,A ,,HE>T ,,= ,,ANY ,,FATE
        ,WE/W>D 6,OREGON--#AHDE

             ,,L9DA ,,CREW

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
   ,OREGON ,HI/ORICAL ,SOCIETY ,PRESS
            ,PORTL&1 ,OREGON
       ,COPY"R #BJJE 0,L9DA ,CREW
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

       ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL
             ,0,$ ,GODFREY
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           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #A-AJF

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
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                                     ;II
























                                    ;III






        ,= ,H]B1 ) LOVE & ?ANKS

       ,= F/ SU7E/+ ! EXPLOR,N (
            ? "PICUL> /ORY4

            ,= DRIV+ ! 5TIRE
          ,OREGON ,TRAIL ) ME4

      ,= MAK+ AN ,$5 ( \R HOME "H
             AT TRAIL'S 5D4








             ,! ,K+ ,FAMILY          ;IV
       ON ! TRAIL 6,OREGON1 #AHDE

,NAHUM1 8,PA10 #FA YE>S OLD
,S>EPTA1 8,MA10 #EC YE>S OLD
  ,JOHN1 #CB YE>S OLD1 & WIFE1 ,SUSAN1
      #BF YE>S OLD
    ,LU!R1 8,LL ,LUTE10 #D YE>S OLD
    ,ELECTA1 8,LEXIE10 #C YE>S OLD
    ,BABY ,*>LES
  ,HOPE/ILL1 #CJ YE>S OLD1 & HUSB&1
      ,LUCI\S ,NORTON1 #BG YE>S OLD
    ,ISAAC1 #C YE>S OLD
    ,WILEY1 #A YE> OLD
  ,/EPH51 #BG YE>S OLD1 & WIFE1 ,ANNA
      ,M>IA1 8,ANNIE10 #BC YE>S OLD
  ,ISAAC1 #BE YE>S OLD
  ,AMOS1 #BC YE>S OLD
  ,S>AH1 8,S,Y10 #BA YE>S OLD1 & HUSB&1
      ,R[L& ,*AMB]S1 #CB YE>S OLD
    ,M>G>ET1 8,ME7IE10 #C YE>S OLD
    ,BABY ,JAMES1 8,JIMMY0
  ,LOVISA1 #AG YE>S OLD
  ,ABIGAIL1 #AF YE>S OLD
  ,LYDIA1 #AD YE>S OLD
  ,SOLOMON1 #AB YE>S OLD              ;V
  ,RHODA ,ANN1 #AJ YE>S OLD

  ,9 ! SPR+ ( #AHDE1 ! ,K+ FAMILY ( ,C>-
ROLL ,C.TY1 ,MISS\RI1 LOAD$ FIVE COV]$
WAGONS & SET \ = ,OREGON4
  ,HI/ORICAL RECORDS TELL U ! R\TE !Y
*OSE4 ,WE "K :O LIV$ 6SEE ! S-CALL$
,PROMIS$ ,L&1 :O DID N1 & : SWEETHE>TS
M>RI$ AT TRAIL'S 5D4
  ,2Y T WE M/ D A GD D1L ( IMAG9+4 ,B
P]H ! J\RNEY W5T "S?+ L ? '''













         ,A ,HE>T = ,ANY ,FATE       ;VI

,LET U !N1 2 UP & DO+1
,)A HE>T = ANY FATE1
,/ A*IEV+1 / PURSU+1
,LE>N 6LABOR & 6WAIT4
    ,F 8,! ,PSALM ( ,LIFE10 #AHCI
    ,H5RY ,WADSWOR? ,L;GFELL[

















       ,A ,,HE>T ,,= ,,ANY ,,FATE     #A

                  ,"O

  .,WE/4
  ,! S.D (A WI% 9 A S+LE ^W4
  ,T'S H[ X S.D$ 6ME1 ANYWAY1 & AL? A
FEW ( U 7 ADMITT$LY LESS ?AN 5?USIA/IC
AB HAV+ BE5 5LI/$ 9 S]VICE 6\R "F'S
DR1M1 ,I MYF 0 P]FECTLY ?RILL$ & WILL+
6G AL;G4
  ,PA'S PLAN8 ,6PACK UP ALL ?REE G5],NS
(! ,K+ FAMILY & /RIKE \ = ,OREGON1 "! TO
CLAIM GD L& & BUILD NEW HOMES4
  ,SPL5DID6
  ,B Z =! "P AB ME RID+ 9 ,R[L&'S WAGON1
,I WANT 6SAY "R (F T X WASN'T MY IDEA1
NOR 0 ,I PL1S$ )! NO;N4
  ,9 FACT1 ! M9UTE MY "M LET ON ? 0
,PA'S 9T5;N1 ,I JUMP$ UP F MY SP9N+ :EEL
& LEFT X :IRL+4 ,I LIK$ MY OLD] SI/]
,S,Y F9E1 B ! IDEA ( H] HUSB& ORD]+ ME
AL;G E 9* ( \R TWO-?\S& MILE TREK '''
,WELL4 ,I M>*$ \ 6! TANN+ %$ & GOT "R 6!
PO9T4
  8,PA8 ,MA SAYS Y'RE HAV+ ME RIDE    #B
) ,S,Y & ,R[L& ON ! TRIP40
  8,T'S "R40 ,PA L[]$ A RACK ( C[HIDES
96! /9K+ VAT4
  ,I FELT 3SCI\S ( MY OLD] BRO!R ,AMOS
/RA4L+ A B5* 9 ! CORN]1 HE>+ ?1 PRET5D+
N 6Z HE "W$ ! HAIR (F A HIDE )A WOOD5
SCRAP]4
  8,PA4 ,I'M SORRY 6SAY X1 B ,I DON'T
GET AL;G ) ,R[L&40
  ,MY "F TURN$ & LEVEL$ A LOOK AT ME4
8,& ,I'M N SORRY 6SAY ,R[L& ,*AMB]S IS
AB Z F9E A SON-IN-LAW Z A MAN CD ASK40
,8 N1TLY TRIMM$ :ITE BE>D 0 SPECKL$ )
HICKORY-B>K /A94 8,IF Y C'T GET AL;G1
MISSY1 ,I H 6WOND] IF MAYBE X'S "S?+ AB
Y40
  ,I OP5$ MY FI/ & />T$ PULL+ A"P ! WAD
( WOOL ,I'D / BE5 CLUT*+4 8,I DIDN'T SAY
ANY?+ BAD AB HM4 ,HE'S J ''' BOSSY1 T'S
ALL40
  ,PA & ,AMOS %>$ A SMIRK4
  8,FOLKS MI<T SAY ! SAME AB Y10 ,PA
PO9T$ \4
  8,WELL !N10 ,I SD1 RIS+ 6X1 8IS X RE,Y
S* A GD IDEA 6PUT TWO BOSSY P 9 !     #C
SAME WAGON ALL ! WAY 6,OREGON80
  ,WIP+ 8 H&S ON 8 L1!R APRON1 ,PA
CROSS$ 8 >MS OV] 8 *E/ & L1N$ BACK1
/UDY+ ME4 8,Y C C.T1 "R8 ,WE'LL H FIVE
WAGONS4 ,WE'LL H TW5TY-TWO P1 C.T+ ! NEW
BABIES4 ,?9K ON X--M ?AN FIVE ( U ,K+S
L1N+ 6! H1D/R;G SIDE4 ,SEE H[ T %AKES
\80
  ,I CUT MY EYES AT ,AMOS4 ,YES1 ,I SAW3
,"S WAGONS 7 B.D 6H P AT O4S4 ,B X
WASN'T FAIR6 ,9 ? MAT*1 ,I DIDN'T /& A
*.E4 ,2T A GR[N MAN &A SEV5TE5-YE>-OLD
GIRL1 X 0 CLE> :O'D ="E H ! F9AL SAY4
  8,I'D R H Y BOSS+ ME10 ,I SD1 P\T+4
,MY "F ,I 0 US$ TO4 ,MY "F ,I KNEW H[ TO
GET >.D4
  8,LOOK1 H"OY1 ,I'VE D"O ALL ! FIGUR+
ON X & TRI$ 6DIVIDE FOLKS UP ! WAY ,I
?9K'S BE/4 ,S,Y'S GO+ 6NE$ YR HELP ) ^?
BABIES40 ,HE TURN$ BACK 6! HIDES4
  8,B1 ,PA--0
  8.,LOVISA40 ,HE WAIT$1 MAK+ SURE ,I
WASN'T GO+ 6TALK BACK4 8,? IS H[ ,I
PLANN$ X & T'S T40
  ,WELL1 :AT ,PA SD1 W5T4 ,? WE ALL   #D
KNEW4 ,6HM1 C>E;L PLANN+ FELL "S": 2T A
F9E >T &A RELIGI\S OBS]V.E1 & IF ME RID+
) MY BRO!R-IN-LAW _H ALR BE5 SET D[N Z
"P ( 8 SACR$ AG5DA1 "! 0 ABSOLUTELY NO
USE 9 ME /&+ "! SU6]+ ! /5* (! TANN+ BA?
"O M M9UTE4 ,I TURN$ ON MY HEEL & FL\NC$
\4
  ,D M>K H[ ,I _H MISGIV+S AT ! V 2G9N+4
,X "\ 6BE PLA9 ,I DIDN'T G 96? ) ANY DE-
SIGNS4 ,MY ONLY FEEL+S Z ,I LEFT ! TANN+
%$ T "D BACK 9 ,C>ROLL ,C.TY1 ,MISS\RI1
7 ANNOY.E & RESIGN,N4 ,I'D SPOK5 MY
PIECE1 N[ ,I'D H 6D MY DUTY1 M9D+ MY "F
Z ANY DEC5T DAU<T] WD4
  ,& T'S ALL "! 0 6X4

  ,I 0 BORN 9 ! MI4LE (A L;G /R+ ( BRO?-
]S & SI/]S1 & AT ? "T ,I 0 ! OLDE/ GIRL
/ AT HOME ON ! F>M4 ,I'D BE5 "ND = MY
"F'S LL SI/]3 ,LOVISA1 N 6BE RHYM$ )
,!RESA4 ,LOVISA DOESN'T RHYME ) ANY?+1
RE,Y1 B TRY 6?9K ''' HORIZON4 ,LOVISA4
,9 ! YE> ( ? GRT CROSS+1 #AHDE1 ,I 0 "Y1
/R;G1 & BUR/+ ) 5]GY4 ,! V ^W--.WE/--SET
MY TOES 6TAPP+4 ,& T O!R MAGICAL      #E
"N3 .,OREGON6 ,EV5 :ISP]$1 X SEEM$ 6H AN
EXCLAM,N PO9T P]MAN5TLY ATTA*$4 ,"E S9CE
FOLKS F/ MADE X \ "! OV] ! ,ROCKIES )
WAGONS A C\PLE ( YE>S BACK &! BR1?.S DE-
SCRIP;NS 2GAN RETURN+ 04PAT*1 ,I'D BE5
CAPTIVAT$ 0VI.NS ( ^? F>-(F GRE5 M1D[S1
SN[-CAPP$ M.TA9S1 & COLD1 CLE> RIV]S4
,BE/ ( ALL1 ,OREGON 0 SD 6BOA/ ! BI7E/1
TALLE/ TREES ANY"O _H "E SE51 MAJE/IC
FIRS PO9T+ HUNDR$S ( FEET "R UP 6! SKY4
  ,NO1 ,I'D 2 %$D+ NO TE>S 6L1VE ,MISS\-
RI4 ,WE'D ONLY BE5 \ "H ON ! FRONTI]
?REE YE>S--J L;G 5 6H A F]TILE F>M UP &
RUNN+ & R1DY 6BE RU9$ :5 T OLD ,BIG
,MU4Y CAME FLOOD+ "?4 ,I 0 ) ,PA4 ,:O
WANT$ 6/>T OV] "H8 ,MAYBE X 0 EV5 9 MY
BLOOD4 ,AF ALL1 8UP & DO+0 _H ALW BE5 !
,K+S' MOTTO2 H1D+ \ 6CLAIM L& 9 ^? F>
T]RITORIES SEEM$ L ! BI7E/ UP-&-DO+ "E
"UTAK54
  ,I CDN'T WAIT 6G4 ,CDN'T WAIT 6SEE T
,GOLD5 ,WE/4

  ,ON ,APRIL #BB WE LEFT ,C>ROLL ,C.TY &
TWO "DS LAT] >RIV$ 9 ,/4 ,JOSEPH1     #F
\R JUMP+-(F PLACE4 ,2S ME ON ! WAGON
S1T1 MY SI/] ,S,Y SAT CLUT*+ H] BABY1
,JIMMY1 & ,I _H ?REE-YE>-OLD ,ME7IE ON
MY LAP4 ,Z WE PULL$ 96! MA9 /REET ,I
CRAN$ =W>D1 MY H1D SNAPP+ F SIDE 6SIDE Z
,I TRI$ 6TAKE X ALL IN1 ? BU/L+ BOOMT[N1
S NEW & RAW X / _H TREE /UMPS 9 !
/REETS4 ,WE ROLL$ PA/ /ORES & HOTELS &
"W%OPS ( ALL TRADES--BLACKSMI?S1 :EEL-
W"RS1 H>;S-MAK]S4 ,! PLACE REEK$ ( ANI-
MALS & 9DU/RY4 ,ALL ? _H SPRUNG UP OV] !
PA/ TWO YE>S1 WE'D HE>D1 J 6SELL TRAVEL+
\TFITS 6EMIGRANTS L U4
  ,S,Y SEEM$ 4CONC]T$ 0! UPRO>1 B ,I F.D
X ?RILL+4 ,? 0 L ! CROSSROADS (! _W XF6
,M5 7 LOAD+ BAGS & BOXES ( SUPPLIES 9TO
WAGONS2 "MS CALL$ 6_! *N ABV ! D94 ,M\N-
TA9 M5 & TRAPP]S1 ,9DIANS & HIR$ H&S4
,BIG FAMILIES L \RS 7 SPILL+ \ ( WAGONS1
LOTS ( !M LOOK+ L !Y'D ALR BE5 "? M*
L;G] %AKED[N TRIPS ?AN :AT WE'D _H1 HAV+
LEFT HOMES 9 /ATES F>!R EA/4
  ,WE CAMP$ T NI<T NE> ! F]RY L&+ AL;G-
SIDE HUNDR$S ( O!R TRAVEL]S4 ,! NEXT "D1
:ILE ,PA & MY BRO!RS 7 (F BUY+ EX-    #G
TRA OX5 &! LA/ SUPPLIES1 MY "Y] SI/]
,ABIGAIL & ,I SAT ON A /UMP & WAT*$ !
DI6]5T \TFITS $GE 96A L9E FUNNEL+ T[>D !
F]RY4
  8,C'T SAY Z ,I'VE SE5 ANY WAGONS NIC-
]'N \RS10 ,I REM>K$ ) SATISFAC;N1 FIGUR+
,I'D 2 =GIV5 = BRA7+ ON ? 6MY [N SI/]4
,!Y 7 H] WAGONS TOO1 AF ALL4 ,PA _H !M
SPECI,Y -MIS.N$1 & AL? LOTS ( FOLKS 7
*OOS+ BLUE ) R$ TRIM1 =! ,K+ FAMILY1 !
COLOR WD 2 GRE54 ,GRE5 = TOOL H&LES &
BUCKETS TOO1 ! BETT] 6KEEP !M /RAI<T F
"S O!R FAMILY'S ?+S :5 WE ALL F.D \RVS
CAMP$ \ "H TGR L ?4 ,PA'D EV5 _H A SAIL-
MAK] 9 ,9DEP5D;E SEW UP \R WAGONS' CAN-
VAS COV]S4 ,^W WAS1 LOTS ( WOM5 7 MAK+
_! [N1 B ,PA SD WE _H PL5TY 6SEW )\T T1
& 9 ANY CASE1 HE WANT$ AN EXP]T JOB D"O
( X4
  8,MY L&10 ,I SD Z "O RICKETY 3TRAP;N )
8,OREGON OR ,BU/0 ON XS CANVAS %U4]$ ACR
! GANGPLANK ONTO ! F]RY4 8,I'M GLAD
WE'RE N SETT+ \ ) "S?+ L T40
  ,"S ( ^! POOR 3VEY.ES _H OBVI\SLY ALR
GIV5 YE>S ( S]VICE ON "S"O'S F>M &    #H
ONLY WANT$ PUTT+ \ 6PA/URE4 ,9/1D1 !
HAP.S [N] _H RI7$ A PAT*$ COV]1 PA9T$ A
DEFIANT MOTTO ON X1 & OPTIMI/IC,Y PRO-
N\NC$ X FIT =! ,OV]L& ,TRAIL4
  ,I _H WOND]$ IF \R WAGONS NE$$ A HE>TY
SLOGAN1 OR AT L1/1 L S _M1 \R "N "S":4
,B :5 ,I ASK$ ,PA :Y HE _HN'T >RANG$ 6H
8,K+0 EMBLAZON$ ON ! CANVAS OR MAYBE EV5
9CORPORAT$ 96! RI* YELL[ TRIM ( \R PA9T
S*EME1 HE'D J SD1 8,:AT =8 ,WE "K :O WE
>E40
  ,ALL >.D ! L&+ CAMP1 :ILE ! M5 DID
BUSI;S 9 T[N1 Y CD SEE ! "Y "MS VISIT+ F
"O CAMPFIRE 6! NEXT1 %YLY SPY+ ON NEW
ACQUA9T.ES 6SEE H[ !Y 7 MAK+ D1 *ATT+ &
5JOY+ ! ?9 SPR+ SUN%9E4
  ,\R LL/ SI/]S1 ,LYDIA & ,RHODA1 _H
WA/$ NO "T JO9+ A PIGTAIL$ PACK ( GIRLS
:O 7 /ROLL+ "? ! CAMP1 /OPP+ "H & "! TO
PLAIT EA* O!R'S HAIR1 DEMON/RATE _! FA-
VORITE CAT'S CRADLE TRICKS1 OR %[ (F _!
FAMILIES' TO4L]S4
  ,\R "YE/ BUN*1 ! GR&*N1 _H "S K9D (A
GAME GO+ T 9VOLV$ PU%+ AN OLD SEW+
BASKET "? ! MUD4 ,!Y 7 ALL (A SIZE    #I
&A WILD LL SET ( TOTS1 _! DAILY PRES;E A
NOVELTY 6,A2IE & ME4 ,6U1 9 ! 2G9N+1 !Y
W]5'T S M* SMALL P1 ,I ?9K1 Z !Y 7 A
CUNN+ COLLEC;N ( LIVE PLAY?+S4
  8,I H"O/LY ?9K10 ,A2IE SD Z WE WAT*$1
8T \R ,LEXIE IS ! MO/ B1UTI;L * 9 ? :OLE
CAMP40 ,? 0 ! * ( ,JOHN1 \R ELDE/ BRO!R1
& 8 WIFE1 ,SUSAN4 ,9 ,PA'S METICUL\S OR-
*E/R,N (! EXP$I;N1 ,A2IE _H BE5 ASSIGN$
6_! WAGON1 & N[ %E ALR S.D$ Z PROPRIET>Y
Z IF %E FANCI$ H]F ! PR\D "M ( ? * )!
GORGE\S GOLD5 CURLS1 & N J H] DOT+ "Y
AUNT4
  ,P]SON,Y1 ,I F.D ,S,Y'S LL ,ME7IE1 MY
[N *>GE1 ) H] ORD9>Y1 WISPY BR[N HAIR1 M
6MY LIK+4 ,Y J N"E KNEW :AT FUNNY LL ?+
%E MI<T SAY NEXT4
  8,ME7IE60 ,I CALL$4 8,:AT'S ! GAME
Y'RE PLAY+80
  ,%E LOOK$ UP4 8,X'S ,8,GO+ 6,O'G540'0
  ,N[ X MADE S5SE--! SEW+-BASKET WAGON1
! WOOD5-BLOCK OX51 ,LEXIE'S F\R-YE>-OLD
BRO!R ,LU!R B>K+ ORD]S Z WAGON MA/]4 ,LL
,LUTE--! FAMILY CALL$ HM--A * ,MA 0 ="E
CLAIM+ _H HALF ! S5SE HE "\ &        #AJ
TWICE ! SASS4
  ,! TOY WAGON _H R1*$ A SMALL DIT*
CROSS+1 AN >DU\S 5D1VOR T SEEM$ 6BE TAK+
A SEV]E TOLL ON ! P9A=ES ( ,ME7IE &
,LEXIE4
  8,LOOK \60 ,LUTE YELL$4 8,! WAGON'S
GO+ OV]6 ,CUT ! OX5 LOOSE60
  8,HELP60 ,LEXIE CRI$ 9 A HI< LL VOICE
SUITA# 6! SIZE ( H] PEG P4 8,OH1 HELP U6
,WE WA%+ AWAAAAY '''0
  ,MY SMILE FELL4 ,MY NECK PRICKL$4
,A2IE & ,I GL.ED AT EA* O!R UNEASILY4
  8,"SBODY'S GOT 6BE M C>E;L10 ,I SD4
8,! /ORIES T GET TOLD >.D ^! BABIES40
  8,LL ,LUTE'S HE>D X ALL F ,SUSAN1 ,I'M
SURE4 ,%E'S J FULL ( D1? & 4A/]4 ,"KS !
DETAILS ( E S+LE P]SON :O'S DI$ S F>
TRY+ 6GET 6,OREGON40
  8,S,Y TOO40
  ,S,Y WASN'T SORRY 6BE GO+1 ?\<4 ,H]
WORRY _H BE5 T1 )\T 5 M"OY =A TRAVEL+
\TFIT1 %E & ,R[L& WD 2 LEFT 2H1 SEP>AT$
F ! FAMILY4 ,X 0 %E :O _H P]SUAD$ ,R[L&
6SWALL[ 8 PRIDE & A3EPT ,PA'S (F] (A
LOAN4 ,/1 %E1 TOO1 FELL PREY 6E      #AA
F"R5+ /ORY & WORRI$ OV] W>N+S T %E & MY
O!R SI/]S 7 AB 6SACRIFICE _! PRECI\S BA-
BIES 6! RIDICUL\S & F>-FET*$ AMBI;NS (
_! HUSB&S4
  8,PA SAYS WE H 6?9K :Y FOLKS L 6TELL
S* SC>Y /ORIES10 ,I SD 6,A2IE4 8,!Y'RE J
J1L\S1 SEE8 ,!Y'RE TOO SC>$ 6G WE/ !MVS1
& !Y C'T /& SEE+ O!R P EXCIT$ & HOPE;L4
,BUN* ( WET BLANKETS1 Y ASK ME4 ,"S ( !M
--WELL1 X'S N NICE 6SAY1 B !Y'LL PROBA-
BLY 2 HALFWAY 4APPO9T$ :5 !Y HE> WE'VE
MADE X 6,OREGON & ALL H F9E1 BIG F>MS40
  8,"WS BO? WAYS1 ?\<40
  8,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,I M1N ! FELL[S AT ! \TFITT+ /ORES
SAY+ ,S\? ,PASS IS J AN EASY-Z-"E-Y-
PL1SE RAMP OV] ! ,ROCKIES4 ,SUSAN SAYS
!Y J WANT 6SELL U WAGONLOADS ( /UFF4 ,NO
M"OY 9 X = !M IF WE TURN TAIL40
  8,T'S TRUE1 TOO10 ,I 3C$$1 B X DIDN'T
WORRY ME4 ,PA KNEW :AT 62LIEVE & :AT TO
TAKE )A GRA9 ( SALT4
  ,I WAT*$ A C\PLE ( SM>TLY DRESS$ M5
WALK+ "? ! CAMP4 ,AT \R P>5TS' WAGON !Y
PAUS$1 "O TAPP+ ! :EEL SPOKES ) 8    #AB
POLI%$ WALK+ /ICK :ILE 8 -PANION JOTT$
NOTES ON A PAD4
  8,:AT D Y SUPPOSE !Y'RE UP TO80 ,I
WOND]$ AL\D4
  8,LAW'S SAKE1 Y TWO60
  ,I JUMP$4 ,X 0 ,SUSAN4
  8,Y J GO+ 6SIT "!1 LETT+ ^? *N SOAK
!MVS 9 MUD80
  ,A2IE & ,I EX*ANG$ A GL.E4 ,:AT A
%REW4
  8,:AT8 ,IS T MY SEW+ BASKET !Y'VE
GOT80 ,SUSAN %OV$ H] TWO-MON?-OLD BABY
96,A2IE'S >MS4 8,LUTE60 %E YELL$ & !N
MUTT]$1 8,T *60 ,%E /OMP$ D[N 6! DIT*4
8,-E ON1 ALL ( Y6 ,GET UP 6! WAGONS60
  8,GD L&10 ,I SD4 8,I HOPE %E DOESN'T
?9K %E'S GO+ 6KEEP !M SPANK+ CL1N ALL !
WAY 6,OREGON40
  8,I DON'T "K :AT %E ?9KS10 ,A2IE SD1
PATT+ BABY ,*>LIE1 8EXCEPT %E DOESN'T
WANT 6BE GO+ AT ALL & TAKES X \ ON ME1 L
! :OLE TRIP IS MY FAULT40
  ,WE WAT*$ Z ,SUSAN SCOLD$ ,LUTE4 ,Z F>
Z WE 7 3C]N$1 ! SC5E MI<T H BE5 A LL
PANTOMIME PLAY$ \ PURELY = \R        #AC
AMUSE;T4
  8,I GUESS ,I %D H R1LIZ$10 ,A2IE SD
VAGUELY1 8%E WDN'T WANT H] SEW+ BASKET \
"H40
  ,I %RU7$ & LOOK$ BACK T[>D \R WAGONS4
,! M5 F T[N _H MOV$ ON4
  ,A2IE ELB[$ ME1 DRAW+ MY ATT5;N 6A
GIRL \R [N AGE SITT+ ON A WAGON T;GUE A
%ORT 4T.E AL;G ! SLOPE1 E>NE/LY WRIT+ A
LR4 ,%E _H "O LEG CROSS$ OV] ! O!R1 &!
PO9T$ TOE ( H] BOOT POK$ PRIMLY F 2N H]
RI2ON-B&$ SKIRT HEM4
  8,I WI% ,I _H BOOTS L T10 ,A2IE SD4
  8,OH1 DON'T 2 SILLY4 ,%E IS GO+ 6BE S
SORRY40
  8,I HATE ^! CLODHOPP+ ?+S ,PA'S MAK+ U
WE>40
  ,I ROLL$ MY EYES4
  8,DON'T D T60 %E SD4 8,DON'T ALW 2
ROLL+ YR EYES AT ME40
  ,WELL1 X 0 A TWO-WAY ?+4 ,"E S9CE ,PA
ANN\NC$ ! TRIP1 %E'D BE5 ANNOY$ AT ME =
GETT+ S EXCIT$1 & ,I'D BE5 IMPATI5T ) H]
= N 2+ EXCIT$ 5\<4
  8,T'S ! WR;G K9D ( WAGON H]        #AD
FOLKS H1 TOO10 ,I SD4 8,PA SAYS ^? BIG
OLD ,3E/OGAS >E N"E GO+ 6MAKE X OV] !
M.TA9S4 ,OREGON WAGONS "\ 6BE LI<T]40
  ,! LR-WRIT+ GIRL PAUS$ 6?9K1 LIFT+ H]
H1D & GAZ+ BLANKLY AT U =A MO;T4 ,H] "N
0 ,MAMIE ,BR[N1 AL?1 ( C\RSE1 WE WDN'T
F9D ? \ UNTIL LAT]4
  ,N[ X'S SD WE %DN'T MAKE SNAP JUDG;TS
AB P1 %DN'T RELY TOO M* ON F/ IMPRES.NS4
,"!'S WISDOM 9 T1 ,I SUPPOSE1 & ,I L TO
?9K ,I'M CAPA# ( *ANG+ MY OP9ION (A P]-
SON IF EV5TS W>RANT4 ,T SD1 "H'S ! PLA9
TRU?3 ,I DIDN'T L ,MAMIE ,BR[N ! F/ M9-
UTE ,I LAID EYES ON H]1 & NO?+ T HAPP5$
LAT] "E MOV$ ME ! SLI<TE/ F T VIEW4
  8,I'LL BET %E'S WRIT+ 6H] SWEETHE>T10
,A2IE SD4 8,I'LL BET ANY?+40
  ,MAMIE SAT ) H] BACK RAMROD /RAI<T1 L
H] "M NO D\BT ADVIS$4 ,Z %E FOCUS$ ON U1
H] BLANK EXPRES.N %IFT$ 6"O ( DA9TY 4AP-
PROVAL4 ,!N %E SNI6$ & RETURN$ TOTAL
3C5TR,N 6P5CIL+ ANO!R L9E4
  8,N[ 6ME1 ,A2IE1 T'S J PLA9 SAD1 6H S
M* HAPP5+ "R 9 FRONT ( Y & N EV5 2
LOOK+4 ,:5 R1L LIFE'S S EXCIT+1 Y    #AE
"\ 6OP5 YR EYES & PAY ATT5;N40
  8,F9E TALK40 ,A2IE JI7L$ ! FUSS+ BABY
&) "O H& >RANG$ H] SKIRTS OV] H] KNEES4
8,MAYBE Y'RE J SORE 2C Y DON'T H A BOY
Y'RE L1V+ 2H40
  ,%E1 ( C\RSE1 DID1 & 0 ="E ON ! LOOK\T
=A LIKELY OP5+ 6ONCE AG 4CUSS H] TRAGIC
SITU,N4
  8,I'M N SORE10 ,I SD4 8,& ANYWAY1 :Y
ON E>? DID Y H 6G GET SWEET ON "S"O :5 Y
KNEW WE 7 L1V+80
  ,%E TILT$ H] FACE1 EYELIDS L[]$4
8,MAYBE "S ( U J C'T 2 Z PRACTICAL AB
LOVE Z Y40
  ,OH1 M]CY4 ,? C\RT%IP ( ,A2IE'S _H
3SI/$1 S F> Z ,I CD TELL1 ( NO?+ B FUR-
TIVE GL.ES ACR ,SUN"D MEET+S1 & ,I SUS-
PECT$ %E 0 R 5JOY+ ! DRAMA--"Y SWEET-
HE>TS SEP>AT$ 0=CES M P[];L ?AN !MVS4
  ,MAYBE ,ROB ,PET]S 0 EV5 A BIT PR\D (
HAV+ CAU<T ! EYE ( "O ( U ,K+ GIRLS4 ,AF
ALL1 WE'D 2COME ALM FAM\S 9 ,C>ROLL
,C.TY4 ,"O "D ,A2IE & ,I'D BE5 EXAM9+
BOLTS ( MUSL9 AT ! /ORE 9 ,RI*MOND :5 WE
OV]HE>D ANO!R CU/OM] MURMUR ! ^WS    #AF
8GO+ 6,OREGON40 ,WE'D /OPP$1 GL.ED OV] &
!N WID5$ \R EYES AT EA* O!R4 ,! WOMAN 0
TALK+ AB U6 ,\R FAMILY4 ,! ,K+S4
  ,GO+ 6,OREGON4 ,P MI<T SAY X )A C]TA9
AWE OR !Y MI<T SAY X ) SKEPTICISM OR A
H9T ( MOCK]Y4 ,!Y MI<T M>* UP BOLD Z
BRASS & ASK ,PA DIDN'T HE "K ! :OLE IDEA
( DRA7+ WOM5 & *N TWO ?\S& MILES ACR !
TRACK.S WILD];S 0 9SAN;Y8 ,NO1 WORSE--
SUICIDE8
  ,B :AT"E !Y SD1 NO "O CD TALK ( ,ORE-
GON & FEIGN 49T]E/4
  ,! "D WE LEFT ! F>M1 \R Y>D _H SW>M$ )
! NEI<BORS /AY+ 2H4 ,M]CY4 ,! WEEP+ &
WAIL+1 ! PRAY+ AL\D & MAK+ ( FL[]Y
SPEE*ES ''' ,SAME ?+ ALL OV] AG :5 WE
ROLL$ "? ,RI*MOND ON ! ROAD 6,/4 ,JOE--P
P\R+ \ ( /ORES ) SORR[;L GD-BYES1 GRIM
ADVICE4
  ,WE'D ALR _H EI<T MON?S ( ?4 ,! PAP]S
7 FULL ( X TOO4 ,I CDN'T =GET "O *ILL+
L9E DIRECT$ 6PROSPECTIVE EMIGRANTS3 .,YR
.B"OS1 ! WRIT] W>N$ U1 ..W BL1* ) YR
/ORY .UNTOLD4
  ,YR /ORY UNTOLD4                   #AG
  ,WELL1 .5\<1 ,I WANT$ 6TELL ^! NAYSAY-
]S4 ..,WE'VE DECID$4 ,WE'RE GO+4 ,?
ISN'T A FUN]AL2 X'S ! ADV5TURE ( \R
.LIVES6
  8,Y H 6ADMIT10 ,A2IE SD N[1 8? ISN'T L
ANY REGUL> TRIP FOLKS USU,Y TAKE4 ,ONCE
WE MAKE X \ "!1 T'S X4 ,WE'RE N"E -+
BACK40
  8,T'S N NECESS>ILY TRUE4 ,WE MI<T -E
VISIT "S"T40
  8,OH1 ,LOVISA1 RE,Y4 ,Y "K ,PA'S J
SAY+ T 6MAKE X A LL EASI] = ,SUSAN &
,ANNIE40
  ,ANNIE 0 \R O!R SI/]-IN-LAW1 M>RI$ 6\R
BRO!R ,/EPH5 & NO HAPPI] AB ! TRIP ?AN
,SUSAN4
  8,X'S H>D = FOLKS10 ,A2IE SD4 8,SAY+
X4 ,EV5 ?9K+ X4 ..,WE'LL N"E "E SEE EA*
O!R .AG4 ,:Y1 ,ROB SD1 :5 HE ?"\ ( :AT
WE'D 2 FAC+ \ "! ''' ,8,A2IE10' HE SAYS1
,8,A2IE1 ,I J C'T SAY X4 ,I C'T SAY !
^W40' ,A2IE SWALL[$ H>D1 L %E 0 "R "! )
HM AG1 HOLD+ 8 H&S1 LOOK+ 96HIS EYES =!
LA/ "T4 8,8,I HATE 6SAY ! ^W
.F>EWELL40'0                         #AH
  ,I SI<$4 ,DID ,I 5VY MY SI/] ?8 ,T
TE>S 7 %$ AT H] GO+8 ,NO1 ,I DID N4 ,I 0
"R GLAD ,I WASN'T L1V+ ANY"O ,I LOV$ 2H4
,9 FACT1 ,I 0 HAPPY 6BE PUTT+ 4T.E 2T
MYF &! MAN :O'D REC5TLY BE5 TRY+ 6M>RY
ME4 ,GD OLD ,MR4 ,COLL9S1 :O KEPT CLAIM+
HE HAT$ HAV+ 69=M U ( C]TA9 ?+S & !N WD
LAUN*1 ) RELI%1 96T]RI# TALES ( ,9DIAN
DEPR$,NS--ABDUC;NS & TORTURES AT _! SAV-
AGE H&S4 ,I'D OV]HE>D HM AT ! BLACK-
SMI?'S TELL+ ,PA .HE C]TA9LY WDN'T WANT
6BE RESPONSI# = TAK+ S _M PRETTY DAU<T]S
\ "! AM;G ^? HALF-HUMAN NATIVES4
  8,LOVISA6 ,A2IE60 ,WE TURN$4 ,F ! WAG-
ONS1 \R "Y] BRO!R ,SOL 0 WAV+ U BACK4
8,"T 6G60
  ,WE JUMP$ UP4 ,"T 6GET 9 L9E =! F]RY4
,"T 6HURRY UP & WAIT4

  ,WAGONS JO/L$ = POSI;N 9 ! HUGE FAN (
VEHICLES AIM+ T[>D ! F]RY'S GANGPLANK4
,! WOOD5 CRAFT CD TAKE ONLY A FEW AT A
"T1 & X WASN'T A FA/ TRIP ACR ! MU4Y1
SPR+-SWOLL5 RIV]4 ,I ?"\ \R TURN WD N"E
-E1 B F9,Y ,I 0 WAT*+ ! ROIL+ BR[N   #AI
WAT] 9 \R WAKE Z WE FLOAT$ \4
  ,SUSAN & \R BRO!R ,/EPH5'S WIFE1 ,AN-
NIE1 ,I NOTIC$1 KEPT _! EYES ON ! %ORE (
,MISS\RI Z X FELL AWAY 2H U4 ,I1 TOO1
GAVE X A GL.E1 B J A QK "O4 ,!N ,I FAC$
=W>D1 AT ! RAIL1 & TOOK A DEEP BR1? (!
W9D1 IMAG9+ ,I CD CAT* ! SC5T ( ^? F>
PRAIRIES4
  8,OH1 ,A2IE4 ,! WIDE ,MISS\RI4 ,L 9 !
S;G4 ,8,AWAY6 ,I'M B.D AWAY1 'CROSS !
WIDE ,MISS\RI40'0 ,A2IE TSK$4 8,LOVISA1
Y'VE LOOK$ AT ! ,MISS\RI NE> E "D ! LA/
?REE YE>S40
  ,I SET MY TEE?4 8,YES10 ,I SD1 DRAW+ !
^W \1 8B ,I WASN'T B.D AWAY ACR X !N1 0
,I80 ,A2IE 0 ONLY A YE> "Y]1 B "S"TS ,I
FELT ! GULF 2T U 0 M* WID]4
  8,TELL Y :AT ,I ?9K10 %E SD4 8,I ?9K
Y'RE J Z FOOLI% & ROMANTIC 9 YR [N WAY Z
Y ALW SAY ,I AM1 ONLY AB DI6]5T ?+S40
  ,I %AD$ MY EYES AG/ ! L[]+ SUN4 ,MAYBE
S1 B H[ CD A P]SON N 2 ROMANTIC AB !
PROSPECT ( GO+ WE/8
  ,WE/4 ,IF Y SD 8EA/0 X CAME \ FLAT4
,NO "O "E SD .EA/ ! WAY !Y SD        #BJ
.WE/4 ,WE/ _H MAGIC 9 X4 ,MY/]Y4 ,ALL !
WOND] ( N "K+ :AT MI<T 2 \ "!1 ! EXHILA-
R,N ( "K+ Y 7 AB 6G SEE = YRF4
  .,WE/4




















                  ,TWO               #BA

  ,F\R4
  ,T 0 ! MAGIC NUMB]4 ,T 0 H[ _M 9*ES !
NEW SPR+ GRASS _H 6BE UP 2F WE CD G4 ,\R
[N ,AMOS _H BE5 ELECT$ SUP]9T5D5T ( CAT-
TLE--PROBABLY 2C WE ,K+S _H "O (! L>G]
H]DS--& HE AGRE$ WE'D 2 FOOLS 6SET \ )\T
? GU>ANTEE ( DEC5T GRAZ+4 ,:O'D 2 S
%ORTSI<T$ Z 6DRIVE A H]D 9CLUD+ ?IRTY-
FIVE (! F9E/ ,SPANI% ,DURHAMS \ ONTO A
PA/URE.S PRAIRIE8
  ,F\R 9*ES4 ,WE _H 6WAIT4
  ,WE'D BE5 M>K+ "T 9 ! R5DEZV\S CAMP
S"EAL "DS :5 ! ^W F9,Y W5T \3 ,! B.S$
GRASS 0 UP6 ,TM MORN+1 ,MON"D1 ,APRIL
#BH1 ! ,/4 ,JOSEPH ,-PANY (! ,OREGON
,EMIGR,N ,SOCIETY WD MAKE A />T4
  ,MY /EPS 7 SPR+Y Z ,A2IE & ,I SWUNG \R
WOOD5 BUCKETS "? ! SPRAWL+ CAMP--HUNDR$S
( WAGONS DOTT+ ! ,MISS\RI BOTTOM "H ON !
RIV]'S WE/ BANK1 ! 2G9N+ ( ,KANSAS ,T]-
RITORY1 A TEMPOR>Y SETTLE;T T -PLETELY
DW>F$ ,/4 ,JOE4
  8,MY L&1 ,A2IE4 ,S _M FOLKS "H1 MAKES
Y WOND] IF "!'LL 2 ANYBODY LEFT AT   #BB
ALL 9 ! /ATES :5 WE ROLL \40
  ,& TRULY1 WE'D N _H ! SLI<TE/ NO;N X
WD 2 L ?4 ,:5 ,PA & MY BRO!RS _H BE5 GO+
6_! ,OREGON ,MEET+S ALL ! PA/ YE>1 !Y'D
FIGUR$ MO/ -PANIES WD / 2 JUMP+ (F F
,9DEP5D;E4 ,B :Y F/ VE] S\? F \R F>M1
,PA SD1 \ (! WAY8 ,ESPECI,Y S9CE ? FELL[
,ROBID\X )! TRAD+ PO/ 9 ,/4 ,JOE 0 />T+
UP \TFITT+ /ORES E BIT Z -PLETE Z :AT !Y
BRA7$ ( D[N 9 ,9DEP5D;E4
  ,S W]5'T WE CL"E1 GO+ X ? NEW R\TE8
,YESSIR1 R1L AH1D-(-!-"TS ?9K]S4 ,HA6
,N[ WE SAW T ?\S&S ( P _H GOT ! V SAME
BRILLIANT IDEA4
  8,DID Y HE> AB ! GIRL :O 0 RUNN+
AWAY80 ,A2IE SD1 DUCK+ A L9E ( LAUNDRY4
  8,NO1 :AT80
  8,A GIRL :O LIV$ "R "H 9 ,/4 ,JOE4 ,A
BOY WANT$ 6M>RY H]1 !Y SAY4 ,CAME R.D )
AN \TFIT ALL SET 6G 6,OREGON1 B H] FOLKS
SD NO4 ,%E CDN'T BE> 6LET HM G AL"O1
?\<1 S %E J RAN (F & FIGUR$ H] PA'D 2
*AS+ "R 2H4 ,F.D A PR1*] M>RI$ !M "R ON
! F]RY4 ,GOT OV] "H1 !Y 7 ALR MI/] &
MISSUS60                             #BC
  8,MY L&40 ,?RILL+1 ,I _H 6ADMIT4 ,S _M
P4 ,S _M /ORIES--SWEETHE>TS "P+1 O!RS
QKLY DECID+ 6M>RY4 ,! "T _H -E2 DECI.NS
_H 6BE MADE4 ,Y CD ALM FEEL X1 ! WAY
"EY"O'S BLOOD 0 PULS+ FA/]4 ,LIFE XF
SEEM$ 6BE SPE$+ UP4 8,S ":'D Y HE> T /O-
RY80
  8,F ! ,HULLS' HIR$ BOY40
  8,A2IE60 ,I ACT$ %OCK$4 8,Y TALK$ 6HM8
,OH1 MY4 ,Y "K :AT ,PA SD40 ,WE'D BE5
/]NLY ADMONI%$ N 6BE =W>D )! "Y1 S+LE
HIR$ H&S TRAVEL+ ) S _M (! FAMILIES4
  8,DON'T TELL10 ,A2IE PL1D$4 8,HE'S N
RE,Y ! R\< TYPE ,PA'S WORRI$ AB40
  ,I LAU<$4 8,OH1 = H1V5'S SAKES6 ,I'M J
T1S+4 ,TALK 6ANY"O Y WANT4 ,I PLAN TO40
  ,WE SKIRT$ A TEMPOR>Y *ICK5 COOP1 NO4$
H[-D 6FOLKS AT A CAMPFIRE4 ,A MAN 0 %[+
(F 8 CL"E NEW WAGON JACK 6ANO!R MAN1 T &
! EXTRA OX %OES HE'D LAID IN4 ,"EY":
WOM5 7 TRY+ \ _! NEW CAMP /OVES1 FANN+
SMOKE F _! FACES4 ,&! *N6 ,"L1 !Y *AS$
>.D PURE CRAZY ) EXCITE;T1 ! P>5TS HAV+
L;G S9CE GIV5 UP TRY+ 6KEEP !M DAMP$
D[N4                                 #BD
  ,GUNS FIR$ (F 3/ANTLY4 ,M5 7 \ PRAC-
TIC+1 LOTS ( !M J N[ LE>N+ 6%OOT4 ,WE'D
2 H1D+ \ L "S K9D ( AN >MY1 ) EV5 ! "Y-
E/1 MO/ UNTRI$ BOYS HAV+ BE5 ISSU$ RI-
FLES ( _! [N4 ,!Y /RUTT$ AM;G ! WAGONS1
*9S /UCK \1 BRA7+ ON ! BU6ALO !Y PLANN$
6BR+ D[N J ! M9UTE !Y GOT \ ONTO !
PLA9S4 ,:Y1 A BOY A C\PLE ( CAMPS OV] _H
ALR %OT HMF 9 ! FOOT4
  ,X 0 ALL NEW =! WOM5 & GIRLS TOO--!
COOK+ \-(-DOORS1 ! LIV+ 9 A WAGON4 ,E LL
*ORE 0 A *ALL5GE1 & ALL ( U 7 9 A 3/ANT
/IR1 *ATT]+ AWAY1 SEE+ H[ O!RS 7 MAK+ D1
WOND]+ IF WE 7 KEEP+ UP /&>DS L WE "\4
  ,= ME1 ! GRTE/ NOVELTY 0 SIMPLY 2+ 9 !
MI4LE ( S* A GRT CR[D4 ,I 0 US$ 62+ /UCK
\ "! ON \R F>M ) N"O B FAMILY1 AF ALL4
,N[ A %ORT /ROLL 6FET* WAT] %[$ ME M
FACES ?AN ,I USU,Y SAW 9 A YE>4
  8,J ?9K1 ,A2IE10 ,I SD N[4 8,P ."K AB
?4 ,P WAY BACK EA/4 ,X'S L ALL ^! FOLKS
HE>D ! SAME MESSAGE ON ! W9D3 ..,-E 6,/4
,JOE 9 ! SPR+ & WE'LL ALL H1D .WE/6 ,PA
SAYS X'S EV5 9 ! NEWSPAP]S4 ,HE TALK$ 6A
REPORT] HMF40                        #BE
  ,? GOT H] ATT5;N4 8,A R1L REPORT]80
  8,YES1 = "O (! LOCAL PAP]S4 ,MAYBE "O
( ^? M5 WE SAW LOOK+ AT \R WAGONS AT !
L&+ CAMP4 ,SAYS ,PRESID5T ,POLK EV5 M5-
;N$ U 9 8 V F/ SPEE*1 TOLD H[ ?\S&S ( P
7 \ "H1 FIX+ 6G HELP CLAIM ! ,OREGON
,C.TRY4 ,T HAS 6TICKLE Y AT L1/ A BIT1
,A2IE4 ,I M1N1 J 6BE "P ( X40
  ,I LOOK$ BACK OV] ! RIV] 9 ! DIREC;N (
,/4 ,JOE1 & X /RUCK ME "R !N T ! V WOR/
?+ WD 2 IF = "S R1SON WE DECID$ N 6G AF
ALL4 ,:Y1 ,I CDN'T /& = X6 ,I 0 W.D
TI<T] ?AN A BABY'S TOP4 ,ANYBODY PULL$ !
/R+1 ,I CD H SPUN \ & .RUN "R ACR T
PRAIRIE ALL ! WAY 6! ,PACIFIC ,OC1N6

  ,I'LL WAG] NO FAMILY "E ROLL$ \ ON !
ROAD 6,OREGON BETT] PREP>$ ?AN WE ,K+S4
,N ONLY _H WE DEVOT$ ! 5TIRE FALL & W9T]
6SP9N+1 W1V+1 SEW+1 MOLD+ C&LES1 & DRY+
FRUIT1 B ,PA _H MADE A SCI;E ( RESE>*+ &
SECUR+ A -PLETE SET (! NEC ITEMS REQUIR$
=A TOP-NOT* TRAVEL+ \TFIT4
  ,2SS ! BASICS1 \R WAGONS BOA/$ E SORT
( CL"E 3V5I;E YET DEVIS$--N1T SEW+   #BF
KITS1 WA%+ \TFITS1 ! BE/ ,DUT* OV5 =
HOOK+ OV] AN OP5 FIRE1 A SAT*EL ( M$I-
C9ES1 EA* REM$Y 9 XS [N GLASS VIAL4
  ,PA ORD]$ A FULL L9E ( RA9PRO( T>PS
MADE F ? BR&-NEW /UFF--,9DIA RU2]4 ,WE
EV5 _H SCI5TIFIC 9/RU;TS S* Z A !RMOMET]
& "S?+ ,R[L& CALL$ AN ODOMET]4 ,GRUDG+ Z
,I FELT 9 "E GIV+ MY BRO!R-IN-LAW CR$IT
= ANY?+1 ,I _H 6ADMIRE H[ HE'D /UDI$ ON
X & RI7$ WOOD5 GE>S ONTO \R WAGON'S BACK
:EEL 6TICK (F & C.T EA* "T X TURN$4 ,A
BIT ( >I?METIC & WE'D "K EXACTLY H[ _M
MILES WE'D TRAVEL$4
  ,/1 6ME1 ! MO/ 3FID;E-9SPIR+ ?+ ( ALL
0 N \R MOD]N DEVICES B "S?+ M BASIC1 A
GE/URE ON ,PA'S "P T IMPRESS$ ME NO 5D4
,BACK HOME1 :5 WE 7 "W+ \R WAY D[N !
SUPPLY LI/1 HE'D BR"\ A %OEMAK] ) 8 B5*
& TOOLS 6! F>M & _H E LA/ "O ( U M1SUR$
=! BE/ BOOTS M"OY CD BUY4 ,& N J "O
PAIR1 B TWO EA*1 "R D[N 6F\R-YE>-OLD
,LUTE1 ALL CUT F HIDES HE & ,AMOS _H
TANN$ J = ? PURPOSE1 BO? UPP] & SOLE
L1!RS4 ,NO SILLY LADIES' BOOTS1 ,PA _H
TOLD ! %OEMAK]4 ,WE GIRLS'D 2        #BG
WALK+ ! SAME MILES Z ! BOYS1 MAYBE M4
,WE'D 2 NE$+ /R;G & /URDY FOOTWE> TOO4
  ,& T'S :AT WE GOT4 ,A2IE MAY H ?"\ !M
CLO4I%1 B ,I LOV$ ! SUREFOOT$ FEEL+ ^!
BOOTS GAVE ME Z ,I W5T /RID+ AL;G4
  ,:AT"E WE TOOK _H 6BE PRACTICAL4 ,X _H
6BE USE;L4 ,I 0 PL1S$ 6HE> ,PA REM>K+ ON
MY SP9N+ SKILLS & SAY+ ( C\RSE MY :EEL
WD G4 ,B ?+S L ! FRAM$ MIRROR W5T /RAI<T
6! 8SELL0 PILE4 ,MA SD WE'D ALW NE$ TO
SP91 B WE WDN'T NE$ 6"K :AT WE LOOK$ L4
,ANNIE _H A4$ T 0! "T WE GOT 6,OREGON1
WE PROBABLY WDN'T .WANT 6"K4
  ,WE 9T5D$ 6BE SM>T AB X & LE>N F !
MISTAKES ( FOLKS :O'D G"O 2F1 9 #'DC OR
#'DD4 ,WE W]5'T GO+ 6BE "O ( ^? FOOLI%
FAMILIES HAV+ 64C>D TR1SUR$ POSSES.NS
AL;G ! TRAIL4 ,ANY LA;T+ AB :AT WE _H TO
L1VE 2H _H ALR BE5 D"O BACK 2F WE _H X
ALL AUC;N$ (F "R "! 9 \R Y>D4
  ,2SS1 WE _H NEW ?+S1 SPECIAL1 =! TRIP4
,EA* ( U GIRLS _H BE5 FITT$ )A N1T COLD-
W1!R DRESS ( L9SEY-WOOLSEY4 ,M9E 0 MA-
ROON4 ,WE EA* _H NEW BONNETS &1 PACK$
AWAY1 FRE%LY SEWN CALICO WA%         #BH
DRESSES4 ,N T \R FOLKS ?"\ WE NE$$ 6BE
F9E & FANCY \ ON ! TRAIL4 ,!Y J FIGUR$
"EY?+ WD GET PL5TY ( WE>4 ,NO PO9T TAK+
CLO!S ON ! V]GE ( %R$D+ 2F WE EV5 />T$4
  ,AL;G ) ITEMS T CD 2 TICK$ (F A MA/]
LI/1 WE'D >M$ \RVS ) "S?+ EQU,Y VALUA#3
K4 ,PA SECUR$ A GUIDEBOOK "S"O _H HUR-
RI$LY PR9T$ UP4 ,HE B"\ MAPS4 ,L HE SD1
! ROAD XF 0 NO?+ NEW4 ,TRAPP]S & ,9DIANS
_H BE5 US+ X S9CE WAY BACK4 ,! NEW "P 0
TAK+ WAGONS OV] ,S\? ,PASS 9 ! ,ROCKIES4
,? 2+ ! ?IRD YE> ( L>GE "PIES GO+ OV] X1
! :EEL TRACKS WD 2 EASY 6FOLL[4 ,! MAPS
7 MA9LY 6%[ ! BE/ CAMP SPOTS & S*4 ,AF
ALL1 X WASN'T Z IF WE'D 2 9 ANY DANG] \
"! ( ACTU,Y GETT+ LO/4
  ,F9,Y1 ,PA _H >RANG$ = U 6H "O LA/ IM-
PORTANT ASSET--TRU/$ TRAVEL+ -PANIONS4
,! ,FULL] FAMILY4 ,SAFETY LAY 9 NUMB]S1
,PA FELT1 EV5 )9 ! L>G] -PANY4
  ,WE _H "KN ! ,FULL]S ="E1 EV5 BACK 9
,OHIO1 & M REC5TLY !Y'D F>M$ D[N 9 ,LA-
FAYETTE ,C.TY1 ACR ! ,MISS\RI F U4
,TRAVEL 2+ Z DI6ICULT Z X WAS1 EV5 %ORT
4T.ES1 WE DIDN'T GET 6SEE !M NE> Z   #BI
M* Z WE'D H LIK$4 ,N[1 ?\<1 WE FIGUR$ ON
"O L;G SOCIAL1 ALL ! WAY 6,OREGON6
  ,!Y 7 A "Y] FAMILY1 ALL ! *N UNM>RI$4
,PRICE & ,MEL9DA1 ! OLDE/1 7 AB MY AGE1
) ,H5RY1 ! NEXT "O1 A YE> 2H ME4 ,!N !Y
_H A D>L+ LL GIRL "ND ,TABI?A4 ,! RE/ 0
A SW>M ( "Y] BOYS ^: "NS ,I N"E EV5 TRI$
6KEEP /RAI<T4
  ,WE'D BE5 3C]N$1 9ITI,Y1 :5 WE CDN'T
F9D !M 9 ! CAMP1 RELIEV$ :5 !Y AT LA/
APPE>$ ) _! TWO WAGONS J 9 "T1 ! "D \R
DE"PURE 0 ANN\NC$4
  ,T NI<T1 ! M5 (! TWO FAMILIES--PLUS
TWELVE-YE>-OLD TAGAL;G ,SOL--W5T (F 6"O
LA/ ORGANIZ,NAL MEET+ ": !Y LI/5$ 6_M A
R\S+ SPEE*4
  ,SOL 0 POSITIVELY AFIRE AFWS1 JUMP+ UP
9 FRONT ( \R GA!R$ GR\P1 PRESS+ "O H& TO
8 *E/1 ?R[+ ! O!R >M \ DRAMATIC,Y4
  8,X IS \R "R1 G5TLEM510 HE DCLD4
8,NAY1 \R .OBLIG,N1 6CLAIM ^? L&S (!
,GOLD5 ,WE/40 ,HE ?RU/ A F+] H1V5W>D4
8,GOD ,HMF HAS ORDA9$ \R C.TRY %D SPR1D
F "O OC1N 6! O!R60
  ,DELI<T$1 WE LAU<$ & CLAPP$ AT 8   #CJ
CANNY IMIT,N4
  8,\R F9E/1 BRAVE/ CITIZ5S10 HE W5T ON1
8>E EV5 N[ MASS+ "H ON ! FRONTI] BORD]S1
PREP>+ 6TAKE _! WIVES & *N ACR ! VA/
DES]TS 6P]FECT T CLAIM1 T .DIV9E CLAIM60
  8,IS T :AT WE'RE DO+80 ,I SD AF ! AP-
PLAUSE4 8,:AT'D Y CALL X1 ,SOL8 ,A DIV9E
CLAIM8 ,I ?"\ WE 7 J GO+ =! GD L&60
  8,WELL10 ,PA SD1 8FOLKS D APPRECIATE !
*.E 6SLAP A HI<-M9D$ "N ON :AT !Y WANT
6D ANYWAY40
  ,P _H A *UCKLE OV] T1 & !N ,PA SD1
8,LOOKS L ,R[L& "H'S GONNA 2 TOO MODE/
6ANN\NCE X1 S ,I'LL H 6TELL Y MYF T HE'S
BE5 ELECT$ %]IFF (! 5TIRE -PANY40
  ,"EY"O ROCK$ BACK 9 SURPRISE & APPROV-
AL4
  ,R[L& SAT "! GR9N+1 LETT+ MY BRO!RS
%OVE 8 %\LD]S4 ,JOHN EV5 MANAG$ A T\SL+
( 8 ?ICK D>K HAIR 2F ,R[L& PLAY;LLY BAT-
T$ HM AWAY4
  8,%]IFF80 ,S,Y'S BR[S P9*$ TGR4
8,:AT'S T GO+ 6M1N80
  ,WDN'T Y "K8 ,L1VE X 6,S,Y 6SEE !
WORRY 9 ? 9/1D (! HONOR4             #CA
  8,OH1 PROBABLY NO?+ M*10 ,R[L& SD4
  8,HE'LL H 6MAKE SURE "EYBODY FOLL[S !
RULES10 ,SOL SD4
  ,R[L& MADE A FACE1 DET]M9$ N 6TAKE X
TOO S]I\SLY4
  ,ALL "R !N1 P]H ,I %DN'T H BE5 S H>D
ON ,S,Y = HAV+ MIX$ FEEL+S AB ,R[L& 2+
ELECT$4 ,I 3FESS 6MIX$ FEEL+S TOO4
,SURE1 ,I FELT PR\D L ALL ! RE/4 ,A MEM-
B] ( \R [N FAMILY--%]IFF6 ,B "EYBODY
CELEBRAT+ HM Z S* A SPL5DID FELL[1 WELL
--:AT DID T MAKE ME !N1 -PLA9+ AB HM TO
,PA8
  ,"S"TS ,I RES5T$ ,R[L&'S 3FID;E1 ,I
?9K4 ,HE ACT$ L HE 0 "O (! ,K+ BRO!RS &
N A BRO!R-IN-LAW4 ,& ,PA TR1T$ HM )! EX-
ACT SAME RESPECT HE GAVE ,JOHN1 8 [N
ELDE/ SON4 ,%DN'T ,R[L& 2 A BIT M HUM#1
SEE+ H[ HE 0 ONLY "H ?ANKS 6,PA'S GDWILL
& G5]OS;Y 9 LOAN+ HM ! M"OY = 8 \TFIT8
  ,LOOK AT HM SITT+ "!1 RU4Y *EEKS 9 !
FIRELI<T4 ,HE KNEW HE 0 GD-LOOK+4 ,&
HALF A H1D TALL] ?AN ANY ( MY BRO!RS TO
BOOT4
  ,N T P "E ?"\ ( MY BRO!RS Z        #CB
%ORT1 ,I'M SURE4 ,ALL ! ,K+ BOYS1 9CLUD+
,PA1 C>RI$ !MVS )A 3FID;E T CDN'T 2 M1S-
UR$ 9 9*ES4
  ,I LOOK$ UP4 ,! />S 7 -+ \4 ,? 0 6BE
\R LA/ EV5+ AT ! R5DEZV\S CAMP1 S EV5 :5
! SKY BLACK5$ &! AIR *ILL$ WE L+]$ /1
TOO EXCIT$ 6CALL X A NI<T4 ,& WE W]5'T
AL"O 9 ?4 ,! 5TIRE POPUL,N ( \R TEMPOR>Y
VILLAGE SEEM$ AGITAT$1 ) EVID;E ( E SORT
( ACTIV;Y HE>D F ! HUNDR$S ( CAMPFIRE
CIRCLES DOTT+ ! ,MISS\RI BOTTOM4 ,"O
GR\P 0 PLAY+ C>DS4 ,F>!R AWAY1 ! M9I/] 9
\R -PANY1 ,R"E5D ,MOORE1 L$ A GR\P 9 AN
5]GETIC HYMN3

,?Y PRAISE % S.D F %ORE 6%ORE
',TIL SUNS % RISE & SET NO M6
,ALLELUIA6 ,ALLELUIA6

  ,F ! ,WILLIAMSES' CAMP NE>BY CAME MU-
SIC & BUR/S ( LAU<T]4 ,!Y 7 A BIG FAMILY
\ ( ,T5;SEE :O _H "EY?+ F A BR&-NEW BABY
6A BOY :O PLAY$ ! H>MONICA & AN EI<TE5-
YE>-OLD DAU<T] :O _H ALR CR1T$ A GRT
S5S,N ) H] /RIK+ LOOKS & *>M+ S\?-   #CC
]N A35T4 ,!Y AL _H A PROMIS+-LOOK+ BOY A
YE> OR TWO OLD] :OM ,SOL _H ALR OBLIG+LY
REPORT$ 0 "ND ,JONA?AN B :O W5T 0! NICK-
"N 8,JONT40
  ,N[1 Z ! ,WILLIAMS CR[D />T$ UP ) 8,!
,GIRL ,I ,LEFT ,2H ,ME10 \R BOYS JO9$
IN3

,I'M L"O"S S9CE ,I CROSS$ ! HILL
,& O'] ! MOOR & VALLEY
,S* H1VY ?"\S MY HE>T D FILL
,S9CE "P+ F MY ,S,Y4

  8,T S;G10 ,I PO9T$ \ :5 !Y /OPP$ =
BR1?1 8HAS ! SA4E/ ^WS =! *E];LLE/
TUNE40
  8,NO?+ = U 6BE SAD AB10 ,SOL SD4 8,WE
,K+S >E TAK+ ALL \R GIRLS AL;G ) U60
  8,DON'T =GET ! ,FULL] GIRLS10 EI<T-
YE>-OLD ,TABI?A ,FULL] SD1 BATT+ H] EYES
AT ,SOL1 MAK+ ! RE/ ( U GROAN "K+LY &
GR94
  ,BITSY1 Z WE CALL$ H]1 0 ! SAUCIE/ ?+1
) BLACK CURLS1 ROSY *EEKS1 &A B1UTY M>K
AT ! 9N] $GE ( H] "R EYEBR[4 ,&      #CD
:AT A FLIRT6 ,X 0 PLA9 %E'D ALR TAK5 A
%9E 6MY "Y] BRO!R4
  8,S1 >E WE ALL SET = TM80 ,PA ASK$4
8,H[ AB A REPORT ON ! SICK "OS4 ,>NOLD80
  ,>NOLD ,FULL] TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 HESI-
TAT$1 !N %OOK 8 H1D4 ,8 WIFE1 "M ( ?
L>GE FAMILY1 0 LY+ SICK 9 "O ( _! WAG-
ONS1 ELDE/ DAU<T] ,MEL9DA LOOK+ AF H]4
,H] ILL;S 0 ! R1SON !Y'D DELAY$ UNTIL !
LA/ POSSI# "D 9 L1V+ = ,/4 ,JOE4
  8,I 0 HOP+ %E'D 2 BETT] 0JUMP+-(F "D10
,MR4 ,FULL] SD4 8,HATE 6MAKE H] TRAVEL1
B ,I DON'T SEE ANY *OICE4 ,WE'VE GOT TO
/AY )! GR\P4 ,WDN'T WANT 6BE LA7+ 2H
AL"O \ "!40
  ,PA NO4$1 GAVE X A MO;T1 !N TURN$ 6MY
SI/] ,HOPE/ILL4
  ,%E %RU7$4 8,LUCIUS IS AB L HE ALW IS1
NO WORSE ANYWAYS40
  8,ALL "R1 !N10 ,PA SD1 N OV]LY 3C]N$4
,WE 7 US$ 6,LUCIUS ,NORTON 2+ POORLY1 &
S 0 ,HOPE4 ,?IRTY1 FAD$ 9 LOOKS1 %E
SEEM$ 6A3EPT Z H] DUE ? 9VALID HUSB& &
N"E -PLA9$1 Z ,I PROBABLY WD H4
  ,PA TURN$ 6,ANNIE4 8,& ,/EPH580    #CE
  8,! SAME40
  ,ANNIE'S R$DI% CURLS GL[$ S PRETTY 9 !
FIRELI<T4 ,I DID FEEL SORRY = H]4 ,%E _H
LEFT H] [N "M & BRO!RS BACK 9 ,OHIO & -E
\ 6M>RY ,/EPH5 ON ,*RI/MAS ,"D ! YE> 2F
LA/4 ,!N1 9 A W9T] W9D/ORM1 A /\T TREE
BRAN* CRACK$ LOOSE & :ACK$ HM 9 ! *E/4
,HE / _HN'T FULLY RECOV]$ & SEEM$ ="E
PLAGU$ 0"O B\T ( AGUE AF ANO!R4 ,POOR
,ANNIE4 ,:5 A GIRL PROMISES DEVO;N 9
SICK;S & 9 H1L?1 ,I D\BT %E'S FIGUR+ !
SICK;S W />T "R (F4
  8,WELL10 ,PA SD1 8,I'LL WAG] Z SOON Z
WE GET ,/EPH5 \ ON ! PLA9S1 HE'LL -E
>.D40
  ,"EYBODY EXCEPT ,ANNIE NO4$4
  ,ON H] [N %E'D H BE5 A LIVELY ?+1 ,I
?9K1 B 2+ ,/EPH5'S BRIDE _H DULL$ H] _S4
,I _H ! FEEL+ T1 UNLIKE ,HOPE1 ,ANNIE
.DID D>E IMAG9E H[ ?+S MI<T H G"O BETT]4
,%E'D BE5 FRET;L AB TRY+ 6TRAVEL )A SICK
HUSB& F ! M9UTE ,PA ANN\NC$ LA/ SUMM] 8
9T5;N 6MAKE ! CROSS+4 ,:O CD BLAME H]8
,I "U/OOD "R WELL N"O ( ? WD H LOOK$ L !
SAME BIG ADV5TURE 6ME 7 ,I 9 H]      #CF
BOOTS4
  8,TELL Y :AT10 ,PA SD4 8,"!'S A BUN* F
OV] "! 9 ,LAFAYETTE ,C.TY1 MO/ .ALL (
'EM SICK4 ,X'S ! V R1SON !Y'RE GO+40
  8,X'S TRUE10 ,>NOLD ,FULL] SD 6,ANNIE4
8,X'S A WELL-"KN FACT !Y DON'T H ! FEV]S
\ WE/ T WE'VE GOT 9 ^! RIV] VALLEYS "H40
  ,ANNIE GAVE HM A LOOK ( S* %>P SKEPTI-
CISM1 ,MR4 ,FULL] R TOOK (F5SE4
  8,WELL1 SAY N[10 HE SD 6H]4 8,Y C 2
SURE ,I WDN'T 2 GETT+ R1DY 6HAUL MY POOR
WIFE TWO ?\S& MILES 9 A WAGON IF ,I
DIDN'T 2LIEVE T40
  8,"! M/ 2 "S TRU? 9 X10 ,HOPE SD 9 T
PLACID WAY ( H]S4 8,WE'VE HE>D S _M "TS
T P DON'T GET SICK AT ALL 9 ,OREGON40
  8,( C\RSE10 ,ANNIE SD4 8,"EY"O \ "!
LIVES 6BE A HUNDR$1 "R8 ,&! :1T /ALKS
M>* OV] & B9D !MVS 96%1VES ALL 0!MVS80
  ,X FELL S QUIET >.D \R CIRCLE1 Y CD
HE> ! POP & CRACKLE (! FIRE4 ,"S (! /O-
RIES AB ,OREGON DID S.D IMPOSSIBLY OPTI-
MI/IC4 ,/1 WE WANT$ 62LIEVE4 ,& IF ONLY
"P ( !M 7 TRUE1 X CD / 2 A GLORI\S
PLACE4                               #CG
  ,I HALF EXPECT$ ,PA 6SCOLD ,ANNIE =
TALK+ S P]T2 9/1D1 8 VOICE 0 ALM T5D]4
8,HATE 6SEE Y LOOK S WORRI$1 ,ANNIE40
,HE /ROK$ 8 BE>D4 8,MAYBE ,I'LL H 6*ANGE
MY PLANS J A BIT40
  ,I BL9K$4 ,PA8 ,*ANGE 8 PLANS8
  8,SOL10 HE SD1 TURN+ 6MY LL BRO!R1 8M*
Z YR ,MA & ,I 5JOY HAV+ Y ) \R WAGON1 ,I
?9K Y'D BE/ G AL;G ) ,ANNIE "H1 HELP H]
\40
  ,SOL SAT UP /RAI<T] & FLA%$ 8 W9"S
GR94 8,AT YR S]VICE1 ,ANNIE40
  ,ANNIE DIPP$ H] H1D ( R$ CURLS AT HM4
8,M* OBLIG$1 ,I'M SURE40 ,%E CDN'T HELP
2+ *E]$1 ,SOL 0 S CUTE4 8,B T'LL 2
.,MISS ,ANNIE 6Y1 MY "Y PUP40
  ,SOL SQUIRM$1 BLU%+ DEEPLY1 PL1S$ AT !
T1S+4 8,AT YR S]VICE1 .,MISS ,ANNIE40
  ,& AL? X WD 2 A L;G "T 2F WE ALL R1L-
IZ$ X1 NO TRU] ^WS 7 "E SPOK54
  ,F9,Y ,MA 9SI/$ ON A HYMN &A PRAY] &
SD T IF ! -PANY 0 L1V+ 9 ! MORN+1 P _H
BETT] GET "S RE/4
  ,NO "O MOV$1 ?\<4 ,! V ?"\4 ,TM ! L;G-
PLANN$ J\RNEY WD F9,Y 2G94           #CH
  8,I J WANT 6SAY10 ,PA SD QUIETLY1 8H[
PR\D & GLAD ,I AM 6H Y ALL ) ME ON ?4
,>NOLD1 X M1NS A LOT 6ME1 YR FAMILY JO9+
\RS4 ,X'LL 2 GD 6H A "Y] MAN AL;G4 ,I "K
"S >E CALL+ ME AN OLD FOOL 6TRY ?--0
  8,Y'RE N OLD1 ,PA10 ,I CUT IN4
  8,WELL1 ,I N"E 3SID]$ S10 ,PA SD1 8B
,I'LL TELL Y1 MISSY1 ,I'VE HE>D 5 "TS ?
PA/ YE> T SIXTY-"O IS NO AGE 6BE />T+ \
ON T ,OV]L& ,TRAIL40
  ,! :OLE CR[D ( U CRI$ HUMBUG4 ,\R PA
MAY H _H A JO9T OR TWO T PA9$ HM F "T TO
"T1 B HE N"E -PLA9$ OR US$ X Z AN EXCUSE
6SLACK (F "W4 ,I'D ALW FIGUR$ MY "F1
,NAHUM ,K+1 =A MAN :O CD D ANY?+ HE SET
\ 6D4
  8,Z Y "K10 HE SD1 8X'S MY AIM 6GET Y
ALL 6,OREGON & SEE Y SET UP ) PL5TY ( GD
L& 2F ,I DIE4 ,GD L& T WON'T FLOOD40
  8,AM5 6T10 ,MA MUTT]$4
  ,& !N1 Z IF HE 7 SAY+ X =! F/ "T & N !
HUNDR$?1 8,? FAMILY'S GOT 6/ICK TGR4 ,&
T'S ALL "! IS 6X40
  ,I LOOK$ >.D ! FIRE AT MY BRO!RS &
SI/]S1 ! HUSB&S & WIVES1 ! LL "OS    #CI
!Y HELD4 ,! ,FULL] FAMILY TOO4 ,I KNEW
EA* _H 8 OR H] [N FEEL+S AB GO+ WE/1 B
"EY"O1 X SEEM$1 TRU/$ ,PA4 ,LOOK+ BACK
LAT]1 :AT ,I WD REMEMB] MO/ 0 \R 3FID;E4
,\R 9NOC;E1 Y MI<T EV5 SAY4
  ,I WD REMEMB] T CAMPFIRE4 ,"! WD 2 "TS
AH1D :5 ,I WD ?9K ON T GA!R+ &! R+ (
B"R1 2LOV$ FACES4 ,:AT"E \R WORRIES1 ON
T *ILLY1 />-SPANGL$ NI<T ! FUTURE /
LOOK$ P]FECT ) PROMISE4 ,"EY"O _H FAI?
T1 Z ,PA SD1 WE WD .ALL GET 6,OREGON4
  ,I WD REMEMB]1 & X WD BR1K MY HE>T4

  ,F9,Y1 WE TURN$ AWAY F ! BANK$ COALS4
  8,>E Y GO+ 6BE ALL "R \ "!80 ,S,Y ASK$
Z ,I COLLECT$ MY B$ROLL F ! LL BUILT-IN
WAGON CUPBO>D GIV5 OV] 6ME4 8,2C ,R[L&
SAYS HE CD SLEEP \TSIDE IF Y'D R40
  8,S,Y1 ,I'M F9E 9 ! T5T4 ,I'VE TOLD
Y40 ,EA* M>RI$ C\PLE _H A WAGON1 EA*
WAGON _H A B$ = PRIVACY4 ,T 0 ! PLAN1 &
,I WASN'T -PLA9+4 ,I JUMP$ D[N4
  8,B DON'T Y WORRY AB SNAKES80
  ,I MADE A FACE 9 ! D>K4 8,NO10 ,I SD4
..,N UNTIL Y M5;N$ .X4               #DJ
  8,WELL1 Z L;G Z Y'RE SURE40
  8,I'M SURE4 ,RE,Y40 ,& ,I C]TA9LY HOP$
WE WDN'T H 64CUSS ? E NI<T6 ,I DIDN'T
NE$ REM9D+ ( ?+S ,I _H NO BUSI;S ?9K+ AB
--,S,Y & ,R[L& & _! B$ 9 ! WAGON4
  ,I F.D ,A2IE 9 ! LL T5T T _H BE5 SET
UP = U4 ,%E 0 TWI/+ H] L;G BR[N HAIR 9TO
BITS ( RAG = CURL+1 A VAN;Y ,I DON'T BE-
LIEVE %E'D "UTAK5 S9CE ! NI<T 2F %E 0 TO
SEE H] OLD SWEETHE>T =! LA/ "T4
  8,DON'T Y ?9K ,PRICE ,FULL] HAS GOTT5
GD-LOOK+80 %E ASK$ Z ,I CRAWL$ >.D1
SMOO?+ \ MY BLANKETS4 8,HE M/ H %OT UP
OR FILL$ \ OR "S?+40
  ,I CDN'T SLEEP2 NEI CD ,A2IE4 ,SPORAD-
IC LAU<T] &! SCRAT*+ (A FI4LE 3T9U$ F A
NE>BY CAMP1 & 2Y T "S FOOL KEPT FIR+ 8
PI/OLS4 ,I DON'T "K :AT 0 KEEP+ ,A2IE'S
EYES />+ 96! D>K;S4 ,= ME X 0 A FEV]I%
IMAG9+ (! TRIP AH1D1 Z IF ,I CD M5T,Y
CROSS E RIV] & M.TA9 AH1D ( "T1 Z IF ,I
CD SPUR ! SUN 6RISE S WE CD 2 ON \R WAY4

  ,I AWOKE ! NEXT MORN+ 6AN E]IE QUIET4
,": 0 ! BU/LE (A CAMP A/IR8 ,=!      #DA
BRIEFE/1 HALF-AWAKE 9/ANT1 ,I ?"\ ! -PA-
NY _H "SH[ LEFT )\T ME4 ,SCRAMBL+ F !
T5T1 ,I /OOD & CAME FACE 6FACE ) ,A2IE4
  8,WE'RE N L1V+10 %E SD4
  8,:AT60
  ,%E GL.ED >.D1 L[]$ H] VOICE4 8,MRS4
,FULL] DI$4 ,J 2F DAWN40
  ,I DREW A %>P BR1?4
  8,WE C'T L1VE UNTIL WE BURY H]40
  ,I LET \ A HUGE SI<1 L ALL MY P5T-UP
5]GY =! TREK _H ESCAP$ AT ONCE4 8,S
WE'RE /AY+ 2H80
  8,! :OLE -PANY IS4 ,NOBODY'S GO+ UNTIL
AF ! FUN]AL40
  ,I DROPP$ BACK 96! T5T & CA/ MYF ACR !
BLANKETS1 FACE D[N4 ,:AT TIM+4 ,& AF ALL
? BUILDUP4 ,!N1 A FLOOD ( REMORSE4 ,S>AH
,FULL]1 A "Y WOMAN1 D1D4 ,EI<T ,FULL]
SONS & DAU<T]S1 "M.S4
  ,A2IE JO9$ ME & WE LAY "!1 ALL ! _S
KNOCK$ "R \ ( U4
  8,S1 >E !Y / GO+80 ,I ASK$ AF A MO;T4
8,! ,FULL]S80
  8,I DON'T "K40 ,A2IE HESITAT$4 8,I
HOPE S40                             #DB
  ,!N1 F \TSIDE ! T5T1 WE HE>D \R [N
"M'S VOICE1 SUBDU$ 9 ! PRES;E ( D1? P]H1
B / FIRM4
  8,-E ON1 GIRLS10 %E SD4 8,LET'S 2 UP &
DO+40
  ,A2IE & ,I LOOK$ AT EA* O!R4 ,? IS H[
X 0 GO+ 6BE !N4 ,! ,K+ FAMILY _H SET XS
C\RSE4 ,WE 7 GO+ 6ATTEMPT ? CROSS+4 ,EV5
IF "S"O DI$ & \R PLANS 7 DELAY$ OR RE>-
RANG$1 X DIDN'T *ANGE ?3 ,E MORN+ WE /
_H 6BE UP & DO+4

  ,TWO "DS LAT] ! 5TIRE -PANY /OOD 9 A
D[NP\R 6PAY RESPECTS AT ,S>AH ,FULL]'S
GRAVE4 ,BI# V]SES 7 R1D2 HYMNS SUNG4 ,!
,FULL]S _H DECID$ T1 Z ,MEL9DA PUT X1 IF
,OREGON 0 A GD IDEA 2F1 X 0 / A GD IDEA4
,!Y WD 3T9UE4 ,"EY"O CA/ !M SYMPA!TIC
LOOKS4 ,? POOR FAMILY1 6BE BURD5$ ) S*
AN 9AUSPICI\S />T4
  ,! RA9 B1T D[N ON U1 B L1V+ ! S]VICE
PREMATURELY WDN'T H FELT "R 6ANY"O4 ,NO
"O MOV$4 ,I LOOK$ AT ,A2IE4 ,! LA/ ( H]
CURLS 7 G"O 6WET /R+S4
  ,:5 WE F9,Y DE"P$1 ! MUD SUCK$ !   #DC
BOOTS "R (F ! *N'S FEET4
  ,T 0 ! F/ & LA/ BIG FUN]AL (! J\RNEY4
  ,N T WE WDN'T LOSE M P4 ,F> F X4
  ,B N"E AG--N ON PRAIRIE1 PLA91 OR DIS-
TANT RIV]BANK--WD S _M TAKE S M* "T 6AC-
"KL$GE ! PASS+ ( "O SOLIT>Y S\L4


















                                     #DD
























                 ,?REE               #DE

  ,I AM .N GO+ 6BE A# 6/& ? ?+10 ,I TOLD
,S,Y1 PE]+ "? ! CURV$ BRIM ( MY SUNBON-
NET AT ! YOK$ OX5 HIT*$ AH1D ( U4 ,WE 7
SITT+ ON \R WAGON S1T )! *N4 ,WAIT+4 ,_H
BE5 = "S "T4 ,:AT ON E>? 0 HOLD+ ! M5
UP8 ,! WAGONS _H =M$ ! F\R COLUMNS !Y'D
DECID$ ON4 ,:Y CDN'T WE .G8
  8,Y WON'T WANT 6SPOIL YR -PLEXION10
,S,Y SD1 RETY+ ! /R+S ( ,ME7IE'S LL BLUE
BONNET4 ,POOR * DIDN'T LOOK ANY HAPPI] 9
H]S ?AN ,I 0 9 M9E4
  8,! SUN'S N EV5 \10 ,I SD1 LIFT+ MY
FACE4 8,& ,I D K9D ( APPRECIATE 2+ A# TO
SEE ": ,I'M GO+60
  ,! PATT]N = ^! SPECI,Y RECOMM5D$ OV]L&
BONNETS _H BE5 BR"\ HOME 0,PA F "O ( 8
,OREGON ,MEET+S LA/ FALL4 ,! BRIMS 7 M
EXA7]AT$ ?AN :AT WE 7 US$ 6WE>+ ON ! F>M
& CALL$ = ?9 WOOD5 SLATS 6HOLD !M \
/IFF4 ,TR\# WAS1 Y 5D$ UP LOOK+ "? S* A
N>R[ OP5+1 Y CDN'T SEE B "O LL PAT* AT A
"T ( :AT LAY AH1D4
  8,C Y FOLD X BACK80 ,S,Y ASK$4
  8,N )\T SNAPP+ ! SLATS40 ,I TOOK   #DF
! BONNET (F & />T$ "W+ ! WOOD BITS \1
LAY+ !M ON ! $GE (! WAGON Z ,I W5T4 ,I
LOOK$ >.D4 ,M]CY1 )\T ! HAT1 BL9D]S RE-
MOV$1 "! 0 A :OLE _W >.D ME4 ,LL ,LUTE1
TRY+ 6CLIMB \ ! BACK ( _! WAGON1 ,SUSAN
HAUL+ HM BACK IN4 ,SOL DAUB+ GR1SE F A
BUCKET ONTO ,ANNIE'S AXLES4 ,MA SITT+
/RAI<T-BACK$1 FAC+ =W>D1 R1DY1 YET PA-
TI5T1 KNITT+ )\T LOOK+ AT H] "W4
  ,I PUT MY BONNET ON AG1 FOLD+ BACK !
BRIM4 8,"!4 ,T'S BETT]40
  8,B ! BRIM'S ! :OLE PO9T10 ,S,Y SD4
8,! LI<T'S ON YR FACE N[40
  8,I DON'T C>E40 ,2SS1 ,I 0 HAV+ A H>D
"T 2LIEV+ ! PRAIRIE CD POSSIBLY 2 Z DE-
VOID ( TREES & %ADE Z P 7 W>N+4 8,I C
ALW PUT ! SLATS BACK IN40
  ,R[L& /OOD1 D[N 0\R T1MS1 PROD 9 H&4
,I _H 6ADMIT1 HE DID H AN EASY MANN] )!
OX51 : 0 M ?AN ,I CD SAY = C]TA9 O!RS4
,TR\# WAS1 MO/ ( \R M5 7 US$ 6MULES4
,S9CE OX5 7 RECOMM5D$ Z BE/ =A TRIP L ?1
?\<1 "! 0 NO?+ = X B 62COME OX5-H&L]S4
,?ANK GD;S ! NEC %ORT1 FIRM -M&S CAME S
NATURAL 6,R[L&4 ,IF ,I _H 6SU6]      #DG
CLOSE RANGE ! :E$L+ & CURS+ TE*NIQUES (
"S ( ^! FELL[S1 ,I'M SURE ,I'D 2 PURELY
CRAZY 2F WE'D MADE ! F/ HUNDR$ MILES4
  ,I 0 WAT*+ HM GIVE ! OX "ND ,/> A
CALM+ CLAP :5 A BUGLE S.D$1 J]K+ ME 6AT-
T5;N4
  8,T'S X60 ,I GRA2$ ,ME7IE ONTO MY LAP4
8,WE'RE L1V+60
  ,B AG X 0 HURRY UP & WAIT4 ,WE 7 NO":
NE> ! FRONT (! C>AVAN4 ,LL DID ,I "K X 0
GO+ 6BE L ? OR WORSE E S+LE DAILY DEP>-
TPURE (! :OLE L;G TREK4 ,IF "SBODY
WASN'T HAV+ TR\# ) 8 OX5 OR A BROK5
:EEL1 X'D 2 "S O!R BUN* LAZILY SLEEP+
LATE & SIMPLY N GETT+ R1DY 9 "T4 ,OR !
CATTLE WD H RUN (F OR GOT MIX$ 9 ) ANO!R
-PANY'S DROVE4 ,B T MORN+ ,I 0 / FRE% &
UN"K+ & TI<T ) T5.N1 Z IF FIVE M9UTES WD
MAKE ! DI6];E 9 :E!R WE R1*$ ,OREGON ON
S*$ULE OR N4
  ,F9,Y ,R[L& GOT ! SIGNAL1 PRO4$ ! OX51
&! WAGON J]K$ =W>D S H>D MY BONNET SLATS
W5T FLIPP+ (F ! WAGON $GE1 CLATT]+ "? !
:EEL SPOKES 6! DIRT 2L4
  8,OH1 DE>10 ,S,Y SD1 SEE+ ?4       #DH
8,R[L&1 /OP60
  8,NO1 DON'T60 ,I :ISP]$4 8,X DOESN'T
MATT]40 ,& :5 ,R[L& LOOK$ BACK "Q+LY1 ,I
CALL$ AH1D1 8,NO?+1 NO?+4 ,N"E M9D10 &
WAV$ HM =W>D4 ,I WASN'T GO+ 6BE TR\# "R
(F1 N N[ T WE 7 F9,Y ROLL+4 ,I WASN'T AB
6GIVE HM AN EXCUSE 6GRUM# AT ME4
  8,CLOSE UP6 ,CLOSE UP60 ,LIEUT5ANT
,WAYMIRE1 \R SECOND 9 -M&1 CAME RID+
BACK1 LOOK+ HALF-PANICK$4 8,:Y ! DEVIL
C'T Y KEEP CLOSE TGR80
  ,R[L& FR[N$4 8,HOY6 ,HOY60
  8,! ,9DIANS CD KILL "EY"O 9 FRONT 2F
Y'D "K X10 ,WAYMIRE YELL$1 8!N -E BACK &
SCALP ALL ( Y AT ! 5D TOO60
  8,9NIANS80 ,ME7IE PIP$ UP4
  8,NO1 LOVE10 ,S,Y SD1 EYES D>T+ >.D4
8,HE J WANTS U 6MAKE NICE L9ES1 T'S
ALL40
  ,D>ESAY4 ,"L1 HE MADE X S.D Z IF !Y 7
ALR LY+ 9 WAIT \ "!1 J R1DY 6JUMP U4
  ,R[L& SEEM$ 6"K 9/ANTLY ! E6ECT ? WD H
ON ,S,Y4 8,N[ DON'T Y GIRLS WORRY10 HE
SD1 -+ BACK 6H]4 8,! ,9DIANS >5'T GO+ TO
BO!R U40                             #DI
  8,SEE80 ,ME7IE SD1 9DIGNANT4 8,HE .DID
SAY ,9NIANS40
  ,S,Y & ,I MADE EYES AT EA* O!R4 ,N M*
GOT PA/ ? LL "O4 ,WE'D H 6GU>D \R
T;GUES4 ,N T X SEEM$ ! MOV+ WAGON 0 GO+
6BE ! BE/ PLACE = *IT*AT ANYWAY1 :AT )!
CR1K+ :EELS1 ! CATTLE BAWL+1 ! BELL ON
\R MUL* C[ ,BUTT]CUP CLANG+1 &! M5 ALL
HOY-HOY-HOY+4 ,IF "! 7 ANY ,9DIANS \ "!
AT ! MO;T1 ,I WOND]$ :AT ON E>? !Y'D
?9K4 ,IMAG9E HE>+ ? CACOPHONY RUMBL+ ACR
AN EXPANSE ": 2F "!'D BE5 ONLY BIRDS;G &
! %U%+ ( W9D 9 ! GRASS4

  ,I _H 2GUN 62LIEVE WE'D N"E L1VE ! R5-
DEZV\S CAMP1 & N J 2C (! FUN]AL4 ,EV5 AF
T ! M5 _H DELAY$ DE"PURE ?REE M "DS ) "O
T$I\S DEBATE AF ANO!R--:E!R 6BAN !
,VICK]S FAMILY ) XS CASE ( M1SLES 7WE
DIDN'T71 ,MAMIE ,BR[N'S FAMILY ) _!
LESS-?AN-COOP]ATIVE ATTITUDE AB PROP]
PROVI.NS 7!Y WD GRUDG+LY 2 ALL[$ 6-E71 &
! 5D.S >GU;TS AB :E!R OR N 6TRAVEL ON !
,SA2A? 7WE WDN'T74
  ,\R L;G-AWAIT$ />T N[ SEEM$ AN-    #EJ
TICLIMACTIC4 ,! OV]CA/ SKY WEI<$ D[N MY
_S2 ! FLAT LI<T DULL$ ! LOOK (! ,KANSAS
PRAIRIE4 ,WORSE1 ONLY TWO MILES \ ,I
4COV]$ ! F/ 4AGREEA# ASPECT ( TRAVEL ON
! ,OV]L& ,TRAIL4
  8,M]CY1 ,S,Y1 ,I FEEL L ,I CD LOSE MY
BR1KFA/4 ,? 9F]NAL ROCK+60
  8,RE,Y8 ,T'S GD 6"K4 ,I ?"\ X 0 J ME4
,I 0 AFRAID--0
  ,MY H1D SNAPP$ >.D4
  8,NO1 SEE1 IF Y FEEL BAD TOO1 !N X'S N
LIKELY .T40
  ,I SI<$4 ,GD4 ,S,Y 0 Z H>DY Z ANY ( U
,K+ GIRLS1 B NOBODY NE$$ 6BE />T+ \ )
MORN+ SICK;S & ANO!R BABY ON ! WAY4
  ,I WRAPP$ MY >MS >.D MY MI4LE1 SQUEEZ+
H>D4 ,X WDN'T 2 POLITE1 ,I DECID$1 6PO9T
\ T S* CLOSE QU>T]S )A BABY 9 DIAP]S--
EV5 A BIG-EY$1 R.D-H1D$ "O Z ADORA# Z
,JIMMY--DIDN'T HELP4 ,2C :AT CD ,S,Y D
AB X8 ,JIMMY 0 ONLY SEV5 MON?S OLD4 ,?
IS H[ X 0 GO+ 6BE--& H[ X 0 GO+ 6SMELL 9
! WAGON--ALL ! WAY 6,OREGON4
  8,MAYBE ,I'LL J FIGURE ON WALK+ "S10
,I SD1 /&+ UP1 CLAMB]+ OV] ! BAGS    #EA
& KEGS "? ! WAGON 6! RE>4
  8,% ,I ASK ,R[L& 6/OP S Y C GET \80 %E
CALL$ BACK4
  8,OH1 Y DON'T H 6D T40 ,I'D PROBABLY 2
GETT+ 9 & \ A LOT4 ,! OX5 CD 2 /U2ORN1 &
ONCE ,R[L& _H ! T1MS 9 MO;N1 ,I D\BT$
HE'D /& = /OPP+ & />T+ UP AG ALL ! LIVE-
L;G "D4
  ,I CLIMB$ OV] ! TAILGATE1 BAL.ED
BRIEFLY ON ! TOOLBOX1 !N L1PT4 ,MID-AIR1
9 ! 9/ANT ,I EXPECT$ ! IMPACT ( FEET TO
GR.D1 ,I 0 9/1D J]K$ (F BAL.E Z MY SKIRT
CAU<T 9 ! AXLE4 ,I HIT ! DIRT H>D ON "O
KNEE4 ,/RU7L+ 6/&1 TU7+ MY DRESS D[N TO
COV] MY DRAW]S1 EMB>RASS;T %IFT$ 6PANIC
Z ! HUGE RE> :EEL 2GAN DRA7+ ME1 WANT+
6W9D ME UP 96X4
  8,/OP1 ,R[L&60 ,I SCR1M$ Z ! R\< $GE (
! METAL RIM GRAZ$ MY %\LD]4 8,/OP60
  8,:OA60 ,R[L& YELL$1 &! OX5 OBEY$4
  ,GRASP+ ! TWI/ ( L9SEY-WOOLSEY 9 TWO
H&S1 ,I GAVE A MI<TY YANK & RIPP$ MYF
FREE4
  8,:AT HAPP5$80 ,R[L& SD1 HURRY+ >.D !
WAGON4 8,>E Y ALL "R80               #EB
  ,PUTT+ X ALL TGR1 RELIEV$ 6F9D ME 9 "O
PIECE1 HE LET LOOSE4
  8,GOD ,ALMI<TY1 ,LOVISA6 ,Y CD H BE5
KILL$6 ,DIDN'T WE TELL Y GIRLS N 6BE
GETT+ 9 & \ (! WAGONS :ILE WE'RE MOV+80
  ,F9D+ MY FOOT+1 ,I PUT MY FI/S 6MY
HIPS4 8,Z IF Y'D H BE5 HAPPY 6/OP6 ,I 0
TRY+ N 6BO!R Y1 = YR 9=M,N40
  ,)A SWI% ( MY TATT]$ SKIRT1 ,I /ALK$
(F "? ! COLUMNS1 \ 6! SIDE (! C>AVAN1
HOP+ \R LL SC5E _H BE5 WIT;S$ 0Z FEW P Z
POSSI#4
  ,NO LUCK4
  8,:AT HAPP5$80 ,A2IE SD1 TROTT+ \ AF
ME4 8,WE HE>D Y & ,R[L& YELL+ AT EA*
O!R40
  8,WOND];L40 ,I RU2$ MY %\LD]4 ,X RE,Y
HURT4
  8,& LOOK AT YR DRESS60
  ,I GRA2$ UP A FI/;L ( MY HEM1 GL>$ AT
! GRT R5T & FLUNG X AWAY4 8,SILLY ?+4
,GOT 9 AN >GU;T ) AN AXLE40
  8,LOOKS L ! AXLE WON40
  ,I SMIL$ GRIMLY4 ,:Y'D ,I H 6BE S
CLUMSY8 ,A2IE M/ H MANAG$ 6JUMP      #EC
CLE> ( _! WAGON )\T ASK+ ,JOHN 6/OP4
  8,S10 ,I SD Z MY BR1? EV5$ \1 8H[ Y
F>+ BACK "!80
  8,WELL1 ACTU,Y1 ,I'M ALR 9 TR\#6 ,SU-
SAN C 2 S CROSS4 ,LL ,LUTE GOT 96!
CRACK]S )\T P]MIS.N1 & %E BLAM$ ME40
  8,PROBABLY NO WOND] %E'S ALW R1DY 6TE>
H] HAIR10 ,I SD1 GLAD 6TURN MY FOCUS TO
"SBODY ELSE'S TR\#S4 8,T RASCAL'S A H&-
;L40
  ,A2IE NO4$4 8,MA ?9KS %E ISN'T /RICT 5
) HM4 ,/>T$ TELL+ H] S ? MORN+ TOO4 ,!
WAY ,SUSAN 0 SLAMM+ H] FRY PAN >.D1 ,I
?"\ SURE ,MA WD GET ! H9T & BUTTON UP1 B
OH1 NO1 %E KEPT GO+ ON UNTIL ,SUSAN
LOOK$ R1DY 6SMACK "SBODY4 ,Z SOON Z ,MA
LEFT %E TURNS ON ME & SAYS1 8,I DON'T
C>E H[ _M SONS YR MA BIR!D4 ,%E N"E _H
"O L ,LUTE & %E J DOESN'T "K60
  ,WELL1 T M* 0 PROBABLY TRUE4 ,I D\BT
ANY ( MY BRO!RS 7 "E Z TRY+ Z ,LUTE4
  8,MA'S ALW RU2+ X 9 AB ,SOL TOO10
,A2IE SD4 8,:AT A GRT KID HE IS1 S HELP-
;L & "EY?+4 ,L :Y C'T ,SUSAN GET ,LUTE 9
H& & MAKE HM TURN \ L ,SOL40         #ED
  ,I LAU<$4
  8,:AT10 ,A2IE SD4 8,:AT'S FUNNY80
  8,OH1 ,I DON'T "K10 ,I SD4 8,U40 ,!
HI< DRAMA ( ^! LL DOME/IC 4PUTES6 ,MY
M>RI$ BRO!RS & SI/]S _H BE5 LIV+ ON _!
[N F>MS4 ,? 0 NEW = !M1 TOO1 TRY+ 6GET
AL;G )! :OLE FAMILY ALL "D1 E "D4 ,I
WASN'T ! ONLY "O :O'D DRAWN A DI6ICULT
LOT4
  ,I LIFT$ MY H1D4 ,X .0 BETT] \ "H 6!
SIDE (! WAGON COLUMNS4 ,M* BETT]4 ,I
LIK$ SEE+ ! WIDE SKY1 N J WAT*+ ! BACK (
! NEXT WAGON OR ! SWIT*+ (! OX5 TAILS4
,PAT*ES ( FRE% BLUE 7 WID5+ 2T ! SCATT]+
CL\DS1 %AFTS ( SUNLI<T LIT ! GRE5 (!
PRAIRIE4 ,SI<T+ ON ! HORIZON1 ,I ?"\3
..,I'LL WALK 6T SPOT1 & F "! 6! NEXT HO-
RIZON & ON & ON ALL ! WAY 6.,OREGON6
  8,I'M AFRAID ,PRICE ,FULL] ALR LIKES T
,ORL5A ,WILLIAMS10 ,A2IE SD1 PLUCK+ UP A
/EM ( ROSE MALL[ 9 PASS+4
  8,WELL1 !Y ALL D40
  8,ORL5A ,M>IA10 ,A2IE REP1T$ 9 A L(TY
T"O4 8,:Y CDN'T .,I H A "N L T 9/1D (
PLA9 OLD .,A2IE80 ,%E /UCK ! FL[]    #EE
9 H] BRAID4 8,D Y ?9K %E'S Z PRETTY Z
"EY"O SAYS80
  ,I %RU7$1 N ! ANSW] %E WANT$1 B ! K9D-
E/ ,I CD GIVE4 ,NO D5Y+ X1 ,ORL5A ,WIL-
LIAMS CUT A SPL5DID FIGURE4 ,PLUS1 %E _H
^? D>K1 D>T+ EYES & AN ABSOLUTELY PH5OM-
5AL WAY ( T1S+ L;G1 PLAY;L 3V]S,NS \ (
BOYS :O NORM,Y CDN'T /& 6/R+ TGR ?REE
^WS4
  8,BETT] N LET ,MA HE> Y FRETT+ ON ?10
,I W>N$ MY SI/]4
  8,I "K1 ,I "K40
  ,ALL ( U ,K+ GIRLS 7 %ORT1 T5D+ 6A RO-
BU/ R.D;S1 ) ROSY FACES & ?ICK BR[N
HAIR4 ,WE 7 ALL PRETTY 5\<1 ,MA LIK$ TO
SAY1 T %E WDN'T /& = U WORRY+ ON X4 ,IF
WE 7 9T]E/$ 9 SELF-IMPROVE;T1 %E SD1
WE'D 2 BETT] S]V$ LOOK+ 6\R _SUAL SIDES4
  ,WOR?Y ADVICE1 ,I SUPPOSE1 B ,I H>DLY
?"\ ! BOYS 7 HANG+ ON ,ORL5A'S E ^W 2C (
H] F9E ,*RI/IAN _S4
  8,X'S H>D 6?9K ,PRICE WD 2 R1DY 6C\RT
ANY"O1 ,A2IE10 ,I SD N[4 8,DON'T Y
S'POSE HE'S BUSY GRIEV+ 8 MA80
  8,HE DIDN'T H 6BE VISIT+ >.D TO    #EF
DI6]5T CAMPFIRES AT ! R5DEZV\S CAMP L HE
WAS40 ,%E SWOOP$ UP ANO!R FL[]4 8,ANY-
WAY1 X ALR SEEMS L WAY M ?AN F\R "DS
S9CE WE BURI$ ,MRS4 ,FULL]1 DON'T Y ?9K8
,"T J DOESN'T PASS ! REGUL> WAY ANYMORE
S9CE WE LEFT HOME40
  ,I WDN'T >GUE4 ,I'D NOTIC$ X TOO4
  ,N[ ! ?REE LL GIRLS CAME RUNN+ AF U4
  8,LOOK1 ISN'T %E PRETTY80 ,RHODA SD1
%[+ (F ,BITSY1 ^: BLACK CURLS 7 CR[N$ )A
WILDFL[] WR1? !Y'D WOV5--DEEP ROSE1 YEL-
L[1 & BLUE4
  ,I GAVE OV] A MO;T 6ADMIR+ ! *>M+ EF-
FECT1 !N FR[N$ /]NLY4 8,Y RE,Y %D H ON
YR SUNBONNET40 ,LI/5 6ME1 ,I ?"\1 PICK+
UP ! PACE AG4 ,I CD H>DLY /& 6WE> MY [N1
B ALL (A SU45 ,I 0 ISSU+ ADVICE 6? LL
GIRL AB H]S1 S.D+ J L A "M6 ,WELL1 MAYBE
,I 0 FEEL+ 3SCI\S ( H] N HAV+ "O ANY-
MORE4
  8,TELL !M1 ,BITSY10 ,LYDIA SD4 8,TELL
,LOVISA & ,A2IE :AT Y TOLD U40
  ,BITSY %[$ H] DIMPLES 9 A SMUG LL
SMILE4
  8,YES1 TELL10 ,RHODA URG$4         #EG
  8,ALL "R !N40 ,BITSY /OPP$ 9 H] TRACKS
6DELIV] ! ANN\NCE;T4 8,I10 %E SD1 8AM
GO+ 6M>RY ,SOL60
  ,A2IE & ,I LAU<$ ) DELI<T4
  8,WELL1 ,I AM60 ,BITSY SD4 8,"S"D1 ,I
M1N4 ,Y J WAIT & SEE40
  8,DOES ,SOL "K80 ,I ASK$1 AMUS$4
  8,N YET1 B ,I AIM 6GET 8 PROMISE PRET-
TY SOON40
  8,TELL Y :AT1 !N--Y BETT] GR[ UP "R
QK4 ,GIRLS ALR H AN EYE = ,SOL40
  8,:O80 ,BITSY DEM&$1 FACE D>K5+ Z IF
R1DY 6D BATTLE ) ANY POT5TIAL RIVAL4
  ,I LAU<$4 8,I DIDN'T M1N ANYBODY 9 P>-
TICUL>4 ,I J M1NT Y'RE PROBABLY N GO+ TO
2 ! ONLY "O ) T IDEA40 ,!N ,I A4$ QKLY1
8,B ,I'M SURE Y'RE ! PRETTIE/1 PET1 &
WE'D LOVE HAV+ Y = \R LL SIS-IN-LAW1
WDN'T WE80
  ,MY SI/]S ALL NO4$1 & ,BITSY LOOK$
PL1S$4
  ,WAT*+ H] SKIP AL;G1 ,I ?"\ %E C]TA9LY
DIDN'T SEEM OV]LY SAD OR PREO3UPI$ 0!
LOSS ( H] "M4 ,WELL1 ,S>AH ,FULL] _H
APP>5TLY BE5 POORLY = Q "S "T4       #EH
,MAYBE ,BITSY _H ALR GR[N A3U/OM$ 6HAV+
ONLY H] BIG SI/] ,MEL9DA LOOK+ AF H]4
  8,LOVISA60 ,LYDIA EXCLAIM$1 PO9T+ AT
MY SKIRT4 8,:AT DID Y D 6YR BR& NEW
DRESS80
  8,OH1 X'S J A LL TE>40 ,I TURN$ 6!
VIEW AH1D4 8,LOOK AT T RISE OV] "!4
,LET'S G \ & CLIMB 6! TOP40
  ,A2IE LOOK$ BLANK4 8,:AT =80
  8,6SEE10 ,I SD1 HURRY+ =W>D4
  8,SEE :AT80
  8,:AT"E "! IS 6SEE60 ,I CALL$ BACK4
8,WE WON'T "K :AT X IS UNTIL WE SEE X1
"R80
  ,I LEFT H] MUTT]+ AB ALR WALK+ F> 5 )-
\T GO+ \ ( \R WAY1 B %ORTLY ,I HE>D
,BITSY 2H ME1 HU6+ H>D1 SCAMP]+ 6CAT*
UP4
  ,TGR1 ! TWO ( U MADE \R WAY 6! TOP (!
HILL4 ,GD ?+ ,I DIDN'T "K !N H[ _M "TS
,I'D 2 REP1T+ ? HOPE;L EX]CISE 9 ! MON?S
AH1D1 ALW ?9K+ T SURELY AT ! SUMMIT "!'D
2 A CLE> VIEW ALL ! WAY TO '''
  ,OH1 ? "T ! VIEW 0 CLE>1 YES1 B ( :AT8
,J M (! SAME UNDULAT+ PRAIRIE4       #EI
,BITSY1 H["E1 DIDN'T SEEM 4APPO9T$ 9 !
SLI<TE/ AT F9D+ NO "PICUL> F1TURE 6DRAW
! EYE4 ,H] FACE TILT$ UP ) B"R "Y EAG]-
;S4 ,:AT A PICTURE %E H]F MADE ) H] ROSY
*EEKS1 BLACK HAIR1 & B"R FL[]S AG/ !
T5D]1 NEW-SPRUNG PRAIRIE GRE54
  ,N[ ,I LOOK$ BACK4 ,D[N ! SLOPE1 ,A2IE
DRIFT$ AL;G )A C]TA9 DR1MI;S4 ,LYDIA &
,RHODA B5T OV] ! FL[]S1 BR[N BRAIDS SW+-
+4 ,2H !M1 \R WAGON TRA9 CAME 9 SL[ PRO-
CES.N4 ,F\R COLUMNS WIDE1 "S SEV5TY
:ITE-TOPP$ WAGONS MOV$ =W>D AT A /ATELY
PACE1 ! LA/ ( !M / PULL+ UP OV] ! RISE
F>!/ BACK 6! EA/4 ,! OX5 A*IEV$ NO SPE$1
YET1 B.S _! /\T HE>TS1 NEI DID !Y FLAG4
,"S?+ 9 MY BR1/ SWELL$4 ,MAYBE1 ,I ?"\1
? 0 "S?+ L X LOOK$ :5 ,MOSES L$ ! P \ (
,EGYPT 9 SE>* (! ,PROMIS$ ,L&4

  8,!Y'RE F9D+ ! BE/ FIREWOOD "R UP T
WAY10 ,SOL TOLD U Z WE HALT$ T F/ NI<T
ON :AT 0 CALL$ ! ,WOLF ,RIV]4 8,& OV]
"!'S ! WAT] HOLE !Y'VE SET ASIDE = DIPP+
FRE% BUCKETS40
  ,S,Y & ,I J LOOK$ AT EA* O!R4      #FJ
,H[ DID HE "K ? ALR8 ,\R LL BRO!R _H AN
UNCANNY KNACK = 9/ANTLY TAK+ /OCK ( ?+S1
& 8,ASK ,SOL0 WD SOON 2COME ! ANSW] TO
ANY?+ ANY"O WANT$ 6"K4
  ,:ILE ,S,Y &! O!RS />T$ SETT+ UP CAMP1
,I HID 9 ! WAGON A FEW M9UTES1 HA/ILY
M5D+ MY DRESS )\T TAK+ X (F4 ,I DIDN'T
WANT ,MA NOTIC+4 ,I DIDN'T WANT ANY LEC-
TURES4
  ,T F/ EV5+ M1L ON ! ROAD 0 A F1/1 ,I
REMEMB]1 -PLETE ) *ICK51 POTATOES1 &A
TA/Y DRI$-TOMATO PIE4
  8,Y BOYS DON'T GET TOO US$ 6X10 ,MA
W>N$4 8,?IS'LL 2 X = *ICK540
  8,DON'T WORRY1 ,MA10 ,AMOS GR9N$4 8,2F
L;G WE'LL H Y FRY+ UP BU6ALO60
  8,MA1 %DN'T Y SIT D[N & EAT A BITE
YRF80 ,SOL ASK$1 2C ,MA 0 ALR KN1D+ D\<
=! NEXT "D'S BR1D4
  8,I W1 ,I W10 %E SD1 WAV+ HM (F1 TRY+
6PRET5D %E DIDN'T 5JOY 8 3C]N4 8,J WANT
6GET A LL H1D />T ON TM1 T'S ALL40
  ,NO M LY+ AWAKE = ME1 ,I ?"\ Z ,I
PULL$ MY BLANKET OV] MY %\LD] T NI<T4 ,N
AF A FULL "D ( WALK+ & S* A HE>TY    #FA
M1L4 ,:Y _H P TRI$ 6SC>E U AB TRAVEL+ !
ROAD 6,OREGON8 .,? .0 .NO?+ ''' ,I 0 ALR
DRIFT+ (F ''' ..,? 0 FUN ''' ,I CD D X
.="E4

  ,! "DS FELL 96A RHY?M4 ,UP 2F DAWN 6!
BUGLE1 GET BR1KFA/1 & PUT UP ! NOON M1L4
,PA WD -E >.D1 ASK+ 0 "EY"O FIT 6TRAVEL1
& WE LE>N$ R1L QK HE WASN'T 9T]E/$ 9 DE-
TAILS4 ,HE DIDN'T WANT 6HE> AB BABY ,*>-
LIE'S COLIC OR T ,ANNIE _H ! SICK H1DA*E
AG4 ,^? 7 \R PRO#MS1 & WDN'T 2 8 UNTIL
"SBODY'S ILL;S ?R1T5$ ! -PANY'S ALL-
IMPORTANT =W>D PROGRESS4
  ,E "D'S GOAL 0 ! SAME--DRAG ! CUMB]"S
C>AVAN FIFTE5 MILES OR S F>!R AL;G !
ROAD & F9D1 AT SUNSET1 A CAMPSITE ) ?REE
?+S--WAT]1 GRASS =! CATTLE1 & WOOD 6FUEL
! COOK FIRES4
  ,! M51 ESPECI,Y ,AMOS1 PUT A PRIOR;Y
ON F9D+ GD PA/URE1 B ,I SOON DET]M9$ T
WAT] 0 ! MO/ IMPORTANT ?+ 6ME4 ,GD1 CLE>
WAT]1 : MADE ! DI6];E 2T 2+ A# 6COOK
PROP]LY OR HAV+ 6DIG \ ! H>DTACK & LI/5
6"EY"O -PLA9 H[ ! H>D BR1D NE> TO    #FB
BROKE _! TEE?4 ,X M1NT 2+ A# 6WA% ! DU/
F YR FACE & EAT ) CL1N H&S4 ,MO/ IMPOR-
TANTLY1 MAYBE1 ) BABY ,*>LIE1 ,JIMMY1 &
,HOPE'S "O-YE>-OLD ,WILEY / 9 DIAP]S1 X
M1NT 2+ A# 6GIVE ^? DIAP]S A DEC5T WA%6
  ,DUR+ ! MON?S WE'D BE5 MAK+ PLANS &
LAY+ 9 SUPPLIES =! TRIP1 "O (! BI7E/ "QS
( DEBATE _H BE5 ?3 ,EXACTLY H[ H>D 0 X
GO+ 6BE 6HAUL A WAGON LOAD$ ) WOM5 & *N
S* A T]RI# 4T.E8 ,OP9IONS RAN ! GAMUT4
,"S--FOLKS :O W]5'T GO+1 ( C\RSE--SD
WE'D N"E A "O ( U LIVE 6SEE ! ,COLUMBIA
,RIV]4 ,O!RS PREDICT$ ! :OLE TRIP WD 2
"O L;G PICNIC4 ,^! F/ "DS1 & ESPECI,Y :5
WE R1*$ ! B1UTI;L VALLEY (! ,LL ,BLUE1 X
SEEM$ L ! "OS EXPECT+ A JOLLY "T ( X _H
BE5 CLOS] 6! TRU?4
  ,E EV5+1 *ORES 4PAT*$1 WE VISIT$ !
NEI<BOR+ FAMILIES' CAMPFIRES1 "EY"O
TRAD+ /ORIES AB ": WE 7 F1 :Y WE'D DE-
CID$ 6G 6,OREGON1 :AT WE FIGUR$ 6D :5 WE
GOT "!4
  ,WE ,K+S ALL TOLD AB GETT+ FLOOD$ \ (!
,C>ROLL ,C.TY F>M1 H[ WE'D B>ELY ESCAP$
T NI<T ! ,MISS\RI ROSE S FA/1        #FC
DR[N+ MO/ (! CATTLE & E LA/ "O (! %EEP4
  ,SOL'S V].N EMPHASIZ$ 8 ROLE 9 RID+ "?
! ?"U+ RA91 W>N+ ! OLD] BRO!RS & SI/]S
6L1VE _! H\SES & GET 6HI< GR.D4
  ,MY BRO!R ,ISAAC 2MOAN$ ! LOSS ( ALL
,PA'S F5C+ RAILS1 PROBABLY 2C HE'D BE5 !
"O 6SPLIT S _M ( !M4
  ,MY BRO!R ,AMOS EXPLA9$ H[ ! FLOOD _H
SIMPLY BE5 ! LA/ /RAW = HM4 ,HE'D BE5
RUNN+ A F]RY AT ! F>M4 ,! S\? %ORE L&+
OPPOSITE U 0 "R ON ! 2G9N+ (! ,SANTA ,FE
,TRAIL1 & HE'D WAT*$ TOO _M WAGONS H1D+
WE/ 6ESCAPE A CASE ( ,OREGON FEV] HMF4
,0! "T ! FLOOD FLOAT$ AWAY 8 EQUIP;T1
HE'D BE5 M ?AN R1DY 6JO9 ! WE/W>D /R1M4
  ,MA'S MA9 !ME 0 ! MUD WE'D _H 6CL1N \
( \R LOG H\SE :5 ! WAT] F9,Y W5T D[N &
H[ X 2+ ! RI*E/ SOIL ,GOD "E LAID 9 A
RIV] VALLEY _HN'T MADE ! MESS SMELL ANY
LESS NA/Y OR ! JOB "O BIT EASI]4 ,%E 0
SICK 6D1? ( FLOODS1 ? 2+ H] ?IRD4 ,SAME
?+ _H HAPP5$ 6U 9 ,OHIO & AL BACK 9 UP-
/ATE ,NEW ,YORK1 2F %E & ,PA F/ />T$ _!
WE/W>D MOVES4 ,LOOK$ L N[ WE'D 2 GO+ AB
Z F> WE/ Z WE POSSIBLY CD1 & %E 0    #FD
DET]M9$1 %E SD1 T ! ,K+ FAMILY WD N"E AG
SETTLE ANY PIECE ( GR.D T _H ! SLI<TE/
*.E ( FLOOD+4
  ,( C\RSE1 WE W]5'T ! ONLY "OS :O'D BE5
SPURR$ 6L1VE 0? 4A/]1 : _H TURN$ \ 6BE !
BI7E/ FLOOD "E RECORD$ S F> ON ! ,MISS\-
RI4 ,! :OLE VALLEY _H G"O "U4 ,6HE> ,PA
TELL X1 ?\<1 ! FLOOD ( #AHDD _H ACTU,Y
BE5 ,GOD'S [N ANSW] 6! P]SONAL "Q+ (
,NAHUM ,K+4
  8,I'D BE5 ?9K+ ON BR++ MY :OLE CR[D
WE/10 ,PA WD TELL VISITORS 6\R WAGONS1 8
BOOT ROCK+ A LOG AT ! $GE (! FIRE4
8,KEPT WOND]+1 IS X "T YET80 ,HE %OOK 8
H1D4 8,WOKE UP T MORN+1 LOOK$ D[N & SAW
! OLD ,BIG ,MU4Y RUNN+ OV] MY :OLE F>M4
,I ?"\1 DANG1 "!'S A "R PLA9 ANSW] =A
MAN40

  ,L A SMALL T[N ON :EELS1 \R WAGON -PA-
NY 0 VISIT$ 0E SORT ( LIFE EV5T4
  ,"O MORN+ WE _H A FUN]AL = TWO-MON?-
OLD ,M>Y ,ELLIS AT \R CAMP 0A LIME/"O
SPR+S1 & T EV5+1 AT ! NEXT CAMPSITE
FIFTE5 MILES D[N ! TRAIL1 A W$D+4    #FE
,! "D 0 S L;G1 &! 4T.E S F> F ! GRIEV\S
EV5T 6! JOY\S1 FEW SEEM$ 6F9D X 9APPRO-
PRIATE 6F9I% ! "D 9 CELEBR,N AF 2G9N+ )
M\RN+4
  8,OH1 J LOOK10 ,A2IE :ISP]$1 /&+ BACK
9 ! W$D+ CR[D ) ME & ,MA & \R "Y] SI/]S1
WAT*+ ! C\PLE TRADE V[S4 8,H] FL[]S >E S
PRETTY60
  ,I GAVE H] A LOOK4 ,Z IF A GIRL _H TO
GET M>RI$ 6JU/IFY A B\QUET4
  ,! GA!R+ 0 L>GE1 & WE 7 9 BACK ": WE
CDN'T HE> A ^W (! C]EMONY4 ,NEI CD ANY"O
ELSE1 APP>5TLY1 = ALL >.D U FOLKS 7 C>-
RY+ ON _! [N 3V]S,NS4
  8,& IMAG9E10 ,A2IE W5T ON1 8!Y SAY
%E'S J ?IRTE560
  8,N[ T .IS A CRY+ %AME10 ,MA SD "U H]
BR1?4
  ,A2IE L[]$ H] LIDS & SPOKE SIDEWAYS4
8,Y 7 ONLY FIFTE5 :5 Y M>RI$ ,PA40
  8,T'S "R1 B YR PA 0 TW5TY-F\R1 REMEM-
B]4 ,? FELL['S =TY40
  ,?IRTE54 ,T'S ! NUMB] ,I 0 /UCK ON4 ,!
BRIDE 0 ?IRTE54 ,J ! AGE ,I'D BE5 :5
,R[L& CAME C\RT+ ,S,Y4 ,I GL.ED      #FF
OV] AT ,R[L&1 /&+ NEXT 6MY "F1 HOLD+
,ME7IE UP S %E CD SEE4 ,S,Y & ,I _H FIVE
YE>S 2T U1 & ,I'D ALW LOOK$ UP 6H]4
,%E'D ACTU,Y "M$ ME A GD D1L1 ,MA ALW 2+
BUSY ) S _M ( U1 & :5 ,I REMEMB]$ ALL ^?
SUMM]S ( FEV]1 X 0 ,S,Y'S FACE OV] ME T
CAME 6M9D4
  ,S ,I PURELY HAT$ LOS+ H] 6M>RIAGE4
,%E M/ H "U/OOD H[ ,I FELT T LA/ AW;L
SUMM]1 2C %E TRI$ 6RAISE MY _SS 02/[+ ON
ME ! HONOR ( 2+ H] BRIDESMAID4 ,NO USE1
,I /AY$ MIS]A#4 ,S* A CL\D ( GLOOM Z
,I'D N"E FELT 2F1 & ,S,Y SD %E WASN'T
SURPRIS$ :5 X TURN$ \ "R !N ,I />T$ MY
F/ MON?LIES4 ,POOR ,S,Y6 ,BRIDES %DN'T H
6D1L ) S* ?+S--TEMP]A;TAL LL SI/]S--B %E
0 ALW ! PICTURE ( PATI;E4
  ,?IRTE54 ,T .0 "Y4 ,J \R ,LYDIA'S AGE4
,NO1 WAIT1 ,LYDIA'D N[ TURN$ .F\RTE54 ,0
T POSSI#8 ,"L "KS ,I / ?"\ ( .H] Z A *4
,TALL Z ME1 %E 0 / /ICK-SK9NY & WORE H]
BR[N HAIR 9 TWO ?ICK LL-GIRL BRAIDS D[N
H] BACK4
  ,PROBABLY H[ ,I LOOK$ :5 ,R[L& F/ CAME
>.D4                                 #FG
  ,& MY F/ IMPRES.N ( HM 0 ? BIG GR[N-UP
MAN :O /OLE MY FAVORITE SI/]4 ,I GUESS
,I'D PROBABLY BE5 HOLD+ T AG/ HM "E
S9CE4
  8,A MAN ( =TY HAS GOT NO BUSI;S10 ,MA
SD1 8M>RY+ A GIRL ( ?IRTE540
  ,I ?"\ ( ,MR4 ,COLL9S1 :O'D (F]$ 6M>RY
ME & MAKE ME MI/RESS ( 8 F9E F>M4 ,I BE-
LIEVE HE 0 NE> 6=TY4
  8,T :Y Y DIDN'T C>E S M* ,I TURN$ D[N
,MR4 ,COLL9S80 ,I ASK$4 ,I'D BE5 A BIT
SURPRIS$ MY FOLKS _HN'T TRI$ 6*ANGE MY
?9K+ ON T1 HM 2+ S WELL FIX$4
  ,MA FR[N$4 8,Y DIDN'T L HM4 ,Y DON'T
M>RY A MAN Y DON'T L4 ,SEEMS SIMPLE
5\<40
  ,WELL1 YES1 EXCEPT T 6ME1 N"O ( ?
BUSI;S ( FIGUR+ \ :O Y LIK$ SEEM$ SIMPLE
AT ALL4 ,I KEPT EXPECT+ 6BE SMITT5 ) "S
FELL[ "R (F1 ! WAY ,A2IE _H IMMLY TAK5
6,PRICE1 OR ,BITSY 6,SOL4
  ,SURELY "! 0 "S"O 9 \R -PANY = ME4 ,PA
SD ! (FICIAL C.T 0 N9ETY-EI<T MALES OV]
! AGE ( SIXTE54 ,!Y CDN'T ALL 2 M>RI$4
,PLUS1 "! 7 J FIFTY-SEV5 FEMALES     #FH
OV] F\RTE54 ,! O4S SEEM$ 6BE 9 MY FAVOR4
,UN.S1 ( C\RSE1 Z ,A2IE A3US$ ME1 ,I 0 S
PICKY X WDN'T MATT] IF "! 7 A ?\S& UNM>-
RI$ M54 4 4
  ,!Y M/ H F9I%$ )! C]EMONY1 2C N[ WE
HE>D ! FI4LES />T+ UP & MY TOES W5T "R
6TAPP+4 ,MA SAW & WAV$ U (F4
  ,! W$D+ D.E 0 HELD ON A PAT* ( PACK$
DIRT4 ,! AG+ GROOM APPE>$ 6H BROK5 96HIS
M$IC9AL SUPPLY ( _SS1 &! LL BRIDE SEEM$
Q 2WILD]$4 ,S M* =! GLORY ( X ALL4 ,B1
OH1 ! MUSIC6 ,I LOV$ A GD D.E4 ,WE CDN'T
H TOO _M ( !M = ME4
  ,"R AWAY MY BRO!R ,AMOS GOT ,MEL9DA
,FULL] \ "! DANC+ ! POLKA4 ,IF 8 OLD
SWEETHE>T CD SEE HM N[6 ,T ,RI*MOND GIRL
_H DCLD %E WD N"E 9 H] LIFE SET FOOT !
F> SIDE (! ,MISS\RI1 6: ,AMOS _H REPLI$
HE 0 SORRY 6L1VE H] B HE 0 B.D = ,OREGON
& T 0 T4 ,GUESS HE MADE A SM>T *OICE1 2C
"H 0 ,MEL9DA ) H] *EEKS GL[+ & H] BLACK
CURLS B\NC+1 PRETTY Z T O!R "O & %E
.WANT$ 6G 6,OREGON4 ,PLUS1 "! WASN'T A
/R;G] OR H1L?I]-LOOK+ GIRL 9 ! :OLE
-PANY4 ,EV5 ) H] [N "M LEFT 9 T V    #FI
F/ GRAVE1 Y CD SEE %E 0 / FULL ( _S &
LOOK+ AH1D4
  ,PA & ,>NOLD ,FULL] 7 WAT*+ ! TWO ( !M
TGR4 ,I CAU<T !M TRAD+ A QK W9K ( AP-
PROVAL4 ,!N ,>NOLD ,FULL]1 T BIG BE> (A
MAN1 L1N$ D[N 6ME4
  8,OH1 LOOK AT ,PRICE "!4 ,T BOY ( M9E
IS S %Y4 ,:YN*A SKIP ON OV] "!1 H"OY1
SEE C Y GET HM 6D.E40
  ,I DREW BACK1 APPALL$1 B MY [N "F GAVE
ME A LL %OVE4 ,:AT A %OCK4 ,!Y .WANT$ U
6PAIR UP4 ,= S L;G ALL ,A2IE & ,I _H
HE>D 0 6HOLD BACK1 DON'T 2 TOO BOLD1
HANG ONTO \R MAID5LY MODE/Y4 ,WE 7 TOO
"Y 6EV5 2 ?9K+ AB S* ?+S1 !Y 7 ALW SAY+4
,N[1 ALL (A SU451 X 0 ..,"H'S YR *.E1
BOYS & GIRLS4 ,/EP UP & *OOSE YR ."PN]S4
,& !Y DIDN'T J M1N = ? "O D.E4
  ,OH1 ": 0 ,A2IE :5 ,I NE$$ H]8 ,%E 0 !
"O ) EYES = ,PRICE4 ,WELL1 ,I _H 6OBEY
MY "F4 ,& ,I DID WANT 6D.E4 ,I TOOK A
DEEP BR1? & />T$ MAK+ MY WAY "? ! CR[D4
  ,N[ "! >E GIRLS1 ,I "K1 L ,ORL5A ,WIL-
LIAMS1 :O CD MANAGE ? ) "S SUBTLETY1
FLIRT )A FELL[ S CL"ELY HE'D N ON-   #GJ
LY 5D UP ASK+ H] 6D.E1 HE'D D S 3V9C$ !
9VIT,N _H BE5 8 [N BOLD PLAN F ! GET-G4
  ,WELL1 N ME4 ,M/ H BE5 2H ! DOOR :5
,GOD H&$ \ ! TAL5T = PLAY+ SWEET & COY4
  ,ON ! O!R SIDE (! CIRCLE1 ,I SQUEEZ$
"? 6/& 2S ,PRICE ,FULL]4 ,I TILT$ MY H1D
T[>D HM1 SMIL+ /RAI<T \ AT ! DANC+ C\-
PLES4 8,YR PA & MY PA WANT U 6D.E TGR40
,L ,I SD1 DIRECT4
  ,B HE GR9N$ & TOOK ME UP ON X4 ,WE 7
(F & ROMP+6
  ,I 0 :IRL$ >.D 0A NUMB] ( BOYS T NI<T1
& "O :O KEPT ASK+ 6BE MY "PN] AG & AG 0
A H&"S1 S&Y-HAIR$ FELL[ "N ( ,JOHN ,NO#4
  8,SPL5DID GIRLS 9 ? TRA910 HE %\T$ OV]
! FI4LES4 8,PL5TY ( PLUCK & PRETTY TOO40
,HE W9K$ 6MAKE SURE ,I GOT ! H9T HE C.T$
ME 9 ? NUMB]4 8,MY PA SD ,I'D D F9E10 HE
DCLD1 86C\RT ANY GIRL :O CD MAKE A TRIP
L ? ) H] *9 UP40
  ,I LAU<$1 SA%AY+ D[N ! L9E ) HM4 ,E
GIRL'S *9 0 UP6 ,:Y N8 ,DANC+ "U ! />S--
WE'D N"E _H S M* FUN 9 \R LIVES6

                  ,F\R               #GA

  ,I DON'T "K :Y WE C'T SETTLE "R "H10
,SUSAN SD "O "D Z WE LOAD$ ?+S UP AF A
NOON+ /OP4 8,JOHN SAYS ! SOIL SEEMS Z
F]TILE Z Y PL1SE40
  ,WE ALL GL.ED >.D AT EA* O!R4 ,WE 7 /
9 ! VALLEY (! ,LL ,BLUE1 ) XS ROLL+ GRE5
HILLS & WILDFL[]S1 & NOBODY WD >GUE X
WASN'T PRETTY4 ,B "S?+ AB ,SUSAN'S SELF-
3SCI\SLY CASUAL REM>K MADE ME UNEASY4
,MAYBE X 0 ! WAY %E DIDN'T MEET ANY"O'S
EYES4
  8,X CD USE A FEW M TREES10 ,I (F]$1 B
! R1L >GU;T AG/ X1 6MY ?9K+1 0 PLA93 ,X
WASN'T WE/4 ,AT L1/ N V .F> WE/4 ,& T'S
:AT WE _H \R HE>TS SET ON1 "R8
  ,H] BABY SQUALL$ F _! WAGON1 &1 Z %E
HURRI$ OV] & CLIMB$ IN1 ,MA PUT A FI/ ON
H] HIP4 8,SUPPOSE %E'S GO+ 6TALK AB SET-
TL+ E "T WE /OP AT A GRASSY PAT*80
  8,N[1 ,MA10 ,HOPE SD4
  ,MA'S M\? 0 A ?9 L9E4 ,TRU? 2 TOLD1
%E'D BE5 H>D ON ,SUSAN F ! F/4 ,MAYBE %E
TOOK X Z AN A6RONT T \R BRO!R _H
DELIB]ATELY *OS5 A FAIR1 SLI<T       #GB
WIFE :O RAN S C.T] 6! /URDI;S ( U ,K+
GIRLS4 ,A MAN NE$$ A HELPMATE :O CD PULL
H] [N WEI<T1 ,MA LIK$ 6SAY4 ,N A PRETTY
BURD54 ,& :5 ,LEXIE 0 BORN1 ,MA KEPT
SAY+1 8,ELECTA8 ,:AT K9D (A "N IS T8
,:AT'S WR;G ) "O ( \R GD FAMILY "NS80
  ,& MO/ IRR,NAL ( ALL1 %E SEEM$ 6REG>D
,LEXIE'S GOLD5 CURLS Z "S SORT ( EXTRAV-
AG.E ,SUSAN _H 3JUR$ EXPRESSLY 6EXCUSE !
* F WE>+ ! PLA91 NO-NONS5SE HAIRCUT (
ALL ! O!R LL GIRLS--"P$ 9 ! MI4LE1 N1TLY
*OPP$ AT ! *94 8,VAN;Y1 VAN;Y10 %E WD
MUTT]1 Z IF ,GOD ,HMF _HN'T CR[N$ ,SU-
SAN'S DAU<T] ) ? GLORI\S HALO4
  8,T GIRL10 ,MA SD1 8DOESN'T WANT 6G "O
/EP F>!R F H] FOLKS ?AN %E HAS TO40
  8,WELL1 NEI WD ,I1 ,MA10 ,S,Y *ID$ G5-
TLY1 H] VOICE L[1 GLANC+ AT ,SUSAN'S
WAGON4 ,X WDN'T HELP ANY?+ = ,SUSAN 6HE>
,MA TALK+ L ?4
  8,?9K H[ H>D X M/ 2 = H]10 ,S,Y W5T
ON4 8,= ,ANNIE TOO4 ,?9K H[ H>D X WD 2 =
.U IF WE _H 6G ) \R HUSB&'S FAMILIES & 2
AWAY F Y40
  8,ALL "R1 ALL "R10 ,MA 3C$$4 8,I   #GC
MI<T CD 2 A BIT M *>ITA#40
  ,X ALW AMAZ$ ME H[ ,MA S(T5$ 6,S,Y'S
SOO?+4 ,NO "O ELSE CD CALL H] ON "S?+ &
GET AWAY ) X4
  ,N[ ,CAPTA9 ,T',VAULT CAME RID+ AL;G
)! -M& 6-M;E TRAVEL4 8,ALL SET80 HE
CALL$4 8,/RET* \6 ,HEP6 ,HEP60
  ,)A CRACK+ ( :IPS & CR1K+ ( :EELS1 !
WAGONS ROLL$ AG4 ,F ! CORN] ( MY EYE1 ,I
WAT*$ MY "M Z %E TOOK UP ! M>*4 ,PRETTY
SPRY = FIFTY-?REE1 & MY SI/]S & ,I NATU-
R,Y ?"\ ! _W ( H]4
  ,"S"TS Y _H 6WOND]1 ?\<1 :AT %E MI<T
SEEM L Z A "M-IN-LAW4

  ,FOLKS _HN'T BE5 EXA7]AT+ AB ! LACK (
TREES \ "H1 ,I _H 6ADMIT4 ,:AT 7 WE WOM5
SUPPOS$ 6D = PRIVACY 9 HE$+ NATURE'S
CALL8
  ,WE TOOK 6=M+ A CIRCLE ON ! PRAIRIE1
FAC+ \TW>DS1 HOLD+ \R SKIRTS SPR1D S T !
"O SQUATT+ 9 ! C5T] CD TAKE C>E ( H]
BUSI;S UNOBS]V$4 ,/ AN EMB>RASS;T1 T !
M5 PASS+ WD "K :AT WE 7 AB1 B :AT 0 !
*OICE8                               #GD
  ,"O "T ,A2IE SPOTT$ ,AMOS RID+ UP OP-
POSITE \R GR\P & URG$ ,MEL9DA1 9 ! MID-
DLE1 6F9I% UP4
  8,WELL1 ,I HOPE 6%\T10 ,MEL9DA SD1 N
6BE HURRI$4 8,YR BRO!R "KS WOM5 H 6D ?
BUSI;S1 TOO1 DOESN'T HE80
  8,WELL1 SURE10 ,A2IE SD1 FLU/]$1 8B
''' X'S S UNLADYLIKE60
  8,\R "DS Z DELICATE LADIES >E L;G
G"O40 ,MEL9DA /OOD1 FL\NC$ \ H] SKIRTS &
GR9N$4 8,N T ,I "E QUALIFI$40
  ,I LAU<$ & /EPP$ 96! MI4LE = MY QK
TURN4 ,? 0 "O (! ?+S ,I WD ALW REMEMB]
AB ^? "DS ON ! PRAIRIE3 2+ 9SIDE ! R+
(W9D-:IPP$ SKIRTS1 CL\DS SCU4+ OV]H1D1
MY SI/]S JOK+ AB ! SACRIFICE ( _! MODES-
TY1 WORRY+ AL\D =! PLI<T ( ANY POOR WOM-
AN TRAVEL+ )\T FEMALE -PANIONS4
  ,"O NI<T ,I NE$$ PRIVACY AF "SH[ MISS+
! NI<TLY GR\P \T+ 2F B$4 ,I SLIPP$ 2T !
WAGONS1 WALK$ \ FIFTY Y>DS 2Y ! LI<T1 &
DUCK$ 2H "S WILL[ BU%ES4 ,CR\*+ "!1 ,I
KEPT MY EYES ON ! CLU/] ( WAGONS1 ! GL[
( FIRELI<T ON FACES &! %AD[ %[ ( FIGURES
MOV+ 9SIDE ! LANT]N-LIT CANVAS       #GE
COV]S4
  ,/&+1 ,I RE>RANG$ MY SKIRTS4
  8,:O'S \ "!80 A VOICE DEM&$4 8,WE HE>
Y60
  ,/>TL$1 EMB>RASS$1 ,I HESITAT$4 ,J Z
,I DREW BR1? 6ANSW]1 "R PA/ MY E>1 A
BULLET Z+$4
  8,HEY1 DON'T %OOT60 ,I YELL$4
  ,I HE>D "S MUTT] ( SURPRISE & !N1 8,=
CRY9' \ L\D1 :O IS T80
  8,X'S J ME40 ,W1K-KNE$ )! NE> MISS1 ,I
/UM#D T[>D ! WAGONS4
  8,LOVISA ,K+60 ,X 0 ,PRICE ,FULL]1 GUN
L[]$4 8,GIRL1 Y ALM GOT YRF %OT D1D60
  8,GOT .MYF--80 ,QK ANG] BOIL$4 8.,Y
PULL$ ! TRI7]1 N ME60
  8,WELL1 :AT 9 BLAZES >E Y DO+ \ "!80
  8,:AT D Y ?9K80 ,OH1 MY *EEKS 7 HOT4
,GD ?+ X 0 D>K4
  ,FOLKS GA!R$4 ..,S.D$ L A GUN%OT4 ,X
WAS6 ,T ,K+ GIRL %OT (F H] PA'S RIFLE8
,NO1 NO1 %E'S ! "O GOT %OT .AT6 ,9 A BIG
HU2UB "EY"O TRI$ 6EXPLA9 6EA* O!R :AT _H
HAPP5$4 ,MY OLDE/ BRO!R1 ,JOHN1 0 YELL+
AT ME :ILE ,PRICE'S SI/] ,MEL9DA 0   #GF
GIV+ ,PRICE A GD JAW+4
  ,R$-FAC$ & FLU/]$1 SPUTT]+ 8 DEF5SES1
,PRICE TURN$ & LEVEL$ A LOOK AT ME4 8,J
N"E D T AG1 Y HE>80
  ,I LOOK$ HM "R BACK4 8,NO1 .Y N"E D T
AG40
  ,%OCK$1 8 M\? FELL OP54 ,! RE/ WAT*+
SEEM$ />TL$ TOO4
  8,N[ LOOK "H10 HE SD4 8,WE'RE J TRY+
6PROTECT Y GALS40
  8,HA60 ,I TOSS$ MY HAIR4 8,BIG1 BRAVE
BOY1 J C'T WAIT 6%OOT YR GUN (F1 C Y8
,%OOT ANY?+ T MOVES )\T EV5 SEE+ :AT X
IS60
  8,Y ?9K X'S FUN1 /&+ WAT* ALL NI<T8 ,Y
%D 2 ?ANK+ U40
  8,OH1 SORRY1 ,I =GOT4 ,YES1 ?ANKS1
,PRICE4 ,?ANKS = 2+ S* A POOR %OT60
  ,I FELT ,R[L&'S FIRM H& CLAMP >.D MY
UPP] >M4 ,I LOOK$ UP4 ,) ,R[L&1 ? 0 F>!R
UP ?AN X WD H BE5 ) ,PA OR "O ( MY BRO?-
]S4 ,8 JAW 0 SET4 ,HE LOOK$ MAD4 ,Z HE
/E]$ ME BACK 6\R WAGON1 ,I HE>D M >GU+
AM;G ! FOLKS LEFT 2H & !N1 CLE> Z "D1 F
"O (! M5 ,I HE>D ! ^WS 8BOSSY LL     #GG
?+10 FOLL[$ 0LAU<+ AGREE;T4
  ,I J]K$ BACK1 WANT+ 6?UMP "S"O4
  8,OH1 NO1 Y DON'T40 ,R[L& HELD TI<T4
,! MAN _H AN AMAZ+ GRIP4 ,&A L;G /RIDE4
,I 0 /UMBL+ 6KEEP UP4
  8,Y LET ME G10 ,I SD1 /RU7L+4 8,N"O (
YR BUSI;S1 ANYWAY60
  ,HE SMIL$ GRIMLY4 8',FRAID X IS4 ,ANY-
?+ HAPP5S 6Y1 ,I'LL 2 ANSW]+ 6YR PA40 ,I
R1LIZ$ HE 0 DRA7+ ME ! L;G WAY1 AVOID+
MY FOLKS' WAGON4
  ,Z WE R1*$ \RS1 ,S,Y POK$ H] H1D \ F
"U ! CANVAS FLAP 6SEE :AT 0 UP4 ,? "T1
:5 ,I PULL$ AWAY F ,R[L&1 HE REL1S$ ME4
  8,N[ LET ? 2 A LESSON40
  ,I SPUN & CLIMB$ UP OV] ! BUCKBO>D4 ,A
LESSON8 ,& :AT WD T LESSON BE8 ,DON'T D
YR PRIVATE BUSI;S 9 A WILL[ ?ICKET8
,WAT* \ = TRI7]-HAPPY IDIOTS ) FIRE>MS8
  8,:AT ON E>? HAPP5$80 ,S,Y ASK$4
  8,OH1 NO?+4 ,PRICE ,FULL] TRI$ 6%OOT
ME D1D1 T'S ALL40
  8,:AT60
  8,S ( C\RSE ,I'M ! "O 9 TR\#40 ,/
BR1?+ H>D1 ,I SUMM$ UP ! /ORY Z ,I   #GH
HELP$ ,ME7IE 96H] NI<TDRESS4 8,I'M TELL+
Y1 ,S,Y1 X'S A WOND] "! >5'T A DOZ5 D1D
ALR ! WAY !Y'VE GIV5 A GUN 6E BOY 9 L;G
PANTS4 ,& !Y WON'T S M* Z /EP AWAY F _!
WAGONS )\T COCK+ !M40
  8,I "K1 X'S A WORRY1 ALL "R4 ,DID Y
HE> AB ,LL ,LUTE8 ,A2IE CAU<T HM PLAY+ )
"O ( ,JOHN'S PI/OLS40
  8,OH1 MY L&60
  8,B DON'T TELL ANY"O4 ,SUSAN DOESN'T
WANT X GETT+ BACK 6,MA40
  8,T * NE$S TWO OR ?REE P RID+ H]D ON
HM40 ,I TURN$ 6LL ,ME7IE4 8,N L Y0--& "H
,I SWIT*$ 6BABY TALK--8,Y >E S* A LL
LOVEY1 >5'T Y8 ,YES1 Y >E A SM>T LL WOM-
AN1 & Y WD N"E D A SILLY ?+ L PLAY )
GUNS40
  8,I HE>D T BIG BANG10 ,ME7IE SD4 8,DID
Y HE> T80
  ,I NO4$ SOLEMNLY4 8,YES1 ,I DID40
  8,OH1 DE>10 ,S,Y SD4 8,TOO BAD ? _H TO
HAPP5 ) ,PRICE40
  ,I CUT H] A LOOK4
  ,S,Y W9C$4
  8,I J M1NT ''' WELL1 ,I "K ,PA     #GI
?"\ ''' ,PRICE 2+ N9ETE5 & Y SEV5TE5
'''0 ,S,Y LIFT$ H] %\LD]S & SMIL$ Z IF ?
W]5'T ! WOR/ IDEA 9 ! _W4 8,FOLKS 7 SAY+
Y TWO LOOK$ F9E TGR AT ! W$D+ D.E40
  ,I GL[]$1 PL1S$ & ANNOY$ AT ! SAME "T4
  8,Y DID -PLA9 ,MR4 ,COLL9S 0 TOO OLD40
  8,WELL1 ,I N"E SD ,I WANT$ "S WET-2H-
!-E>S BOY1 EI4 ,ANYWAY1 ,A2IE ALR HAS H]
EYE ON ,PRICE40
  8,OH4 ,MY1 %E DOESN'T WA/E ANY "T1
DOES %E80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D MIS]ABLY4 ,0 "! "S?+
WR;G ) ME T ,I SEEM$ 6BE DRA7+ MY HEELS
AB ? PAIR+-UP BUSI;S8
  8,GD;S SAKES4 ,Y ALL J MET UP AG4 ,%E
C'T 2 PROMIS$ 6HM YET6 ,Y'VE GOT J Z M*
"R 6L HM Z %E DOES40
  ,I %RU7$4 ,:AT DID X MATT]1 N[ T ,I'D
F\L$ X ALL UP8 ,I SI<$1 TOOK UP MY B$-
ROLL & CLIMB$ \ (! WAGON4 ,I SPR1D MY
T>P & BLANKETS NEXT 6,A2IE1 :O 0 APP>5T-
LY S EXHAU/$ %E'D SLEPT "? ! :OLE 9CI-
D5T4
  ,WE'D /OPP$ BO!R+ )! T5T :5 ! SKY 0
CLE>1 S N[ ,I CD />E AT ! />S :ILE   #HJ
,I BROOD$4 ,! PURE 9DIGN;Y (! :OLE ?+6
,H"O/LY1 HALF ! CAMP M/ H SE5 ME -E
SQUAWK+ \ (! BU%ES ) MY SKIRTS HIK$ UP
>.D MY KNEES6 ,&! O!R HALF1 ,I ?"\ GLUM-
LY1 W H HE>D ( X 0MORN+4
  ,AF A:ILE ,I HE>D ,R[L&'S VOICE 9 !
WAGON4 ,HE 0 LAU<+4 ,WELL1 N L\DLY1 B X
S.D$ L HE & ,S,Y 7 HAV+ A GD *UCKLE TGR4
,PROBABLY LAU<+ AT .ME4 ,I GL.ED OV] "!4
,I CD SEE _! SILH\ETTES AG/ ! CANVAS
COV]1 H1D 6H1D4 ,I HAT$ T4 ,I ROLL$ OV]1
PULL$ MY BLANKET UP OV] MY %\LD] & %UT
MY EYES TI<T4











                 ,FIVE               #HA

  ,I AM .DESP]ATE =A HILL10 ,I SD 6,A2IE
"O HOT AFN Z WE TRUDG$ AL;G ! \T]MO/ RUT
(! DOZ5S T MADE UP ? SEC;N4 8,EV5 A LL
OLD PUNY "O4 ,IS T S M* 6ASK8 ,J "S?+ UP
AH1D 6LOOK AT80 ,WE'D BE5 \ "H A MON?
N[4 ,? D1D-LEVEL /RET* !Y CALL$ ! ,GRT
,PLATTE ,RIV] ,ROAD 0 HUNDR$S ( MILES
L;G1 & APP>5TLY E S+LE "O ( !M 0 GO+ TO
LOOK EXACTLY ! SAME4
  8,PA W>N$ U10 ,A2IE REM9D$ ME4
  8,I S'POSE40 ,B HE>+ "S?+ Z A FACT--T
! FLAT1 TREE.S PLA9S WD MAKE UP A FULL
QU>T] (! J\RNEY--WAS A F> CRY F WALK+ X
/EP AF MONOTON\S /EP1 EYES /RA9+ AH1D1
POSITIVELY A*+ 6SEE "S?+ NEW4
  ,X SEEM$ WE 7 ="E SLEEPWALK+ \R WAY
T[>D1 B N"E R1*+1 A WAV+ WALL ( HOT1
%IMM]+ AIR4 ,"S"TS 9 ! 4T.E WE'D SEE EV-
ID;E ( "O ( ^? FE>"S ,PLATTE ,RIV] ,VAL-
LEY /ORMS WE'D HE>D S M* AB--CURTA9S (
SLANT+ BLACK RA91 FLA%ES ( LI<TN+4 ,B
ALW ! CURTA9S SEEM$ 6"P = U4 ,\R J\RNEY1
9 T RESPECT1 SEEM$ *>M$ Z WE PASS$
P1CEABLY ON4 ,S P1CEABLY1 9 FACT1    #HB
T ! DAILY TRUDGES PUT U 6SLEEP4
  ,I CD SEE ,AMOS N[1 RID+ \ 0! CATTLE1
SLUMP$ 9 8 SA4LE4 ,LIKEWISE ,S,Y NO4$ (F
ON ! WAGON S1T1 ,JIMMY LY+ ACR H] LAP1
,ME7IE'S BONNET$ H1D BUMP+ RHY?MIC,Y AG/
H] %\LD]4
  ,OH1 ! DULL;S ( ? C.TRY6 ,"O EV5+ Z !
WAGONS 7 HALT$ & ,ME7IE 0 AWAK5$ & LIFT$
6! GR.D1 %E TOOK "O LOOK AT ! CAMPSITE &
BUR/ 96TE>S4
  8,:AT IS X1 H"OY80 ,MY EYES FOLL[$
,ME7IE'S =! CAUSE1 F.D N"O4
  8,X'S ! SAME60 ,ME7IE CRI$4 8,WE C N"E
GET 6,O'G5 'CAUSE E NI<T WE CAMP 9 !
SAME PLACE60
  8,OH1 SWEETIE40 ,I /RU7L$ 6KEEP A
/RAI<T FACE4 8,X J .LOOKS ! SAME4 ,H"O/-
LY1 WE'RE GETT+ 6,OREGON4 ,E "D WE'RE A
LL BIT CLOS]40
  ,IF ! "DS 7 DRE>ISOME1 ?\<1 ! NI<TS1
AT L1/1 CD 2 PL1SANT4 ,AN >* ( BLANK SKY
AT NOON1 AF ALL1 MADE ! MO/ MAGNIFIC5T
CANVAS =! PA9T+ (A PRAIRIE SUNSET -E
EVE5+4 ,\ "H Y DIDN'T S M* WAT* A SUNSET
Z /& & LET YRF 2 SURR.D$ 0X4 ,!      #HC
5TIRE SKY1 HORIZON 6HORIZON1 WD 2 FLUNG
)A TRAC]Y ( PU6$ CL\DS1 !N LIT 6GOLD &
DEEP ROSE4
  ,I LOV$ ! MORN+S1 TOO1 :5 FIRES 7
/IRR$ & SWEET SMOKE SPIRAL$ 96! BRISK
AIR4 ,LAC+ MY BOOTS1 ,I WD M>VEL AT ?
MIRACLE ( DAILY RENEWAL4 ,NO MATT] H[
SP5T ,I'D FELT CRAWL+ 96MY B$ROLL ! NI<T
2F1 A GD NI<T'S SLEEP ALW LET ME AWAK5 )
NEW 5]GY & OPTIMISM4 ,D[N+ MY F/ CUP (
C(FEE1 X DIDN'T SEEM S IMPOSSI# T P]H TD
WD 2 ! GLORI\S "D :5 "S?+ NEW WD F9,Y
APPE> UP AH1D6
  ,I'D 2 MILK+ ,BUTT]CUP :5 ! SUN WD
RISE 9 "O FA/ FLA% OV] T L[E/ ( HORIZONS
2H U1 9/ANTLY FLOOD+ ! _W ) LI<T & W>M?4
,BIRDS W>#D MUSIC,Y 9 ! RIV]'S WILL[S1 &
! *N CALL$ 6EA* O!R F WAGON 6WAGON4
  8,"H1 ,AUNTIE ,LOVISA60 \R LL/ "OS
*IRP$1 HOLD+ UP _! B[LS ( PORRIDGE =A
SPLA% ( ,BUTT]CUP'S FRE% MILK4
  ,!Y 7 ALL LOOK+ S B"R & H1L?Y4 ,I
GUESS X 0 TRUE :AT !Y SD AB ! CL1N AIR (
! PLA9S4 ,P 7 POSITIVELY ?RIV+4 ,Y CDN'T
WALK FIFTE5 MILES A "D1 AF ALL1 )-   #HD
\T BUILD+ "S /AM9A4 ,P]SON,Y1 ,I'D N"E
FELT H1L?I] OR /R;G] 9 MY LIFE4
  ,LL ,LEXIE1 PALE & SP9DLY BACK HOME1 0
N[ R.D & ROSY & 9SI/+ ON WALK+ "S EA*
"D1 M>*+ AL;G ) 8! BIG GIRLS40
  ,EV5 BRO!R ,/EPH5 & ,HOPE'S HUSB&1
,LUCIUS ,NORTON1 SEEM$ "S BETT]1 ACTU,Y
GETT+ \ ( _! WAGONS 9 ! EV5+S1 LOOK+ ALM
*E];L Z !Y %>P5$ AN AX OR SPLIC$ A BIT (
TRAIL ROPE4
  ,"EY"O _H S* HE>TY APPETITES4 ,FOOD _H
N"E TA/$ BETT] ?AN X DID \ "H 9 ! OP5
AIR4 ,I GOT US$ 6EAT+ /&+ UP MYF1 & _M
AN EV5+ F.D MY SLAB ( BACON 2T PIECES (
BR1D ! MO/ DELICI\S ?+ ,I'D "E TA/$4 ,MY
BRO!RS *E];LLY GOB#D :AT"E WE COOK$ &
N"E -PLA9$ AB ! GRIT T 9V>IABLY MADE XS
WAY 96! B1NS OR ! MOSQUITOES T O3A.N,Y
FLECK$ ! BISCUITS4 ,ANY "D N[1 !Y PROM-
IS$ EA* O!R1 WE'D ALL 2 D9+ ON BIG1 ?ICK
BU6ALO /1KS6

  8,I DON'T ?9K Y'RE GO+ 6WANT 6BE />T+
9 ON A WA%+10 ,R[L& W>N$ ME "O EV5+ Z ,I
EM]G$ F ! WAGON ) AN >M;L ( LAUN-    #HE
DRY4 ,HE 0 %AV+ 9 FRONT (A SLIV] ( MIR-
ROR PROPP$ ON ! WAGON S1T4
  8,I MO/ C]TA9LY D4 ,SOL SAYS X'S A GD
LL /R1M "H40
  8,WON'T 2 "H L;G 5 6GET ?+S DRY1 ?\<40
  8,I DON'T C>E10 ,I SD1 JUMP+ F ! WAG-
ON1 EYES AV]T$4 ,?+S 7 DI6]5T \ "H1
TRUE1 B X / DIDN'T SEEM Q "R 6SEE HM DO+
"S?+ S P]SONAL1 8 GALLUSES D[N & ALL4
8,I'M DY+ = CL1N CLO!S40 ,CL1N "U?+S1 ,I
0 ?9K+ Z ,I FL\NC$ (F1 B ,I WASN'T AB TO
SAY T 6HM4
  ,Q A FEW (! GIRLS _H ! SAME IDEA1 & 9
%ORT ORD] WE 7 L9+ ! CREEK BANK1 DUNK+
\R CAMISOLES & SPLIT-LE7$ PANTALETS4
  8,S10 ,I :ISP]$ 6,A2IE1 :O KNELT 2S
ME1 8,I SEE WE / H ! ,BR[NS ) U40 ,ACR !
SWALE1 UP 9 CAMP1 ,I CD SEE ,MAMIE ,BR[N
SITT+ ON AN OX YOKE1 WRIT+4 ,\R -PANY _H
DIVID$ 96TWO SMALL] GR\PS1 & ,I WD H BE5
J Z GLAD IF ! ,BR[NS _H G"O )! O!R4
  ,A2IE REFUS$ 6E*O MY DERISIVE T"O4 ,%E
0 / R IMPRESS$ ) ,MAMIE1 "PLY1 P]H1 2C
WE'D LE>N$ %E ACTU,Y _H ?REE DI6]5T
DRESSES 6ALT]NATE4 ,"O1 ,MAMIE _H    #HF
5JOY$ PO9T+ \ 6U1 F1TUR$ SLEEVES CUT 9 !
V LATE/ ,FR5* FA%ION4
  8,DID Y "K %E'S KEEP+ A J\RNAL (! :OLE
TRIP80 ,A2IE ASK$4
  8,Y DON'T SAY4 ,:Y80
  8,WELL1 ,I IMAG9E 2C %E WANTS 6REMEMB]
ALL ?1 ( C\RSE40
  8,A2IE6 ,Z IF WE CD "E POSSIBLY =GET40
  8,%E PROBABLY WRITES H] ?"\S10 ,A2IE
SD4 8,MAYBE %E WANTS 6EXPRESS ! SECRETS
( H] 9N]MO/ HE>T4 ,OR MAYBE %E'S EV5
WRIT+ AB U40
  8,D>ESAY6 ,-PLA9+ :AT A L[ LOT WE >E1
H[ T]RIBLY H] CIRCUM/.ES H BE5 REDUC$
SEE+ Z H[ %E HAS 6TRAVEL ) S* -MON
FOLK60 ,& !N ,I ?"\ ( "S?+ ELSE4 8,Y
SUPPOSE %E'LL PUT D[N ! TRU? AB :AT A
P]FECT BLOCKH1D H] PA IS80 ,MR4 ,BR[N _H
/IRR$ ?+S UP 2F WE'D EV5 LEFT ! R5DEZV\S
CAMP 0/U2ORNLY REFUS+ 6ADEQUATELY /OCK 8
WAGON4 ,PA SD HE >GU$ OV] E LA/ ITEM
DUR+ 8 (FICIAL 9SPEC;N4 ,X WASN'T A "Q (
N HAV+ ! M"OY1 EI4 ,NO1 HE 0 J DET]M9$
6GET 6,OREGON ) M CA% ?AN ! RE/ ( U & 2
AH1D4 ,Z ,MAMIE _H PO9T$ \ 6U1 H]    #HG
PA WASN'T 8J A F>M]40 ,HE 9T5D$ 6SET UP
"S K9D ( BUSI;S4 ,I GUESS T MADE HM ?9K
HE DIDN'T H 6/ICK 6! SAME RULES Z O!RS4
,HE'D EV5 HIR$ TWO "Y M5 6DRIVE 8 OX54
.,HE WASN'T GO+ 6WALK AL;G YELL+ ,GEE6 &
,HAW6
  8,MAYBE10 ,A2IE SD DR1MILY1 8,MAMIE
SETS D[N : BOY D.ED ) : GIRL :5 !Y GOT \
! FI4LES40 ,A TOPIC F> F BOR+ Z F> Z %E
0 3C]N$1 OBVI\SLY4 8,I HOPE %E NOTIC$ ME
DANC+ ) ,PRICE ,FULL]40
  8,DON'T WORRY10 ,BITSY ,FULL] SD1
SKIPP+ UP F 2H4 8,"EYBODY DID40
  8,BITSY60 ,A2IE SD1 FL++ >.D4 8,": DID
Y -E F80
  8,BACK "!10 ! LL GIRL SD4 8,N[1 ,I H X
ALL PLANN$ \1 SEE40 ,H] T"O 0 L[ & 3FI-
D5TIAL1 H] EXPRES.N S]I\S4 8,AMOS & MY
SI/] ,MEL9DA L EA* O!R1 "R8 ,I'M GONNA
M>RY ,SOL1 & ,A2IE1 ,I J "K ,PRICE LIKES
Y40
  ,A2IE SUCK$ 9 H] BR1?4 8,DID HE SAY T1
,BITSY80
  8,A2IE40 ,BITSY ADMONI%$ H] )A Y-%D-
"K-BETT] LOOK4 8,BOYS DON'T ACTU,Y   #HH
.SAY ^? ?+S1 D !Y8 ,B ANY"O C SEE X60
  ,DELI<T$1 ,A2IE W5T BACK 6SCRU2+ H]
L95S ) RENEW$ VIGOR4
  8,I'M N SURE AB .Y1 ,LOVISA10 ,BITSY
SD1 & !N A4$ ) AN ATTEMPT AT *>;Y1 8,I
GUESS Y CD M>RY ,H5RY40
  8,H5RY6 ,BITSY1 ,I L YR BRO!R ,H5RY
F9E1 B HE'S A LL SIXTE5-YE>-OLD BOY60
  8,WELL1 ,I J WANT$ Y 6H A SWEETHE>T
MAT*UP TOO1 & ,I DIDN'T "K :O ELSE
6SAY40
  ,I LAU<$1 B "PLY Z A COV]4 ,GD ,"L1
EV5 ! *N 7 WORRI$ AB ME 2COM+ AN OLD
MAID4

  ,X 0 A BIT EMB>RASS+1 HAV+ 6PROP \R
WET "U?+S ON /ICKS 0! FIRE 6DRY1 B WOR?
X 6SEE ! LOOK ( %OCK ON ,MAMIE'S FACE :5
%E CAME OV] 6\R CAMPFIRE & SPOTT$ ! 9DE-
C5CY4 ,HORRIFI$1 %E SPUN ON H] HEEL &
W5T "R BACK 6H] [N WAGON4
  ,I GR9N$ AT ,A2IE4 8,% WE D ? E NI<T80
  ,I WASN'T GR9N+ 9 ! MORN+1 ?\<1 :5 WE
_H 6PUT \R "U?+S BACK ON1 COLD & DAMP4
,ALL ! =ENOON1 ^? ( U :O'D BE5       #HI
TEMPT$ 0?"\S ( CL1NLI;S TRAD$ GRIMACES )
EA* O!R4 ,:AT A NOVEL 4COV]Y--WET CLO!S
7 WORSE ?AN DIRTY6
  ,LAT]1 :5 ,I'D REMEMB] ? 9CID5T1 ,I
CDN'T IMAG9E :AT WE'D BE5 ?9K+4 ,:Y
_HN'T WE J G"O )\T "U?+S = A:ILE8 ,:O WD
H EV5 "KN8 ,B T 0 BACK :5 WE / _H \R
/&>DS 6KEEP UP4 ,! PURE FOOLI%;S ( 5DUR+
S* 4COM=T = PROPRIETY'S SAKE N"E O3URR$
6U4 ,WE 7 TOO BUSY SEE+ \RVS Z BRAVELY
BR++ CIVILIZ,N 96! WILD];S4

  ,I FELT SORRY =! BOYS4
  ,H[ L;G ! H\RS M/ H SEEM$ 6!M )\T !
4TRAC;N ( *ATT] T HELP$ PASS "T = U
GIRLS4 ,Y CD SEE !M SITT+ /OLIDLY ON _!
HORSES OR TRUDG+ 2S ! OX51 N>Y A S.D F
!M B ! O3A.NAL GRUNT AT "O (! /U2ORN
B1/S4
  ,A2IE & ,I CD TALK 5D.SLY1 WE F.D4
,MO/LY WE >GU$1 & 2Y T WE CD REC.T !
PA/1 ANALYZE ! PRES5T1 & SPECULATE AB !
FUTURE1 ALL /ORIES TOLD ) AN UNSPOK5
AGREE;T T REPETI;N WD 2 P]MITT$ :5 NEC4
  ,"S"TS WE -P>$ ! NIECES & NEPH-    #IJ
EWS 9 \R *>GE4 ,A2IE 5VI$ ME MY GD-
NATUR$ ,JIMMY :ILE %E _H FUSS-FACE BABY
,*>LIE4 ,B :5 X CAME 6! LL GIRLS1 ,A2IE
CLE>LY ?"\ ,LEXIE SUP]IOR4
  8,WE H 6KEEP SPECIAL WAT* ON H]10 ,I
REMEMB] H] REM>K+ ONCE4 8,9DIANS GET A
LOOK AT T HAIR ( H]S1 !Y'LL J G CRAZY4
,/1L H] 9 A FLA%40
  ,I GAVE H] A SIDEWAYS GL.E4 8,Y RE,Y
?9K S80
  8,YES6 ,"EY"O SAYS60
  ,X'S TRUE1 P CDN'T KEEP _! H&S AWAY F
,LEXIE'S SPUN-GOLD CURLS4 ,/1 ALL WE'D
SE5 ( ,9DIANS S F> 7 A FEW ,PAWNEES
WAT*+ U F A 4T.E &A "PY OR TWO T _H -E
CLOS] 6TRADE4 ,!Y H>DLY SEEM$ ! ?R1T AN-
TICIPAT$ :5 WE =M$ S* A HUGE -PANY =
PROTEC;N'S SAKE4 ,N[ \R M5 _H AGRE$ T1
AT L1/ =! PRES5T1 HAV+ TOO _M CATTLE
TRY+ 6GRAZE ! SAME PAT* ( GRASS 0 A M* M
IMM 3C]N ?AN ,9DIAN ATTACK1 & T'S :Y
!Y'D SPLIT ! -PANY4
  ,A2IE & ,I EAG]LY AWAIT$ ! GOSSIP \R
SC\TS BR"\ BACK F GR\PS AH1D ( U ON !
TRAIL4 ,M1SLES _H BROK5 \1 !Y WD     #IA
REPORT4 ,A GIRL _H FALL5 \ (A WAGON1 &!
FRONT :EEL RAN "R OV] H]4 ,LUCKILY X
HAPP5$ 9 A MIREY SPOT1 ?\<1 S %E WASN'T
BADLY 9JUR$4 ,A MAN F ,TEXAS 9 "O (!
,CALI=NIA-B.D GR\PS 0 MAK+ "EY"O N]V\S1
BRA7+ HE AIM$ 6CAT* HMF AN ,9DIAN SLAVE
F/ *.E HE GOT4 ,HE 0 S* A BRUTE1 NO "O
_H ! N]VE 6EV5 SP1K UP 6HM1 M* LESS KICK
HM \ L !Y WI%$ !Y CD4
  ,^! TALES PASS$ BACK "? \R FAMILY'S
WAGONS Z FA/ Z WE CD TELL !M4 ,"S"TS
WE'D D>T AH1D 9 L9E 6HE> "S NEW BIT (
GOSSIP1 WALK & TALK & GET ! DETAILS1 !N
SL[ \R PACE1 ALL[+ \R [N WAGONS 6CAT* UP
) U AG4
  8,!Y _H A W$D+ 9 ! TRA9 AH1D10 ,MAMIE
,BR[N L+]$ 6TELL ME "O "D :5 ,I HAPP5$
6BE WALK+ AL"O4
  8,ANO!R "O80 ,P SEEM$ 6BE PAIR+ UP AT
AN AMAZ+ RATE4
  8,YES1 &A BABY BORN4 ,! :OLE TRA9 _H
6LAY 0HALF A "D = T BIR?+4 ,P W]5'T TOO
HAPPY40
  8,WELL1 H"O/LY6 ,! POOR WOMAN CDN'T
HELP X40                             #IB
  8,MY "M SAYS %E CD4 ,SAYS X'S PURE
FOOLI%;S = WOM5 6BE 9 T WAY ON A J\RNEY
L ?4 ,P "\ 63SID] ?+S 2Y _! [N APPE-
TITES40
  ,I GAVE H] A SIDEWAYS GL.E1 N WANT+ TO
LET ON ,I WASN'T Q SURE IF %E M1NT :AT
,I ?"\ %E M1NT4 ,TOO BAD ,A2IE 0 HAV+ TO
RIDE ) ,LEXIE & ,LUTE AT ! MO;T4 ,I NE$$
H] "H 6HELP ?9K ( SM>T ANSW]S6
  ,N[ ,MAMIE /OPP$ & AIM$ ! B>REL ( H]
BONNET "R AT M9E1 ! BETT] 6SEE MY FACE4
8,H[ _M BRO!RS & SI/]S DID Y SAY Y H80
  8,DON'T "K Z ,I .DID SAY40
  8,S1 H[ _M80
  ,I GL.ED OV] 6\R WAGON4 8,WELL1 ELEV5
( U1 GO+ WE/40
  8,MY GD;S10 ,MAMIE SD1 ASK.E4 8,T'S A
LOT ( BABIES 6H40
  ,MY *EEKS W5T HOT1 & ,I WASN'T EV5
SURE :Y4 ,MAYBE X 0 ! SC&ALIZ$ T"O (
,MAMIE'S VOICE1 Z IF %E 7 MOR,Y SUP]IOR
"SH[1 = HAV+ J "O PA/Y-FAC$ LL BRO!R4 ,=
A MO;T ,I WAT*$ ,S,Y SWAY+ ON ! WAGON
S1T1 ,JIMMY 9 H] >MS4 ,I WASN'T AB 6M5;N
\R OLD] M>RI$ SI/]S BACK EA/ :O      #IC
_HN'T -E1 OR ! "OS :O'D DI$ Z *N4 ,IF
,MAMIE ?"\ ELEV5 BABIES EXCESSIVE1 :AT
WD %E SAY 6,MA HAV+ DELIV]$1 ALT1 SIX-
TE58
  8,WELL10 ,MAMIE SD1 8,I C]TA9LY HOPE
\R -PANY WON'T H 6/OP = ANY ( T BUSI;S4
,X'S S UNFAIR 6! RE/40
  8,LOOK1 ,MAMIE1 ) ?REE ?\S& P ON !
ROAD1 "!'S B.D 6BE BABIES BORN4 ,LIFE'S
N GO+ 6/OP1 J 2C WE'VE ALL PULL$ UP
/AKES & H1D$ WE/40
  ,EV5 Z ,I 0 TRY+ MI<TILY 6S.D L ,I
KNEW :AT 0 :AT1 ?\<1 A QK M5TAL C.T (!
"Y WIVES 9 \R FAMILY--,S,Y1 ,HOPE1 ,SU-
SAN1 & ,ANNIE--MADE ME R1LIZE WE _H NO
"O 9 T EXPECTANT 3DI;N "R N[4 ,NO "O _H
/>T$ A BABY S9CE ,PA ANN\NC$ WE 7 MAK+ !
TREK4 ,S H[ _H MY OLD] SI/]S MANAG$ T8
,0 ? J ANO!R PHASE (! PLANN+ T _H G"O
96! OV]L& J\RNEY1 "O NO "O _H NE$$ 6DIS-
CUSS ) ME8
  8,T NEW BABY UP AH1D80 ,MAMIE SD4 8,!Y
"ND H] ,MISS\RI40
  8,N[ .T10 ,I SD1 RELIEV$ =A TOPIC ON :
,I _H A 3FID5T OP9ION1 8IS "S?+ T    #ID
QUALIFIES Z PURE FOOLI%;S 6.ME4 ,I M1N1
IF T'S H[ !Y FEEL AB X1 :Y DIDN'T !Y /AY
HOME8 ,IF ,I _H A BABY \ "H1 ,I'D "N H]
"S?+ HOPE;L & =W>D-LOOK+4 ,L ,OREGON4
,OR ,COLUMBIA4 ,OR ''' ,WE/40
  8,IF Y _H A BABY \ "H10 ,MAMIE SD D>K-
LY10 Y WD 2 9 DEEP1 DEEP TR\#40

  ,GOSSIP+ AB FOLKS 9 O!R WAGONS DID
HELP PASS ! MILES1 B :AT WE RE,Y L;G$ =
7 /ORIES AB :AT 6EXPECT ON ! ROAD F>
AH1D4 ,^! CD ONLY -E F ! H&;L ( TRAVEL]S
"W+ _! WAY BACK EA/4 ,ONCE1 WE HE>D A
WAGON 0 -+ \R WAY1 B :5 ! TURN-BACK FAM-
ILY GOT CLOS]1 !Y PULL$ AWAY & SKIRT$ !
TRA9 5TIRELY4
  8,N[ :Y DID !Y H 6G & D T80 ,I -PLA9$
6,PA1 WAT*+ ! TURN-BACKS' CL\D ( DU/ 9 !
4T.E Z !Y /E]$ CLE>4 8,DON'T !Y "K WE
ALL WANT 6HE> :AT'S AH1D80
  8,"K X ALL TOO WELL10 ,PA SD1 PRO4+ 8
L1D OX4 8,"K IF !Y /OPP$ & TOLD _! /ORY
6"EY"O :O WANT$ 6HE> X1 !Y'D N"E GET
ANY":40
  8,I SUPPOSE40                      #IE
  8,2SS1 Y WANT 6BE C>E;L AB LI/5+ 6ANY-
"O H1D+ BACK40
  8,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,WELL1 !Y'LL LIE4 ,SAY :AT"E MAKES !M
FEEL BETT] AB :AT !Y ALR DECID$4 ,"! 0 A
TURN-BACK WAGON A FEW "DS AGO1 TOLD
,CAPTA9 ,T',VAULT !Y'D BE5 ATTACK$ 0,IN-
DIANS40
  8,I N"E HE>D T60
  8,T'S "R1 2C WE DIDN'T WANT 6WORRY Y
GIRLS4 ,TURN$ \ X WASN'T TRUE ANYWAY4
,REMEMB] T \TFIT WE PASS$ YE/]"D8 ,!Y SD
NO S* ?+ HAPP5$4 ,! TURN-BACK WAGON _H
BE5 ) !M &! P J LO/ HE>T1 T'S ALL4 ,GOT
SC>$40
  ,I WAT*$ ! L"O WAGON 9 ! 4T.E4
  8,PRETTY L[-D[N10 ,I SD4 8,BLAM+ X ON
! ,9DIANS40
  8,EASI] ?AN ! TRU?10 ,PA SD4
  8,"R40 ,I SMIRK$4 8,H[D$O1 "!6 ,WE'RE
! ,C[>DS6 ,YEP6 ,GOT SC>$1 H1D9' ON
HOME60
  ,PA LAU<$4 8,L ,I'VE ALW SD1 MISSY--
?9K :Y FOLKS SAY :AT !Y SAY4 ,X'S N T
!Y'RE M1N-_S$1 MO/ ( !M4 ,J T !Y     #IF
NATUR,Y H _! [N 9T]E/S AT HE>T4 ,F> Z ?
TRIP1 X'S UP 6U 6HE> "EYBODY \1 TAKE :AT
!Y GOT 6SAY )A GRA9 ( SALT1 & MAKE \R [N
DECI.NS40
  ,WALK+ AL;G 2S HM 9 ^! F9E BOOTS HE'D
_H MADE = ME1 ,I WASN'T WORRI$4 ,MY "F 0
A WISE MAN4 ,I 0 3FID5T HE'D MAKE ! "R
DECI.NS4
  ,WE'D N"E 2 ^? TURN-BACK TYPES1 TELL+
L[-D[N LIES 6SAVE \R PRIDE4
  ,N ! ,K+S4













                  ,SIX               #IG

  ,I PRI$ UP ANO!R H>D5$ DISK ( BU6ALO
MANURE1 RIPP+ X FREE F ! :IT5$-\ GRASS
2N4 ,BUGS SCATT]$ 9 PANIC1 _! _W 4RUPT$4
,I WAT*$ ! CRAWL]S A MO;T1 !N TOSS$ !
BIG *IP 96\R BASKET4 ,AT F/ ? :OLE BUSI-
;S _H 4GU/$ ME4 ,PICK UP MANURE ) \R B>E
H&S8 ,DIDN'T TAKE L;G 6/>T SEE+ ! DROP-
P+S Z ! B.S+S !Y W]E1 ?\<4 ,:AT ELSE 7
WE 6BURN 9 ? TREE.S EXPANSE8 ,:5 \R NOON
/OP F.D U AT A PLACE ) LOTS ( DRI$ DROP-
P+S1 Z TD1 WE W]5'T ABV TOT+ A FEW 9 !
WAGON AG/ ! POSSIBIL;Y ( N F9D+ 5 LAT]
6GET ! EV5+ M1L COOK$4
  ,Z ,I B5T = ANO!R (! FLAT1 R.D PILES1
"S?+ HIT ME 9 ! RE>4
  8,HEY60 ,I SNAPP$ UP1 :IPP$ >.D4
8,LUTE6 ,Y LL--0 ,PICK+ UP BU6ALO *IPS
,I'D 3S5T TO2 2+ PELT$ ) BU6ALO *IPS ,I
WDN'T4
  8,WAT* ?60 ,LL ,LUTE CURL$ 8 >M &
FLUNG \ A DISK1 S5D+ X HURL+4
  8,LUTEY1 /OP X60 ,SUSAN ORD]$1 M>*+ F
_! WAGON )A WA%TUB = COLLECT+ ! FUEL4
8,T'S A F9E TRICK B X WON'T D !      #IH
COOKS A LICK ( GD4 ,& N[ LOOK40
  ,! LL "OS1 ,ME7IE & ,LEXIE1 ,HOPE'S
,ISAAC &! SMALLE/ ,FULL] BOY1 _H USU,Y
BE5 GD = COLLECT+ A *IP OR TWO4 ,N[ !Y 7
TRY+ 6?R[ _!S1 : GAVE ! BI7] GIRLS AN
EXCUSE 6/OP & LAU< & PLAY AUDI;E 9/1D (
DO+ _! %>E (! GA!R+4
  8,-E ON1 Y ALL10 ,I SD4 8,_M H&S MAKE
LI<T "W40 ,! SUN 0 BLAZ+1 B ,I FOLD$
BACK MY BONNET BRIM ANYWAY4 ,A P]SON _H
6BE A# 6SEE4
  8,:OA60 ,LL ,LUTE CRI$4 8,LOOKY "H1 A
SNAKE60
  8,DON'T1 ,LUTEY10 ,SUSAN SD MILDLY4
8,I WON'T H YR T1S+40
  8,X'S AN OLD RATTL]10 ,LUTE W5T ON4
  ,/ NO "O LOOK$4 ,LL ,LUTE FI2$ S M*1
WE 7 US$ 6IGNOR+ HM4
  8,LET'S SEE IF WE C'T FILL ? TUB10
,SUSAN SD1 DROPP+ 9 ANO!R *IP4
  8,"H HE IS60 ,LUTE CRI$4
  ,I GL.ED UP4 ,GASP$4
  ,ON A =K$ /ICK1 ,LUTE 4PLAY$ A RATTLE-
SNAKE4
  8,LOOKY ?1 ,LEXIE60 ,HE SWUNG !    #II
WRI?+ S]P5T T[>D 8 SI/]4
  ,\R GOLD5-HAIR$ GIRL />$1 TRANSFIX$4
  ,SUSAN SPRANG 6AC;N4 ,DUMP+ H] *IPS1
%E MOV$ SMOO?LY1 CALMLY T[>D ! LL GR\P4
  8,LUTE6 ,DROP X60
  ,HE OBEY$4
  ,9 "O FLUID MO;N1 ,SUSAN SCOOP$ UP
,LEXIE & ?REW ! WA% TUB OV] ! SNAKE4
,!N1 :ILE ! RE/ ( U LET LOOSE A HY/]ICAL
TORR5T ( ADVICE AT EA* O!R AB :AT 6D
NEXT1 %E D>T$ BACK ! FEW /EPS 6! WAGON1
DEPOSIT$ ,LEXIE1 PULL$ ! AX F ! WAGON
RACK & RETURN$4
  8,Y FLIP UP ! TUB :5 ,I GIVE ! ^W10 %E
TOLD ME4 8,"O *.E4 ,KIDS--/& BACK40
  ,T]RIFI$1 -PLETELY 9 ! P[] ( ,SUSAN'S
FIRM -M&1 ,I MOV$ 6! APPO9T$ POSI;N4
  8,N[60
  ,I TOOK A BR1?1 R1*$ OV] ! F> SIDE (!
TUB 6CAT* ! H&LE1 FLIPP$ X BACK T[>D MYF
& SPRANG AWAY4 ,I N"E SAW T SNAKE ALIVE4
,N"E SAW IF X 0 COIL$ OR LAID \4 ,0! "T
,I TURN$ >.D1 ,SUSAN 0 /&+ "! )A GORY
AX1 GAP+ AT H] [N H&I"W4
  ,! *N />$ TOO4 ,!N !Y *E]$4       #AJJ
,ATTRACT$ 0! -MO;N1 O!RS F CAMP CAME
RUNN+4
  8,SUSAN60 ,I PRESS$ MY H& OV] MY P.D+
HE>T4 8,OH1 MY ,GOD60
  ,SUSAN'S EYES MET M9E1 & ONLY !N1 X
SEEM$1 DID ! DRAMA REGI/]4 ,! BLOOD
DRA9$ F H] FACE & %E CRUMPL$ 6! GR.D4
  ,WELL6 ,? 0 A /ORY4 ,? 0 WOR? REP1T+4
,X %OT "? ! TRA94 ,E WIT;S1 D[N 6! T9I-
E/1 TOLD X 8 [N WAY1 & NOBODY EMBROID]$
X M ELABORATELY ?AN ! FOLKS :O _HN'T BE5
"! AT ALL4
  8,I C'T 2LIEVE ,I DID T10 ,SUSAN KEPT
SAY+ LAT]1 CLAIM+ X 0 L HE>+ A /ORY (
"S"O ELSE'S D>+ DE$4 ,IF ,I _HN'T SE5 H]
9 AC;N1 ,I MI<T N H 2LIEV$ X MYF1 = %E 0
! LA/ ( ALL ( U ,I'D H CR$IT$ )! GRIT =
S* H]OICS4
  ,N[ WE 7 ALL LOOK+ AT ,SUSAN 9 A NEW
LI<T4
  8,DID Y HE> AB \R ,SUSAN80 ,MA WD 2
HE>D BRA7+ =A GD "T 6-E4 8,KILL$ A RAT-
TL]1 SAV$ \R LL GR&DAU<T]4 ,! GOLDY-
HAIR$ "O40
                                    #AJA
  8,:5 >E WE GONNA SEE ^? BU6ALO80 ,SOL
WOND]$ AL\D E EV5+1 & (T5 HE'D W&] AM;G
! O!R CAMPS1 ASK+ AB SI<T+S4 ,& HE M1NT
! R1L ?+1 ! BIG %A7Y-H1D$ B1/S !MVS1 N J
! FRE%]1 ?ICK] 3C5TR,NS ( _! DROPP+S
WE'D REC5TLY BE5 5C.T]+4
  ,F9,Y "O "D AT :AT WE ?"\ WD 2 \R
NOON+ SPOT1 HE CAME RID+ BACK F ! L1D
WAGONS1 FLU%$ & EXIT$4
  8,!Y'RE UP AH1D10 HE ANN\NC$4 8,BU6A-
LO60
  ,AMOS & ,ISAAC & ,PRICE JUMP$ UP4
  8,WE'RE ORD]$ 6/OP & CAMP "R "H TN10
,SOL SD4 8,-E ON1 BOYS6 ,WE'RE GO9' ON A
BU6ALO HUNT60
  ,) AN ERUP;N ( :OOPS1 ! WD-BE HUNT]S
GRA2$ _! GUNS1 ADJU/$ _! SA4LES1 & /U6$
D[N ! RE/ ( _! BR1D & BACON Z !Y RODE
(F4

  ,!Y SAY NO "O :O CROSS$ ! PLA9S 9 ^?
YE>S WD "E =GET ! BU6ALO4 ,I 2LIEVE X1
ESPECI,Y ANY"O :O 0 A PRIVILEG$ WIT;S1 Z
,JIMMY & ,I 7 T AFN1 6! 9T]M9A# PASS+ (
AN 5TIRE H]D4                       #AJB
  ,HIK+ AH1D )! BABY ON MY HIP1 /&+ ON A
RISE1 ,I GAZ$ WE/ Z ! E>? XF SEEM$ 6-E
ALIVE ) BR[N MOVE;T1 MILE AF MILE (! AN-
IMALS ?"U+ NOR?1 PL[+1 BELL[+1 P.D+ !
GR.D 6P[D]1 PLUNG+ "R ACR ! RIV]4
  8,LOOK AT T10 ,I CROON$1 HOLD+ ! BABY
UP1 8 S(T *EEK 6M9E4 8,:AT .IS T80
  ,DOES A BABY RE,Y SEE8 ,8 A/ONI%$ EYES
TOLD ME YES4 ,B C A BABY REMEMB]8 ,AT
L1/ HOLD ON 6A DEEPLY IMPLANT$ FEEL+ (
AWE8 ,=A ONCE-IN-A-LIFE"T SPECTACLE L ?1
X SEEM$ ONLY "R 6GIVE HM ! *.E4
  ,H[ _M ANIMALS CD T POSSIBLY BE1 ,I
WOND]$1 :5 X TOOK H\RS & H\RS = !M TO
PASS8 ,I CDN'T TAKE MY [N EYES AWAY1 &
IF ,JIMMY _HN'T EV5TU,Y />T$ FUSS+ = 8
"M1 :O "KS H[ L;G ,I MI<T H /OOD CAPTI-
VAT$ 0! PANORAMA4

  ,T NI<T :5 MY BRO!RS RETURN$1 ,SOL
B\NC$ D[N (F 8 HORSE L HE'D 3QU]$ ! _W4
  8,F\R6 ,WE GOT F\R ( 'EM10 HE CRI$ &
!N LAUN*$ 96A DRAMATIC REC.T+ (! HUNT1
H[ !Y'D PICK$ !M (F 9 AMBU% F A BLUFF4
8,Y WDN'T 2LIEVE H[ _M ( 'EM4       #AJC
,RAN S ?ICK1 Y CDN'T MISS60
  ,MA SURVEY$ ! SLABS ( M1T !Y'D UNLOAD-
$4 8,? IS F\R BU6ALO80
  ,! BOYS LAU<$4 ,MA 0 S FOOLI%6
  8,Y "K H[ BIG ^? ?+S >E1 CLOSE UP80
,ISAAC ASK$4
  ,MA SQU9T$ AT HM4 8,I'M N /UPID1 SON4
,I "K !Y'RE BIG4 ,S ":'S ! RE/ (! M1T80
  8,WELL1 WE CDN'T BR+ X ALL10 ,AMOS SD4
  8,S :AT DID Y D ) X80
  ,! BOYS LOOK$ AT EA* O!R UNEASILY4
  8,LEFT X "!10 ,ISAAC SD4 8,:AT'D Y ?9K
WE 7 GO+ 6D ) X80
  ,MA FR[N$4 8,WELL1 T SEEMS K9D (A
%AME1 DOESN'T X8 ,WA/+ X L T80
  8,MA10 ,SOL SD4 8,Y DIDN'T SEE ! SIZE
(! H]D4 ,WE'RE TELL+ ! TRU?--"!'S ?\S&S
& ?\S&S ( !M60
  8,HMM40 ,T'S ALL ,MA WD SAY4
  ,! BOYS HUN*$ _! %\LD]S1 N APPRECIAT+
H] IMPLIC,N "O BIT4 ,:Y'D %E H 6G SPOIL
S* A SPL5DID HUNT8 ,I HE>D ,ISAAC MUM# T
HE BET ! ,9DIAN WOM5 DIDN'T -PLA9 :5 !
M5 BR"\ HOME ! D9N]4
  ,R[L& _H RI7$ UP "S RACKS1 & WE   #AJD
7 BUSY HANG+ ! M1T = J]K+ :5 ,CAPTA9
,B>L[ RODE 96CAMP4 ,8 -PANY 0 O3UPY+ A
GRASSY SWALE NE>BY4
  8,LOOKS L Y BOYS DID PRETTY WELL \
"!10 HE SD4
  ,MY BRO!RS SWELL$4 ,? 0 M L X4 ,!Y "\
6BE 3GRATULAT$6 ,SOL LOOK$ L HE 0 GE>+
UP 6TELL ! 5TIRE /ORY (! HUNT AG1 B
,CAPTA9 ,B>L[ CUT HM (F4
  8,WE C'T H Y KILL+ M ?AN Y C USE1
?\<10 HE SD4 8,9DIANS >E ALR -PLA9+ T'S
:AT HAPP5$ )! GR\P AH1D ( U40
  ,ISAAC FLUNG 8 HAT 6! DIRT4 8,OH1 =
,PETE'S SAKE60
  8,REMEMB] N[1 ? IS _! C.TRY10 ,CAPTA9
,B>L[ SD4 8,WE'RE J PASS+ "?40
  8,Y "K H[ L;G WE'VE BE5 LOOK+ =W>D TO
?80 ,AMOS DEM&$4
  8,I "K1 ,I "K40 ,CAPTA9 ,B>L[ HELD UP
8 H&S4 8,B ,I'M N J PICK+ ON Y4 ,WE'RE
MAK+ ? ANN\NCE;T AT ALL ! CAMPFIRES4
,WE'VE GOT 6BE> 9 M9D T ! LESS ATT5;N WE
ATTRACT \ "H1 ! BETT]1 & L1V+ ! PLA9S
LITT]$ ) BU6ALO C>CASSES DEF9ITELY WON'T
W9 U ANY FRS )! ,SI\X4 ,WE H 6?9K   #AJE
AB ! WELF>E ( E S+LE EMIGRANT ON ! ROAD4
,& T 9CLUDES ! FOLKS B.D 6-E NEXT YE>
TOO40
  ,ISAAC & ,AMOS HUNG _! H1DS1 TRAD+ D>K
LOOKS ) EA* O!R4
  8,IF "! 7 RULES10 ,SOL SD1 SP1K+ UP R
BOLDLY =A TWELVE-YE>-OLD1 8,I ?9K "SBODY
%D H LAID 'EM \ 2F40
  8,WELL1 SON10 ,CAPTA9 ,B>L[ SD1 8T'S !
?+ AB DO+ "S?+ BR& NEW L OV]L& TRAVEL4
,WE H 6FIGURE \ ! RULES Z WE G4 ,&! F/
RULE'S GOT 6BE T WE ALL USE "S -MON
S5SE4 ,Y BOYS DIDN'T EV5 SK9 ^? C>CASS-
ES6 ,Y "K ^? HIDES >E WOR? EI<T DOLL>S
EA*80
  8,ALL "R1 ALL "R10 ,AMOS SD1 WE>Y (!
LECTURE1 & F9,Y ,CAPTA9 ,B>L[ MOV$ ON 6!
NEXT CAMP4
  ,! M1T 0 DELICI\S1 & ,I DET]M9$ 65JOY
X 9 SPITE ( 2+ =C$ 6D9E 6! A3OMPANI;T (!
BOYS' GRUMBL+4
  8,:AT D Y ?9K1 ,R[L&80 ,ISAAC SD F9,Y4
8,! MAN'S N EV5 \R CAPTA94 ,HAS HE GOT
ANY "R 6-E OV] "H & TR1T U L A BUN* (
NAU<TY S*OOLBOYS80                  #AJF
  8,WELL10 ,R[L& SD1 8Y DON'T WANT 6HE>
X1 B ,I ?9K ,B>L[ MAKES A LOT ( S5SE40
  ,MY BRO!RS REG>D$ HM 9 SURPRIS$ SIL;E
A MO;T1 !N %UT UP ONCE &= ALL & ATE4
  ,N[1 H[ DID ,R[L& GET AWAY ) ?8 ,MA CD
SAY ! SAME ?+1 & !Y'D H>DLY PAY H] ANY
M9D4 ,B IF ,R[L& S M* Z H9T$ !Y'D BE5
WA/E;L1 !Y SEEM$ 9/ANTLY 6DCL !MVS
GUILTY Z *>G$4
  ,I WAT*$ ,R[L& =K+ UP 8 BU6ALO /1K &
WOND]$3 ,DID ,I ADMIRE HM = ? OR RES5T
X8