The shards of Whiggery

August on the Prairie, 1870

Sounds like a place you might go, Henry.  Big Indian dismounted to build a fire.  I dream of machines that fly says Henry.  You wasn’t going to stay in Georgia no matter what.  No matter what.  Now Tom deals the cards.  No.  He sends Oskar.  His deutsch is better than your Apache.  They almost killed me.  I almost killed you.  Big Indian grinned.  You got coffee.  Glenfiddich from goddam Scotland you piker.  He was one of my XI Corps boys.  Their goddam war is over five years.  Let’s drink to it.  It is just getting started in Hessen land.  No see um.   How.

Daisy joined Oskar on the front porch stairway late September. He was smoking a pipe carved from ivory brought to him from a Canadian connection who dealt in the walrus tusk. Before too many minutes of silence became awkward or suspect, she ventured forth with small talk in English, then asked directly. What sort of an assignment would take him like this without word, or plan or, or, or notice to his people. Oskar, should you know anything of where he is, I would be ever so appreciative if you would share this with me. I fear I’m becoming ill with worry! Why certainly, Mein Fraulein. The cavalry forts and outposts are not being too careful with their, ahhh..Diplomatie…, many Indian attacks, many government attacks.

Ja dangerous, sure. Telegraph broken much of the time. If I know Henry, I do you should know, he is like mein bruder, Henry’s still trying to pick his enemy no matter who pays. He has fights with himself over who is good. I guess we all do. So, he will notice us when wires are better protected. He has men für this. I don’t fear für him. You need not fear für him. All of this he said quietly and kindly to her. Having embarrassed herself to her very core, she choked back tears and rose from the rocker. Oskar rose simultaneously and reached for her hand. She held it out to him, he turned it and kissed the back of her hand in gentile fashion and she excused herself to retire. The tears never entered her eyes until she had her back to him and she entered her house for the evening. She would have to learn patience again

Here there be china dragons

Pegasus is only a legend.  These are machines.  Like a locomotive.  They can fly faster than a bullet and higher than the stars.  And they can think.  I think you are crazy.  They are dragons.  They are real.  Long knives do understand our war.  Now Tom go back to the river.  Big Indian pick up Zeiss telescope and look at the moon.  I see your people on the moon.  They travel in pipes like shit.  Like smoke, Chaska- in peace pipe. Put some of your fire water in my coffee.  I will look again.  Then I will not see you fucking our mother.  Ha I piss in yer goddam pint you piker! Dancing Bear smiles on you.

I believe Osker was an officer for Schurz and that Dilger will know for sure and certain Sunrise.