The trunks, for some unexplained reason, or for no reason at all, chose to remain at Pueblo.
"One telescope-tube reached Denver when we did; but a telescope-tube is of no value without glasses.

We learned that there was a war between the two railroads which unite at Pueblo, and war, no matter where or when it occurs, means ignorance and stupidity.
"The unit of measure of value which the railroad man believes in is entirely different from that in which the scientist rests his faith.
"A war between two railroads seemed very small compared with two minutes forty seconds of observation of a total eclipse.

One was terrestrial, the other cosmic.
"It was Wednesday when we reached Denver.

The eclipse was to occur the following Monday.
"We haunted the telegraph-rooms, and sent imploring messages.

We placed ourselves at the station, and watched the trains as they tossed out their freight; we listened to every express-wagon which passed our door without stopping, and just as we were trying to find if a telescope could be hired or bought in Denver, the glasses arrived.
"It was now Friday; we must put up tents and telescopes, and test the glasses.
"It rained hard on Friday--nothing could be done.