The stagecoach had just topped the peak of 10-Mile Hill when Barney Todd noticed a plume of smoke from the southwest in the direction of Diamond Springs. He elbowed the new shotgun messenger beside him. "What do you think of that, Willy?" Barney said as he nodded toward the distance column of black. "Is that smoke?" Willy asked. "What the hell else do you think it would be?" Barney snapped. He wasn't sure of Willy. The young man had been thrust on him just this morning after his regular shotgun Jack Harris had gotten himself cut up in a knife fight at one of Council Grove's less welcoming saloons. If Barney was right, this was Willy's first trip as a shotgun messenger, but the line was required to have one whenever there was a strongbox on board. Too bad Jack had gotten himself cut up in a foolish barroom brawl. Jack always kept a good look out when he was in the shotgun seat. Willy just seem to look around, not really looking to keep everyone safe. The smoke on the horizon was bothersome. Barney chance to look over his shoulder at Sun, the Chinaman who always accompanied him on a run. Sun was looking at the smoke as well. He looked at Barney and said, "Big fire." "Diamond Springs Station?" Sun nodded agreement. "You really think so?" Willy asked. "Almost sure of it," Barney replied. "What else would make so much smoke? Best keep a good lookout Willy. We might be having visitors we don't want."
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