A band was playing "Auld Lang Syne" when the long Troop train pulled out of the station. Lieutenant Lafitte did not know the train's other stops and eventual destination, but he knew he would be getting off at the Pando Station in Colorado, where at an attitude of 9200 feet he would join other skiers -- some of whom he already knew -- training for warfare in the European mountains.

Pete's skis were under the bench where he sat. The liquid in his thermos was coffee laced with Cognac. In his pants pocket was the Post Office address for Merry Joliat. In her pocketbook was his APO address.

In another pocket was the deck of playing cards blessed with Holy Water, given to him on his 14th birthday by Grand-Pere Lafitte. No one at Cannon mountain would play poker with the grandson of the notorious Mississippi Riverboat gambler Hughie Lafitte, but Lieutenant Lafitte had a feeling there were men where he was going who would join him at the card table.