1. Setting
- Time: 1875
- Location: A train compartment on the Vermissa Valley railway
- Atmosphere: The scene takes place on a moving steam train filled with miners, a few women, and two police officers
- Destination: Characters are traveling toward Vermissa, described as a place with dangerous conditions
2. Characters
John McMurdo – A fresh-faced young man from Chicago who is traveling with a bag, looking for work. He appears to be armed and claims to be part of the Ancient Order of Freemen (Criminal Organization).
Mike Scanlan – A miner and fellow member of the Ancient Order of Freemen, Lodge 341, Vermissa Valley. He serves as a guide and advisor to McMurdo.
Tiger Cormac – Another member of the Freemen, Brother Cormac from Lodge 341. He’s described as the bodymaster (leader) and appears knowledgeable about local conditions.
Frank and Art Willaby – Two men who spread out in the compartment, with Frank making observations about the police.
Two Police Officers – They discuss the dangerous conditions in the valley, mentioning fires and troubles.
3. Summary
The scene opens with McMurdo entering a crowded train compartment and finding a seat. He quickly encounters Scanlan and Cormac, who recognize him as a newcomer. Through their conversation, it can be concluded that McMurdo has come from Chicago and is seeking work.
Their dialogue shows a secret society link between McMurdo, Scanlan, and Cormac. McMurdo says he belongs to the “Ancient Order of Freemen,” and the men use a special handshake to prove they are brothers in the group. They also share their lodge numbers and places :
– McMurdo is from Lodge 29 in Chicago
– Scanlan and Cormac are from Lodge 341 in Vermissa Valley.
Tension builds when the conversation touches on McMurdo’s reasons for leaving Chicago. There are hints of trouble, possibly involving violence, though McMurdo becomes defensive when questioned directly. The other Freemen assure him that his past won’t matter to “the boys” in their organization.
The mood shifts when police officers enter the scene. They comment on the dangerous conditions in the valley, describing it as worse than hell with “devils” causing trouble. One officer specifically warns McMurdo about choosing his associates carefully, singling out Scanlan and Cormac as dangerous companions.
McMurdo responds defiantly (refusing to obey) to the police warning, establishing his loyalty to his new Freemen brothers. The scene ends with the police officers leaving and McMurdo making it clear he’s not intimidated (not scared or frightened), giving his address as Jacob Shafter’s on Sheridan Street.
Key Mood Progression: Cautious introduction → Secret brotherhood bonding → Hints of danger and violence → Direct confrontation with authority → Defiant solidarity
4. Short Quiz
1. What year does the scene take place, and what type of transportation are the characters using?
2. Name the three main members of the Ancient Order of Freemen introduced in this scene and their lodge numbers/locations.
3. What city did McMurdo come from, and what hints are given about why he left?
4. How do the Freemen members recognize each other, and what ritual do they perform?
5. What do the police officers say about conditions in Vermissa Valley?
6. What warning do the police officers give to McMurdo about his new companions?
7. Where does McMurdo say he’ll be staying in Vermissa?
8. What does McMurdo’s response to the police officers reveal about his character?
9. What does Cormac mean when he says “There’s no town without a lodge and that’s where I’ll find my friends”?
10. How does the mood change throughout the scene, from beginning to end?
Quiz Answers
- 1875; a moving steam train on the Vermissa Valley railway
- John McMurdo (Lodge 29, Chicago), Mike Scanlan (Lodge 341, Vermissa Valley), Tiger Cormac (Lodge 341, Vermissa Valley)
- Chicago; hints of being “in trouble” and possibly involved in violence (“Not a killing?”)
- They use a special handshake; McMurdo shakes hands “in a particular way”
- They describe it as worse than hell, with fires and devils causing trouble
- To be careful choosing friends and not to associate with Scanlan and Cormac’s “gang”
- Jacob Shafter’s house on Sheridan Street, Vermissa
- He’s defiant, loyal to his new brothers, and unintimidated by authority
- The Freemen organization has lodges in every town, providing a network of allies
- From cautious introductions to brotherhood bonding to tense confrontation with police to defiant solidarity