FourteenFort Bridger hummed with the sound of clattering wagons, the neighing and snorting of horses and the gaggle of voices from a hundred different lands. Leaning against a post outside his office, Major Porter eyed the entire scene with a sense of detached amusement.
“Never have been able to fathom out the attraction,” he said.
“What's that, sir?” asked the young lieutenant standing a little way behind.
“All these pilgrims heading out west. I thought once the Goldrush ended, all of this nonsense would too. There ain't nothing out there but scrub, dried up river beds and bloodthirsty Redskins.”
“Have you ever been out west, sir?”
Porter turned a brooding eye on the young officer. “What does that mean, boy?”
“Just wondering, sir – nothing more.”
“Have you?”
“Er, yes I have sir. M
