For the last few minutes, Taylor had been silently composing himself in the back of the room, taking a long sip of the whiskey he had been given and smoking a cigar from a box he had found on the floor. Shit, shit, shit, shit. However hard he tried to leave the outlaw life, even for a night, it somehow always found a way to come back to him.

He now had enough time to observe the other people in the "party". The huge black man definitely had combat experience, and would probably not be afraid to use it on him if he revealed his own history. He wasn't entirely sure what the Boston kid was doing here. The Indian said words that he wasn't familiar with - was he even from the United States at all? He remembered an Indian from Canada that sounded just like him. There was also another person, Sergio, that seemed to be of the same "kind" of person that he was.

He had hoped the job would have paid somewhat more, but hey, money was money. He had only one thing to say:

"Alright, but-" He pointed to Finney. "What's the kid doing here? Are you gonna pay him too? Feller looks like he needs to avoid stiff breezes."

@Kelewen @Landain

SERGIO WESTWOOD

Sergio turned his attention towards Mr. Grainger; the money seemed good so he didn't think he was going to decline the offer. “That does sound quite enticing; i don't think i can speak for the group. But i will accept your offer” He said to Mr. Grainger. A concern in the back of his mind was that their was something seriously wrong.

However he disregard this notion thinking that this would go swimmingly. The other men around them seem to be able to hold their own. However the mention of how Finney could help them put a question in his head. Finney did not seem he could fight or even defend himself. "Perhaps i could help him learn to fight?" A suggestion he hoped that his past experiences could prove useful.

Bailey Grainger raised a brow at Taylor's comment, then smirked. "From my point of view, that young man saved your bacon down there. Or, someone's bacon, at least. That little derringer Logan was drawing might not have hit who he was aiming at it, but more than likely he would have hit somebody with it."

The man's offer extended to all 5 gathered in the room ... even Finney.

As Sergio accepted, Mr Grainger enthusiastically replied "Fantastic! Train leaves tomorrow and I know Wyatt's anxious to get it."

He scribbles on a sheet of paper to do the math of 30 divided by 5 (assuming they all accept). Then opens his desk drawer and begins counting out 4 separate piles of $6, mostly in a mix of morgan and liberty silver dollars, though mixed with some half dollars and quarters too. "Plus your train tickets, of course," he assures. "I'll take care of those first thing in the morning so they're ready for you tomorrow. It'll be the 12:10 to Odessa on the Southern Pacific Line. And I'll telegraph ahead to let Wyatt know you're on the way."

@Landain@Kelewen

Mistihkoman hums listening to this Grainger first. But after abit, as well he's not really sure of what to make of this. He looks to Finney, "Poh'ki ci?" He smiles, "Poh'ki describes a chicken hearted person, a coward. Someone who will run from a fight. It is a great insult among some tribes." He grins a little, "I haven't seen any of the like here though. Not really." He turns back to Grainger, "so it is work you offer. I see I see." He rubs his chin, "So where is this Od essa? And it is just a package we must bring there?" He hums, "Get the package to your brother..." He hums, "Well, I will help you." He nods. Voicing his agreement in that moment. Unsure of the others but still willing to give it a go.

"Odessa's a little over a hundred miles. But don't worry! The train can have you there in less than a day. Then it's not far down to Coalriver."

He got up to walk them the short distance to the stairs, noticing Mr. Logan still there, still unconscious.

"I'll have a little chat with Mr Logan when he wakes up. There ain't too many places 'round here his bunch can get roostered, so I think I can make sure he won't bother you if he wants to be welcomed back here."

And, as promised, neither Mr Logan nor his thugs come calling that night in any attempt to settle the score.

---

It's shortly before the noon hour. A small crowd of people are beginning to gather and to board the Southern Pacific Railroad Line train.

"Ah!" Says a man wearing a guard uniform and carrying a rifle says when any of the PCs make it known who they are. "I'm Dan... Mr Grainger was here this morning and the crate has been loaded into the express car already."



From left to right:
1 - Engine
2 - Tender Car
3 - Express Car
4 - Passenger Car
5 & 6 - Freight
7 - Caboose

@Kelewen

SERGIO WESTWOOD

Sergio arrived at the train station getting off the wagon he traveled in; storing his horse at a friend's place for the time being. Looking over at the train thinking back to the last time he rode on it. It must have been five or so years ago when he first arrived at Sweetwater from El Paso. "Very good to hear; i don't think their will be a issue during our travel. But if their is then we will be ready" He said pulling out a rosary form his pocket. Saying a quick prayer before getting onto the train.

Waiting for the time being for the others to arrive; the bad feeling form before coming back in full swing. Putting away the rosary and smoking a cigar to try and suppress his anxiety. Luckily for him he brought all of his weapons including his favorite rifle.

Dan gave Sergio a good natured smile and a nod. Though it worried him just slightly that Sergio seemed to be almost trying to convince himself there wouldn't be trouble.

"Ain't expecting any," he said, glancing quickly toward the express car where another guard was stationed at the entrance to ensure no unauthorized persons gained access.

On the platform, a few passengers are beginning to board the passenger car. "Bang, bang, bang," a boy of about 7 is running back and forth on the platform, pretending to shoot at folks with his wooden toy gun.

"Boy, stop that this instant," scolds an older woman who obviously does not appreciate the child's foolishness. But the lad completely ignores her and "shoots" at the train conductor, who is busy greeting folks. "Oh! Got me!" the conductor grins, clutching his chest and mocks almost falling over before a quick recovery.

Encouraged, the boy turns his toy gun on Sergio. "Hey Mister! Stick 'em up!"

Inside the passenger car, the seats are in roughly this configuration and still pretty empty as folks are just beginning to board.

A series of gasps. And a few people stepping back and away. One young man reaching for a gun on his hip warily. This is what herald's Mistihkoman's arrival at the train station. Unlike last night where he only had his tomahawk and knife. Now he sports all his gear, his bed roll, and blanket tied over one shoulder, rolled up together, a shoulder bag with what looks like some dried meat and water bag as well as other little things. And at his shoulders are his other weapons, the big heavy rifle, a breech loading thing, old by now, the thing used years ago now to hunt buffalo. Next to that slung across his back with the bow string ove rhis chest is his bow, with feathers at the top and bottom connections, and his quiver of arrows across his back, an old and venerable type of weapon. And lastly swinging at his hip is that heavy rifle butt club. The spiked blade at the angled section a dark blued iron. The thing is a great bludgeon, dangerous just in it's looks. This gives the people on the station deck something to look at.

Mistihkoman gives Dan a nod in greeting as the native man pulls himself up onto the train, "This is the right place yes? The trip to Odessa? Is the package already on board?" He looked into the passenger car in time to see the young boy training a toy gun on Sergio.

Mistihkoman nods, "I think I'm in the right place." He nods sagely then proceeds to find himself a place to sit, putting his baggage up on the racks over the seats then sitting in the seat behind Sergio's place.

@Kelewen @BigPapaBelial

SERGIO WESTWOOD

“I honestly hope so” He said softly taking a puff form his cigar; the last thing he needed right now was to get into a gun fight. A gun fight that could get him killed. It was not something he was craving for; rather wanting to live long enough to get his book store up and running. Looking over at the kid firing his toy gun at people; being reminded of a outlaw friend's kid. Issac was the kid's name; he was a good kid but his flame was snuffed out too soon. Helping his outlaw friend find and murder the one's that killed Issac.

“I surrender; take all of my cash i don't wanna die” He said raising his hands in air; A big smile on his face playing along to the kid's game. Walking into the train having put away his equipment and things he would bring onto the trip. Everything he would need packed in a small backpack; with him was his rifle and shotgun which were both unloaded. His head turning towards the native American man; “Howdy” He said tilting the brim of his hat towards him.

Sitting down in his seat; pulling out a old bible form his pack. The Mistihkoman could see him reading Matthew chapter eighteen to twenty. Humming a old bible song while he read; this old bible was his father's. Something he cared for a very long time; and a fond reminder of his loving father.

“Hey Kid!” Billy called to Phineas. The young man turned towards him. He stuck out his hand, “my name is Billy.”

“Phineas O’Connell at your service, sir,” Finney responded. “But most call me Finney.” The 21-year old responded to the larger black man.

“Why don’t you stay with me. We can board the train together.”

“Sure, no problem. I have a horse I need to stable.”

“Me too,” Billy responded, retrieving his pistol from the bartender. Finney did the same. The two left the saloon to unhitch their horses.

“That’s a beautiful Mustang you got there, Billy. How long have you been riding her?”

“About a year and a half. I like your Morgan. How long have you had him?”

“Truth be told, Billy, I’ve only been in Texas for about a week. I bought Josiah when I arrived in Pecos. I rode a train across the country. I came here from a small town north of Boston, Massachusetts called Gloucester (pr.: Gloster). It’s a fishing village. My pa is the town’s doctor. I did get an education at Amherst and came here because I want to be a writer. I believe it is best to write about what you know, and I want to write about the west. What better way to get to know the west than to come to Texas?”

“You might be right ‘bout that, Finney,” Billy chuckled. “Juss hope you don’ git yer fool head shot off learnin’ ‘bout the west…Ha ha ha ha!” Billy found the idea ridiculous. He was in the desert of Texas because he had no real choice. If it wasn’t in Texas it might have been the mountains of Colorado Territory or Indian country.

“What about you, where you from?” Billy asked his new partner.

“My daddy has a farm in Illinois. I worked the farm all my life until I was old enough to leave. I joined the army and rode with the Buffalo soldiers. I left the army a few years ago and have been picking up odd jobs like this one as I move around. It’s been an interesting life so far.” Billy tried not to boast about his experiences. To him, they were just facts. They were who he was.

The two men arrived at the stable and paid a small fee to store the horses in town then headed to the train station. “You know I just left this station before I walked into the saloon, ate a meal and played that card game.”

Finney carried his Colt SAA Peacemaker in his holster, spare bullets in their slots around the belt and a box in a pocket. The knife was strapped on the other side of his holster. He carried his writing supplies in a small satchel slung over his left side so he could write when he needed. He also had a few pieces of dried beef and some vegetables in pockets. In his left breast pocket he carried his copy of the bible.

Billy slung the Henry rifle over his shoulder with his Colt SAA on his hip. The Bowie knife was in a sheath on his left hip. He carried a few fruits and vegetables in a satchel slung by his side He carried spare ammo in boxes in the satchel as well as those attached to his holster and on the sling of the rifle.

When they arrived at the train, they found the Odessa train and the others from the saloon assigned to their task. Both young men identified themselves to Dan who ushered them to the passenger car where Sergio and Mistihkoman were sitting. The two took seats across from Sergio. Both noticed the bible he was reading. Finney fondled the small bible in his pocket, considered pulling it out to read and declined. Billy on the other hand uttered the following, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Billy didn’t carry a bible. He memorized it.

"Hey mister! Stick 'em up!"

For most of the trip, Taylor had kept his silence. Barnabus Johnson. Bounty hunter. That was all anyone else in the party was to know of him. After a while he had gotten to know the names of the others: Billy, Finney, Big Knife/Mistycow/Mistheekou/whatever (he was never very good at Indian names and never bothered to get better), and Sergio. He was going on a train ride with a bunch of strangers, leaving the gold behind at Sweetwater, to escort some big-ass mining contraption for a couple of dollars. All he had on him was his repeater, Buck and Belle, and a bag full of rations and some spare traveling things. All that time away from the gang had really fried his brains. Oh, well. He knew the drill. Keep quiet. Stay alert. And be ready to shoot your way out of this fools' errand if you had to.

Oh, if only that applied to small children.

"Git off me, kid." He crudely slapped the toy gun from the boy's hand. "Scram, before I eat ya!"

The kid grins as Sergio plays along. "Now give me all your money!" he starts to say before Taylor shows up.

"Hey!" the boy whined loudly as his wooden gun was knocked from his hand and disappeared somewhere under one of the seats on the train. But he shrinks back just slightly at the man's threat, quieting down, at least for the moment.

"Good!" exclaims the same woman who'd scolded the boy before, smiling with appreciation to Taylor. "Thank you, sir. There's really no need for such shenanigans here." She gets herself settled into a seat, but pays the boy no further mind. In fact, he doesn't seem to be traveling with any adults. "Would you care to sit here?" she asked Taylor, gesturing to the seat across from her.

"This is the right place yes? The trip to Odessa? Is the package already on board?"

Dan gives the native man a once over. "Already loaded in the express car," he replies, gesturing to the train car that is directly in front of the passenger car.

As Mistihkoman boards, he might overhear a muttered, "Boy, Grainger knows how to pick 'em, huh?"

As Finney and Billy are getting aboard and seated, a few others board as well:

A rough, unshaven man spits out his wad of chew on the wooden platform before heading toward the train. He pushes his way past a well dressed man, who scrunches up his face in disgust at the other man's smell. "Barbaric," the well-dressed man says, to no one in particular.

"A seat away from that one, please," the well dressed gentlemen says to the conductor.

"We'll find you a nice window seat, Mr. Charles," the friendly conductor replies, helping the man with his bag.

Besides the middle-aged woman who scolded the boy, there's another woman, younger and not unattractive, who holds a baby girl in her arms, rocking it gently. There's also a few men up near the engine and tender car, smoking and shootin' the breeze while they're waiting for the passengers to board and get settled. One of them obviously works the tender car as he is nearly covered in soot.

"We'll be ready in a few minutes, folks," says the smiling conductor to those aboard. "Right at 12:10, I think. I'm William, feel free to ask me if you need anything."

_{Collaboration with @EvilEdd1984}

Finney was impressed with Billy’s bible quotation. “I wish I could do that. I am still reading the bible. I mean we hear scripture in church every week, but I certainly don’t have it memorized.”

“I have read the bible at least six times, my young friend,” Billy responded.

“Mr. Sergio,” Phineas asked the man while he read the bible. “Are you still interested in teaching me to fight?”

Sergio put down his bible when he heard a voice addressing him; turning his head towards the direction of the voice. "Nice to see you here; I think we can get a few lessons in during the trip" Putting away his bible and motioning the man over with his hand. He was sure he could teach Finney the basics; enough to defend himself with a gun or in hand to hand combat. But since Finney seemed a bit green behind the ears; he would have to give him a very condensed lesson.

"No problem Mr. Sergio," responded Phineas O'Connell. "Please call me, Finney...A little hand to hand stuff would be great." Finney stood up to follow Sergio Westwood.

Standing up and looking out of the window; the train had not started moving yet which would be the perfect time to practice a little. Walking over to where Finney was standing in the middle of the aisle. "First I'm gonna teach ya how to counter a punch," getting into position putting his hands and asking Finney to slowly punch him.

Finney faced off to Sergio. Since he was right-handed, he stood so his left foot was slightly forward. "Like this Mr. Sergio?" Then he slowly jabbed with his left toward Sergio's face.

Before Finney knew it, he had his hand behind his back; with his arm being twisted the other way. "That is one way to reverse a punch; now try it on me." He let go of Finney's arm. Returning to his original position; throwing a slow straight punch at Finney.

Finney had been taken by surprised the first time Sergio did the maneuver. He really didn't feel comfortable replicating it. He tried and failed. "Maybe you could show it to me slowly?"

Sergio was smiling and nodding his head, performing the maneuver once again slowly. In hopes that Finney would catch on and could replicate it. "Now see if you can do it."

"Ok, Ok, Mister Sergio. I think I got it." Finney took his time, blocking and catching the punch, then twisting the arm in a controlling manner using counter joint techniques which placed a sufficient amount of torque on the arm to force the attacker to spin about, placing the arm behind the man's back. Finney was quite pleased with himself. Billy smiled, giving applause and shouting, "Way to go, Finney!"

"Very good. You’re getting the hang of it. Now I'm gonna teach ya how to counter a hook. So I want you to give me a left or right hook," he said readying himself for the punch.

Finney didn't know how to throw a hook. He knew it was a punch from the side, so his was delinquent of any skill or technique. It could have been parried by a 9-year old. He threw in a muffled *grunt* in his effort, as weak as it might be.

Sergio saw the weak punch coming towards him; he blocked the punch with his palm. Quickly moving his hand to the side and throwing a slow punch towards Finney where his liver was. "So now try it on me" Sergio waited for Finney to punch him once again so he could show him the maneuver.

Finney understood what he had done wrong. In fact, the motion appeared similar to his mother stirring a stew, but with an empty closed fist instead of a hand wrapped about a wooden spoon. This time, Finney rotated his body into the hook so it moved a bit faster toward his pugilist instructor. "How's that?"

"You’re doing a damn good job. Now I wanna teach you something my pappy taught me," Sergio said, telling Finney to give him an uppercut.

Seeing as how he had no idea what an uppercut was or how to throw one, he guessed. 'It sounds like I punch upward,' Finney thought to himself. Since Sergio wasn't going to teach him how to throw the punch, he would try to figure it out himself. Finney leaned slightly to the right, dropped his fist to his waist and struggled to punch upwards in a direction that would have his fist pass just in front of his face.

Sergio quickly blocked the punch, moving his arm to the side while showing he could knee him in the testicles. "Okay now give it a try; and I'll teach you some good punches," waiting for Finney to get ready and then slowly giving Finney an uppercut to try and counter.

Finney saw the punch coming. It was slow enough so he could easily prepare himself for the punch. He blocked it, controlled the offending arm, then pulled his knee up into Sergio's groin. "Thank you, Sergio. This is all very useful and helpful information. Something I could have used before I walked into the saloon in Sweetwater."

The two sparred, punching the air and pretending to punch one another for several more minutes. Finney felt a bit more confident with the skills. He was quite appreciative of Mr. Westwood’s efforts.

The train had apparently prepared for movement. William, The conductor, who was smiling earlier began moving through the car to tell folks to take their seats. He saw the two men standing in the center aisle, giving off the appearance of fist fighting. “Hey! You two! Settle yer differences and have a seat!”

Sergio and Finney took that as their cue to return to their seats. They exchanged a smile as they sat down, “Seriously, thank you very much, Mr. Sergio. I really appreciate your instruction. I should practice again later.”

@Kelewen

"Good!" exclaims the same woman who'd scolded the boy before, smiling with appreciation to Taylor. "Thank you, sir. There's really no need for such shenanigans here." She gets herself settled into a seat, but pays the boy no further mind. In fact, he doesn't seem to be traveling with any adults. "Would you care to sit here?" she asked Taylor, gesturing to the seat across from her.

"Um, well..." Taylor awkwardly fixed his holster. "Uh, sure, miss." He took a seat next to the woman as he glanced across to see Sergio and Finney "practicing". What a right pair of louts. He couldn't wait for the skinny reed to get shot.

Mistihkoman sits and looks at the strange book in Sergio's hand. He narrowed his eyes, unsure of what he's seeing and looking at the words inside. Something about a man named Matthew? Mistihkoman wondered if this was like a newspaper and it was talking about someone important. It's about then that Billy begins to intone those words. And the Native man quirks an eyebrow, "Is this some kind of story about some great man? It sounds strange." Could it possibly be that Mistihkoman is not a Catholic, or a Christian in anyway? It'd be true if they were to ask. In fact after his curious question and comment he reaches up to finger a small dreamcatcher talisman attached to his bow that rests above his head in the racks, "Strange words. This story."

@Landain@Eviledd1984

Mistihkoman then turns and watches Barnabus. He narrows his eyes and frowns, watching in interaction with the child. The toy gun pattering by and under Mistihkoman's seat. He reaches under and grabs the gun then as the boy stands there downtrodden and unhappy Mistihkoman comes up with the gun and offers it grip first to the boy, "Astam, here. Your weapon Sheriff. I'll feel alot better with a good gun hand on watch." He smiles brightly, his teeth white against his darker then usual skin, not as dark as say Billy's dark skin but that dark red skin of a native man, "Just watch who you try and arrest huh? There are bad men out there." He nods to the boy, then turns away as the young lad takes the gun.

@Kelewen

As he looks ahead he says to no one in particular, but it seems to be directed to the people who were mean to the boy, "Children are our future. To try and snuff out their light and joy, amounts to trying to kill our future. And will bring nothing but pain and misfortune to you in the end." He sniffs softly, and turns to the window, it's a dismissal alright.

While watching Finney and Sergio training in the pugilistic arts, Billy heard Mistihkoman say, "Is this some kind of story about some great man? It sounds strange. Strange words. This story."

“Not strange at all, Misty Komen,” Billy spoke with a western Illinois accent. “Mr. Sergio was reading the bible. In Latin, an old language from the old world, the word bible means, book. In other words, the bible is THE BOOK. This is the story about the son of God. Unlike how you pray, Christians believe in one God who created everything in our world and everyone on the planet. He then sent his only son to live amongst man for one purpose. His purpose was to die on a cross for the forgiveness of man’s sins. The man’s name was Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ. He had several followers including his mother, Mary and twelve friends or disciples who wrote down on parchment about their experiences with God’s only son, Jesus. The written word on the experiences of Jesus are recorded in the book. Yes, he was a great man. He remains a great man in the Kingdom of Heaven. He died for all our sins regardless of whether you or anyone believes in him or God. He is still there. He waits in Judgement for his brothers and sister to enter the gates of heaven. When you die, you go to his Kingdom in heaven; The Kingdom of the Lord, Hallelujah!” One could say Billy was a most pious man.

@BigPapaBelial

The woman looks pleased that Taylor chooses to sit with her. “I’m Petunia Krump,” she says, not the slightest bit shy. “I am going to be a teacher in Odessa. Are you going there for work too?” she asks Taylor.

Her gaze shifts to the pugilist training that is going on right in the aisle of the train and it rather obviously irks her that she should have to witness such uncouth behavior. She heaves an over-exaggerated sigh and tucks her purse closer to her lap. “I do wonder where some people were brought up…” she ‘whispers’ conspiratorially to Taylor, but isn’t terribly subtle about it and might easily be overheard by Finney and Sergio.

The woman with the baby takes a seat toward the front of the passenger car. It wakes and starts to cry and fuss. “Shhhhh….” She soothes it and rocks the child until it quiets again.

The rough, unshaven man takes the seat across from her where he proceeds to rest his head against the window glass as if it’s a comfortable pillow and closes his eyes.

"Excuse me," the well dressed man, anxious to sit as far away from odorous bodies and other undesirables as possible, works his way past the party to sit in the very back of the train car.

"All aboard!" called the conductor and one final man hurried to get on the train. He sported mutton chops overdue for a trim and his clothes were dusty, a strong whiff of both cow and horse emanating from him. He glanced around the passenger car at the various people before finding an empty seat.



The kid grabs his toy gun off of Mistihkoman, his eyes widening in a bit of awe as he takes in the various weapons hanging off the native man.

“I ain’t a Sheriff!” He declares after a moment's pause. “I'm a gunslinger!" He slides into the closest empty seat with a window that faces the platform and continues his game, now "shooting" anyone he saw on the platform as the train whistle sounded and it started moving slowly. Trying to sly about it, he frequently glances at Mistihkoman to see if the man is paying him any mind.

@Kelewen @BigPapaBelial @Landain

SERGIO WESTWOOD

Sergio took his seat feeling a little proud of Finney for caught on so quickly. He would have to remind himself that he would need to teach Finney how to use a pistol when they get to Odessa. Once he had taken his seat he noticed Billy and the Mistihkoman having a conversation; form what he heard they were talking about the bible he was reading form before. Billy seemed to sum up what the bible was about; “Their is the old And new testament; the old testament is mostly about how god created and helped people grow and prosper. The new testament is mostly like Billy said about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ; It's a fantastic book with a lot of metaphors on how to be a good person” Sergio smiled towards Billy.

Peering over towards the boy who was now shooting at the people on the platform and then towards Taylor and the boy's mother giving them a scold. The terrible thought of being beaten by his mother for being a kid; something he did not wish for any child. “Ain't no harm in playing make believe; not like he's gonna rob a bank when he's older” He quipped shrugging his shoulders.

@Kelewen@Landain@Eviledd1984

Mistihkoman listened first to the strange yammerings of Billy. He sat there, and as the explanation went on and on the native man's right eyebrow slowly rose up towards the top of his brow, "What you say makes no sense to me. It is strange, to say that one book is the story of the past. And that one man was born to die for all. No person has that power. No man has a spirit strong enough to contain the wrongs of the world. Besides he would have only saved the ones up to that time yes? What about all the others afterward?" He shrugs at the idea, dismissing it. He then turns and looks to the boy who is shooting at those people outside and those passing by. He ends up grinning, "There you go. A good gun hand. I'll feel safer with someone who can handle his iron young one." He chuckles softly, and opens his vest, to show off his tomahawk and knife, "I'll back you up." He nods and gives the boy a wink. He nods towards Sergio, "Wise words. Good words. No child should be chided for having fun." He gives Sergio a look of thanks for understanding.