The Boys in Blue and Gray
By Chris James
Chapter Seven
With the flaps of the tent drawn back, Abe could see across the open space known as Washington Square. Small groups of men and women moved about, some wandering in and out of the tents across the way, it would be their turn soon.
'Saints' they were called, Mormon missionaries who sought to save souls while providing for the body with food and water. Four times today the brethren of the Church of Latter Day Saints had stopped by the tent to inquire about their health, their needs and their future. Abe couldn't fault their kindness, but their desperation to convert him was trying his patience.
The appearance of three boys on horseback riding out of the mountains had inspired a man named Isaiah to lead them to the Square in the middle of Salt Lake City, he was sure they had come to join the church. He told them that Brigham Young had led them to this Promised Land and they were welcome to stay.
They had crossed the mountains from Fort Bridger in a matter of days. The trail was clear and well marked, but without having to dawdle along with a group of wagons, three men on horseback could move thirty miles a day even on rough ground. Once they had crossed the Bear River the trail took them through high mountains.
The pass they followed had high rock walls, carved out by the stream of water that ran beneath their horse's hooves. They could barely see a thing beyond the rise ahead. And then they reached the top and the view was stunning.
A lake filled the valley before them, a vast tract of water with low hills to the south and nothing beyond. The city was a jumble of buildings, many of them still under construction, and then they had met Isaiah. He was kind enough to walk with them, pointing out the new temple grounds and the planned streets.
But this constant discussion about these strange beliefs made all three boys more than a little uncomfortable, and now they were only waiting until dark to move on. Abe was sure they would find what they needed at the corrals by the lake. And so they endured yet another lecture about the greatness of John Smith.
As evening approached the missionaries went off to their homes and Abe led Matthew and Zach out to get their horses. Now that they were down in the valley the smell off the lake filled the city. A salty brine permeated the air with an unpleasant odor as they made their way towards the edge of town.
'Joseph Banks, Outfitters' the sign read... a fancy sign and even fancier prices Abe was soon to discover. Five mules and a wagon, three hundred dollars, the supplies were another hundred. Matthew looked stunned at the cost as Abe counted out his coins.
"My Uncle would be livid if they tried to charge him those prices," He said.
Abe smiled. "He paid Frank fifty dollars for that old musket you're carrying."
"What? It's not worth half that," Matthew said.
"Out here it is. If you think the price of goods is expensive then go in the freight business and make some of that money for yourself," Abe said.
"I don't know what I want to do in California," Matthew admitted. "But we'll all have to do something before your money runs out."
"The wagon and mules we can sell when we get there," Zach said. "I plan to join an orchestra."
"Oh, la de da... " Matthew laughed. "You think they even have one?"
"They will when I get there."
Abe laughed at that, he knew Zach meant what he said. But Matthew was right, he only had about a thousand dollars left... they would need jobs.
Abe pulled out his copy of Bridger's map and asked the famous Mr. Banks what he thought of the trail ahead.
"Where did you get this?" Banks asked.
"Jim Bridger made the original. A friend passed it along," Abe said.
"I thought so; this is the old route the miners used. Let me show you the middle route most folks are using now."
Banks pulled out another map that seemed to go straight from the southern end of the lake to the town of Carson City at the base of the Sierra Mountains.
"Neither of them is easy, I've been across twice and that's enough for me. But Carson's route is a lot easier now that the railroad is blasting their way through the mountains. Couple of years you won't have any more wagons, freight and passengers will ride the train to California."
"Really, that soon?" Zach said.
"Yes, I heard they're comin at it from both ends, the western portion being the hardest. But by goin this way you have water enough for your animals and some grass. There is one stretch they call Forty Miles of Hell, but that's a salt flat should only take you three days to cross. Just mind your animals and you'll be in Carson City before you know it."
The distance was just over five hundred miles, Abe figured it might take them a week, but he was wrong. The route took them across the dried up salt lake bottom west of the city, a vast hot area that sapped the strength and patience of man and beast alike. After the first day out they reached the low hills on the far side and camped.
Water would be their main concern, and there were very few sources of the precious liquid. The trail wound between the hills following the bare trace of the Humboldt River. It all tasted brackish and barely consumable, but if a bucket was left to stand overnight the water seemed better come morning.
The second day they came across an east bound group of freight wagons, men who waved and yet didn't stop to chat. Travel became tedious when Abe realized they would have to stop in the heat of the day and rest the animals. It was heartening when they discovered the night never really became completely dark and they could keep moving under starlight, although slower.
The sun was their worst enemy, and here it was pushing into late October and not a sign of rain or cool weather. None of them had experienced desert before, and Zach suffered most from the sun. Abe tore a shirt and draped it over the boy's head under his hat, but by then his neck was terribly burned and there was nothing for it.
The mules didn't seem to mind pulling the wagon at night, but they became slow and plodded along in daylight. Abe watched them carefully as they ate the high protein feed that he rationed out, if they stopped eating then there would be trouble.
Unfortunately they were back on beans, dried bacon and hard biscuits. Army rations, or so it seemed. The mules were grateful for the sparse grass they found near the watering holes, but there was little of that as they weren't the only ones who came this way. They found several hot springs bubbling up out of the ground, water impossible to drink.
And then came the day when the river disappeared, terminating in marshy ground, but they were ready for it. This was the beginning of the forty miles, more salt flats lay ahead and there would be no water until they reached Pyramid Lake on the far side. The one thing they hadn't figured to contend with was the alkali sand beneath their feet. The winds here had kept it stirred up and it was soft enough for the mules to work themselves to death.
By now the wagon contained little except their personal possessions, a little feed and the water. It was the longest forty miles any of them could remember. The trail was littered with personal belongings and debris; people had lightened their loads to make it through the sand. It took a day and a night to cross and the animals suffered the worst. But Abe kept pushing them, afraid to stop, and on the morning of the third day they came to the lake.
The water tasted salty, but it was drinkable. A vision of the Sierras rose up in front of them, a solid wall of rock that seemed impassible. But here they stood in the fertile valley surrounding the Truckee River, an area beginning to sprout with farms. Abe imagined those folks went through the same harsh desert, saw all this wonderful land and quit the trail right here. He couldn't blame them.
Abe had no doubts that the animals needed to rest for a few days, they did as well. Carson City was only a day's ride away, but they were too beat to make the trip. He paid a man fifty cents to use his land and they camped out near the river. Matthew made sure the animals had food and water while Zach pitched their tent, and then the three of them slept for twelve hours straight.
The farmer sold them fresh vegetables and when Zach promised to play his violin for them the man's wife cooked their dinner. A room full of friends and neighbors gathered for the little concert and Zach played for over an hour before tiring. The Cassidy family was most gracious, and the missus pulled out her medicine kit and doctored the poor boy's sunburn.
They stayed two days, long enough to learn that Nevada was about to become a state and that the valley ahead was rife with lawless men and innocent settlers bound to California. Their wagon was virtually empty so Mr. Cassidy arranged for them to carry a load of produce to the market in Carson City, he offered to pay them and Abe refused. It was the right thing to do after all their hospitality.
Their brief trip south was a revelation. The roads were filled with freight wagons and settlers headed into the mountains, all trying to reach the upper passes before the snows began. The brief discussions he'd had with Cassidy assured Abe they would make it before winter closed the way.
"You might find that wagon a nuisance," Cassidy said. "The Carson River canyon is almost straight up, they have to hoist wagons up by rope and that'll cost ya a pretty penny. I'd load three or four mules and sell the rest. Once you get into the mountains you'll see what I mean."
"What's there?" Abe asked.
"Place they call 'The Devil's Ladder,' it's almost straight up and wagons have to be hoisted once again. With mules you can make it in half a day, and then you're free and clear to cross the river, you'll know why when you see it."
"It all sounds pretty complicated," Abe said.
"It is, just be careful who you trust in them hills... lots of folks get killed for no damn good reason except they trusted the wrong man."
They found the market and dropped off Cassidy's load, the face of the owner looked familiar and he turned out to be the second Cassidy brother. He offered to find them a buyer for the wagon, said that would be easy there, and then he pointed out the stable where they could board their animals for a few days.
The luxury of a hot bath and a real bed was all they cared for now. Matthew didn't blink when Abe and Zach shared a room with him, most hotels had multiple occupants. And once they cleaned up they took in the town, careful to stay out of the road where damn fools seemed in a hurry to go nowhere.
The city was booming, and not just because it was about to become the state capital. The place was a crossroads whether a person was headed west or north to Virginia City on the other side of Washoe Lake. Silver had been discovered there, and the frenzy was on. This was the nature of the city they had entered, the celebration had just begun.
The main street was lined with shops and bars, and a few decent places to eat. With cattle ranches nearby the offer of a good steak was just too appealing, Abe picked out a place and they went inside. They'd left their rifles at the hotel office for safekeeping, but everyone on the street seemed to wear a pistol. They had no sooner sat down to order than a fight broke out across the room.
Abe had never had much tolerance for drunks, but whiskey and guns were a public nuisance. The waiter asked what they wanted and Abe asked for steaks all around. Carson City had its own brewery so they all opted for beer as well. The fight was over by the time their meal came, the drunks tossed out on the street. But no sooner had they taken a bite than the front window of the place was shattered by gunfire. People hit the floor but Abe chewed thoughtfully, relishing the taste of good meat.
There was more gunfire out on the street but no bullets came their way. After two beers and his steak Abe was ready to walk off the meal. Zach and Matthew both looked stuffed and a little tipsy. Abe snorted, two beers and they wobbled... such lightweights.
Out the door they had to step over the body of the fool who'd been doing all the shooting, Abe wondered who'd pick him up. They stood by the edge of town and watched the traffic headed into the hills as the sun began to set. That was where they were going, over the rise lay Lake Tahoe and California.
It took two days for Abe to sort out selling the wagon and getting pack frames for their mules. Water was not the issue any more, other than the creeks might begin to freeze the higher they went. Abe spent thirty dollars on warm clothes for them all; Matthew had the fewest possessions and nothing warm to wear.
And finally there was no damn good reason to stay in Carson City so they left. Matthew rode drag on their little mule train, with Zach holding the lead on the mules. Abe led the way, following a line of freight wagons up the trail towards the pass. They rode for several hours before Abe saw the wagons stop and they rode around them as the trail climbed.
Someone had nailed together a crude sign by the side of the trail, but it said everything they hoped... 'Welcome to California.' Zach grinned and Matthew laughed. "Somebody got it right," Abe said.
The road was crowded here, wagons waiting to be dragged over rough ground. Abe wound his way through the mess and they came to the bottom of a steep hill. Looking up he could see the narrow path left to them, it would back and forth towards the top.
"Dismount, we walk this one," Abe said, and he was glad they did.
They clung to the side of the mountain on this narrow path; the mules didn't like it one bit but Matthew encouraged them, talked to them and somehow got them to the top. They all looked back and couldn't believe they had made that climb, but then they rode on and came to the downward slope that looked out over the Tahoe Valley.
The lake was huge and looked like it filled the whole valley, it was simply beautiful. Abe felt an arm on his shoulder and turned to find Matthew's smiling face. "We did it... thank you. I'd kiss you but Zach might kill me."
What... what had he just said... did he know? Matthew laughed. "Yes, I'm not kidding... I know, guess I've always known."
"But... how did you find out?" Abe asked.
"Green Valley... I saw you two go off together and you were gone a long time, but when you came back... well, I just knew. Blame Zach, it's the way he looks at you."
"Matthew, this is very important... no one can know," Zach said.
Matthew looked at him and nodded. "You're both like family to me, I would never tell anyone."
Abe knew it wouldn't end there; Matthew would want to know details. Fortunately they had a valley to cross and beyond lay a pretty rough climb. This whole journey had been one obstacle after another, but this was the last one. They camped beside the lake and felt the peace of the pine trees around them.
The glow of the setting sun reflected off the Carson Range behind them and the air felt considerably chilly, a reminder that this was the first week of November and the Sierra's would be even colder. Abe didn't know what to think, the skies had been clear and sunny without any sign of snow. That could change in a matter of days; it's what kept him pushing them onwards.
There was frost on the ground come morning, a sure sign of winter's approach. They saddled up and moved on down the trail towards the south and Echo Lake. This is where the famous Placerville Route began, the one Cassidy had recommended. This is the way the miners had traveled for the past ten years and the trail was fully developed even if it was hard going.
The South Fork of the American River would have to be crossed several times, but the freight companies had built bridges. The crowd of wagons and people was terrible, everyone pushing forward to beat the weather. Abe had a pocket full of coins for the tolls they would have to pay, and discovered there were people desperate enough to think that was a good enough excuse to rob travelers.
The line in front of them was slow and so Abe rode ahead to see how long they would have to wait while Zach and Matthew kept their place. He passed a couple of men walking in the ditch headed towards the rear, all they carried were guns. But he reached the front and discovered a broken wagon was being pushed to the side, they would be moving along very soon.
Abe had planned to camp on the other side of Johnson's Pass, a climb of over seven thousand feet and one that would take them all day. He turned back and passed several groups of freight wagons, but he could see Zach had dismounted and was standing in the ditch beside the road. Abe saw him there with one of the men he'd passed, something didn't look right. Where was Matthew?
Abe dismounted and moved to the other side of the road leading his horse, and that's where he saw Matthew. The other man was holding a shotgun on the boy as he rifled thru the saddle bags on the mules. Abe slid down the side of the freight wagon and nodded when Matthew saw him.
Abe pulled his rifle from the saddle and cocked it, from here he could get a clean shot at the man but he was worried how the other one with Zach would react. Matthew's pistol was on the ground, he was unarmed. The man searching the mules was distracted so Abe picked up a rock and threw it hard as he could at the mule.
The mule bucked and the man stumbled back allowing Abe to toss his pistol to Matthew. He then stepped around the wagon just as Matthew let off two shots. The man with the mules peered up over the saddle bags and Abe shot him between the eyes. It was all over in seconds.
Matthew handed back Abe's pistol and stooped to pick up his own. Zach was trembling as he walked over and threw his arms around Abe.
"I... I thought he was going to shoot me," Zach said.
"They just walked up and asked if we had the money to pay the toll on the bridge," Matthew said. "I said we did and they shoved those guns in our faces, there was nothing we could do."
Abe looked back at the driver on the wagon behind them. The man held up his hands and Abe realized he was still holding the rifle up. He lowered the barrel and waved the man off, there was nothing the driver could have done except get himself shot. The man Matthew had shot was laying face down and Abe went over to shove him off the road, the boy had put two holes in the middle of his chest.
Matthew checked the mules as Abe gathered up the two shotguns and removed the cartridges. Nice guns, so he slid them under the load on the nearest mule. The wagons were back on the move towards the bridge so they mounted and followed along. The only thing they could do was leave the bodies behind; there was no one they could tell.
Up and up they went, passing stalled wagons and cursing drivers. They made three stops where the trail widened out, checking their gear before moving on. They could look down and see how far they'd come, but the summit of the pass seemed elusive. Back and forth they followed the winding trail until they crested the final rise.
The descent was just as steep as the trail up and even though they were tired Abe kept pushing. It was cold up here and without the sun they would feel the shock of freezing weather. That wasn't his only reason. Abe was concerned because up here he could see the approaching banks of grey clouds, by tonight there would be snow.
Down, down and down they walked, leading the horses and mules on the steep grade. Below there was a jumble of wagons and tents, people stopping for the night along the narrow shoulder of the American River. They reached the bottom and found a spot by the base of a cliff big enough for the animals and already crowded with people.
Abe unsaddled the animals and stacked their bags against the rocks; there were a few spindly bushes where he tied the animals after they were watered. Zach and Matthew were too tired to search for firewood, so they ate jerky and biscuits. They could see other campfires but were too tired to explore. Abe lay out their bedrolls and Matthew took the first watch.
There may not be any Indians around, but after the incident that afternoon none of them wanted to take any chances of being robbed. Abe took the middle watch and Zach the morning hours. Sometime in the night the snow began and by dawn they had several inches. It would be heavier in the higher elevations, but they still had a climb ahead.
The south fork of the river would have to be crossed several times as the trail meandered to avoid obstacles. They reached Strawberry, an area of the river valley beyond Slippery Ford and the last easy food and water for the animals. Here they would have to cross to the north side and climb once again. The snow had stopped for the moment, but there would be more.
Abe could see signs of where the railroad would soon be constructed. Someday he might be able to take them all back to St. Louis on the train. But the American River filled the valley here so they had to climb past and come back down to cross once again. It was tiring and cold, but at least the snow had been lighter down in the valley.
A final river crossing and the ascent to the Peavine Ridge, this trail would take them all the way to Placerville on the western face of the Sierra. Abe was shocked by the amount of activity on this trail. Riders from the Pony Express had passed them several times, as had the stagecoaches running in both directions.
But of concern were the number of men armed to the teeth that sat atop the stagecoaches, it could only mean there were thieves and robbers afoot along the way. That fact had been driven home by the two fools they had shot down by Echo Lake. But Abe had no way of knowing what lay ahead.
"We better keep our eyes open," Matthew said. Abe wasn't at all surprised the boy was alert for danger; he'd done well during that last encounter.
"I keep thinking the stages must carry gold back and forth, that would be a real target," Abe said.
"Then we should stay away from them," Zach said.
"I don't think anyone would take us for rich men, and we certainly don't look like prospectors," Matthew said.
"Rich men ride in stagecoaches, not on horseback," Zach said. "The sooner we get to town the happier I'll be."
"And warmer," Matthew added.
The road along the ridge was covered in light snow, but all it took was one look behind them and they could see the storms dropping a heavy load on the eastern mountains. Abe was sure they had just been lucky, but the wagons around them kept on moving, bad weather was just another obstacle.
Placerville was a madhouse, and yet it was the first real city they had encountered since Salt Lake City. The main street was lined with shops and brick buildings. A church, a post office and even a fire department, but they were more interested in the hotel beside it. Abe had been generous with their limited money, but after so many nights spent on the trail it would be nice to have a bath and a bed.
The Cary House Hotel was a fancy place, and Abe felt they might be out of place here. But the lobby held scruffy looking men dressed in work clothes, even amidst the top hats of gentlemen. Unfortunately there were no rooms available, but the desk clerk assured them they would find a room down the street in one of several boarding houses. They followed the directions and found rooms at Mrs. Maple's rooming house.
A bath and clean clothes made them feel like new men so they walked back to Main Street and found a restaurant. Prices were steep here, but they ordered a good meal of fried chicken. The place was filled with people and Abe noticed there were only two women amidst the larger crowd of men.
The mines employed a good number of men, and there were also those who owned the small claims up and down the river. This city had been built on the wealth dug up out of the ground, and that had also been their biggest problem. Those not willing to face the hard toil of a miner sought to rob those who did.
The amount of gold that travelled up and down the road was a tempting target for lawless men and Placerville had developed a reputation for dealing with it. The town had a sheriff and a jail, but it also had justice at the end of a rope. It was never made clearer then when Abe saw the sign for the saloon; it was simply called 'The Hangtown Saloon.'
This lull in their journey was brought about by a snowstorm that filled the streets with a foot of powder. The long descent into the Sacramento River Valley was the final obstacle they faced. There the American and Sacramento Rivers came together, a marshy area at the best of times, a flood plain most others. Abe figured to wait out the storm.
Placerville seemed a nice town, except for the cost of living here. Surrounded with mountains, the valley reminded Abe of the Shenandoah except for the bare hills and snow capped peaks in the distance. And that thought made him feel guilty, he hadn't even tried to contact his mother.
The news from back east was disconcerting. Abe read in the Mountain Democrat Newspaper that Atlanta had fallen to the Yankees in early September and the city had been burned. He didn't think the Confederacy could hold out much longer. Sometime while they had been out in the mountains Abe Lincoln had been re-elected, the South would never overcome that man.
The only politics here dealt with land, gold and immigrants. The railroad was beginning to employ Chinese immigrants; Abe saw a few of them here and there around town. He scoured the paper for any news on San Francisco, it was still their destination. Eventually the storm cleared, the sun came out and from here they could see the snow that had blanketed the mountains.
Matthew nodded in the direction of the mountains. "That's where we were a few days ago, isn't it?"
"Yes, I believe so," Abe replied.
"Lord, we would have been trapped," Zach said.
"It certainly would have made our travel a lot harder. But the wagons probably keep the trail open; it just wouldn't have been comfortable sitting a horse."
They had spent three days in Placerville; it was time to move on. Sacramento was just down the valley a day's ride, and then San Francisco was only a hundred miles further. Soon they would see the object of their dreams, the Pacific Ocean.
It took a while to settle back into the saddle and get the fussy mules out of the warm stable and into the snow. God never made a crankier animal, Abe thought, but then he'd known some men who were worse. The trail out of town heading west was now a road. They could see the stakes laid out by the railroad sticking up out of the snow and in places there was track already laid.
They were about five miles out of town when a small group of men passed them riding hard. It didn't make sense to Abe, but again these guys were armed to the teeth and might just be guards for some mining company. The riders disappeared around a bend in the road and Abe looked back to see if there were any wagons coming. Nothing in sight, only the stagecoach to Sacramento.
They could have taken the stage from Carson City to Sacramento for twenty-five dollars apiece. But that was a hefty ticket and they had too many things loaded on the mules. Abe watched the coach roll by, bouncing on springs that were supposed to cushion the ride. Not me, he thought, looking at the two guards on the roof holding on for dear life.
They reached the curve in the road just about the same time as the stage, and saw the road blocked by eight men on horseback. Abe headed Zach and Matthew off into the rocks on one side just as the first shots rang out. There was little he could do to stop the robbery, but they needed shelter in case of stray bullets.
The large pile of boulders was debris from the railroad work and they all ducked in behind them very quickly. More shots behind him and Abe turned to see who was doing the shooting. He was just in time to see one of the lead horses on the stage fall in its tracks, the robbers had shot the horse to keep the stage from escaping.
The guards on top of the coach were lying down with their rifles, the driver was on the ground by one of the wheels and he looked to be dead. A withering pistol fire came from within the coach, enough of a deterrent to keep the robbers away. Their situation looked hopeless and Abe realized everyone in the coach would be killed unless they did something.
"Zach... go past the other end of this rock pile and scoot back to town for the sheriff," Abe said. It was only five miles; it shouldn't take long to get some help. Zach nodded and turned his horse back the way they had come, he was off in a burst of speed that caught the robbers off guard. But now Abe and Matthew became part of the fight.
Two of the men charged their little rock bound corner of the road and Matthew unloaded his pistol at them, wounding both.
"I have something for close up work," Abe said, and he ran to the mules for the shotguns. He heard Matthew's musket go off and turned to see a man riding towards the boy with his pistol out. Abe turned and with his rifle took the man clean off his horse with one shot.
He handed Matthew one of the shotguns and they spread out. Now the fight was aimed towards the robbers from two different directions and they dismounted to seek cover. Only one of the guards on the coach was shooting now and he was in a bad position out there in the open. Abe could see the woodwork on the coach was all shot to hell, but that pistol from inside kept up a withering fire.
Zach would be at the sheriff's by now; Abe didn't know how long it would take to send help. But there were only about five robbers shooting now, their force was dwindling. Abe set the barrel of his Spencer rifle up on a rock and raised the rear sights. He saw a gun flash across the road and fired back; his target flew backwards and crumbled on the ground.
Chips flew off the boulders around him and Abe slid back for cover and moved twenty feet down the road. This time he lay on the ground and peered out between two rocks. It was a bad angle but then he hard Matthew's musket fire and another man sprawled in the snow. The robbers were now outnumbered.
The sound of horses pounding on the road was most welcome, and Zach slid in behind the rocks as the sheriff and four men came in shooting. The fight was over and the two remaining robbers stood up and dropped their guns. Abe left his concealment and hurried over to the driver lying on the ground, the man was badly wounded. Zach appeared beside him and bound the wound with his bandanna.
The guard climbed down off the roof of the coach and helped the other man down.
"Glad you were here," The man said, holding out a hand to shake Abe's. The two robbers were held by the posse and the sheriff walked over, patting Zach on the shoulder. Matthew joined them just as the door to the coach opened and a man stepped down. So this was the mystery shooter whose pistol work kept the robbers at bay.
"A fine job... a really fine job," The man said.
He wore a fancy coat and a brocaded vest over his slightly rotund body, but it was the smile that caught Abe's attention.
"You boys saved the day, I most certainly thank you for coming to our rescue," The man said.
"You're welcome, Sir," Abe said.
"C.H. Swift, at your service," The man said. "That was some fine marksmanship, I saw you knock them off one at a time." He held up his pistol, a small Colt revolver. "This damn thing was useless at such a range."
The sheriff stepped forward and shook everyone's hand except Swift's. "I suppose I better get these scoundrels back to town, Your Honor."
"We'll follow you with the wounded," Swift said, "Take them right to the hospital." Then he turned to Abe. "Where you boys headed?"
"Sacramento... then on to San Francisco," Abe said.
"Good... good, I won't be far behind you, just a few hours. You get down to town just ask anyone where C.H. Swift's office is, they'll be glad to point the way. I want to see you boys before you head further west."
"Yes, Sir... we'll come find you," Abe said.
"Good... good," Swift said. "Just give me your name."
"Abe Wheelwright."
They loaded the wounded men inside the coach, cut the dead horse loose and tied the two robbers down to the roof for the ride back to Placerville. They call it Hangtown for a reason, Abe thought. He knew what would happen to the two robbers. One of the deputies drove the wagon in a slow circle back towards town and the other three remained behind to deal with the bodies. The sheriff leaned down off his horse to shake Abe's, then Zach's and finally Matthew's hand.
"You called him Your Honor... who is that man?" Zach asked.
"Oh, you don't know?" The sheriff replied. "That's the Honorable C.H. Swift, the Mayor of Sacramento." He laughed at the shock on their faces and turned to follow the coach.
Matthew cracked up laughing. "Oh yes, we just saved the life of a mayor, that ought to be worth something."
"I had no idea. He's a damn lousy shot, that's all I know," Abe said.
"The sheriff must have known he was on that stagecoach," Zach said. "I rode in town like a ball of fire and said the coach was being robbed. They took off so fast they almost left me behind."
They travelled the road to Sacramento and by late afternoon they were entering the city. A large area of buildings, recently named the new state capitol. They could see the site under construction for a huge building to house the state government. But what impressed Abe the most were the trees.
The banks of the river and the town were filled with oaks and cottonwood trees; it was one of the most welcome sights Abe could remember seeing. The streets were filled with carriages, wagons and horses, the people dressed in all manner of clothing. Mayor Swift certainly had a wonderful city at his fingertips.
They found a hotel away from the river on the other side of town. Ever since they'd come down out of the mountains the air had been getting steadily warmer, there wasn't any sign of snow here. They stabled the animals and carried their bags up to the rooms. Abe knew if they were going to see the mayor then they'd better clean up and put on some finer clothes.
Of course they had nothing as fancy as the Mayor had been wearing, clean pants and shirt were about the best they could do. Abe looked at himself in the mirror and saw how unkempt his beard looked. Zach and Matthew had no such problem, but they might use a hair cut.
The desk clerk told them how to find the mayor's office and said they would pass a barber on the way there. Zach and Matthew had the length of their hair trimmed, but not by much, it was Abe who decided to go all out.
The shorter hair made him look older even as the barber scraped the beard off his face. He left the moustache and a small goatee. Zach had once said he liked the beard, but now he stood watching and nodded. A new place called for changes, and this was just a beginning. It was Matthew who expressed his feeling first.
"Goodness, who knew there was such a handsome devil underneath all that hair?"
Zach nodded, and then spoke from the heart. "I did."
The mayor's office was in a large brick edifice across the street from all the construction on the new capitol building. The hallways were filled with people who had business with the city and harried clerks trying to serve them. One of the clerks pointed at the stairs when asked where they would find the mayor.
There was a line of men on the stairs and Abe wasn't sure if he should stand in it or not. But there was a guard at the top and Abe climbed up to speak with him.
"You'll have to wait in line, I'm afraid," The guard said.
"Yes, sir... figured I might, but the mayor said to come asking for him."
"Your name?"
"Wheelwright... Abraham."
"Ahh, then right this way, Mr. Wheelwright... the Mayor told us to expect you," The guard said.
Abe motioned to Matthew and Zach, who climbed the stairs, and they all followed the guard down the hall. He knocked on a door and opened it for them before returning to his post. Inside the small room was a clerk, another of those well dressed men who seemed to fill the building.
"Yes... ?" The man said.
"Wheelwright... here to see Mayor Swift," Abe said.
"Oh... My Goodness, yes... please come in," The man said jumping to his feet. "C.H... uh, the mayor is expecting you. Right this way, please."
All these people seemed genuinely shocked and pleased to see them, Abe noticed. But they were led through another door into a large office filled with other men, and C.H. Swift sitting behind a large desk. The mayor looked up and smiled, rising to his feet and coming around the desk with his hand out.
"Gentlemen... so glad you could make it," Swift said.
Abe made the introductions and Swift shook hands with Matthew and Zach. The other men in the room stood around smiling and that made Abe uncomfortable. All these men were dressed much alike, shirts with ties, vests and a dress coat, while across the room he could see a shelf filled with their fancy hats. It made him feel like the farm boy he was, and yet the Mayor seemed unconcerned.
"I just told these gentlemen about our little adventure this morning," Swift said. "And how three young men came to my rescue at the hand of those villains."
"I still don't know why they attacked you, Sir," Abe said.
Swift laughed. "They weren't after me but the gold we carried. I imagine the Wells Fargo people would like to thank you as well, there might even be a reward... in fact I'm sure there is. Please sit down and tell us... what brings you boys to our fair city?"
"We're on the way to San Francisco... ,"Abe began, and spent the next hour telling the assembled group all about their travels west. It was a story many of them knew, although most of them had not had such an arduous journey. But for decades the men of California had welcomed travelers from the east, it had laid the foundation of their statehood.
Swift nodded throughout the story, looking from one boy to the next. Like a good politician he was grateful for his saviors and at the same time trying to figure out how he might exploit this event. By the time Abe was done he had it all figured out.
"Thank you, Mr. Wheelwright," Swift said. "Rarely do we get such a vivid description of life on the trail. It shows your dedication to purpose, and I think the state will benefit from your presence. I hope you will remain with us for a while before continuing your journey to the ocean, I would appreciate the opportunity to show my gratitude for what you did this morning."
"It was nothing, Sir... it had to be done," Abe said.
"Yes, it did. And where are you staying tonight?" Swift asked.
"We chose a small hotel on the west side... " Abe began.
"No... that will not do," Swift said. "Allow me to get you rooms at the Orleans Hotel, and furthermore, I wish to extend an invitation to you all to attend a party in your honor tomorrow evening, will you come?"
"A party?" Zach said, looking down at his clothes. "We haven't anything to wear except our travel clothes."
Swift waved his hand in dismissal. "We can take care of that, Norris here will take you to the tailor's in the morning, fix you right up. We have some visitors in town, people from San Francisco you should meet. I'll save any speeches for tomorrow, Norris will go check you into the hotel and make sure you get a fine dinner."
He shook their hands again and one of the men led them out of the office. The line on the stairs wasn't getting any shorter.
"I'm William Norris, C.H.'s private secretary," The man said. "All of us owe you a debt of gratitude."
"The mayor was shooting back, I'm sure he kept the robbers at bay," Abe said.
Norris laughed. "Mr. Wheelwright, most of us have seen the mayor shoot... he can't hit the broadside of a barn at twenty paces. Allow him the pleasure of pampering you, he does it so well. The hotel, the clothing and the meals, he'll pay for it all... you just enjoy yourselves and act the part of heroes, that's what he wants to see."
"We have money... ,"Abe began.
Norris shook his head. "Save your money to get yourself started out in San Francisco. C.H. knows some pretty important people out there; he'll make sure you get the proper introductions." And then Norris smiled. "You boys have struck it rich here and you don't even know it. By the end of the week this story will be all over the state and you'll be famous."
Norris led them over to the Orleans Hotel on Second Street; it had to be one of the fanciest places Abe had ever seen. Norris demanded to see the manager and spoke with the man rather confidentially. The manager nodded, and Norris left, promising to see them around ten in the morning to go shopping.
"Gentlemen, right this way if you please," The manager said.
"We need to go get our baggage and animals," Abe said.
"Please, just tell me where your belongings are and I'll send my staff to fetch them."
Abe agreed, and sent Matthew along to make sure they got everything. The room they were given had a parlor, and of all things... a bathroom. There were two bedrooms so Matthew could have his own room, which pleased Zach.
"This is just so incredible," Zach said.
"No good deed goes unrewarded," Abe said. "You think the mayor was right? Will Wells Fargo give us a reward?"
"I bet they will, I'm sure he'll insist."
It was the first time they had been truly alone in a long time, and Abe sighed after Zach gave him a long lovely kiss. There was no time for anything else... that would come later. Matthew and four attendants returned shortly with their possessions, and told them the animals would be stabled in back. Like they had, Matthew marveled at the rooms they had been given.
Abe was just beginning to wonder about what they should do for dinner when there was a discreet knock at the door. "Sorry to disturb you, Gentlemen... I have reserved a table downstairs for your dinner," The manager said. "At your pleasure, just give your name at the door."
They washed hands and faces; it was time to go dine. They might have been dressed incorrectly to dine in such fancy surroundings, but their clothing was ignored for the time being. Abe saw people smiling their way and figured the word had already spread; it was good to be a hero.
The three of them ordered the steak with all the trimmings, and their waiter brought a wine list.
"I know nothing about wines, I'm sorry," Abe said.
"May I advise you, sir?" The waiter asked.
"Please, just bring us beer," Abe said.
"Very good, sir."
Dinner went well, and they retired to their rooms. Abe figured they had better bathe first thing in the morning before Norris arrived.
"What am I gonna do with some fancy clothes?" Matthew asked. "I never wear things like that."
"I think life is about to change... for all of us," Zach said. "I don't imagine we'll be eating fancy dinners every night, I wouldn't like that. But who knows, maybe we'll meet someone important tomorrow night."
Matthew turned to Abe. "I don't even know what we're going to do in San Francisco... do you?"
"I don't suppose we'll go around rescuing mayors all the time," Abe laughed. "Zach might be able to do something with his music, guess you and I can find jobs somewhere."
"I never had a job before," Matthew said.
"Sure you did, you helped all those people cross the plains with your uncle," Abe said. "You fought Indians; you know how to take care of animals. Think of all those people just getting off the boat who want to travel inland. They don't know the first thing about it, but you do. Knowledge is something that sells, Matthew."
"Oh... yes, I see. You think they would pay me as a guide like they did my uncle?"
"I imagine so, we just need the right contacts," Abe said.
Matthew laughed. "Damn, we just get here and already I'm thinkin about goin back to the mountains."
"They might think you a little young to know all these things," Zach said.
"I might just surprise them too," Matthew said.
"I imagine you will," Abe said.
"So, Abe... what would you like to do?" Zach asked.
"I have no idea, but mayor seems like a nice job."
Matthew went off to his room and Abe turned off the lamps in the sitting room. He had never stood in such a fine parlor; his mother would love to see all this. He crawled into bed with Zach and blew out the lamp. A warm naked body beside him gave Abe quite the thrill, but Zach had been waiting all day for this moment and his passion would not be denied.
Talented hands and mouths soon brought them both to a state of bliss, and then they slept a deep and dreamless sleep. For so many months the conditions on the trail had kept them alert for danger, sleep had been fitful, anything but restful.
As always Abe awoke at dawn and stumbled his way into the bathroom to find the chamber pot. He looked at the bathing facilities and figured he would have to ask someone to heat the water, maybe there was a public bathhouse close by.
But he had no sooner finished relieving himself then he noticed the bell pull on the wall. Could it be that simple? He hurried back to the room and donned his pants, and then he went and pulled the ribbon that would ring the bell. Less than two minutes later there was a knock at a small door in the wall and Abe opened it.
"You rang for service, sir?" An unusual young voice said.
The boy was about Matthew's age, but he was Chinese. Abe had heard about these people, even seen a few on the streets, but never in person.
"I would like hot water for the bath," Abe said.
The boy bowed and then nodded. "Ten minutes, I will bring the hot water, sir."
Abe went over and lit the lamp on the wall, looking at the large porcelain tub. It had a hole in the bottom to drain the water and there on the wall above it was a valve. Just out of curiosity Abe turned it and cold water poured out so he quickly shut it off. Oh my, this was certain luxury.
Matthew wandered in to use the chamber pot, unashamed at his nudity, something they had shared on the road. Abe decided to say nothing about the Chinese boy and just wait.
"You should have the first bath, Zach and I can share," Abe said.
"That's fine, how do we get hot water?" Matthew asked, and like magic the little door opened and the Chinese boy came in with two steaming buckets of water. Matthew was dumbfounded and it was all Abe could do to keep from laughing. But the boy poured the water in the tub after placing a plug in the hole.
"Your bath, sir," He said, looking up with a smile. Matthew almost stepped in the tub but the boy held up an arm. "Please, you must add the cold water first." He then reached for the valve and turned it on.
"I guess we'll need more hot water in a while," Abe said.
"Yes, sir... I will bring more," The boy said, and then he left.
Abe turned off the cold water and motioned at the tub. "He probably would have stayed to wash your back."
Matthew climbed in and sighed. "I don't think I'm ready to have my back washed."
"I think he looked you over," Abe said with a grin.
"Oh no... why would he do that?"
"He's your age, he probably doesn't get to see many handsome white men like you," Abe laughed. Matthew ended the discussion by throwing the bar of soap.
Abe closed his bedroom door and went back to wake Zach. A kiss, a gentle touch and Zach came awake with a smile. "Good Morning," He said. "Now why are you grinning?"
"Matthew almost had a bath with a Chinese boy."
"What?" Zach said, sitting up. "He didn't."
"No, but it would have been fun to watch," Abe said. "You ready to bathe?"
Abe dropped his pants and Zach followed him into the bathroom. Matthew was out of the tub and drying off while watching the water swirl down the drain. The little door opened and the Chinese boy walked in with two more buckets of hot water. There were now three naked boys in the room and yet the boy didn't bat an eyelash.
The boy poured the water and once again turned on the cold tap. He smiled up at Zach and then bowed his head. Zach bowed back and said, "Sheh-sheh."
The boy looked surprised and then he smiled. "You are welcome, sir... enjoy the bath."
"What did you say? You know Chinese?" Matthew asked after the boy left.
Zach shook his head. "No, just that... 'Thank you,' it's something good to know."
"You're full of surprises," Abe said, and then he climbed in the tub.
They went down to breakfast and found themselves to be the first seated in the dining room.
"Guess town folks sleep late," Matthew said.
"Don't know why, the sun's up," Zach said.
Abe drank his coffee, really good coffee too. "They sleep because they don't have Indians sneaking up on them at dawn. I figured that out last night. Did you see those men at the mayor's office when I told them about the Indian attacks? They were stunned, hanging on my every word."
Matthew shook his head. "I would think some of them came across the plains."
"I bet they didn't, probably came by ship," Zach said.
"So even our experiences are worth something, I'll have to remember that," Abe said.
Will Norris arrived just before ten, a light knock on the door to the parlor. Matthew opened the door to admit the man who stopped short when he saw Zach with the violin in hand.
"Oh my, you play beautifully," Norris said.
"Zach was just entertaining us until you arrived," Abe said.
"Wonderful, you must be sure and bring your instrument tonight, C.H. loves music, and we get so little of it these days."
"I...well, I will then," Zach said.
Their shopping expedition was quite the experience; Abe had never seen such fancy clothing in all his life. But Norris helped them select all the proper pieces of clothing a gentleman might wear, right down to the polished boots.
Abe admired Zach in his frock coat, brocaded vest and silk cravat, the epitome of a gentleman. Norris smiled at their finery and then took them across the street to purchase a hat. It was here Abe began to see that clothing would allow them to fit into the social scene; a top hat completed the picture.
Matthew looked extremely uncomfortable in his outfit, but he wore it well and Norris had impeccable taste. The weather was turning damp outside and so the final addition to their ensemble were coats to shed the wet foggy mist. Abe had no idea how much all this had cost, he would guess quite a bit, but Norris didn't hesitate. This is what C.H. wanted, and those orders could not be denied.
Norris led them down the street to a restaurant for lunch, and now Abe could see the value in their dress. They sat amidst men and women much like themselves and felt a part of the crowd. It was here that Norris began to prepare them for what lay ahead.
"C.H. has had this party planned for weeks," Norris began. "Your presence will just add to the distinguished guest list."
"And how might we be distinguished?" Zach asked.
Norris gave that sly smile they had come to know, indicating he was ready to impart some words of wisdom. "You're the talk of the town, the new celebrities." He could see they didn't understand so he would have to explain.
"You young gentlemen bring a refreshing air into our stuffy lives, don't you see? I knew from the moment you told that story in the mayor's office that people would be clamoring for your attention. Our new state capitol is still a very rural town; society here is just beginning to take hold. California has always been a Mexican colony, their influence is in everything.
"But now we are a part of the greater nation, although the rest of the country seems so far away. Soon the railroad will join us all and we will be flooded with new immigrants, far more than come to our shores every day now. You know that land out there better than we who are nothing more than transplanted easterners. Your story brings entertainment and delight, but it's also a social lesson about ourselves. We are happy to have you here, and not just because you saved C.H.'s hide."
"Now you have me curious," Abe said. "Who are all these distinguished guests you've mentioned?"
"Ahh, this party will be the social event of the year, the cream of California society will be there. Our former Governor Leland Stanford is in town, he runs the Central Pacific Railroad...probably our most important citizen as well. Mayor Coon from San Francisco is with him, someone I'm sure you'd like to meet. And there's another gentleman who is currently distinguishing himself, I'm sure he'd like to meet you."
"And who might that be?" Matthew asked.
"A reporter for the Morning Call in San Francisco, a man by the name of Samuel Clemens. Quite a character, he writes under the name of Mark Twain."
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