It's in the posting queue. In writing this I realise just how little I know about the US, and most of what I know about the 'West' is from watching movies and from an interest in railroads. I almost wish I'd sent Fitz and Co by train! But it wouldn't have been as exiting, and I wouldn't have learnt as much as I did from studying the Overland stage - reality not Jim Hardy and Wells Fargo. Yeah, I'm that old!
I also owe a debt to Mark Twain, much of the description comes from 'Roughing It' which I was able to read courtesy of Google Books, although I have expanded some descriptive bits. Information on guns comes from the many people on the internet who 'play' with these things - I know there are those who prefer the Colt to the Remington, but sighting the latter is easier!
Jake himself is now in Spain, and I have no idea what will happen to him and his ladies there, or perhaps it will be just a leisurely ride to Lisbon... as if!
Martin