Octavious watched horrified as the sand buried his best friend in the hourglass.  He kept slamming his helmet against the glass but it didn’t break.
By now the cowboy was fully buried and there was no movement.
Finally the glass cracked and shattered.  Sand and Jed spilled out.
The Roman General knelt down and tried to revive his friend.  When he realized it was too late he bowed his head and let his tears fall. His best friend…his brother in all but blood was dead.   He looked up at the battle and felt a rage he’d never had before.  He stood up and charged sword drawn.
At the end of the battle Larry watched sadly s Octavius returned to the fallen cowboy and gently picked him up.  The rage was gone and sorrow was there.
Larry knelt down.  “Let’s take him home.”
Octavius nodded and stepped on Larry’s hand.
The Frontiers and Romans ran up and stopped shocked.  The Frontiers mourned the death of their leader.  The Romans took off their helmets and kneeled in respect.
Once home via Amelia Earhart, Larry took them in.
A small funeral was held and Jed was buried just outside the Museum of Natural History.  A tiny tombstone marked the grave and was hidden in the bushes.
Octavius visited the grave every night.   He deeply missed his dear friend.
When the Museum got their extended hours Octavius’ jaw dropped when he saw a human that looked EXACTLY like Jedediah come into the Diorama Room!
“E-excuse me Sir.”
The man looked at him.  “Ya talkin’ to me?”
“Yes…do you know someone named Jedediah Smith?” The Roman General asked uncertain.
The man looked at him weirdly.  “Uh…no.  Should I?”
Octavius sighed.  “I am sorry to disturb you.  You look like a friend of mine.”
“Funny, the night guard and a few others thought so too.”
Octavius winced and nodded.  “It is quite a long story.”
The man sat down on the bench.  “I got all night.”
“What is your name?” the miniature asked politely.
“Oh sorry.  It’s Jake.  And you are?”
“Octavius, General of the Roman Army.  At your service,” he said with a slight bow.
Jake nodded with a smile.  “Then tell me about this Jed I’ve been hearing so much about.”
Octavius smiled for the first time in weeks and did just that.
The weight that had been crushing him since that night finally lifted as he spun the tale of Jedediah Smith.