In a large clearing on the valley floor, near the base of the next row of foothills, nestled a town of clapboard and shake. On its south edge lay a small railyard and a Y-junction heading northwest, southwest, and eastward. On the near side of the latter two branches ran  a metalled turnpike, likely the original highway they followed. Birdsong surrounded the three ponies and faint snippets of voice or work sounds from the settlement wafted to their ears. At first glance the scene appeared idyllic. The trio greeted the apparent calm with relief.