Green River, Wyoming, on the eastern side of the Dakota Territories, was a bustling town and served as both a distribution center for the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as an important stop for barges utilizing the Green River for transport of lumber and other important commodities. It was a fairly large town as towns go, and as such, was a location that one could easily blend in to and move about inconspicuously, making it a good layover place for two former outlaws wanting to maintain a low profile while enjoying the amenities of civilization.
Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry had arrived two days earlier and had found a reasonably priced room at one of the three hotels in the town. Heyes particularly liked the fact that there were four saloons which provided a nice choice of poker, from nickel and dime games to those requiring an ante of fifty to a hundred dollars. As his profits grew, so did his preference of the higher stakes games. Kid found he had a similar price variety among the female employees of the saloons, and soon discovered he really did get what he paid for.
Green River was, for different reasons, fast becoming one of their favorite towns to visit. In the two days they had been there, they had yet to even see the Sheriff or any deputies, something that made them appreciate the town even more. They moved about town freely, enjoyed the many amenities, and realized that no one had the least bit of interest in two of hundreds of strangers that passed through this river town on a regular basis.
Due primarily to Heyes' skillful poker, money was not currently much of a concern for Heyes and Curry. But a months long depression showed no signs of improvement and both knew that eventually their money would run out, as would likely any availability of jobs. So, despite their leisurely lifestyle, both kept eyes and ears open for the possibility of a job that met their criteria, meaning a job that was not hard on the back, and paid well enough to make any kind of physical toil worthwhile.
One morning, several days after they had arrived in town, Hannibal Heyes burst into their hotel room, a folded newspaper clenched in his hand. When he saw Kid was still fast asleep beneath several layers of quilts, Heyes slapped the newspaper hard into the palm of his other hand, creating a loud snapping sound that startled his sleeping partner awake with a jolt.
"What? What happened?" Kid said, bolting upright and instinctively reaching across the bed for his gun that rested in the holster slung over the bedpost.
"Kid, I found it!" Heyes declared excitedly. "Come on, get dressed. We gotta go check this out."
Kid stopped and lowered his outstretched hand, trying to emerge from his sleepy fog.
"What did you find and what do we gotta check out, Heyes?" Kid asked.
Heyes smiled broadly and held the folded newspaper out to his partner. "The perfect job, Kid. I found us the perfect job!"
Kid sighed heavily. He tossed the quilts aside and swung his legs out of the bed, and used his hand to brush the extended newspaper offering aside. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, Kid reached for his pants lying at the foot of the bed.
"Heyes, I ain't awake enough to read the paper, and I need some coffee. So, why don't you just tell me about the perfect job while I get dressed."
"Alright," Heyes replied and sat down on the edge of his own bed. "I went downstairs for some coffee..."
"And you couldn't bring a cup up here for me?" Kid interrupted. "You came up here with the intention of waking me up,and you couldn't bring me a damn cup of coffee?"
Heyes ignored Kid's whining. "Anyway Kid, I was sitting drinking my coffee and picked up this newspaper that was sitting on an empty table. Naturally, I start looking through the help wanted ads, and there it was."
"There what was?" Kid asked, growing more than a bit proddy as he buttoned his shirt and reached for his vest.
Heyes opened the paper to the want ads and his eyes scrolled down the third column.
"Ah, here it is... Two men needed to transport inorganic compounds to Denver. Must be honest, dependable, and able to provide references. One hundred dollars per day. Apply at 106 Burton Street."
"What's inorganic compounds, Heyes?" Kid asked.
"A...well... things that ain't organic, I suppose. Things that don't grow. "
"So it ain't gonna be timber or crops or cattle and such, right?"
Heyes nodded. "Kid, it pays a hundred dollars a day and it's a good eight to ten day ride to Denver from here. That's at least eight hundred dollars each for the job."
"Is nitro inorganic, Heyes? Cause I ain't transporting nitro again," Kid said, standing now to fasten his gun belt.
"I think nitro is an organic compound, but we'll ask what it is we're transporting when we apply for the job. If it's nitro, we won't do it, Kid."
"I thought you said organic is things that grow? Nitro don't grow."
"Kid, we'll ask when we get there," Heyes reiterated, himself growing a tad impatient.
"Ad says they want references, Heyes. Who we using as a reference, president of the National Bank of Cheyenne?"
Heyes smiled. "Who better than Lom? He's an officer of the law. Can't get much more reputable than that."
"Better send him a telegram in advance, Heyes. Let him know why someone's asking for a reference about us," Kid said as he sat back down on the bed to pull on his boots.
"Okay, we'll send Lom a telegram in advance. You ready to go apply for that job now?"
"No! I need coffee and some food in my belly first, Heyes. Then we'll go and apply for that job, or at least find out what the job is."
An hour later they walked down Barton Street in search of the correct address. When they reached it, they stopped outside the door.
"Heyes, it's an Assay Office. They're going to want us to transport gold or silver, or copper or some such thing. Things that people like us steal."
"Looks like you're probably right."
"And they're willing to hire a couple of fly-by-night strangers to transport it? Don't seem like the safest way to transport such valuables, but it does seem like a job that might be a bit dangerous for us."
Heyes sighed heavily. Kid was making some valid points. "Lets just go in and see what it is we're talking about."
"Okay, but I already don't like it, Heyes. Ought to send them kind of valuables by train, in a safe...with guards."
Heyes ignored Kid's warnings and quickly opened and refolded the newspaper to the page of the help wanted ads. Then he motioned to Kid to follow as he opened the door of the Assay Office and walked inside.
The man behind the counter looked up when the bell above the door jingled.
"May I help you?" the man asked.
Heyes smiled. I'm Joshua Smith and this is my partner, Thaddeus Jones. We're here in response to your help wanted ad in the newspaper," Heyes explained, holding the newspaper out as proof of the reason for their visit.
The man looked them both over carefully before extending his hand to each of them.
"I'm Caleb Warner, the owner of this business. Are the two of you able to provide names of references?"
Heyes smiled. "Yes, of course Mr. Warner. We wouldn't be applying for the job if we couldn't. What exactly is the job you're advertising?"
"Oh, I couldn't possible discuss that with you until I have verified your references. I'm sure you understand?'
"Well, not really," Kid replied
"Of course we understand," Heyes interrupted. "I mean, obviously this entails the transporting of some kind of precious metals or alloys."
Mr. Warner reached for a piece of paper and a pencil. "Now, about those references."
"How many do you need?" Kid asked.
"Well, let's see,... I think three would be sufficient."
"Well, the first would be Sheriff Lom Trevers of Porterville, Wyoming," Heyes said and Mr. Warner wrote the information down on the paper.
"And the second one?"
Heyes looked at Kid who gave Heyes a subtle shrug. "Oh, how about Miss Caroline Porter, also of Porterville. Her father owns the bank there," Heyes explained.
"She fills in for her father when he's out of town," Kid added, confident he was being helpful.
Mr. Warner hesitated for a moment, then wrote her name on the paper. "Well, I suppose women can vote in Wyoming, so they surely can be relied upon for an honest reference... And a third name, gentlemen?"
Heyes looked to Kid for help. Kid smiled, snapping his thumb and finger. "Miss Clementine Hale, of Denver," he said triumphantly.
Mr. Warner looked at them both questioningly. "Were you both...employed by these women at some time?" he asked.
"We were employed by Miss Porter. Thaddeus was actually the Security Officer at the Porterville Bank. My expertise is more along the lines of ...storage safety, you know, safes and vaults."
"Now that is some interesting background information and may come in very handy, I mean if you're chosen for this job...And what about Miss Hale?"
"A...personal reference," Kid said and Heyes turned an gave him a look that essentially said 'what are you doing?' Again, Kid gave him a subtle shrug. "As opposed to a business reference," Kid clarified.
Mr. Warner picked up the piece of paper and slipped it into his shirt pocket. "Give me a couple of days to hear back from these people. Come back Thursday and if I decide you are appropriate for this job, I'll explained it in better detail...Oh, one more thing, I see you are both wearing firearms. Are either or both of you proficient in the use of those guns?"
"Is that a requirement for the job?" Kid asked.
"No. In fact I don't anticipate the need for a gun to be used, it's just that...well, it would be reassuring."
"Well, I tell you what, Mr. Warner. If Joshua and I get this job, I'd be willing to show you just how..proficient..I am with my gun," Kid replied.
Mr. Warner was a little taken aback by what he could only describe as Mr. Jones' blatent confidence. He didn't reply, but he did nod his head in agreement.
"We'll stop back on Thursday," Heyes said and elbowed Kid to follow him out of the shop.
"How about a beer, Kid?' Heyes said after they had walked a block from the shop.
"This early? It ain't even noon, Heyes."
"But it'll give us a chance to talk about this job."
"You starting to have doubts, Heyes?"
"Maybe not doubts just yet, but certainly a lot of questions."
"Better stop at the telegraph office too, Heyes and get the jump on Warner notifying Lom and Caroline, and Clem."
Half an hour later they sat at a table in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, each with a beer that neither had much interest in being as it was so early in the day.
"Kid, I think this is going to be a dangerous job. I mean, it obviously entails transporting something of considerable value, and him wanting to know if we're handy with our guns, and wanting references and all."
"Tried to tell you that before we went to talk to the man," Kid grumbled.
"I wonder what it is he's wanting to transport," Heyes mused.
"You know Heyes, that ad don't say how he plans to transport his property. Maybe he does plan to ship it by train and we'd just be hired to guard it, not actually responsible for the transporting of it."
Heyes nodded. "I hope he does. I don't think I'd mind doing that at all. But if he expects us to be riding out in the open with something packed in our saddlebags or across some old mule, well, that something entirely different to ponder."
"Eight hundred is probably a fair amount if we're traveling by train. But if we're on horseback, just might not be worth it."
"That's exactly what I'm thinking, too."
"We'll just have to wait and see what he says on Thursday, Heyes."
You know Kid, maybe it would be worthwhile to check out Caleb Warner's references as well."
"Maybe I should remind you Heyes, that we didn't get no references from Caleb Warner."
"But if he's been a business man in town for a while, people know him, or know of him. Let's come back here tonight, maybe ask around a bit."
0-0-0-0-0-
That evening they returned to the Golden Horseshoe where Heyes was able to join in to one of the more lucrative poker games while Kid remained at the bar to decide upon his choices of female companions.
As the evening wore on, Heyes was careful to lose almost as often as he won so as to build a bit of camaraderie with the other players.
"Any of you fellas acquainted with Caleb Warner?" he asked as he shuffled the cards for the next hand.
"Yeah, I know him. Why are you asking?" Jim Daultry, an employee of the First National Bank replied.
Heyes smiled. "Well, I just met Mr. Waren this morning at his place of business. My partner and I were seeking the services of an assayer. He seemed like a very nice, very reputable man. I'd just like to know for certain before I engage in any...significant conversion of my funds, so to speak."
"Caleb's been in the assay business there for almost ten years. Came to Green River from... Denver I think it was when the gold and silver boom hit. I've not done a lot of business with him, but what I have done has been very good. He's always been honest."
"Well, that's good to hear. Not being from around here, it's kind of important to me to do my homework on a man and his business."
"Testing the water before diving in?" Daultry asked.
Heyes smiled. "Exactly."
"Caleb knows his stones and precious metals and doesn't tamper with the weights."
Heyes began to deal out the cards. "You say he's from Denver?"
"Yes, I believe that's what he told me."
"Same line of business there?" Heyes asked.
"That I couldn't tell you Mr. Smith."
Kid had given a watchful eye to both Heyes' poker game and the four girls working the bar that evening. About an hour after arriving at the saloon, Kid had decided upon a woman by the name of Star and had been getting rather cozy with her for the past ten minutes.
"You ready to head upstairs, Honey?" Star asked, slipping her arms around Kid's waist and pulling him in close to her.
Kid gave Star a seductive smile. "Just been waiting for you to ask, darlin."
On their way up the stairs, Star leading Kid by the hand, Kid gave a quick glance to the poker table and saw Heyes giving him a watchful eye as well.
An hour later, Kid lay sprawled on his back on the bed, an arm about Star's shoulders as she lay snuggled up to his side, her hand gently caressing his chest.
"You live here in Green River for long?" Kid asked, his hand caressing her shoulder.
"Came here four years ago. A lot of prospectors pass through this town. Girl can make a good living."
Kid smiled. "S'pecially a girl as talented as you."
She cooed into his ear. "Don't give any better than I get," she replied.
Kid smiled. She certainly knew how to work a client.
"Ever met a fellow by the name of Caleb Waren?"
Star propped herself up on one elbow and looked at Kid.
"I've known him... a few times. Why?"
"I work for a fellow that's downstairs playing poker. He deals in high-end ores and such. Just part of my job to find out what I can about people my boss plans to do business with. Of course, darlin, I could focus my attention elsewhere if you'd rather."
Kid's comment amused Star and eased her concern about Kid's questioning.
"Caleb ain't above taken advantage if he thinks he can get away with it," she said and uttered a giggle. "He's told me a story or two where that attitude has been rather profitable to him. Course he don't tell me all the failures."
"A swindler of sorts?" Kid asked.
"Ah, I don't know as I'd go that far. He ain't a professional at it by any means. Might salt the scales a bit here and there, when the customer don't appear to be a threat."
"So, probably no different than any other Assayer?"
Star smiled. "Probably not. You about ready for round two, Thaddeus?"
It was Kid's turn to smile. "Always, darlin," he replied and rolled over on top of her."
A couple of hours later, both satisfied they had learned all they were going to learn about Caleb Warner, Heyes and Kid called it a night and stepped out into the cool night air.
"He sounds as honest as the next fella in that line of work, Heyes," Kid said after they had returned to their hotel room.
"Sounds that way," Heyes replied, sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling off his boots. "He's from Denver originally. Makes me wonder if that's just a coincidence.'
"Well, at the moment I don't see no reason to suspect otherwise."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Heyes replied.
"You could wire Clem about him. Her father might have some connections."
"That's true. Probably shouldn't do that from here, though. We've known more than one telegraph operator willing to share the contents of a private message."
Kid nodded and, now stripped down to his long johns, crawled into his bed. "You gonna read for a while, Heyes?"
"Yeah, thought I would for a little while."
Kid rolled over on his side, his back to Heyes, and pulled the sheet up over his head to block the light.
"Goodnight, Heyes."
0-0-0-0-0-
Late Thursday morning Heyes and Kid made their way back to the Assayer's Office to speak with Caleb Warner.
"I've been looking forward to your return. Your references all came back with excellent recommendations. Sheriff Trevers' was a bit interesting," Mr. Warner said as he greeted them both.
"Oh? How so?" Heyes asked as casually as he could muster.
"Well, him being a Sheriff, I figured I could explain the job in a bit more detail than I did for the two ladies. His reply says you two have considerable experience transporting large sums of money from one location to another. I wondered why you didn't mention that the other day?"
Heyes and Kid shot a nervous glance to the other.
"Oh, well, I guess it just didn't come up," Kid replied. "This...not being money you want transported," he added.
Warner accepted the explanation. "Well, be as it may, I would indeed like to hire the both of you."
"Mr. Warner, you said if you decided we were right for this job, you'd explain to us just what this job is," Heyes said.
"Yes, of course... Excuse me a moment, will you?" Warner said and walked to the front of the store, locked the front door, and turned the sign to display the word CLOSED to the street. Then he returned to Heyes and Curry.
"We will be transporting just over three hundred and fifty pounds of uncut diamonds."
Kid whistled at the number.
"Just what is the value of something like that?" Heyes asked.
"That's hard to determine with uncut diamonds. There are a number of factors that determine the value of an uncut diamond. It requires gem experts to determine the actual value. But these all come from the same mine and it's a high quality mine. The absolute bottom value would be in the neighborhood of four hundred thousand to half a million dollars."
"And how do you plan to transport them?" Kid asked. "By train?"
Warner shook his head. "No, not be train. Trains require a declaration of cargo. That would just make too many people aware of what we are transporting, as well as the estimated value. That's just too risky for my liking."
"Then how?" Heyes asked.
"Well start by barge on the Green River. I would hire a barge just for this individual transport. That way, the only people to possible contend with are the crew of the barge. Being in the middle of that river, we can't very well fall victim to a land attack."
"How far does the river take us?" Kid asked.
"We'll be able to travel forty miles into Colorado. From there to Denver will be on land in a buckboard."
"Gonna need a four, maybe six-horse hitch for that kind of weight," Kid said.
"Yes, we'll have the buckboard on the barge with the diamonds. I plan to have horses waiting for us at the end of the river excursion."
"That's three, maybe four hundred miles on land. That's another four or five days travel, provided we have good roads to travel on," Heyes said.
"So we're talking more like eleven or twelve days for this job." Kid said and looked skeptically at his partner.
"Mr. Warner, a hundred dollars a day for an eleven day excursion hauling half a million dollars worth of diamonds, well that sounds like your asking us to risk an awful lot for not a lot of money. You surely can't expect us or anybody else to risk so much for so little," Heyes said.
"No, of course not. I posted the newspaper ad because I didn't want to attract the wrong kind of people, you know, people planning to steal the merchandise for profit. I fully intend to pay you a worthwhile sum for the job."
"Then what does it pay, Mr. Warner?" Kid asked.
"Six thousand dollars, gentlemen."
"Apiece?" Kid asked
"Yes."
Heyes and Kid again exchanged glances. "Make it ten thousand dollars apiece Mr. Warner and you have a deal."
"I'll make it ten thousand dollars apiece after I've see how the two of you can handle a gun. If I am satisfied with your gun skills, I'll gladly make it ten thousand dollars apiece."
"Will just me and Joshua be transporting and guarding these rocks, Mr. Warner?" Kid asked.
"No. I'll be going along, as well my partner, Mr. Avery."
"Why ain't we met this Mr. Avery?" Kid asked.
"He's out of town on business. He should be back tomorrow on the afternoon stage. You can meet him then if you'd like."
"Well, Thaddeus and I can't very well demonstrate our shooting skills in here, Mr. Avery," Heyes said.
"I'll keep the store closed for another hour. There's a field at the end of town, about a half a mile from here. We can go there, now."
Kid gave Heyes a nod of approval.
"Fine then, shall we go?" Heyes suggested.
Mr. Warner gathered some empty cans from the back of his store and carried them in a burlap bag to the field where Heyes and Kid demonstrated their shooting skills. Obviously Mr. Warner was very impressed.
"I've never seen anyone that fast and that accurate," Warner said when Kid holstered his gun."
"Comes with a lot of practice," Kid replied.
"Then you agree to ten thousand dollars apiece, Mr. Warner?" Heyes asked.
"Most definitely, Mr. Smith," Warner replied.
"When do we start this trip?" Kid asked as they walked back toward town.
"We'll load the wagon tomorrow after dark. Two of us will stand guard through the night. We'll depart from Dock Thirty-Seven at seven Saturday morning so we'll have to be down at the dock by five to load the wagon on to the barge."
"So you want us to come by the store tomorrow at dusk, ready to load the wagon and depart the next morning?" Heyes asked.
"Yes. Be here at the store at dusk tomorrow."