wide as Heyes’ and Curry’s.

“You are Joshua Smith?”

Heyes nodded.

“And you are Thaddeus Jones?”

“Yes sir,” Curry responded, steadily, but quietly.

“Do you two know Lom Trevors?” the governor asked slowly.



Heyes’ face turned pale. “Ah…yes…sir,” he replied.

“Do you two happen to know Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry?”

“Ah…yes…sir …, I suppose we do,” Curry replied.

Hoyt studied Heyes and Curry’s faces closely. “You suppose you do?”

Heyes cleared his throat. “I think you could say we know them as well as we know ourselves.”

“I see; of course,” Hoyt replied slowly and deliberately. “You’ve been staying out of trouble?”

“Yes sir,” Curry and Heyes replied. Their grips on the chair arms eased slightly, and the governor’s eyes relaxed a bit.

“Although, I have to say, it’s not easy,” Heyes added, “not with a ten-thousand dollar reward on each of us, dead or alive. Respectfully sir, you’ve left us in a bind. We can’t settle down and lead a normal life until we have our amnesty.”

The governor nodded and relaxed in his chair a bit. “I understand. Let me be honest with you. First of all, I didn’t know you were the men Mr. Dodge recommended.” The governor allowed a faint smile to cross his face. “I was as surprised, as you were when we introduced ourselves. So, let’s relax a bit. You are not under arrest. I want to discuss a job with you. We will discuss the amnesty after that.”

“Thank you, sir,” Curry replied.

“We’re listening. What’s the job?” Heyes asked.

The governor reached in a desk drawer and pulled out a sealed envelope and placed it before the two men. “This is a letter to Texas Jack. It is signed by me on official stationary. It states that if he wishes to remain welcome in Wyoming he must act with civility and obey the law. If not, he will be apprehended and be arrested.”

“We understand,” Heyes said.

“Dodge said you know where Texas Jack can be found.”

“He showed us where he is camping, sir, but he may not be there tonight.”

“I’m only asking that you do your best. Will you do this?”

“Yes sir,” Heyes answered.

“Good, very good. Now I need to address the amnesty, and I want you to think about what I say.”

Heyes and Curry nodded.

“I believe you two men are too smart for a life of crime.”

Heyes and Curry looked at each other.

“The Territory of Wyoming needs good men, especially good lawmen. I’ve had excellent reports about you. I even received a letter from Judge Handley. It was very complimentary. We need men like you, not like that Sheriff Clitterhouse he mentioned.”

Curry nodded. “Lom told us about that.”

“Bless old Judge Handley’s heart,” Heyes added, smiling at the Kid.

Hoyt nodded. “Lom has been trying to help you two. I hope you appreciate that.”

“We do, sir,” Curry responded.

“Regardless, the rewards on you were set up by the previous governor under pressure from the railroad and the banks, and they’re the ones that have guaranteed the twenty-thousand dollar reward. I can’t give you official amnesty now. With the difficulty we are experiencing with stage, train and bank robbers currently, it would be impossible to announce your amnesties. The uproar could even make your situation more dangerous.”

“I think we’d be willin’ to take a risk for amnesty,” said Curry.

“But I am not willing to take that risk. I’m afraid the uproar would actually put your lives at risk, as well as mine and my family’s lives. And I would be responsible for your lives if anything should happen, not to mention myself and even my wife.”

“What can we do then?” asked Heyes.

“You need to prove to the railroads and banks that you are more of an asset than a liability.”

“How can we do that?” Curry asked.

“Gentlemen, you’ve already started. When you brought in that prisoner, you earned the regard of Mr. Dodge. He carries a great deal of weight with the Union Pacific Railroad. I will discuss your case with him privately if you continue as you have begun.”

“If we continue staying out of trouble, or do you mean if we catch more escaped crooks?” asked Heyes.

Hoyt smiled. “I think you understand me. I am hoping to establish a fund for a special posse to round up desperadoes. You two can assist with that.”

“We can?” Heyes and Curry asked at the same time.

“Yes.  You know how these highwaymen work, you know all their hideouts, you can scout and stalk, you can shoot, and you know how to survive. Agreed?”

Heyes answered cautiously, “Ah…yes.”

“And you know how to stay under cover; that’s very important. Do you know Bannerman pays handsomely for your kind of talent?”

“Ah…yes,” Curry answered.

“Good, then it’s agreed. When the plan for the special posse is complete, you will hear from me, either through Lom or some other way.” Hoyt paused. “I think that covers everything. After you deliver the letter; return here and I’ll pay you.”

Heyes and Curry stood up. “I suppose it does,” Heyes replied.

“Thank you,” Curry added.


oooOOooo