Quickly our band, with Rueben at the helm, arrived at a place boasting a large red ball with the number "76" written atop it. My assumption was the establishment came into being upon the celebration of the Declaration of the United States Independence. Puzzling, as we had not yet left the Spanish Territory. So my assumption could be completely bereft of facts.
Jeep was pulled aside a fairly tall metal box, resembling the work of da Vinci. Reuben told us to pile out and he would lower Jeep so we could "fill the tank." All of us stared curiously at the metal box. Clark inquired of Jean Baptise about the Spanish creation. Jean Baptise insisted he had never seen such an device.
Finally Reuben had detached Jeep from his own wagon and came around to us. I attempted to compensate Reuben for his services, but the kind man insisted he already received reimbursement from the local government. He was adamant what he had done for us was his duty. Rueben bid us adieu, returned to his wagon, and quickly departed.
Clark removed a large flexible pipe attached to the metal box. Suddenly numbers appeared upon the metal box. Even with Clark's expertise in complex tools and other devices, he, like the rest of us, was bewildered. All we knew was Jeep had stopped moving, the "gas gage" was lit up and Rueben insisted it was the source of our troubles. Unfortunately we knew nothing more. What was required of us now? Sacagawea looked about, perchance to meet a settler of the village who may be able to give us the answer to our predicament. Time and time again she was met with cold shoulders and simple "no's" as she approached the individuals, even with Little Pomp beside her. Jean Baptise knew some phrases in the native Spanish tongue, but got no better response than Sacagawea.
For now, we would need to continue to struggle as Jeep remained eerily still.
Until Later, Dear Friends
