The train is the perfect choice, at least. And Sage surprises me in how easily and courageously he boards the slow-moving boxcar. We luck out. The section of track near the border is curved and steep, offering an excellent opportunity for us to board safely. When I grin at him from the dark of the boxcar after a daring leap, he grins back.

"Not my first time traveling," he says.

We settle among piles of boxes on the steel floor, a large sheet of discarded cardboard ...