“I don’t know,” King muttered, his eyes sweeping the streets and the buildings on either side. “I can’t get that photo you showed me out of my head. I look around and try to figure out how the change will happen.”
“Gradually, over time. Very little of what you see today will remain.” He chuckled and pointed in the direction they’d come. “Except for where we’re staying. In 2019, Scholtz Garten is the oldest remaining business in the city.”
“Huh! A German beer garten, you might know.” King shook his head in amazement.
The closer they came to their destination, the more people they encountered. “I do believe there’s some type of celebration going on at the capital.” As they drew near, King tapped a man on his shoulder. “Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me what’s the reason for the gathering?”
The man frowned. “You don’t know? Well, it’s the end of the world as we know it, son. They’ve just sworn in two black men to sit on the Texas Senate. Can you believe that?”
King didn’t respond, he just pushed ahead of the fellow. Reno followed close on his heels. “I hope this doesn’t interfere with our gaining an audience with the governor.”
“I hope not too,” King agreed. “Come on, let’s get closer.”
Once they were on the grounds of the capital building itself, the men could see a bandstand set up under one of the grand old oaks. Just like the frustrated man said, there were two black men dressed in fine suits standing on either side of Governor Pease. “Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce Matthew Gaines and George T. Ruby, members of the Texas Senate.”
“Well, this is an unexpected sight,” drawled King. “I honestly thought I’d never live to see the day.”
Reno leaned in to whisper in his Captain’s ear. “A black man will serve two terms as President beginning in 2008.”
King frowned. “What took so long?”
“I don’t know.” Reno shrugged as he watched the ceremony. “In some areas, progress is fast. In others, much too slow.”
“Reno! Reno Black! Oh, my word! Is that you?”
An excited female voice caused both men wheel around to find a familiar woman staring at Reno with mouth agape.
“Yes, ma’am, Miss Talmadge. It’s me.” Reno doffed his hat, recognizing their neighbor’s sister. “How are you?” He couldn’t help but notice that King was backing up a few inches. Just a few months ago, this woman had her eye set on the Captain as future husband material.
“Well, I just might faint.” She fanned herself with a silk handkerchief. “I thought you were dead!”
“Yes. I am alive.” He cleared his throat and paraphrased a future Mark Twain, who wouldn’t write Tom Sawyer for another nine years. “I ran into some trouble, but news of my death was an unfortunate exaggeration.”
His calm observation did little to quell the woman’s excitement. “Oh, this is too wonderful. You won’t believe this, but I’m a journalist now. I work for the Daily State Gazette.” She turned, waved her hand, and began to appeal to an older gentleman who was taking photographs of the governor and his two honorees. “J.D.! You must come! I have another story for us!”
“Oh, no. No,” Reno tried to protest. “I don’t want a story written about me.”
King leaned over to whisper in his ear. “This could be an opportunity to get the truth of the Indian attacks out there.”
Reno swallowed his trepidation. He didn’t relish making up a story, especially one that would be recorded in the newspaper.
In a few moments, they were joined by the camera wielding photographer. Mavis beamed as she made the introductions. “J.D. Elliot is the owner of the newspaper. J.D., I’d like you to meet Kingston Ramsay and Reno Black. Kingston owns King’s Ransom, the large ranch near Packsaddle Mountain. Reno works for him. Originally from Tennessee, they served together in the Confederate Army.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” J.D. smiled at Mavis indulgently. “Now, what’s the story?”
King tapped Reno on the shoulder. “While you talk to these two, I’ll go see if I can corner Governor Pease.”
Reno started to protest, but Mavis waved him on. “You go right ahead, Kingston.” She placed her hand on Reno’s arm. “We’ll take good care of your friend. When you’re finished, you can find us in the newspaper office just down the street.”
As King left to intercept the governor, Reno reluctantly let himself be led away.
For the next half hour, he told as much of the truth as he could get away with.
“So, you risked life and limb to save those Stanton children?” J.D. was busy taking notes.
“I led the raiders away so they could escape. They thought I was carrying gold, which I wasn’t.”
“Did the Indians wound you?” The newspaper owner didn’t even look up, he just kept writing.
“No.” Reno spoke slowly. “And let me reiterate, they weren’t Indians. They were white men disguised as Indians. I can even give you their names. Kinsella, Roberts, and Taylor. I believe these three, plus others, are the ones who’ve been burning homes and killing innocent people.”
“So, where have you been for the last month?” This question was from Mavis.
Reno tried to think fast to come up with something halfway believable. “As best I can tell, I must have fallen and hit my head during the chase. I don’t really remember much about that whole month. When I came to myself, all I wanted to do was go home.” Surely, that was enough.
“I see.” Mavis looked decidedly skeptical. “Is that all you can tell us?”
Thankfully, J.D. felt inspired to take control of the interview. “Let’s talk more about these raiders.”
Reno was glad to oblige. Without revealing his source, he laid
