Quietly, Chance says to Art, "I understand your urgency.  Unfortunately, I disagree with Cole as far as the risk factors.  Maybe Cole and Silas can revisit the saloon this evening for more information while we visit the camp.  Yes, Art, I would be proud to have you join us in our discussions, if any are even possible with the officers at the camp.  Cole is right, dead on in fact, that the Federals may not trust us.  There again, I feel the benefit out ways the risk."

Chance notices the snippet of conversation at the other end of the table.  "I do firmly believe that we spend the night in town.  I believe the risk of having a campfire in the open would expose us to greater danger than obtaining lodgings here."

Chance relaxes back with a long sip of coffee.

In reply to Chance Osterfeld (msg #934):

Cole looks up from his plate and says...

I can definitely return to the saloon to get a few drinks... er, I mean to try and get some more information...

Smiling, Cole returns to his plate.

Meriwether look once more at his "greens" in disgust & thought it would do well to surrender to live & fight another day.

"I say! Then let us do this then. Let us find lodgings. Once this is done, the children & I can hold up there. Then Cole & Silas may return to their drinking establishment, while you others can head, either boldly or with caution, to the garrison. Jeb will no doubt return to establishment where Cole & Silas will be heading. By us splitting up as it were, it will make monitoring us a tad harder I am thinking."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Wed 10 Dec 2008.

A group of fellers gets up from a table on the other side of the room. It's the same group that Art saw while he was waiting to pay the man in the dark suit. They look like the same men with the wagon train that stopped to speak to your group outside of Fredericktown. They pause near the door, two of them tipping their hats in your direction before leaving.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #937):

Cole looks up from his plate and silently nods to the strangers leaving the restaurant. He then returns his attentions to his meal.

Artemus tries to catch the eye of some one in the group and holds up a finger to as if to say "Hold on a moment, if you please."

Then to Chance he says I'll be right back, I'd just like to chat with the fellas we saw on the trail.

Artemus gets up and approaches the group of men.

"Excellent.  My thoughts exactly, Art.  Go with haste."

Looking to the end of the table...

Gentleman, what's the story here.  I've got some of it figured out but I've never been to these parts before.  Can you give me the lay of the land and who's doing what to whom?  We just want to move west without trouble.  Usually I wouldn't mind riding blind into this country with these fellas but there are children with us.

By the time Art gets up, the men have left the restaurant, but it didn't 'pear as if they were in a hurry. Art continues through the doorway, finding the men on the end of the porch as they take a seat or lean against the rail. A couple of them are lighting cheroots and quirlies.

The man who pushed his plate away faces Travis. He's on the same side of the table. Sliding down closer to Mr. Sunday, just as Art leaves the table, the long-gray-bearded man locks bright blue eyes with Travis.

"I'll tell yer what I know, sir, 'cause I ain't 'fraid. Folks 'round here just pretend they don't want to jaw'bout the times. They reckon it's a dance. Me, I reckon honest talk is the only thing I got. You seem like a feller I can understand."

He pauses.

"Them generals in Virginia might'a put an 'X' to some paper, but the war didn't end the same day for everyone. This town split after the battle and the Federals been here ever since. The guerrillas ain't turned in and the Federals ain't quit the round up.

Far as travel goes, an honest man like yerself traveling west with his children shouldn't fret much. I reckon both sides is a might occupied presently."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:58, Wed 10 Dec 2008.

"Whooo," Silas lets out, patting his belly as he gets up, "mighty fine meal, ain't had no down-home cookin' like that in many o' days. But I didn't like the looks of them fellers too much that Art just scurried off after...think I'll mosey on outside...yuppers I will."

With that Silas grabs his Henry and walks outside, easy pace, just getting some fresh air. Once there he doesn't approach Art or them other fellas, just leans up against the railing and enjoys the night air.

Thank you sir.  I always appreciate straight talk.

"Don't mention it," the man replies to Travis. "So, how far west yer goin'?"

Silas sees Artemus move in close to the men--there are 6 of them--and start a conversation. Can't tell what they're saying, but the tone seems civil enough.

Some of uthe others have kin not too far from here. Mizzou in the Ozarks.  That's where we're heading now. As for me I probably won't stop til I see the Pacific.

I hear it's big country out there.

"I reckon so," says the gray-beard.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #949):

Cole looks up from his meal...

Friend, what exactly has happened here between some of the locals and the federals? How bad has it gotten?

"What happened?" The gray-beard looks mighty surprised at the question. "Why, the town split like piece of oak when the war started. Brothers, cousins and friends choosin' different sides. All hell broke loose in '61. Since then, anyone givin' help to the Rebs could get arrested by the Federals."

Silas stands idly by, just minding his own beeswax, turning and ear here and there to see if he can pick up a word or three.

Just let everyone get some information from these good people.  Sit here, listen and watch.

If you were on your way towards Springfield and found yourself in our basic situation, what would you do?

Artemus is speaking quietly with the wagoneers

"Why, I don't know." The man tugs at his beard. "Guess I'd haveta figger how bad I needed to get to Springfield. Iffin' I was taking children home, I reckon I'd take the most direct route and get a move on."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:56, Sat 13 Dec 2008.

Owen stands up while the men are talking, taking his sister's hand. "We're gonna take some air, sir," he says to Meriwether.

The children walk out the front door and see Silas, who sees them. They stop and rest on the porch near Silas.

OOC: Move to new forum