A few months before they officially became outlaws, before they participated in their first train robbery, before they came to separate for a few years, Heyes and Curry spent a winter along the shores of Lake Bigler, where they both met Big Jim Santana and the outlaw trail began.
This is that story.
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The snow in Sierra Nevada Mountains is different than the snow in the Little Big Horns of Wyoming, or even the Rocky Mountains snow for the most part. The Sierra snow is consistently deeper, heavier due to the Rain Shadow that traps the moisture on the windward side on the range, and leaves the leeward side dry and arid. This Rain Shadow is responsible for the desert sands of Death Valley and the windward snows of the high Sierras. In fact, Sierra Nevada is a Spanish phrase for Mountain Snow. The area around Lake Bigler averages 125 inches of snow, and up to 300-500 hundred inches of snow at higher elevations every winter.
Springtime in the Sierras is absolutely beautiful. Mountain snow melts into runoffs that quickly turns frozen streams into white water rapids with cascading waterfalls off steep boulders of solid rock. There are sixty-three tributaries that feed into Lake Bigler and these supply the lake with half its water supply, the rest coming from rain and snow that falls directly on the lake. The Truckee River is the lake's only outflow and that water flows northwest into Pyramid Lake, near Reno
Mark Twain described Lake Bigler as "Surely the finest picture the whole earth affords," and I don't doubt he was pretty accurate. Lake Bigler is a crater lake, twenty-two miles long and twelve miles wide and surrounded Mountains, a few of which harbor snow almost year round.
By the time Kid and me made our way to the Lake Bigler area, oh around 1872 I'd say, the Nevada Comstock Load (silver mines discovered up near Virginia City in 1859), and the Union Pacific Railroad had caused most of the eastern shore to be stripped of trees. You see logging became a major industry because of the amount of wood the mines and the railroad needed for construction. These logging companies stretched all the way from Incline Village to Glenbrook.
Eventually the demand for wood died away, and while one or two logging companies hung on to a meager business for a few years, Lake Bigler pretty much became a tourist attraction, with fine hotels and taverns. The Tallac House was on the west shore, and Tahoe Tavern was in Tahoe City. The ferry business boomed, carting folks across the lake to one of the many fine hotels and taverns.
Like I said, Kid and I arrived in the area around 1872, just a few months before I joined up with the Devil's Hole Gang. We were both pretty young still, pretty cocky. Kid was just nineteen and I was twenty-two. We'd dabbled in some thieving, and pilfering by then. I'd become good at cracking most any store safe, Brookers, a couple of Pierce and Hamiltons, a few Cory's, but we hadn't tried our hands at nothing major, nothing like robbing a train or a bank. I suppose by then we were just tottering on the edge of a life of crime as neither of us were wanted for what little stealing we had done.
We really happened upon the area by chance as we were headed toward California. But the snows made crossing the mountains next to impossible on horseback, so we decided to take temporary root for the winter right next to the shores of Lake Bigler. Now, in order to do that, we had to find jobs so we could afford staying in a boarding house, as there was no way of surviving sleeping on the ground or in some makeshift tent, not in that harsh winter. The logging business was dwindling, but still trying to survive and we both got jobs as loggers for the winter. That was a miserable job in the winter, felling those tall Ponderosa Pines with two-handle saws, working up a sweat that mixed with our wet, often snow covered clothes guaranteed one or the other of us was always sniffling from a cold. Kid even caught pneumonia once, being as he has always been prone to respiratory problems.
Well, like I said, we had no bounties on us at that time. No one had ever heard of Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry, so we could come and go as we pleased and it pleased us to spend every Saturday night at the Tahoe Tavern. That winter was when I really honed my poker skills and Kid honed...well let's just say Kid developed some pretty fine skills with the soiled doves of the tavern.
That's where we first met Big Jim Santana. That's when we fell into the outlaw life, lock, stock, and barrel.
Big Jim told us he was a card shark from a place called Devil's Hole, Wyoming. He made Devil's Hole sound like his homestead, maybe a ranch or something, and it was a while later before I learned otherwise. I didn't know it at the time, but Big Jim was laying low at Lake Bigler waiting for the spring thaws so he could make his way back to his Devil's Hole.
I played poker with Big Jim most every Saturday night at the Tahoe Tavern and to this day, as good as I am spotting a cheater, I never could figure out how Big Jim cheated. He was very good, and very calculated, didn't cheat every game, but always managed to come out with the most money at the end of the night. I never accused him of cheating. Being a cheater myself back then, I admired his skills and most nights Jim and me, and sometimes Kid if he was satiated by then, would share a bottle after a night of poker and I'd let him know that I admired his style. Like I said, I never accused Big Jim of cheating. I would just admire it. Big Jim never admitted to cheating either. He'd just sit and look at me over his shot glass and flash this knowing smile in my direction, like he could see that Kid and me were at the fork of the road and would soon be following his path, the outlaw path.
One Saturday night, late January, Jim and Kid and me were near the end of a bottle when Big Jim first broached us with the idea.
"Hannibal," he said, the name rolling off his Spanish tongue like molasses, thick and slow. "I have a proposition for you and Kid."
Well Kid was pretty inebriated and raised heavy eyes toward Jim, but I knew Jim well enough now to know, what ever that proposition was, it was going to be enticing and likely dangerous.
"How would the two of you like to have enough money to go wherever you want to go, do whatever you want to do? More money than either of you will see in a lifetime of logging?"
I looked at Big Jim and the smile that spread across my face was deviant, knowing that whatever he was proposing weren't legal, but obviously was profitable.
"What did you have in mind?" I asked
"You've heard of the Comstock Load?" Big Jim asked.
I glanced at Kid and him at me. "We've heard of it," I replied.
"But I ain't spending my days underground," Kid added.
Big Jim shook his head. "The physical labor is for other men, not us," he said.
"Then what's it got to do with us?" I asked.
"The monthly payroll for all the Comstock minors is shipped to Virginia City by way of the Union Pacific Railroad."
I smiled. "When?"
"The last Friday of every month."
"By railroad, I presume, but how's it shipped?"
"Brooker 202."
"A safe?" Kid asked
Big Jim nodded.
"You good at cracking safes, are you?" Kid asked.
Big Jim smiled. "No, but you are, Mr. Heyes."
It was my turn to smile, but mine was a bit more nervous than Jim's. "Why do you think that?"
Big Jim gave Kid a sideways glance. "You're friend does not hold his liquor well."
The surprise showed on both our faces.
"You've had drinks alone with Kid?" I asked.
"No, Heyes. We' ain't," Kid said.
Jim agreed with Kid. "But many of the ladies here have. They are very good about telling me things of interest."
I shot Kid a disgusted look. He always did have a tendency to rattle off at the mouth when he was drunk.
"Well, Kid tends to exaggerate some when he's drunk. But if we was to say he was telling the truth, what's your plan?"
"Simple. Stop the train. Steal the money."
"Then what?"
"I give you both refuge at Devil's Hole."
"Your ranch?" I asked with a chuckle "A ranch won't keep the law from catching us."
"Devil's Hole is not a ranch, Mr. Heyes. Devil's Hole is a safe haven, a refuge. No one enters Devil's Hole without my approval."
"What would Kid's role be in all this?" I asked..
"I have seen him practicing his gun skills. He role is simple, though perhaps not easy. He watches our backs, protects us. Keeps us from getting hurt."
I leaned back in my chair and studied Big Jim's face. He exuded confidence. "Just when do you plan on hitting the train? Surely not this month? The snow's too deep for a fast escape. We'd never make it across the mountains and back to Wyoming without getting caught."
"True. But when spring comes, the thaw begins, the snow melt will be to our advantage."
"How?"
"We hit the train on the windward side, where the snow is heavy. We travel back here, a thirty mile ride. It will take a posse longer to reach the train than it will take us to return to Lake Bigler. We ferry across the lake where i will have fresh horses waiting. Then we head southwest toward warmer climate, less snow, before turning east into Wyoming and Devil's Hole."
"What happens if I can't crack the safe?" I asked, even though I was confident that I could.
Big Jim shrugged. "Dynamite."
I smiled. "It'll take quite a bit of time to gather up all the money that will go flying all around when the safe's blown up with dynamite."
Big Jim looked intensely serious as he leaned in toward me. "Then make sure we do not have to use dynamite."
I scratched at the stubble on my cheek and looked at Kid. He hadn't said much during the conversation but I could read Kid well, and I knew he'd been listening intently."
"I can do my part, Heyes. None one of you will get hurt."
I sighed and looked back at Big Jim. "All this does sound very intriguing, and very financially profitable. But I think Kid and I need a day to talk this over. Doing this might very well put bounties on our heads. I'm just not sure we want to go down that road."
Big Jim smiled. "They'll be no bounties on your heads. No one's ever heard of either one of you, so there's no one to recognize you. Don't use names during the heist. We'll be out of the state in a days day's time and at Devil's Hole in three."
"What about you? You run some outlaw hideout. That means you're already well known."
"But you don't belong to the Devil's Hole gang. Your refuge there is temporary. When I say it is time to go, you will go, never to be heard of again."
"Like I said, Kid and me need a day to talk this over. We'll let you know sometime tomorrow... Come on, Kid. It's time to go."
I stood up and walked out of the tavern. Kid followed close behind.
Years later, looking back on that evening, I realized how naive and how stupidly bold I had been. But at the time, I didn't know Big Jim well enough to realize who he was, what he was, or how disrespectful I had been with all my just plain stupid boldness.
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"I can do this, Heyes," Kid said eagerly, trying to entice me into risking life and limb for enough money to last a lifetime, or at least a few months, maybe a year.
"Watching your back, watching his back. That's no problem. You've seen how fast I am, how good a aim I am. And when it's over,... think of the money, Heyes...And not a sole knowing who we are."
"Kid, I have full confidence in you. I know you can protect us. And I know I can crack a Brooker 202 as easy as slicing a piece of cake... I just don't know if Big Jim is someone we can trust."
"Well he obviously trusts us, Heyes, or he wouldn't have suggested the plan to us."
"I'm not sure going into an outlaw camp is a good thing for us to do, Kid. Outlaws are hardened criminals. They'd likely steal our money out from under us, probably shoot us and leave us for dead somewhere."
"Heyes, I can out shoot any of em. They ain't going to leave us for dead somewhere. Besides, what's to stop us from splitting up with Big Jim before we even get to his Devil's Hole?"
"I do have to admit, Kid, it does sound exciting, and profitable, but are you sure you want to become a full fledged outlaw? That's what's going to happen, you know. You get a taste of the excitement, the challenge, the adventure, and I'm guessing we're both going to be hooked. I know I will be. Just the challenge alone is intoxicating to me."
"I want to try it, Heyes. I'm going to say yes, even if you don't."
"Well there it is, Kid, spread out on the table. We're partners you and me. What one does, the other does...So I guess I'm in."
Kid smiled ear to ear. "You won't regret this, Heyes."
I smiled at Kid, but I had a suspicious feeling he was wrong.
Late the next afternoon, after a freezing and long day of cutting trees, Kid and I met Big Jim in the Tahoe Tavern and told him we had discussed the offer at great lengths and were prepared to partner with him for the robbery. Big Jim smiled confidently. He raised a hand in the air and snapped his fingers to gain the attention of the bartender. "Three steak dinners and a bottle of your finest whiskey."
"So, you said you're not planning to hit the train this month, when do you propose we do the job?" Heyes asked.
"We must begin planning immediately. Plans for such a lucrative job require precision detail, perfect timing, total confidence. February may still have too much snow to contend with, but by the end of March, the snow melt may have started, at least in the lower elevations."
"Just how much money are we talking," Heyes asked.
Big Jim smiled. "Sixty to one hundred thousand dollars."
Kid let out a whistle. "So, we have two months to plan?" Kid asked.
"We'll have to find a secluded location. Wouldn't want anyone overhearing us," Heyes said.
"I know of such a spot. An old hunting cabin, maybe five miles from here, on Mt. Tallac."
"That's the one with the snow cross?" Kid asked and Big Jim nodded..
"How often?" Heyes asked.
"We'll spend every weekend there in February. Come March, we'll meet more often, maybe move in there."
"You have a train schedule?" Heyes asked.
"I have one for each of us. I will bring them this weekend."
"No asterisk, I hope," Kid grumbled.
Big Jim looked questioningly at Heyes, but Heyes just shrugged.
The steak dinners and whiskey arrived and the conversation ebbed as they enjoyed their meal. After dinner, they shared the whiskey and more conversation, although Big Jim steered the talk away from any thoughts or plans about the robbery. Now that it was decided to actually go through with the robbery, Big Jim wanted no more conversation about it in a public place and insisted questions, plans, suggestions must all be discussed and resolved only at the cabin.
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Early Saturday morning, Heyes and the Kid met Big Jim at the Tahoe Tavern. They ate a hearty breakfast before mounting their horses and making their way to the cabin.
"Here we are free to discuss plans at great length, determine details, form plans, prepare," Jim explained
"Well, Kid and me have never robbed a train before," Heyes began. "So we've been doing a lot of thinking about what needs to go in to the plan. We've made a list of things," Heyes said as they all sat at the table, drinking coffee that afternoon.
"Let's hear what you've come up with," Jim replied.
"Well, actually we've come up with a couple of different lists. Let's just start with things Kid and me think we should be very familiar with before this heist occurs.
Big Jim nodded and waited patiently.
"Now, these are in no particular order," Heyes explained and again Jim nodded.
"First off, Kid and me have only read about train robberies in newspapers, but it seems pretty common for trains to employ security, usually lawmen, especially when the cargo involves a lot of money, such as the Comstock payroll. We think we should know how many lawmen we're contending with on this job, maybe where they are located on the train if possible."
"A valid point. What else?" Jim asked.
"I'm very good with a gun," Kid began, "very fast, very accurate. But I ain't never shot anyone, and I don't intend to start anytime soon. From what I've read, it ain't uncommon for railroad crew, even passengers, to get hurt or killed in a train robbery. I don't want to be responsible for that. i think we need a plan to subdue the engineer before the train comes to a stop, not after. That way he can bring the train to a safe stop."
"I see what you mean," Jim replied.
"Gotta have a sound escape plan, too," Kid added.
"Thinking about the job from start to finish," Heyes said, "I think we should hit the train as far away from any town as possible to delay any kind of posse formation. We want news of the robbery to reach town as late as possible to give us the greatest amount of time possible to distance us from any posse."
Big Jim smiled. "I think I have chosen my accomplices well. It's obvious you two have already put a lot of thought into this project. Over the next few weeks, we will research and come to know the answers to these questions you have raised, and I'm am quite certain that during our planning, even more questions will arise. We will be sure we are very well informed of every detail well before the robbery takes place."
"You ever robbed a train before, Big Jim?" Kid asked.
Big Jim smiled. "No. But that is one of the reasons we are taking our time, so that we can determine every possible obstacle and we can plan the most opportune way to overcome each and every one of those obstacles."
"Kid and me have been brainstorming a lot of different ways to stop a train. Some just plain guarantee injuries, others seem a mite safer. We think it's important to find the safest simple way to bring the train to a stop."
Big Jim nodded. "That is a subject for a later date. First let's go over the schedule and then tackle those considerations of your."
Heyes and Curry nodded their consent and Big Jim handed them both a train schedule.
"The town of Truckee is the last town before the train reaches the gulch just before Tahoe City and Lake Bigler. At that gulch, the tracks head northwest toward Virginia City. There is a blind curve about fifteen miles out of Tahoe City. This, I believe is the ideal spot to stop the train."
"That spot is about ten miles from here, isn't it?" Kid asked.
Big Jim nodded. "The train travels through that blind spot at two thirty-seven in the afternoon."
"So we'll be here at this cabin the night before?" Heyes asked.
"We'll be here the entire month before we hit the train," Big Jim replied. "There are daily trains from the west to as far as Truckee. But from Truckee to Virginia City, there are only two trains each week. One on Tuesday and one on Friday."
"And the Friday train will be carrying the payroll, right?" Kid asked.
"I've been watching that schedule for the past three months. The payroll is shipped monthly and always on the last Friday of the month. If they continue to use that schedule, the March payroll train will be shipped on the 28th."
"Are the payroll trains guarded?" Kid asked.
"I have made a point of riding the payroll train twice. The train itself is not large, usually one, sometimes two passenger cars, a wood or coal car, one storage car, usually one caboose, but sometimes no caboose. On the two trains I have been on, I have seen two lawmen in each passenger car, and I have seen two lawmen exit the storage car at Virginia City, after the payroll has been handed over to the Comstock Company."
"So, once we're on board the train, Kid would be up at the engine, having overtaken the engineer. If there are two passenger cars, that puts you and me each in one of them, and no one at the storage car," Heyes said with a chuckle. Doesn't sound like we'd be too successful doing anything more than stopping the train."
"For the sake of argument, let's assume there are two passenger cars. Kid will be in the engine before the train comes to a stop. He can restrain the engineer and move to the storage car..."
"Nope, it's gotta be me at the storage car. There's a safe to crack in the storage car," Heyes said, interrupting Big Jim.
"So we can designate you to be in the first passenger car. Kid can relieve you and you can move to the storage car."
Heyes continued to shake his head. "You said there's two guards in the storage car. We do it your way and I'm a sitting duck as soon as the storage car door opens. Those guards will just be waiting for someone to approach it. No, I have to be able to get into that storage car as soon as the train comes to a stop. And I'm willing to bet those guards are trained not to open that door for any reason until the right person tells them to do so."
"And, even if they do open the door, there's going to be one guard at each side of that door. Assuming both men are right handed, it would be easy to shoot the gun out of the hand of the one on the right side, but the fella on the left, well his right hand will be protected some by the wall of the storage car. It will be a might harder to shoot the gun out of his hand." Kid explained.
"Then, what do you suggest?" Big Jim asked.
Heyes and Kid exchanged glances.
"Probably tying up the passenger car guards and bringing them around to the storage car with us. Let the guards inside the storage car know we're holding the others hostage. Making them think we'll kill the hostages if they don't open the doors and throw out their guns," Heyes explained.
"But we won't go through with the threat if they refuse to open the doors. I ain't killing someone without a good enough reason. Money ain't a good enough reason," Kid added.
"If need be, I could bring in a couple of more men... Men I already know and trust," Big Jim said.
"Part of your gang at Devil's Hole?" Heyes asked. "It is an outlaw camp, right?"
Big Jim looked at Heyes and gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. "Yes, part of my gang at Devil's Hole."
Heyes met Jim's eyes and he smiled. "And you're the leader of the gang?" Heyes asked, smiling.
Jim smiled and gave a single nod of his head.
"Then I think If they catch on quick and you say we can trust them, you should bring them in."
"We now split five ways if I do that."
"Understood," Heyes replied.
"And you'd better tell them they have to trust us, too," Kid added. "When we do this, it has to be a team. Everyone's gotta watch everyone each others backs or it won't work," Kid warned.
"Agreed. I'll send a wire when we get back to Tahoe City. They will be here by next weekend."
"So, we put this part of the planning on hold till then," Heyes said. "Let's look at how we stop the train."
"We're going to have to derail the train, maybe break up some track, so the train can't proceed on to notify authorities," Kid said.
"Yeah, Kid and me have come up with a couple of ideas on that subject, too."
"I'm all ears," Big Jim said.
"Well, like we said earlier, a major concern is to minimize passenger injury. Passengers aren't our target. Kid and me are adamant that we don't steal or hurt any passengers. I mean, they are just there by chance, they ain't doing nobody no harm, and they are all likely pretty hardworking folk who need what little money and possessions they got. If you don't give us your word that we do our best to keep the passengers safe, and we don't take what belongs to them, Kid and I will pull out."
Big Jim laughed out loud. "Outlaws with morals. A refreshing idea!" he exclaimed.
Heyes smiled. "That's right. Kid and me stand for more than just honor among thieves. Have we got your word?"
"You have my word."
"Kid and me actually think that loosening a section of the track is the safest way, provided we also build a big bonfire on the track well ahead of the loosened rail so the engineer sees well in advance to start slowing the train down. We'll have the loosened rails tied with rope and when we see the train coming, we'll use our horses to dislodge the track, which will leave the train stuck out in the middle of nowhere and give us all time to escape."
"You know, if Big Jim's bringing in two more men, two of us could board the train in Truckee so there's already someone guarding both passenger cars when the train stops," Kid suggested.
"That's a good idea, Kid," Heyes said.
"For beginners, you two seem quite adept at all this planning," Big Jim said, complementing them both.
"We're use to planning jobs," Kid said.
"Though not ones as big as this," Heyes added.
"If you choose to become outlaws," Big Jim said with a smile. "I suspect you will be very good ones. Perhaps good enough for the Devil's Hole Gang."
"I'm good with just a partner so count me out. What about you, Heyes?"
When Kid didn't receive an instant affirmation, he looked at Heyes and saw a devious smile on Heyes face as Heyes looked directly at Big Jim.
"Heyes?" Kid prompted.
"Yea, Kid's right," Heyes said quickly.
"We'll gentlemen, we have been at this for several hours," Big Jim said. "I'm tired. I think I will turn in."
"I think I'll go outside for a cigar," Kid said and pulled himself out of the chair.
"I'll join you, Kid." Heyes replied.
"Heyes," Kid said slowly as they stood on the porch smoking cigars. "You wouldn't really consider joining up with Big Jim's gang, would you?"
Heyes took a long puff of his cigar and slowly blew the smoke from his mouth. "I don't know, Kid... I honestly think I would have to give it some thought."
"You mean you'd split us up?"
Heyes turned and looked directly at his cousin. He shook his head. "No, Kid. No matter what, no matter what road either of us ever chooses in our lives, you and I will always be partners."
Neither Heyes nor Kid were aware that Big Jim was standing near the window, listening to their conversation, a smile growing on his face.
They spent Sunday going over much of the same conversation they had covered the night before, with all concluding nothing more could really be gained until Big Jim's two friends arrived.
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Wheat Carlson and Kyle Murtry arrived at the Tahoe Tavern four days after Jim had sent the telegraph requesting their services. Heyes and Kid were introduced to them on Friday evening over a game of poker at the tavern.
Wheat looked to be near Jim's age. It was obvious to Heyes and the Kid that Wheat worked to project a hardened image, a tough image. He sported several day's stubble on his face and walked with a cocky confidence. But the facade would always wilt a bit with just a simple glance from Big Jim.
Kyle was almost child like in his admiration of Big Jim, always finding some way to agree with whatever Jim said, always complimenting Jim on his fine ideas. Kyle was just naturally friendly and in many ways, almost innocent. Not a handsome man by any means, Kyle was a follower and always tried to please.
The five men talked, laughed, drank beer, and played poker as they spent the evening sizing up each other. Kyle took an immediate liking to Kid which made Kid a bit wary, not because Kyle was the least bit threatening, but because Kyle was so instantly trusting, something Kid had never experienced with anyone but Heyes.
The following morning they all rode to the cabin. Big Jim brought Wheat and Kyle up to snuff about the intended robbery.
"How much money are we talking about?" Wheat asked
"The entire Comstock Payroll. Perhaps as much as one hundred thousand dollars," Big Jim replied and Wheat whistled while Kyle broke into a huge grin that displayed crooked, yellow, tobacco stained teeth. Kid found himself looking away, but Kyle didn't notice.
"Either of you two have a specialty?" Kid asked.
Kyle grinned proudly. "Dynamite."
"Well, I don't think we'll be requiring any dynamite blasts," Heyes said. "The safe is a Brooker 202. Pretty easy to crack."
"You a safe expert?" Kyle asked.
"You might say that," Heyes replied.
"You expert at anything, Kid?"
"Just my gun, Kyle."
"So," Big Jim began "The day before the robbery, we will loosen some of the rails just beyond the blind gulch. The day of the robbery, we will dislodge that rail and just before the train would enter the blind gulch, we will build a very large fire, one the engineer will be able to see for at least half a mile. That will give him time to stop the train in front of the bonfire," Heyes explained and everyone nodded their understanding.
"Kid, me, and Big Jim will be waiting with our horses for the train to come to a stop. When it does, Kid can pull the engineer off the train, get him tied up and out of the way, then make his way to the storage car where Jim and me will be waiting."
"Again everyone nodded.
"Wheat and Kyle will have boarded the train in Truckee and when the train comes to a halt, and the guards in the passenger cars will likely stand to see what has stopped the train, Wheat and Kyle will overpower them at gunpoint and tie them up. Wheat will take them off the train and and then over to me who and I will walk them to the storage car," Big Jim added. "While Kyle, and Wheat will remain with the passengers to make sure all the passengers remain on the train and safely in their seats."
"We ain't taking the passenger's money and jewelry?" Wheat asked with some surprise.
"Not this time," Big Jim replied.
"Why not?"
Big Jim looked at Wheat sternly. "Because I said, no."
Wheat immediately backed down, but did grumble something about passing up a prime opportunity."
"Now, assuming the guards will heed the threat of injury to the other guards, and will willingly open the storage doors, when they jump down out of the car, Kid will hold them at gun point while Big Jim ties them up and then Big Jim will guard all of them while I climb into the storage car and liberate the money from the safe. Kid will then bring the horses around to us, we'll load up our saddle bags, get the guards back into the storage car to get them out of the cold weather, mount up and head to the passenger cars for Wheat and Kyle and off well go."
"What happens if the guards in the storage car still won't open the doors,?" Kyle asked.
"Heyes smiled. "Then I guess we'll all get to see how good you are with a little dynamite, not enough to blow the car or the safe to smithereens, but enough to get the doors open safely."
"Kyle smiled brightly. "Well, I think that's a fine idea."
"Let's just all hope it doesn't come to that," Kid said quietly.
"Alright, now that we have the plan, we will go over it every day, in detail until every one of us knows precisely what we are each doing, and precisely what every one else is doing. Understood?" Big Jim asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Got an escape route in mind? Wheat asked.
Big Jim smiled. "We will return to Tahoe City, ferry across the lake to fresh horses, head south till the snow thins, then head east back to Devil's Hole."
"You're taking them two to Devil's Hole?' Wheat asked with a bit of protest in his voice.
"As my personal guests. Any objections?" Big Jim said with a voice of control.
"No, Big Jim. No objections," Wheat grumbled.
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Having over a month before the scheduled robbery, and being men of little means, Wheat and Kyle moved into the cabin, but they made a daily trip into Tahoe City for a two hour drill of the plan. When Heyes and Kid quit the logging jobs, they moved to the cabin as well, and at that point it was Big Jim who made the daily trek to the cabin for the daily drill. Big Jim continued to spend his nights at his room at the Tahoe Tavern and just spent weekends at the cabin, and the four residing at the cabin took turns relinquishing their cot to Big Jim and sleeping on the hard, cold floor. When Big Jim moved into the cabin at the first on March, each of the four others were relocated to the floor for a week at a time.
Kid and Heyes began to slowly think of Big Jim as the leader of this gang of five. While although neither spoke publicly of extending the makeshift partnership into a permanent membership of Devil's Hole, during occasional private moments, Heyes did often speculate of the advantages to being part of a larger group, and Kid continued to extol the benefits of a two person team. While he didn't speak of it openly to his partner, both Heyes and Kid were questioning the solidity of their partnership, and each questioned to himself whether the other would follow his decision to become a permanent Devil's Hole member or to walk away at the first opportunity. Neither would admit to the other their fears of separating.
But the fears were evident all the same. Living so tightly packed for a month in the small cabin, one or both was often annoyed or irritated with the other. Tempers between them surfaced more easily. Kid spent more and more time out of the cabin, using the excuse of needing more target practice. Heyes was often found going over the smallest of details with Big Jim or reviewing responsibilities with Kyle. Yes, Heyes and Kid were spending less and less time together.
And Big Jim was keenly aware of the changes, and knowing that Kid would not join the Devil's Hole gang, Big Jim did nothing to ebb the friction between Heyes and Kid.
On the morning of the 26th, Kid saddled his horse and rode to Tahoe City. At the livery, Kid bought a horse, a well worn saddle, as well as a harness, bit, reins. He made no other stoops in town as he did not really want to be seen. After making his purchase, Kid returned to the cabin with the horse in tow. He offered no explanation and no one dared ask.
But when the 27th arrived and the plans were finally being put into action, both Kid and Heyes put personal issues aside and worked as the finely tuned team they had always been. There was a job to be done that required each person to perform specific tasks according to plan, and both Kid and Heyes were as highly professional as the three professional outlaws.
This, likewise, did not go unnoticed by Big Jim.
By the end of the day, enough wood had been gathered and arranged on the track that no one had any doubt the bonfire would be seen for a mile or more away. Kid, Wheat, and Kyle had successfully loosened several feet of railroad track and had secured long ropes to the tracks. They had attached the ropes to their horses and with some effort, had successfully dislodged several feet of track.
All five men stood and admired their handiwork before returning to the cabin for one final night. They dined on beans and whiskey, though everyone was careful not to over indulge. After dinner, they carefully went over every detail of tomorrow's robbery and everyone went to bed, confident of his specific responsibilities.
They arrived at the scene of the impending crime an hour before the train was scheduled to pass through the gulch. Additional tinder and kindling was gathered and stoked into the bonfire that was set ablaze twenty minutes before the train's arrival time. Their horses including Kid's spare horse had been carefully tethered behind some trees, not visible from the tracks. Guns were checked and rechecked for full cartridges and quick, easy access. With ten minutes to spare, they moved back into the foliage so as not to be visible when the train came to a halt. Kid stood calmly behind a tree, ready to vault toward the engine when the train rolled to a stop. Wheat and Kyle were already on board the train, having purchased tickets and boarded in Truckee. Heyes and Big Jim stood ready with guns drawn, just in case the storage car doors miraculously opened without their threats or requests. Tucked in his saddle bags, Kyle had two sticks of dynamite, fuses, and matches ready in the event his blasting skills would be needed.
They heard a train whistle in the distance and all eyes moved down the tracks. As the train neared and slowed, each one jumped into action, skillfully completing his tasks and gaining full control of the train, the crew, the passengers, and the guards. With only one passenger car, Wheat quickly tied the hands of the guards and ordered them off the train. Wheat glanced toward the engine and saw Kid standing in the grass, his gun pointed at the engineer. Kid urged the engineer forward and together he and Wheat joined Heyes and Big Jim near the storage car while Kyle kept careful guard on the passengers who remained on the train.
"You're friends are out here, tied up and ready to be killed if you do not open the doors," Big Jim called to the guards inside the storage car.
There was no response from inside the car. Kid and Heyes stood off to either side of the doors and held drawn guns pointed at the doors of the storage car.
Big Jim looked at Heyes to be sure Heyes was ready. Then he looked at Kid and nodded. Kid returned the nod.
"I will count to three. If the doors do not open, we will begin killing the other guards. When we finish, we will begin killing passengers until you come to your senses. One.. . Two... Three."
Big Jim nodded to Kid and Kid fired one bullet into the air.
"Shall we kill another?" Big Jim shouted.
Slowly the doors began to open.
"Hands in the air and toss down your guns," Big Jim instructed.
The two guards did as instructed and Big Jim ordered them to get down. Kid and Wheat kept their guns poised at the two guards while Big Jim tied their hands behind their backs and Heyes jumped into the storage car, located the safe and settled in beside it, pressing his ear to the tumblers, his thumb and two fingers carefully wrapped around the rotation knob.
As Heyes worked, Kid retrieved the horses. When the safe was readily opened, Kid jumped into the storage car and helped Heyes remove the money. They skillfully jumped down from the car, their arms loaded with stacks of bills that they then began stuffing into the saddle bags. When they were done, they joined Wheat and Big Jim and the four men began loading the guards back into the storage car, shutting the door behind them. Then they all mounted and headed for the passenger car to pick up Kyle.
"Holler into the car that there's a horse tethered up near those trees," Kid shouted to Kyle. "After we're gone someone can ride back to Truckee for help."
Kyle grinned at Kid. "Well, I think that's a fine idea," he said and darted back in to the passenger car to make his announcement.
Heyes looked at Kid with some satisfaction.
Kid shrugged. "Well, we can't just leave them all out here in the cold and the snow," Kid explained.
Once Kyle was finally mounted on his steed, they sped away on their horses toward Tahoe City.
Both Heyes and Kid were were filled with an adrenaline surge like they had never felt before. Both spurred their horses faster and faster and the others worked to keep up. They frequently exchanged glances and smiles as they raced toward Tahoe City.
Two hours later the five men, still jubilant and giddy, boarded the ferry with heavy saddlebags slung over their shoulders and bedrolls tucked under their arms. They headed below deck and congregated at a table out of earshot of the on deck passengers. Big Jim cautioned them about their conversations, assuring them there would be time enough around a campfire tonight to hash out the events of the day; Heyes and Kid spoke little, but locked eyes often, their eyes and faces gleaming with excitement as the ferry moved slowly across the lake.
Big Jim moved quietly away from the group, but not before catching Heyes' eye and nodding a request for Heyes to follow him to the upper deck. Heyes waited until Big Jim was on the main deck before he followed, and Heyes did not see that Kid had witness the exchange.
Big Jim stood at the rail looking out over the water as the sun set behind the western mountains. Heyes approached and stood beside him.
"I've been watching you and your partner these past few months. Like it or not, you are both destined to become outlaws."
Heyes smiled. "Maybe."
Big Jim shook his head. "There is no maybe about it. It's in your blood."
Heyes chose not to debate the issue. "That was exciting today."
"Heyes, I would like you to become a member of the Devil's Hole gang. You have a talent that would benefit us all."
"What about Kid?" Heyes asked.
"I would like him to join as well. He too possesses a valuable talent. But, watching him... I am quite certain he will not agree to join... And perhaps that is for the best. He's young. He has not yet come to terms with what his fast draw really means."
Heyes shook his head. "Kid and I have been partners all our lives."
"Perhaps it is time to let him spread his wings, discover who he is, independent of you. If you are really partners, he'll return to you one day."
Heyes looked out across the water. He'd never considered the possibility that Kid might actually benefit by being independent of him. He'd never thought of the two of them as anything but partners.
"I'll think about it," Heyes said quietly and walked away.
Heyes descended the stairs to the lower deck and spied Kid alone in a corner watching him. He shot Kid a smile but got nothing in return. Heyes debated whether to approach Kid or return to Kyle and Wheat. He chose the latter, wanting his conversation with Kid to be somewhere they could talk privately. Unaware of his reasons, all Kid saw was that Heyes had chosen Kyle and Wheat over him.
When the ferry docked, there were fresh horses waiting for them just as Big Jim had promised. They all mounted and galloped off in a flurry and rode another hour in the darkness before making camp.
They hadn't packed food or coffee, so they built a low fire and everyone settled in for the night and before dawn they were on their way further south, then west toward Wyoming and the Devil's Hole. They made camp late that afternoon, making sure there was enough daylight to hunt something to fill their empty bellies. Kid returned with three rabbits. Wheat walked proudly into camp with a dead raccoon. The meal was not elegant, but they all felt better having a little food in their stomachs.
"When do we divvy up the money?" Heyes asked Big Jim as they all crowded around the fire for warmth.
"Are you anxious, Mr. Heyes?" Big Jim asked.
"Well, being that Kid and me ain't part of the gang, I think we'd feel a might better having our share before we get to Devil's Hole."
Kid looked pensively at Big Jim. "Heyes has a point." he said. "Probably ought to split it up out here."
Big Jim looked at Wheat and Kyle. "Do you agree?' he asked.
Both Wheat and Kyle hesitated. They liked the idea of getting their money, but didn't want to rile or offend Big Jim.
"Alright, lets get it out and start counting," Big Jim said.
They spent the better half of an hour counting the money they had stolen. The total was seventy two thousand dollars.
"Fourteen thousand, four hundred dollars each," Heyes announced.
"Might shy of what you projected, Big Jim. But I can't complain," Kid said as Big Jim began doling out each person's share.
"Probably a posse after us by now," Wheat lamented.
"Remember, we're in Wyoming now," Big Jim said. "We'll be in Devil's Hole by tomorrow afternoon. I think we are safe."
Kid looked at Heyes as he stuffed his money into his saddle bags. Heyes returned the glance, but gave no indication that he planned to do anything other than accompany Big Jim to Devil's Hole.
Big Jim had everyone awake and on their way before sunlight. They rode hard for the better part of two hours, then stopped at a stream to water and rest the horses. Wheat took the opportunity to find a shady spot near the bank of the river to nap, while Kyle tended to the horses. Kid wandered off a ways to rid himself from the scrutiny of Big Jim's watchful eye. Unlike Heyes, Kid was becoming wary of Big Jim and wanted to sever ties sooner rather than later. But as long as Heyes was unwilling or unable to discuss the matter of separation from the outlaws, Kid was unwilling to relinquish his protective guard of his partner, even if that partnership was beginning to erode right before him.
"Heyes, we gotta talk," Kid said as he and Heyes climbed back into their saddles, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I know, Kid. Just not here."
For an instant, blue and brown eyes locked.
"Let's ride!" Big Jim shouted to the others. Kid pulled hard on his reins and spurred his horse into a gallop to catch up with Wheat and Kyle.
They reached the check point leading to Devil's Hole late in the afternoon and Heyes and Kid followed the the lead of the others and pulled their horses to a halt.
"Why are we stopping?" Heyes asked to anyone listening.
Big Jim pulled up beside Heyes and smiled. "You'll see," he said and started to reach for his holstered gun. Kid saw the movement of Big Jim's arm and immediately pulled his own gun, aiming at Big Jim. Big Jim's arm froze in mid air and he watched Kid very carefully.
"There are two riffles pointed at you at this moment," Big Jim said and motioned with his head to an area high up on a nearby hill. "Now, I am pulling my gun to fire a signal, Kid. Try to stop me, and you'll be dead on the ground within seconds."
Kid's eyes darted to Heyes who shook his head once. Slowly, Kid reholstered his gun and Big Jim pulled his gun, pointed it into the air, and fired one shot.
"Who goes there?" came a demand from high up the hill..
"Big Jim, Kyle and Wheat," Wheat shouted.
"And two guests," Big Jim shouted.
"Come in," came the reply.
Kyle and Wheat waited for Big Jim to move ahead of the others to lead the way. Kyle and Wheat then moved into formation. Heyes and Kid followed suit. Half an hour later, they arrived in the compound of Devil's Hole. Big Jim reined his horse in at the front of a small cabin. Kyle and Wheat continued on toward a bunk house.
Big Jim gestured for Kid and Heyes to follow him into the cabin.
"Looks like quite the set up," Heyes remarked once inside the cabin.
"There's an empty bedroom over there. That's where the two of you will be staying."
"For how long?" Heyes asked.
"A couple of days, till it's safe for you to leave...If you chose to stay, you'll move into the bunkhouse with the others."
Heyes looked at Kid and could see that Kid was growing more unsettled.
"The Kid and I need to talk," Heyes told Big Jim while not taking his eyes off his partner. "In private," Heyes added.
"You are both free to walk around the compound so long as neither of you ventures out beyond eyesight. When you're done, come back here and we'll have a drink."
"Thanks. Come on, Kid," Heyes said and headed out the door.
The compound was actually fairly large. It was surrounded by trees and foliage. They walked to the far edge of the compound and stood near the corral.
"What did you and Big Jim talk about on the boat yesterday?" Kid asked.
"About him wanting us to join up... He want's both of us, Kid."
"You can't see it, can you Heyes?"
"See what?"
"Big Jim is... afraid of you?"
"Afraid of me? Why?"
"Because he knows you're smarter than him."
"For the sake of argument, Kid, I'm not going to disagree with that. But, why would that make him fearful?"
"He wants to keep you under a very watchful eye. Rather have you as a friend than an enemy."
Heyes shook his head and rested his arms on the top of the corral rail. "He says he wants us to join because we each have a skill that he thinks would be very useful to the gang."
"Heyes, I don't watch your back because it's my job. I watch your back because its exactly that, it's your back... I watch your back because it's you. Big Jim's the leader of this gang and he's not going to take it well that one of his...underlings, has better protection than he does, and he'll try to do something about that quick, Heyes. He's going to want me to protect him, not you, and I won't do that... So if that means we have to part... then I guess we have to part, Heyes."
Heyes sighed heavily and continued looking out at the empty corral rather than at his partner.
"He thinks us going our separate ways, night be a good thing for you... Thinks I've been clipping your wings... That I should give you time..."
"Time for what?"
Heyes smiled sadly. "To figure out who you are, what you want."
Kid shook his head and began slowly pacing behind Heyes. Finally her stopped, approached the corral. And mimicked Heyes' posture.
"Well there you have it, Heyes. He's stuck a wedge of guilt in there between us. If I stay, you feel guilty that you're holding me back. If I go, the guilt won't be there, but the separation will be final."
Heyes shook his head. "I think you're wrong, Kid. I hope you're wrong."
"So, you're staying? You're mind's made up?"
"Kid, if you're right about me being smarter than Big Jim, hell, I could end up being the leader of this gang one day."
It was Kid's turn to shake his head. "You've been her ten minutes and already you got yourself being leader one day... I guess I underestimated Big Jim... Maybe I've been overestimating us, too."
Kid pushed himself away from the corral and started back toward the cabin. Heyes turned and watching him go.
Kid reached the porch and brushed by Big Jim who was standing with his hands on the porch rail. He had obviously been watching the conversation between Kid and Heyes. Once Kid was inside the cabin, Big Jim descended the porch steps and waited while Heyes made his way to the cabin.
He's not going to stay, is he?"
Heyes stopped beside Big Jim. "Nope."
"And you?"
Heyes chewed his bottom lip. "I'm staying," he said.
Big Jim nodded. "He is free to go whenever he wishes."
"I'll tell him," Heyes said and walked up he steps and into the cabin.
0-0-0-0-
Their decisions had been difficult, but they were both committed and both unwilling to compromise. They both lay in the bed that night unable to sleep, unwilling to talk. In the morning, they sat at the table a midst a deafening silence, while eating breakfast. Big Jim sat at the head of the table, watching them both.
"You're leaving this morning?" Big Jim asked.
"Yep," Kid replied.
"As long as Heyes is here, you have refuge if you ever need it."
Kid didn't reply. Instead, he took one final gulp of his coffee and stood from the table. He walked into the bedroom and picked up his saddlebags and headed for the door.
"Kid," Heyes called and Kid stopped. Heyes looked at Big Jim. "I'll walk out with you, Kid."
"Suit yourself," Kid replied and walked out of the cabin.
Heyes hurried out and caught up with Kid as he walked toward the barn to saddle his horse. Heyes touched Kid's shoulder as Kid finished cinching the saddle.
"We're still partners, Kid."
"Kind of hard to see that, Heyes."
"Where are you going?"
"Don't know."
Heyes rolled his eyes with frustration. "Kid, this is something I have to try, I have to do."
Kid turned to face Heyes. "Me, too."
"I'll always be your partner, Kid."
Kid slowly shook his head. "Fine way of showing it."
Heyes threw up his hands. "Okay, Kid. You win. You want me to go, I'll go!"
"It's too late, Heyes," Kid said softly. "We're at a point now that we can't just go back to the way we were... It's you, not me that's got to figure out who you are."
Kid leaned against the horse stall. "You spent your whole life taking care of me, raising me, worrying about me. You never had time... you never had the chance to figure out what Hannibal Heyes wanted... I don't like this, not one bit, but I have to give you the time to figure all that out."
"Then you'll come back one day?"
"I don't know... Not as long as Big Jim is here, I know that much."
Blue and brown eyes locked.
"Kid," Heyes said before falling silent again.
"I know, Heyes... Me too."
Heyes stood in the barn and watched Kid lead his horse outside where he climbed into the saddle. Kid turned and looked back at Heyes.
"Me too," he repeated before flicking his reins and riding away.