When Ferd awoke and dressed, he smelled bacon and eggs being prepared down in the kitchen.  He found his hosts eating breakfast at the table.

“How did you sleep last night?” asked Jarms as he passed the coffee pot to his wife. 

“Great.  I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t find me a place too quickly.”

“Since you’re a rich man, you can afford to pay room and board then,” Jarms suggested. 

“No problem.  I may not be around much.  Maybe I could get a discount on the rent.”

“We’ll work something out.”

Ferd slid a couple fried eggs and four slices of bacon onto his plate and poured the coffee into his cup.  After quickly saying grace he dug into the eggs with his fork. 

“Do you normally get up at this time?” Ferd asked his host.

“Not normally.  I usually roll out of bed around 6:00.  But since this is your first day working for the railroad I thought it would be nice to see you off and wish you the best of luck.  Can you tell us what they will have you doing?”

“Guarding the train.  They didn’t tell me if there is a special shipment.  I think that is best.  The less people know about what is being carried the better.”

“I hope you have everything you’ll need.  How long are you going to be out?”

“I really don’t know.  All I know is that the train is headed for Kansas City, Saint Louis, and Chicago.  Where I go from there is anyone’s guess.”

After breakfast, Ferd went back upstairs, went to the bathroom, strapped on his guns and grabbed his carpet bag, and had his friend Jarms take him to the depot in his carriage.  It was still dark and about the only sounds heard were the hooves of the horse on the paved streets. 

Ferd was given a ticket for the car behind the baggage car.  He sat beside a young woman who was riding with an older woman who was sitting facing them.  Her stern look told Ferd that it might be best if he changed seats with the older woman.  He was about to say something when the woman gave him a disapproving glance that signaled to him that the young lady was not to speak to him.  So he decided to take a little nap until the train was on its way.