Dear Mr Jones,

I am acquainted with your articles and pamphlets on the subject of a Pacific railroad, and I am impressed by your ideas of a locomotive highway to link California with the Eastern plains. There is no question in my mind that our commercial fortunes would be much enhanced by such a link.

With the intention of trying to find a wagon route eastwards out of Dutch Flat, to connect my small town with Nevada Territory over the Sierra crest, I recently came upon a corridor through the rock which to my inexperienced eye is considerably less demanding in gradient than the old emigrant trace.

It occurred to me that you might be interested in making a preliminary survey of the corridor, which runs south of the Donner Lake but north of the peaks above Lake Bigler. I am here at my pharmacy at most times, since I am doctor, drugstore proprietor, and general servant of this small community; and I would be honoured to guide you up into the Sierras at your earliest pleasure.

I remain your servant, sir,

Daniel F. Kates

Collis put the letter down. ‘Well?’ he asked Theodore. ‘Do you believe there’s anything in it?’

‘It’s a chance, that’s all that counts. And a chance that actually pans out could save us years and years of surveying. If this is genuine, we could draw up a route in a matter of twelve months, maybe sooner.’

‘Don’t get yourself too excited,’ warned Collis. ‘He’s only a pharmacist, not a railroad surveyor. What looks like a good railroad route to him may look like nothing more than a donkey track to you. I mean, what does he know about curves and grades? What does he know about anything?’

Theodore took the letter back and carefully reread it. ‘He seems like a sober enough man to me. And if he’s read my pamphlet, he must have some kind of idea what I’m looking for.’

‘All right,’ said Collis, ‘I’ll admit that. But there’s only one way to tell for sure, isn’t there? Go take a look for ourselves.’

‘You’ll come?’ asked Theodore.

‘Sure I’ll come. I’m the treasurer of the Sierra Pacific Railroad, aren’t I? And I want Wang-Pu along, too. I want him to tell me if his Chinese workers can cope with the kind of country we’re going to have to face up there.’

Theodore pulled nervously at his beard. ‘This is really extraordinary,’ he said. ‘This is really wonderful. You’ll need a heavy coat, of course, and stout boots. And a hat, with flaps to cover your ears. I’m sure that Percival Giddings can supply all that. I can scarcely believe it. Oh, and don’t forget your warm underwear. It’s very cold up there, even this early in the winter. Collis, this marvellous!’