,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,C>OL ,/UD]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #C
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #BAI-CJH

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
























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

                ,F\RTE5

  ,! SICK;S SPR1D "? \R WAGON TRA94
8,LOOKS L :AT WE US$ 6CALL CAMP FEV]10
,PA TOLD U4 ,HE'D S]V$ 9 ! ,W> ( #AHAB &
KNEW F/-H&4 8,-ES UP & SPR1DS :5"E Y'VE
GOT FOLKS CR[D$ CLOSE1 ?+S N Z CL1N Z
Y'D L40
  8,WELL1 ,I HOPE 6%\T60 ,MA SD4 8,WE'RE
DO+ ! BE/ WE C60 ,%E YANK$ A QUILT (F A
L9E ": X _H BE5 HUNG = AIR+4 8,Y WANT
?+S WA%$ NICE1 Y F9D U "S WAT]60
  8,NOBODY'S BLAM+ Y1 ,S>EPTA4 ,WE "K Y
WOM5 H '''0 ,HE HESITAT$1 !N />T$ AG4
8,WE _HN'T PLANN$ ON '''0 ,F9,Y1 9 LAME
3CLU.N1 8,WE "K40
  ,EA* MORN+1 EA* EV5+1 WE WOM5 GA!R$ &
TOOK /OCK4 ,:O 0 TAK5 SICK N[8 ,:O 0 IM-
PROV+8 ,ANYBODY F9D ANY?+ T HELP$8 ,ANY
REPORTS F ! O!R WAGONS8
  8,? FEV] J SEEMS 6HANG ON ="E10 ,MEL9-
DA SD1 WE>Y F T5D+ H] SIXTE5-YE>-OLD
BRO!R ,H5RY4
  ,ANNIE & ,HOPE GL.ED AT EA* O?-   #BBJ
]4 ..,%E DOESN'T "K :AT ="E .M1NS1 ,I CD
IMAG9E !M ?9K+4 ,="E 0 A SICK HUSB&4
  ,MA TURN$ 6ME4 8,H['S ,R[L& DO+80
  ,& "R "H--AL? ,I'M HALF-A%AM$ 6ADMIT
X1 SEE+ Z H[ WE 7 TALK+ AB FOLKS 2+ D1?-
LY ILL--"R "H EV5 Z ,I 0 %AK+ MY H1D TO
9DICATE ! ANSW] 0 8N S WELL10 "H IS ":
,I FELT A /RANGE LL ?RILL4 ,R[L& 0 M9E
6NURSE1 ,MA SEEM$ 6BE SAY+4 ,M9E 6REPORT
ON4 ,: 0 J FOOLI% & 3FUS+ ANYWAY1 SEE+ Z
H[ ,I 0 ONLY DO+ MY DUTY1 DO+ :AT ,PA'D
MADE ME4 ,B ,I WOND]$ IF HE "E PICTUR$
ME SITT+ UP ALL NI<T )A MAN N MY HUSB&1
TAK+ 8 %IRT (F1 TRY+ 6KEEP HM WA%$1
HELP+ HM )! B$PAN4

  ,X SC>$ ME 6D1? :5 ,JIMMY />T$ C\<+ &
BROKE \ )! RA%4 ,ALL NI<T Z HE ?RA%$ &
FRETT$1 ,I SAT AWAKE & WAT*$ OV] HM &
,R[L&4 ,IF !Y DOZ$ ,I />$ AT ! FLICK]+
C&LE1 REMEMB]+ ! "D 9 ,MISS\RI :5 WE'D
MOLD$ ^! TAP]S1 H[ ,I'D WOND]$ ": WE'D 2
:5 EA* 0 LIT 6FLAME4 ,I SURELY N"E PIC-
TUR$ ?--,S,Y D1D & BURI$1 ,R[L& HELP.SLY
ILL1 ME FULLY 9 *>GE (! *N .&!      #BBA
OX54
  ,IS "! ANY?+ L;G] & D>K] ?AN A NI<T 9
A DES]T ": Y'RE COAX+ AL;G EA* & E BR1?
A BABY TAKES8 ,& ,R[L& ''' OH1 ,GOD4 ,?
0 A GD MAN--G5TLE ) 8 *N1 K9D 6HIS WIFE4
,HE DIDN'T DES]VE 6DIE4 ,& !N ,I'D RE-
CALL ,S,Y SITT+ UP ^? L;G SICK NI<TS )
,ME7IE BACK ON ! ,SNAKE4 ,:Y DIDN'T ,I
?9K 6RELIEVE H]1 TAKE ON "S (! NURS+
MYF8 ,I'D "KN %E 0 WORN D[N4 ,MAYBE IF
,I'D HELP$1 %E WDN'T H FALL5 6! FEV]4
  ,B ,I J DIDN'T "K6 ,OH1 ,I WI%$ ,I CD
TELL MY SI/] H[ SORRY ,I WAS4 ,B ,I'D /
BE5 J A GIRL !N4 ,N[ ,I _H 6BE A WOMAN1
& ? IS :AT WOM5 DID--!Y SAT UP ALL NI<T1
WAT*+1 WAIT+1 Z IF PURELY LOV+ P CD SAVE
!M4 ,& :AT A %OCK :51 9 MY MI4LE-(-!-
NI<T RUM9,NS1 X /RUCK ME--,S,Y _H BE5
"Y] ?AN ,I 0 N[1 ^? SUMM]S %E'D NURS$ ME
"? ! FEV]S4 ,I'D ?"\ %E 0 S OLD & GR[N-
UP6 ,I ?"\ :5 Y 7 SEV5TE5 Y "U/OOD "EY-
?+4 ,N[ ,I 0 SEV5TE5 & ,I "U/OOD NO?+4

  ,IF ! NI<TS 7 L;G & COLD1 ! "DS 7 EV5
L;G] & M]CI.SLY HOT4 ,WE FOLL[$ A   #BBB
BLOODY TRAIL Z ! POOR OX5'S BRUIS$
HOOVES BL$ ALL AL;G ! WAY4
  ,PASS+ "O (! FAI?;L B1/S UNLOOS$ F !
YOKE 6LIE D[N 2S ! TRAIL & GASP 8 LA/1
,I ?"\1 ..,? IS X4 ,WE'VE DESC5D$ 9TO
.HELL4 ,?REE WEEKS BACK1 ON ! BAK+
,SNAKE ,RIV] PLA91 ,I'D ?"\ WALK+ "? A
HOT1 SU6OCAT+ CL\D ( DU/ 0 ! WOR/ X CD
GET4 ,I 0 WR;G4 ,ALL T 0 2F4 ,N[ ,I "U-
/OOD3 ,\R FAMILY CD LOSE P TOO4 ,WE ,K+S
7 N ALL GO+ 6MAKE X4
  ,MY *EEKS 7 HOT Z /OVE LIDS4 ,! *N
CRI$ 9CESSANTLY = WAT]4
  ,WE /UM#D PA/ A BROK5-D[N WAGON1 !
BRAVELY PA9T$ 8,OREGON OR ,BU/0 SLOGAN
BL1*+ 9 ! SUN4 ,DIDN'T SEEM "O BIT FUNNY
N[4 ,I CR+$ 9SIDE1 REMEMB]+ H[ ,I'D
MOCK$ ! MAN :O _HN'T BE5 A# 6BUY A WAGON
Z GD Z ,PA'S1 H[ ,I'D SMIRK$ AT :AT WD
PROVE "S POOR FAMILY'S TRAG$Y4 ,TAK+ A
LA/ LOOK1 ,I AIM$ MY BONNET =W>D4 ,GOD
PROBABLY _H A SPECIAL PLACE 9 HELL = P L
ME4
  ,HUMAN FEET 7 BLE$+ TOO4
  ,9 ! BLI/]+ GL>E ( NOON1 ,I SAW   #BBC
,MAMIE ,BR[N PICK+ H] B>EFOOT WAY AL;G !
ROCKY ROAD1 H] FOOLI%1 FA%IONA# BOOTS NO
D\BT L;G S9CE G"O 6%R$S4 ,I LOOK$ AWAY1
WANT+ 6IGNORE ?4 ,NO USE4 ,I LOOK$ BACK4
,I CDN'T =GET ,I / _H MY SECOND PAIR (
BOOTS 9 ! WAGON1 -PLETELY UNUS$1 ?ANKS
6MY ,SI\X MO3AS9S4
  ,HALF-4GU/$ ) MYF1 ,I /OPP$ PRO4+ !
OX5 & CLIMB$ 96! WAGON4 ,I CLIMB$ PA/ !
*N CURL$ NEXT 6,R[L& & PULL$ ! BOOTS F
MY CUPBO>D4 ,JUMP+ BACK \1 CAT*+ UP TO
,MAMIE1 ,I ?RU/ !M AT H]4
  8,"H4 ,TRY ^!40
  ,%E BL9K$1 DIPP$ H] H1D 9 ?ANKS1 & SAT
"R D[N 9 ! DIRT 6PUT !M ON4
  ,LAT] ,A2IE ASK$ ME AB X4 8,LOVISA6
,:Y80
  ,I %RU7$4
  8,X'S H] [N FAULT6 ,Y'D H BE5 ! F/ TO
SAY S40
  ,YES1 B T 0 2F4
  8,I GUESS %E C'T HELP X10 ,I SD1 8IF
H] FOLKS >E IDIOTS40

                                    #BBD
  ,ON ! EI<TE5? "D S9CE L1V+ ,=T ,BOISE1
WE DRA7$ ! C>AVAN ?IRTY MILES4 ,WE 7
DESP]ATE 6/OP B A DRY CAMP WDN'T D =!
LIVE/OCK AT ? PO9T4 ,WE _H 6R1* WAT]4 ,X
0 TWO 9 ! MORN+ 2F ^W CAME BACK T A SPR+
_H BE5 F.D UP AH1D4 ,PULL+ 96! CAMP1 FI-
N,Y -+ 6A HALT1 WE ALL FELL IMMLY 9TO
DIRTY1 HUNGRY1 EXHAU/$ SLEEP4
  ,F/ ?+ 9 ! MORN+ ,I W5T \ 6SEE :AT ,I
CD GET 9 ! WAY ( MILK F ,BUTT]CUP4 ,F.D
H] D1D4 ,POOR ?+4 ,GAVE ALL %E CD1 !N
LAY D[N & DI$4 ,=A MO;T ,I J /OOD "! )!
EMPTY BUCKET1 />+ AT H] BONY C>CASS4
  ,F9,Y ,I LIFT$ MY H1D & LOOK$ >.D4 ,MY
,GOD4 ,E WAGON FOLL[+ ,MEEK M/ 2 "H--UP-
W>DS ( TWO HUNDR$1 SCATT]$ ACR ? BROAD
HOLL[4
  ,! SPR+ T _H DRAWN U ALL 6? SPOT TURN$
\ 6BE B A PITI;L1 SEEP+ A6AIR ": ,I 0
SOON SP5D+ A GD D1L ( "T 9 A L9E ( O!R
GIRLS1 WAIT+ MY TURN 6FILL TWO GRE5 ,K+
BUCKETS4
  ,T F/ AFN ,I MET ) ,ELIZA ,H>RIS1 "O (
MY SI/] ,LYDIA'S FRS F 2F ! -PANY
DIVID$4                             #BBE
  8,LOTS ( SICK FOLKS 9 YR -PANY80 %E
ASK$4
  ,I NO4$4 8,YRS80
  ,H] FRECKL$ FACE ASSUM$ A PROP]LY SOL-
EMN EXPRES.N1 L %E'D BE5 IMAG9+ TELL+
"S"O ? /ORY & MAYBE EV5 PRACTIC+ ! ^WS 9
H] M9D4 8,I'M SORRY 6SAY WE _H 6BURY A
?REE-YE>-OLD BOY4 ,LL ,ELKANAH ,PACK-
WOOD40 ,%E D>T$ A GL.E AT ! O!RS 9 L9E1
3SCI\S ( _! ATT5;N4 8,) HM X 0 :OOP+
C\<1 ?\<1 N ? CAMP FEV] L MO/ FOLKS40
,%E SI<$ & %OOK H] H1D4 8,HE SURE 0 "EY-
"O'S FAVORITE40
  ,WELL1 ( C\RSE4 ,W]5'T ! FAVORITES ALW
! "OS 6DIE8
  ,MY TURN _H -E4 ,/EPP+ ONTO ! BO>D "S-
"O _H LAID ACR ! MUD1 ,I PRESS$ MY BUCK-
ETS 96! SPR+'S MUCKY SURFACE & WAT*$ !
PRECI\S LIQUID 2G9 TRICKL+ IN4 ,I WON-
D]$3 ,0 ,GOD S CRUEL Z 6ACTU,Y PICK \ !
FAVORITES8 ,7 ! "OS L ,SOL OR ,LEXIE 9
"PICUL> DANG]8 ,OR 7 WE ALL J S POOR AT
RECOGNIZ+ H[ SPECIAL P 7 UNTIL !Y 7 G"O8
,DID !Y H 6DIE 2F WE R1LIZ$ !Y .7 !
FAVORITES8                          #BBF

  ,\R SECOND "D 9 ! HOLL[1 ,JOHN ,NO#
CAME LOOK+ = ME4 ,8 GR\P _H J /RA7L$ IN1
HE SD4 ,HALF ! P 7 SICK1 & HE'D BE5 ANX-
I\S 6HE> AB ME4
  8,"EY"O 9 YR FAMILY WELL1 !N80 HE
ASK$4
  8,NO10 ,I SD BLUNTLY1 ANNOY$ "SH[4
8,MY SI/] DI$4 ,S,Y40 ,X WASN'T 8 FAULT
HE _HN'T HE>D1 ,I KNEW1 B X HURT "SH[1
6F9D \ P _HN'T EV5 REM>K$ ON \R LOSS1
_HN'T HURRI$ 6QKLY PASS ON ! /ORY (!
B1UTI;L1 2LOV$ GIRL F ! ,K+ FAMILY4
  8,I'M SURE SORRY 6HE> T10 ,JOHN SD1 &
6GIVE ! POOR BOY CR$IT1 HE DID LOOK
/RICK54
  ,OH1 :Y CDN'T ,I 2 NIC] 6HM8 ,X'S N L
,I 5JOY$ X1 WAT*+ MYF ACT+ S COLD &
PECKI%4 ,"S"TS ,I ?"\ ,I M/ 2 TRY+ TO
DRIVE HM AWAY4 ,YET NO MATT] H[ ,I 5D1V-
OR$ 6%[ HM HE WDN'T 2 HAPPY ) ME1 HE
KEPT -+ >.D ) T PUPPY-DOG DEVO;N 9 8
EYES4
  ,AF :AT ,I GUESS HE FIGUR$ 0 ! PROP]
"T 6WAIT 2F FOLL[+ SAD NEWS )A      #BBG
TOPIC M *E];L1 HE SD1 8,I'VE BE5 ?9K+4
,:5 WE GET 6,OREGON--0
  8.,IF WE GET 6,OREGON40
  8,LOVISA40 ,HE GAVE ME A CLOS] LOOK4
8,T DOESN'T S.D L Y40
  ,WELL1 ,I 0 DI6]5T N[4 ,! GIRL ,I LEFT
2H 0 ME4
  8,LOVISA1 Y'RE ! "O :O'S ALW SD WE H
6KEEP LOOK+ =W>D4 ,& ,I 0 J ?9K+ T--0
  8,S,Y8 ,IS T Y80 ,X 0 ,R[L&'S VOICE1
-+ F 9SIDE ! WAGON4 8,S,Y1 C Y GIVE ME A
H&80
  ,I J]K$ MY H1D T[>D ! CANVAS4 8,GOT MY
BRO!R-IN-LAW 9 "!1 SICK \ ( 8 H1D4 ,?9KS
,I'M 8 WIFE40
  ,I CAU<T ! FLICK] ( ,JOHN'S SURPRISE
AT ?4 ,HE LOOK$ >.D L HE HOP$ 6REASSURE
HMF "! 0 "SBODY ELSE 9 ON ? ) ME4
  8,Y'RE TAK+ C>E ( HM ALL 0YRF80
  8,T'S "R10 ,I SD EV5LY1 LOOK+ "R AT
HM4 ,I KNEW :AT HE 0 ?9K+4
  8,%DN'T YR MA OR "SBODY HELP8 ,AT L1/
D ! "P ": '''0 ,HE BLU%$4 8,Y "K40
  8,! "P ": HE'S NAK$80
  ,JOHN TURN$ AWAY4 ,CDN'T /&       #BBH
?9K+ :AT MY MAID5 EYES _H SE54
  ,OH1 ,I'M SORRY1 ,I _H NO PATI;E = ?--
T HE %D WA/E "O MO;T 9 WORRY+ AB "S OLD
/&>DS ( KEEP+ ?+S .NICE4 ,WE J DIDN'T H
"T = S* TRIFLES4 ,WE 7 TRY+ 6KEEP "EY-
BODY .ALIVE4
  ,HE TURN$ BACK 6ME4 8,I / ?9K X'D HELP
6MAKE PLANS40
  8,I H A PLAN4 ,I PLAN 6GET MY SI/]'S
TWO BABIES 6,OREGON40
  8,LOVISA--0
  8,"R N[ T SEEMS L 5\<40

  ,TWO "DS LAT]1 "R \TSIDE \R WAGON1 ,I
HE>D A MAN F ANO!R -PANY SAY ! T]RI# ^W
6,PA4
  8,K+10 HE SD4 8,FACE FACTS4 ,WE'RE
LO/40
  .,LO/4 ,I FROZE1 ! ^W %OOT+ A *ILL "?
ME EV5 9SIDE ! /IFL+ WAGON ": ,I 0 SP;G+
,JIMMY D[N4 ,I HELD /1 LETT+ ! RAG DRIP
96! BAS91 /RA9+ 6HE> ,PA D5Y X4
  ,ONLY HE DIDN'T4
  8,WE'RE LO/10 ! O!R MAN SD1 8& T FOOL
,MEEK REFUSES 6ADMIT X40            #BBI
  ,PA1 L ! ,GD ,BOOK ADVISES1 GAVE !
MAN'S ANGRY ^WS A MILD RESPONSE4 8,I
DON'T ?9K HE'S TRY+ 6HIDE ! FACT ! C.TRY
DOESN'T LOOK Q L HE REMEMB]$ X40
  8,B WE %D H /RUCK T RIV] HE TALK$ AB
"DS AGO4 ,& "!'S "S SAY+ ? A9'T NO A3I-
D5T AT ALL4 ,HE'S PLOTT$ ! :OLE ?+ )!
,9DIANS4 ,GONNA DRAG U >.D \ "H UNTIL
WE'RE W1K & />V+1 !N ! :OLE PACK (
'EM'LL SWOOP D[N ON U40
  8,N[ :Y WD HE D T80 ,PA S.D$ WE>Y &
ANNOY$ AT ! SAME "T4
  8,WELL1 :O C SAY :Y A SC.DREL DOES :AT
HE DOES8 ,O!R FOLKS SAY HE'S 2+ PD (F 0!
GODDAMN ,HUDSON'S ,BAY ,-PANY 6LOSE U \
"H4 ,OR HE 0 N"E PLANN+ 6TAKE U UP 6,!
,DALLES AT ALL4 ,"S SAY A C\PLE ( FELL[S
)A LOT ( CATTLE MADE HM A SECRET D1L TO
TAKE U OV] ! ,CASCADES 9/1D & T'S :Y
WE'RE N ON ANY R\TE ANYBODY C MAKE ANY
S5SE (4 ,"O WAY OR ANO!R1 WE'VE BE5
TRICK$ & P WON'T /& = X1 ,K+4 ,"!'S TALK
(A HANG+40
  8,N[ .T'S A R1L B"R SOLU;N40
  ,? 0 ,R[L&'S VOICE N[4 ,HE'D      #BCJ
F9,Y RECOV]$ 5 6BE \ (! WAGON4 8,TAKE !
ONLY MAN :O'S "E BE5 "? ? C.TRY 2F & /R+
HM UP4 ,OH1 ,I'M SURE WE'LL ALL 2 BETT]
(F !N40
  8,HE'S GOT 6PAY = ?60 ! O!R MAN 9SI/$4
  8,PAY+ = X DOESN'T GET U \ ( "H10 ,PA
C.T]$4
  8,OR10 ,R[L& A4$1 8BR+ BACK ! D1D40

  ,WE'D CALL$ ? PLACE ,/9K+ ,HOLL[ AT
F/4 ,X H>DLY HELP$ 6HE> FOLKS N[ _H X Z
,LO/ ,HOLL[4 ,M5 RODE WE/ EA* "D1 SC\T+
= WAT] &A WAY \4
  8,Y SURE Y'RE WELL 5 6G LOOK+ = WAT]80
,MA ASK$ ,AMOS1 :O 0 / FI<T+ 8 B\T ( FE-
V]4
  8,I'M SURE Z HELL N WELL 5 6LIE "H
LI/5+ 6^! KIDS CRY+ = X0 0 8 ANSW]4
  ,E "T ,I'D WAT* !M SA4LE UP1 ,I'D ?9K
H[ ,I'D GLADLY TRADE MY [N DUTIES >.D
CAMP =A "D ( SOLIT>Y RID+4 ,S.D$ EASI]
?AN TRY+ 6-E UP ) DEC5T ANSW]S = FRET;L
*N4
  8,:Y WE >5'T GO+80 ,ME7IE ASK$4
  8,WELL1 WE C'T J YET40            #BCA
  8,B ,I WANT TO40
  8,I "K1 SWEETHE>T4 ,WE ALL D4 ,& WE W4
,SOON40
  ,H] BLACK BR[S W5T TGR4 8,>E WE LO/80
  8,NO60 ,? P]H A LL TOO QKLY 6BE 3V9C+4
8,:O TOLD Y T80
  8,T MAN1 ,AUNTIE ,LOVISA4 ,! "O TALK+
S MAD \TSIDE ! WAGON80
  8,OH1 HM40 ,I %DN'T H LET ,ME7IE HE>
T1 B ,I'D BE5 TOO CAU<T UP 9 LI/5+ MYF4
8,WELL1 DON'T WORRY4 ,WE'RE N LO/4 ,!
DA4IES J WANT 6MAKE SURE !Y TAKE U ! BE/
WAY40
  ,ME7IE REFUS$ 6LOOK REASSUR$4 ,I SI<$4
,"! 0 NO FOOL+ H] N[4 ,NO FOOL+ ANY"O4
,Y'D PROBABLY H 6BE A BABE 9 >MS N 6R1L-
IZE WE 7 ALL 9 A DESP]ATE SITU,N4
  8,IS ,JIMMY GO+ 6DIE & G 6H1V5 ) ,MA-
MA80
  8,NO6 ,ABSOLUTELY N6 ,LOOK1 HE'S ALR
BETT]40
  ,"L1 H[ EXHAU/+1 ? BUSI;S ( TRY+ 6MAKE
OPTIMI/IC PREDIC;NS -E TRUE J 0DELIV]+
!M ) SU6ICI5T 3VIC;N4
                                    #BCB
  ,ON ! F\R? "D AT ,LO/ ,HOLL[1 ,PA &
,SOL HAUL$ ! C>CASS ( "O ( \R SK9NY LL
HEIF]S 96CAMP4
  ,PA DIDN'T SAY A ^W Z ,ANNIE & ,I
TRAD$ GL.ES & SI<$4 ,WE ALL KNEW :AT ?
M1NT4 ,^? HEIF]S 7 SUPPOS$ 62COME ! "MS
(! NEW H]DS4 ,SLAU<T]+ !M M1NT DEF1T4
  ,X 0 L KILL+ HOPE4

  8,I DON'T "K :AT ^? IDIOTS :O L$ U \
"H EXPECT U 6EAT10 ,MRS4 ,BR[N TOLD !
SKY Z ,I /OOD 9 L9E AH1D ( H] AT ! SPR+4
  ,I PICK$ UP MY GRE5 BUCKETS ": ,I'D
SET !M & %IFT$ =W>D4 ,%E WASN'T EXA7]AT+
AB ! LACK ( FOOD SUPPLIES4 ,EAT+ NO?+ B
/R+Y BEEF DIDN'T SET WELL ) FOLKS4 ,"EY-
"O CRAV$ BR1D = 5]GY1 ESPECI,Y ! LL "OS4
,B S9CE ,I SUSPECT$ %E M1NT 69CLUDE !
,K+ M5 AM;G ! IDIOTS %E BLAM$1 ,I RE,Y
DIDN'T C>E 64CUSS X ) H]4
  8,I'LL J H 6FE$ ,MAMIE & ,GEORGE ON
SALT$ GRASS1 AL? ,I HE> X MAKES "S FOLKS
SICK]40 ,MRS4 ,BR[N PE]$ >.D MY DROOP+
BONNET BRIM1 DET]M9$ 6SEE 96MY EYES4 8,Y
FOLKS TRY+ X80                      #BCC
  ,I %OOK MY H1D )\T LOOK+ AT H]4
  8,!Y SAY "S >E HO>D+ FL\R40
  ,I PRESS$ MY CRACK$ LIPS TGR4 ,%E KNEW
P]FECTLY WELL WE M/ / H A BIT4 ,_HN'T %E
WAT*$ ME LAY D[N M"OY = X AT ,=T ,BOISE8
,MOCK$ ME = PAY+ :AT _H SEEM$ AT ! "T AN
\TL&I% PRICE8
  ,MY TURN _H F9,Y -E4 ,I /EPP$ \ ON !
MU4Y BO>D & /OOP$ 6! SPR+4 ,0 X HO>D+ 6H
PLANN$ & PROVID$8 ,I CD FEEL H] SQU9TY
EYES ON ME4 ..,G EAT YR .M"OY1 ,I FELT L
SAY+4 ..,TRY SALT+ X4 ,SEE H[ T GOES
.D[N4 ,! 9/ANT MY BUCKETS 7 FULL1 ,I
CAU<T UP ! H&LES & HURRI$ AWAY4

  ,BACK AT \R WAGONS1 "EY"O N SICK 9
BODY SEEM$ SICK 9 _S1 J SITT+ >.D1 W1K &
WA/$1 AT A LOSS = ANY?+ USE;L 6D4 ,S H>D
= WOM51 :5 WE C'T 2 BUSY4 ,B "! WASN'T
M* 6COOK1 & )\T WAT] WE CDN'T WA%4 ,WAT]
0 S %ORT1 EV5 ! SICK "OS GOT ONLY A R,N$
SIP AT A "T4
  ,I GAVE ! *N DIPP]$ DR9KS & TOLD ,MA
AB ,MRS4 ,BR[N &! FL\R4 8,PLA9 Z "D %E 0
TRY+ 6GET ME 6(F] "S40              #BCD
  ,MA'S FACE 0 H>D4 8,!Y'RE N ! ONLY "OS
RUNN+ %ORT40
  8,& !Y'RE ! "OS ,I MO/ DON'T WANT 6%>E
)10 ,I SD4
  8,OH1 WELL1 !N10 ,A2IE SD4 8,T EXPLA9S
:Y Y W5T & GAVE YR GD BOOTS 6,MAMIE4
,DID Y "K %E DID T1 ,MA80
  .,?ANKS1 .,A2IE1 ,I ?"\1 FIGUR+ ,I'D
CAT* X N[4 ,B ,I MISJUDG$4 ,MA DIDN'T H
! 5]GY 6GET MAD4
  8,X FEELS DI6]5T AB ! FL\R10 ,I TRI$
6EXPLA94 8,!Y CD H B"\ X AT ,=T ,BOISE4
,%E _H ! M"OY4 ,BRA7$ ON X1 EV54 ,& %E 0
J S PR\D ( H]F1 REFUS+ 6PAY ! PRICE40
  8,"S P10 ,PA SD1 4GU/$4 8,%D H S5T T
LOT PACK+ :5 !Y F/ %[$ UP AT ,/4 ,JOE40
  ,NOBODY D>$ SAY1 8,WELL1 :Y DIDN'T Y80
B ,I CAU<T ,SUSAN & ,ANNIE TRAD+ "K+
GL.ES1 & ,I'LL BET E "O ( U WANT$ TO4
  8,Y ?9K ,I L SEE+ P'S "Y "OS SICK )
EAT+ GRASS80 ,MA SD1 Z IF "S"O _H A3US$
H] ( ?4 8,IF WE />T GIV+ AWAY \R /ORES
6ALL ^? DO+ )\T1 PRETTY SOON WE WON'T H
A CRUMB 6GIVE \R [N40
  ,AT T MO;T ,MRS4 ,BR[N H]F CAME   #BCE
SIDL+ "R 96! MI4LE ( \R CAMP & \R DE-
BATE1 BE7+ FL\R DIRECTLY4
  8,MY ,GEORGIE'S R1L SICK4 ,HE'S J GOT
6H "S BR1D40
  ,MA'S M\? MADE A ?9 L9E4 ,%E GL.ED AT
! RE/ ( U1 !N R1*$ PA/ ! L[]$ TAILGATE (
H] WAGON & M1SUR$ \ A SCOOP (! PRECI\S
:ITE /UFF4
  ,MRS4 ,BR[N OP5$ ! EMPTY FL\R BAG %E
C>RI$ S ,MA CD DUMP X IN4 ,Z ,MA PUT
AWAY ! SCOOP & CROSS$ H] >MS OV] H] *E/1
,MRS4 ,BR[N HELD UP ! SACK & %OOK X1
FR[N+4
  8,WON'T MAKE M*10 %E SD4 8,B IF T'S
ALL Y C SP>E40
  ,A/ONI%$ AT ! AUDAC;Y1 ,MA DROPP$ H]
>MS & />$4
  ,ANNIE /EPP$ =W>D & SPOKE 2T H] TEE?4
8,Y'D BETT] TAKE X & RUN1 ,MRS4 ,BR[N4
,2F WE *ANGE \R M9DS40
  ,MRS4 ,BR[N SNI6$1 SPUN1 & M>*$ (F1 *9
9 ! AIR4

  ,ON ! F\R? NI<T AT ,LO/ ,HOLL[1 ! M5
HELD A MEET+ 6%\T \ L\D ALL ! ?+S   #BCF
T1 UP 6N[1 !Y'D ONLY BE5 MUTT]+4 ,H"O/-
LY1 WE CD HE> !M CLE> ACR ! CAMP1 & EV5
IF WE CDN'T1 WE ALR KNEW ! DEBATE 0HE>T4
  ,:AT ON E>? 7 WE SUPPOS$ 6D8 ,"! 0 NO
TURN+ BACK2 WE'D -E TOO F> (F ! REGUL>
TRAIL4 ,GO+ =W>D :5 NO WAT] _H BE5 F.D =
Z F> Z =TY MILES WD 2 TAK+ A T]RIFY+
*.E4 ,TWO DI6]5T GR\PS _H ALR RISK$ X &
BE5 =C$ 6RETURN4 ,!N AG1 H[ M* L;G] CD
EI<T HUNDR$ FIFTY P & F\R ?\S& H1D (
CATTLE1 OX51 & GOATS SURVIVE "H1 :AT )!
GRASS GRAZ$ 6NO?+1 ! SPR+ OV]TAX$1 &!
5TIRE HOLL[ TRAMPL$ 96A GIANT CESSPOOL8
  ,PA & ,R[L& RETURN$ F ! MEET+ ?OR\<LY
4GU/$4 ,:AT A WA/E ( BRA9S--A BUN* ( M5
M 9T]E/$ 9 LAY+ BLAME ?AN 9 F9D+ SOLU-
;NS4 ,TN !Y'D G"O S F>1 ,PA SD1 Z 6PROP
?REE WAGON T;GUES UP 96A TRIPOD 6=M A
GALL[S & 9SI/$ !Y'D LYN* ,MR4 ,MEEK !
9/ANT HE AG SET FOOT 9 CAMP4
  ,LUCKILY1 :5 ,MEEK %[$ UP1 HE BR"\
NEWS GD 5 6/ALL 8 [N EXECU;N1 &! M REA-
SONA# M5 7 A# 6P]SUADE ! HOTH1DS 6BACK
(F4
  ,MEEK &A FEW O!RS _H CLIMB$ 6!    #BCG
TOP (A BUTTE WE CD SEE 6! NOR?WE/4 ,!Y'D
SPI$ B"R GRE5 (F 6! NOR?--! COLOR Y ONLY
F9D ": "!'S WAT]4 ,GRASS & WILL[S4 ,!
PLAN N[ 0 6S5D ! SC\TS \ 0MOONLI<T 9 T
DIREC;N4 ,!Y WD M>K ! TRAIL4 ,WE 7 6WAIT
=! SIGNAL 6-E AH1D--?REE GUN%OTS4
  ,WE WAIT$ ALL NI<T4 ,WE WAIT$ ALL !
NEXT =ENOON4 ,\R E>S 7 COCK$ =! GUN%OTS
B N"O CAME4 ,ALL WE HE>D 0 ! MOAN+ (!
SICK &! :9+ (! *N4
  8,WAT]6 ,WANT M WAT]60 ,_! POOR LIPS 7
CRACK$ & DRY1 _! LL T;GUES SWOLL54
  ,WAT]4 ,T'S ALL ,I CD ?9K AB4 ,PL1SE
LET !M F9D X4 ,OH1 IF ,I "E GOT 6A PLACE
": "! 0 WAT] COLD & CLE> & ,I CD GULP Z
M* ( X Z ,I WANT$1 ,I FE>$ ,I'D PROBABLY
DR9K 6BUR/+4
  8,WELL1 GIRLS10 ,SUSAN MANAG$ 6SAY 9 !
MI4LE ( ALL ?1 8,I ?9K WE BETT] 2 PACK+
UP "H40
  ,WE ALL LOOK$ AT H]4 ,MEL9DA LOOK$ AT
ME4 ,_H ,SUSAN HE>D "S?+ WE'D MISS$8 ,X
SEEM$ L "!'D 2 M EXCITE;T IF "SBODY'D
GOT ! ^W WAT] _H ACTU,Y BE5 F.D4
  8,I EXPECT WE'LL 2 HE>+ ^? GUN-   #BCH
%OTS ANY M9UTE N[10 ,SUSAN SD1 8&! M5'LL
2 WANT+ 6MOVE "R \40
  ,AH1 N[ ,I "U/OOD4 ,UP & DO+4 ,SUSAN 0
ACT+ M L A ,K+ ?AN WE ,K+S4 ,UP & DO+1 &
IF "! 0 NO?+ 6D1 D "S?+ ANYWAY4 ,PRET5D6
,AT ! V L1/ X WD LOOK REASSUR+ 6! *N4 ,&
IF ! SIGNAL %OTS CAME1 WE'D 2 T M* FUR!R
AH1D4
  ,S WE SET AB ORGANIZ+ \R \TFITS 9 A
T5TATIVE D.E1 TACITLY 3SPIR+ 9 ! TRICKI-
;S (! /EPS4 ,WE M/ LOOK OPTIMI/IC 5 TO
GIVE ! M5 HE>T & YET N S SP"RLY & E6I-
CI5T Z 6F9I%4 ,X WD ONLY 4MAY !M 6F9D U
R1DY & PACK$1 IDLY AWAIT+ _! DIREC;NS4
,!Y WDN'T APPRECIATE HAV+ X MADE S PLA91
! FACT T !Y / _H NO DIREC;NS 6GIVE4

  ,I 0 9 ! WAGON )! *N :5 X CAME1 T
HO>SE & JOY;L CRY4
  8.,WAT]60
  ,/RU7L+ OV] ! CRATES & BAGS1 ,I POK$
MY H1D \ F ! CANVAS4 ,0 X TRUE8 ,_H !Y
HE>D ! GUN%OTS8
  8,WAT]6 ,!Y'VE F.D X60
  ,! CAMP EXPLOD$ 6UPRO>4 ,LYDIA1   #BCI
:O PROBABLY ONLY A MO;T 2F _H BE5 LAN-
GUIDLY %AK+ \ A QUILT1 N[ /U6$ X 9 ,MA'S
WAGON & GRA2$ A WAT] KEG 6FILL4 ,ISAAC
JUMP$ UP F 8 SICK PALLET Z IF ,JESUS HMF
_H -M&$ HM 6RISE & WALK4 ,HE HU/L$ (F TO
SA4LE 8 HORSE4 ,! LL "OS /OOD WIDE-EY$1
WAT*+ U :IP BACK & =?4 ,A2IE & ,I HA/ILY
JO9$ A L;G L9E AT ! SPR+1 WAIT+ 6FILL
ANY?+ T WD HOLD WAT] F ! SL[LY SEEP+
PU4LE4 ,OH1 IF ONLY ! MU4Y LIQUID WD -E
UP FA/]4
  ,9 SPITE ( \R E>LI] PREP>,NS1 X / TOOK
H\RS 6GET "EY"O'S OX5 YOK$1 ! CATTLE
R.D$ UP1 &! SICK "OS MADE Z -=TA# Z POS-
SI# 9 _! SOON-TO-BE BUMP+ B$S4
  ,F9,Y1 0! LI<T (! FULL MOON1 WE ROLL$
\4 ,AH1D1 ON ! PLA9 6! NOR?1 SIGNAL
FIRES M>K$ \R WAY4
  ,) ,ME7IE & ,JIMMY TUCK$ 96_! WAGON
B$S1 ,I WALK$ ALL NI<T 2S ! PLO4+ OX51 !
SAGEBRU% CAT*+ AT MY SKIRT1 TRY+ 6HOLD
ME BACK L S _M %>P-NAIL$1 CLUT*+ F+]S4
,0"DLI<T1 ,I ?"\1 ? TRAIL WE 7 BLAZ+ WD
2 PLA9 5 6ANY FOLL[+ 2H--!Y'D H ONLY TO
FOLL[ ! %R$S ( CALICO ON ! SAGE4    #BDJ
  ,J 2F DAWN "! CAME A RO> L APPROA*+
?"U &1 AH1D ( X1 ! W>N+ %\TS (! CATTLE
DROV]S4
  8,6! WAGONS6 ,GET 6! WAGONS60
  ,9 A QK D\# B.D ,R[L& 0 AT MY SIDE1
GRA2+ MY >M & PU%+ ME UNC]EMONI\SLY UP
96! WAGON1 CLIMB+ AF4
  8,:AT IS X8 ,:AT'S HAPP5+80
  ,8 ANSW] 0 DR[N$ 0! ?"U ( CATTLE /AM-
P$+ PA/ U ON BO? SIDES L A RIV] DIVID+
>.D ROCKS4 ,CD ^! 2 \R [N1 ! FOOTSORE
B1/S T _H PREVI\SLY BE5 S H>D 6SPUR =-
W>D8
  ,ONCE ! H]DS PASS$1 ! OX5 PICK$ UP
PACE4
  8,CDN'T HOLD 'EM BACK10 ,AMOS CALL$1
RID+ UP 2S U4 8,M/ SMELL X40
  ,MY HE>T JUMP$4 ,HE DIDN'T EV5 H 6SAY
! ^W4
  ,N[ ! SUN ROSE1 REV1L+ ! MO/ B1UTI;L1
MO/ PURELY MIRACUL\S SI<T MY EYES _H "E
2HELD--A H1V5LY BLUE POOL1 ! 2G9N+ (A
RIV] RIS+ "R UP \ (! SAGEBRU% FLATS4
  .,WAT]4
  ,I BUR/ 96TE>S4                   #BDA
  ,H[ FOOLI%1 ,I ?"\1 B ONLY = AN 9/ANT4
,2C "R AWAY ,I HE>D ! %\TS ( JOY1 ! SOBS
-+ F ! O!R WAGONS4 ,I WASN'T ! ONLY "O4
  ,I TURN$ 6,R[L&1 &! TWO ( U %>$ A LOOK
( NAK$ RELIEF4 ,MAYBE WE'D MAKE X4 ,MAY-
BE WE W]5'T GO+ 6DIE \ "H 9 ! DES]T AF
ALL4

















                                    #BDB
























                ,FIFTE5             #BDC

  ,I LAY ON ! WAGON B$'S FIL?Y TICK1
BURN+ ) FEV]4
  ,! WAGON LUR*$ =W>D4 ,X KNOCK$ SIDE TO
SIDE4 ,X ROCK$ & CR1K$ & GROAN$ Z IF X
M/ SURELY SPLIT A"P4 ,D[N ROCKY GRADES1
UP /EEP "OS1 ZIGZA7+ AL;G CREEK B$S1 AX-
LES /RA9+1 BO>DS FAIRLY SCR1M+ Z !Y
WR5*$ AWAY F BOLTS4 ,MY H1D A*$2 MY M9D
SKITT]$ 2T MEMORY & DR1M4 ,FLUTT]+ SC5ES
PLAY$ 2F MY CLOS$ EYES--! SWEEP+ WAT]S (
A GRT FLOOD1 ! 5D.S PLA9S1 A LABYR9? (
LOOM+ MONOLI?S4 ,GEE UP6 ,HAW6 ,& ALW !
9CESSANT PL1D+S ( *ILDI% VOICES3 .,M
.WAT]6 ,I 0 FOLL[+ A MASS ( P 5VELOP$ 9
A GRT CL\D ( DU/4 ,!N1 AH1D1 ,I'D SEE A
LOVELY LL /R1M1 CLE> WAT] BURBL+ OV]
ROCKS4 ,I'D PICK UP MY PACE1 HURRY+ =-
W>D1 B "SH[ ,I CD N"E GET 6X4 ,X WD VAN-
I% 96S& AT MY APPROA*1 & AG MY ?ROAT WD
FILL ) *OK+ DU/4
  8,LOVISA80
  ,C\<+ MYF AWAKE1 ,I'D OP5 MY EYES 6A
FACE--,R[L&'S "S"TS1 !N X WD 2 ,HOPE'S
OR ,SUSAN'S OR ,LYDIA'S Z !Y        #BDD
KNELT "! FANN+ ME4 ,I WD HE> ! MURMURS (
3C]N1 LL ,ME7IE'S PLA9TIVE "QS4 ,A DAMP
RAG 0 2+ DRAWN ACR MY BR[4 ,HELP.SLY1 ,I
SURR5D]$ MY A*+ BODY 96! T5D] H&S ( MY
SI/]S1 :O HOV]$ OV] ME L M9I/]+ ANGELS4
,I FELT _! COOL H&S ON MY FLANKS Z !Y
HELP$ ME )! B$PAN4 ,"S"TS ,I ?"\ ! H&S 7
,R[L&'S4
  ,ME7IE & ,JIMMY4 ,": 7 !Y8 ,:O 0 LOOK+
AF !M8 ,I TOSS$ FIT;LLY1 DR1M+ !Y'D DI$4
,VOICES ASSUR$ ME !Y _HN'T1 B ,I _H 6HE>
X AG & AG4
  8,DR9K ?10 "S"O SD1 & ,I RAIS$ MYF ON
A TREMBL+ ELB[ =A SALTY TA/E ( BEEF TEA4
,FALL+ BACK1 EXHAU/$ ) ? FEE# EF=T1 ,I
CLOS$ MY EYES1 AG AT ! M]CY (! FLOOD+
IMAGES1 NI<TM>I%1 !N H1V5LY4 ,A L;G1
PL1SANT DR1M (A D.E--,SOL & ,BITSY TGR1
,AMOS & ,MEL9DA1 ,A2IE & ,PRICE4 ,& ME )
,JOHN ,NO#1 HM PULL+ ME 96! W>M %AD[S =A
KISS4 ,& ,I 0 KISS+ HM BACK4 ,EXCEPT !N
X WASN'T ,JOHN1 X WAS--.,OH1 ./OP6 ,!
DR1M W5T HOT & BAD & WR;G4 ,/OP ! 2LOV$
FACES4 ,/OP ! P TRY+ 6TELL ME ?+S ,I
CDN'T "U/&4                         #BDE
  8,:AT8 ,:AT80 ,I'D CRY1 ONLY 6HE> !
HU%+ ( R1L VOICES4
  8,J RE/1 ,LOVISA40 ,X 0 ,MA4
  ,MY EYES FLEW OP5 9 AL>M4 ,GOD ,AL-
MI<TY4 ,I M/ 2 AT D1?'S DOOR = SURE IF
M9E 0 ! B$SIDE ,MA _H *OS54 ,%E _H S _M
6C>E =4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES AG1 LI/5+ 6!M
TALK+ AB ME Z IF ,I W]5'T "!4 ,"SBODY 0
CRY+4
  ,S ? 0 X1 !N4 ,? 0 ! VALLEY (! %AD[4
,OBVI\SLY X 0 AN EASI] TRAIL ?AN ,I _H
"E IMAG9$4 ,! P WALK+ AL;G X DIDN'T SEEM
6BE TOIL+ AT ALL4 ,!Y MOV$ EF=T.SLY =-
W>D1 ALL B FLOAT+4 ,UP AH1D ,I SAW "S"O
9 ! GRE5 GRASS4 ,A GIRL4 ,%E TURN$4
,S,Y6 ,B AF A FLA% ( RECOGNI;N1 MY SIS-
T]'S FACE W5T /]N4 ,%E %OOK H] H1D1 & :5
,I TOOK A HESITANT /EP =W>D1 %E /RET*$
H] >M =BI4+LY1 PALM =W>D1 Z IF 6BLOCK MY
WAY4
  8,NO80
  ,NO1 ,S,Y M\!D S.D.SLY4 ,& !N SU45LY
LL ,TABI?A 0 ) H]1 & AH1D ( !M BO? 7 O?-
]S4 ,0 T ,S>AH ,FULL]8
  ,I /OPP$4 ,I "U/OOD N[4 ,I 0 N    #BDF
6FOLL[4
  8,DON'T Y D>E10 ,I HE>D ,MA SAY F "S
4T.E4 ,I FELT H] /R;G >MS TI<T5 >.D ME4
8,DON'T Y D>E0 CAME T DE>1 FI]CE VOICE4
8,WE'VE LO/ 5 ALR40
  ,? 0 TRUE1 ,I REMEMB] ?9K+ 9 A CALM1
DETA*$ WAY1 Z IF ,I 7 WAT*+ ^! EV5TS 2+
5ACT$ 0O!RS4 ,? 0 R1SONA#4 ,B ! WAY ,S,Y
& ,BITSY 7 GO+ LOOK$ S PL1SANT1 S 9VIT+4
,NOBODY "U/OOD H[ TIR$ ,I WAS1 & LOOK6
,X WD 2 S EASY1 SKIMM+ ABV T LOVELY GRE5
PA? '''
  8,LOVISA6 ,LI/5 6ME60
  .,OH1 .ALL ."R1 ,I ?"\1 HALF-ANNOY$4
..,I SUPPOSE ,I "\ 6TRY 6./AY4
  ,&=! RE/ ( MY LIFE ,I WD 2LIEVE ?3 ,T
MY "M _H BOSS$ ME BACK F ! V BR9K ( D1?4

  ,! F/ "T ,I FELT WELL 5 6GET DRESS$ &
WALK AG1 ,R[L& SAW ME LA%+ UP MY BATT]$
MO3AS9S & SD1 8,WAIT40
  ,AF A BIT ( DI7+ >.D 9 ! WAGON1 HE
PULL$ \ MY WORN PAIR ( BOOTS1 N[ RESOL$
& M5D$4
  8,:O DID ?80 ,I ASK$1 ADMIR+ !    #BDG
REPAIR JOB1 OBVI\SLY A3OMPLI%$ ) SALVAG$
MAT]IALS & MAKE%IFT TOOLS4 ,I LOOK$ AT
,R[L&4 8,Y80
  ,HE GAVE ME A SMILE &A SELF-DEPRECAT+
%RUG4
  8,R[L&40 ,I LOOK$ AT HM WOND]+LY4 ,I
WASN'T SURPRIS$ 0HIS CL"E;S--,I'D L;G
S9CE -E 62LIEVE HE CD FIX ANY?+--X 0 T
HE'D SET HMF 6! TASK 9 ! F/ PLACE4
,IMAG9E1 :ILE ,I 0 GETT+ R1DY 6GIVE UP &
DIE1 HE'D MANAG$ 6C>RY ON1 DET]M9$ 6BE-
LIEVE ,I'D 2 UP & WALK+ SOON4 ,NE$+ ^!
BOOTS4 ,TOOK GRIT1 ,I ?"\1 C9*+ ! LACES4
  ,NO1 M ?AN GRIT4 ,FAI?4
  ,TURN$ \ ,I 0 ONLY "O ( _M :O'D FALL5
6! FEV] DUR+ ? "T4 ,D1D 7 2+ BURI$ AT E
CAMP SPOT--SIX J ! NI<T 2F4
  ,R[L& RAN "? ! "NS (! SICK "OS 9 \R
"PY &! O!RS 9 ! V>I\S -PANIES :O'D DI$4
,I LI/5$1 A BIT 4MAY$1 "SH[1 AT H[ LL ,I
FELT1 EV5 :5 ,I RECOGNIZ$ ! "NS4
  8,!N "S LL GAL1 ,ELIZA ''' ,I =GET !
LA/ "N '''0
  8,ELIZA ,H>RIS80
  8,T'S X4 ,BURI$ H] BACK A         #BDH
WAYS40
  8,OH1 ,R[L&40 ,6?9K A GIRL CD 2 /&+ "!
9 L9E =! SPR+1 WI/;LLY 4CUSS+ ! D1?S (
O!RS1 & !N A C\PLE ( WEEKS LAT] 2 D1D
H]F4
  8,LOVISA8 ,"!'S "O M4 ,? IS ! H>DE/--0
  ,8 T"O4 ,I FELT MY BLOOD DRA9 D[N4
  8,TABI?A ,FULL]40
  8,BITSY80
  ,HE NO4$ REGRET;LLY1 !N FR[N$1 PUZZL$1
COCK+ 8 H1D4 8,"SBODY ALR TOLD Y80 ,I
GUESS ,I DIDN'T LOOK T SURPRIS$4
  ,I TRI$ 6REMEMB] B MY BRA9 FELT S
DULL4
  8,MAYBE "S"O DID40

  ,! ,DES*UTES ,RIV] TURN$ \ 6BE A SURGE
( TR1*]\S :ITE WAT] *>G+ "? AN 9A3ESSI#
CANYON4 ,J L ! ,SNAKE1 ,I ?"\ ) 4GU/1 !
F/ "T ,I /OOD ON XS HI< BANKS4 ,"D AF "D
WE HAUL$ ! WAGONS ( SICK & DY+ AL;G !
UPP] RIM1 SE>*+ \ A PLACE 6GET ! WAGONS
D[N 6CROSS4
  ,! ONLY GD NEWS 0 T AT L1/ \R S-CALL$
GUIDE1 ,/EPH5 ,MEEK1 SEEM$ 6"K ":   #BDI
WE 7 N[--J FIFTY OR SIXTY MILES F ,!
,DALLES4 ,"S ,9DIANS _H PO9T$ \ ! WAY4
,R[L& TOLD ME T :ILE ,I'D BE5 SICK & DE-
LIRI\S1 A HALF-DOZ5 "Y M5 F ANO!R -PANY
_H RI45 (F HOP+ 6R1* ! ,ME?ODI/ MIS.N &
BR+ BACK HELP4
  ..,LET !M -E .FA/1 ,I PRAY$4 ,E "D \
"H M1NT M P DY+4
  ,"O EV5+ ,I SAW YET ANO!R KNOT ( P UP
ON A RISE1 ALL ( !M /&+ HUN*$ & HAT.S
AG/ ! SKYL9E1 ,R"E5D ,MOORE ) 8 ,BI#
OP54
  8,:O IS X N[80 ,I ASK$ ,HOPE1 9/ANTLY
RECOGNIZ+ ! SC5E = :AT X WAS1 ANO!R HA/Y
FUN]AL4
  ,HOPE %RU7$4
  8,MRS4 ,HULL10 ,SOL TOLD U4
  ,HOPE & ,I LOOK$ AT EA* O!R4 ,WE _H
LIK$ ! WOMAN WELL 5\<4 ,WE SI<$4 ,T 0
ALL3 J A SI<4
  ,7 WE 6BE P]MAN5TLY H>D5$ 0ALL ?8 ,Z !
FUN]ALS 9CR1S$ 9 FREQU5CY1 ! "T DEVOT$
6EA* GREW %ORT]1 &! NUMB]S :O /OOD AT !
GRAVES DIM9I%$4 ,X 0 ! "MS :O 7 DY+1 &
EV5 _! [N *N 7 TOO W1K & SICK TO    #BEJ
PAY _! RESPECTS4

  8,I'LL 2 DAMN$10 ,I HE>D ,R[L& MUTT]
\TSIDE ! WAGON Z WE HALT$ "O NI<T4
  ,I CLIMB$ D[N1 HELP+ ,ME7IE1 LIFT+
,JIMMY 6MY HIP4 ,I LOOK$ >.D1 SAW T \R
WAGONS 7 CLU/]$ HI< OV] ! RIV]4 ,I $G$
CLOS] 6! OV]LOOK ": ,R[L& & MY BRO!RS _H
GA!R$4 ,J NOR? ! RIV] =M$ A FALLS1 )
:ITE WAT] GU%+ "? A N>R[ CANYON4
  ,! M5 REG>D$ ! RIV] ) GRIM 3/]N,N4
  8,H>D 62LIEVE10 ,AMOS SD1 8B ! ,9DIANS
SWE> ? IS X40
  ,SU45LY "U/&+1 MY HE>T SANK4 ,! RECOM-
M5D$ CROSS+ PLACE4 ,I />$ AT ! ROIL+
RAPIDS4 ,ALL ,I CD PICTURE 0 WAGONS & P
& ANIMALS & SUPPLIES 2+ TUM#D AWAY 9 !
FURI\S WAVES4
  ,MY ,GOD4 ,WE NE$$ A ,MOSES 6"P ! WA-
T]S4 ,WE NE$$ A MIRACLE4

  ,X'S N"E EASY LI/5+ 6*N CRY1 B LL "OS
W WAIL = S* A RANGE ( R1SONS4 ,SCR1M AT
SMALL HURTS1 :IMP] F HUNG] OR ?IR/4 ,B
!Y "S"TS SAVE _! FI]CE/ TANTRUMS    #BEA
= S* A TRIVIAL ?+ Z A TUG-O'-W> OV] "S
TATT]$ RAG TOY4 ,M HE>TBR1K+ 6ME1 !N1 7
! TE>S ( OLD M54
  ,I SAW "O SITT+ ON A WAGON T;GUE Z
D>K;S FELL T NI<T1 WEEP+ 9 DESPAIR4 ,? 0
A MAN :O _HN'T BE5 Z OLD Z MY "F SETT+
\1 B N[ SEEM$ 6H AG$ TW5TY YE>S 9 !
CROSS+ (! PLA9S4
  ,R[L& & ,I /OOD TGR NEXT 6! FIRE1 AP-
P>5TLY ! LA/ "OS AWAKE4
  8,I DON'T 2LIEVE ! ,9DIANS H /E]$ U
WR;G YET10 ,R[L& SD4 8,!Y 9SI/ ? IS ":
!Y CROSS40
  8,B !N1 !Y'RE N USU,Y HAUL+ WAGONS1 >E
!Y8 ,& !Y ALL SEEM 6BE S* GD SWIMM]S40
  ,HE HESITAT$ A MO;T4 8,! M5 H BE5
TALK+4 ,WE'LL FIGURE "S?+ \40
  ,I REWRAPP$ MY %AWL4 ,! HI< DES]T SUN
BLI/]$ U 9 ! "D"T1 B ! NI<TS _H TURN$
P9*+ COLD4 ,X 0 ALM ,OCTOB] AF ALL4
  ,! FIRE CRACKL$4
  ,I LOOK$ UP AT ! SKY FULL ( %>P1 UNFR-
LY />S4 ,I J CDN'T 2LIEVE WE'D -E ALL ?
WAY1 CROSS$ ALL ^? RIV]S1 DRA7$ ! WAGONS
UP S _M /EEP GRADES & TUM#D D[N     #BEB
/EEP] "OS1 ALL ^! MURD]\S MILES1 ONLY TO
2 /OPP$ D1D J A FEW "DS %ORT ( \R GOAL4
  ,9 A NE>BY WAGON ,LEXIE WAK5$ 6CRY4
,SUSAN MADE SOO?+ S.DS4 ,!N CAME MY
BRO!R ,JOHN'S VOICE1 L[ & REASSUR+4 ,I
WOND]$ :AT -=T+ ?+ HE'D F.D 6SAY4 ,I
WI%$ ,I CD HE> X MYF4
  8,R[L&10 ,I SD4 8,D Y PRAY80
  ,HE /UCK A BRAN* ( SAGE 9 ! FIRE1
LIFT$ X \1 WAT*$ X BURN4 8,K9D ( LOOKS
6ME L ,GOD'S N TOO 9T]E/$ 9 MY OP9ION (
H[ ?+S "\ 6G40
  ,OH4 ,( C\RSE4 ,S,Y4
  8,%E 0 "O = PRAY+10 HE SD1 "K+ ,I'D
"U/& :O HE M1NT4
  ,I NO4$4
  8,H[ 'B\T Y80
  ,I %RU7$4 ,TRU? WAS1 :5 FOLKS 7 SUP-
POS$ 6BE PRAY+1 :5 ! PR1*] _H ! ,BI# OP5
OR ,MA 0 L1D+ ! EV5+ PRAY] CIRCLE1 MY
M9D WD J FLY (F1 N"E /AY ON ! ^WS4 ,I
MO/LY F.D MYF TRULY PRAY+ ONLY Z A LA/
RESORT1 :5 ,I CDN'T ?9K (A S+LE ?+ 6D ON
MY [N 6HELP A SITU,N T SEEM$ HOPE.S4
  ,? RIV] LOOK$ HOPE.S 5\<1 B :AT   #BEC
7 WE SUPPOS$ 6PRAY8
  ..,DE> ,GOD1 PL1SE DRY X .UP8

  ,B !N AN AMAZ+ & MIRACUL\S ?+ HAPP5$3
,! SUN ROSE &! M5 CAME 6LIFE4
  ,9 ! CLE> MORN+ LI<T1 T RIV] SEEM$ TO
LOOK DI6]5T 6!M4 ,6ME TOO4 ,:Y _H WE BE5
S D[NHE>T$8 ,:Y DID WE H 6TAKE A SIMPLE
GEOGRAPHICAL F1TURE Z ,GOD'S PUNI%;T
FLUNG D[N 2F U8 ,M]CY1 X 0 OBVI\SLY J A
TE*NICAL PRO#M4 ,& %DN'T E PRO#M H A SO-
LU;N8 ,DIDN'T \R M5 H ! ,GOD-GIV5 M9DS
6SORT X ALL \8
  ,M5 :O'D SL\*$ DAZ$ & DI_S$ AT ,LO/
,HOLL[ ) NO?+ 63TRIBUTE B ANGRY -PLA9TS
N[ HU/L$ AB4 ,A SET ( PULLEYS 0 F.D 9 !
WAGON (A MAN :O'D PLANN$1 :5 HE SETTL$1
6SET UP A F]RY ON "S WE/]N RIV]4 ,O!RS
3TRIBUT$ ROPES4
  ,!Y WD RIG AN ELABORATE SY/EM DESIGN$
6SW+ ! 4MANTL$ WAGONS HI< ABV ! *URN+
:ITE CALDRON 2L4
  ,I /OOD AT ! ROCKY $GE )! *N LAT] T
AFN1 ,JIMMY 9 MY >MS1 WAT*+ ! PROCE$+S 9
UTT] AMAZE;T & N A LL FE>4          #BED
  8,LOOK AT ! DA4IES10 ,I SD1 ALM S++ )
*E];L BRAVADO4 8,SEE :AT !Y'RE DO+8 ,YR
PA SAYS WE'RE GO+ 6SW+ "R OV] ON ^?
ROPES6 ,WE'RE ALL GO+ 6RIDE 9 A WAGON
BOX & N EV5 T\* ! WAT]6 ,WON'T T 2 FUN80
  ,JIMMY GAVE ME 8 B"R1 EXPECTANT GR94
,S* A SWEETHE>T1 A * :O ALW SEEM$ 6FEEL
"S?+ GD 0 J AB 6HAPP54
  8,>E ^? ,9NIANS D[N "!80 ,ME7IE SD1
PO9T+ 6A "Y BRAVE SWIMM+ A HORSE ACR4
  8,YES1 !Y'RE HELP+ U40
  ,ME7IE FR[N$4 8,IS T DI6]5T80
  8,DI6]5T F :AT80
  8,HE'S N AN ,9NIAN GONNA HURT U80
  8,NO1 HE'S NICE 6U1 SEE80
  8,WELL1 :5 .>E WE GONNA SEE ! SC>Y
,9NIANS80
  ,GD "Q4
  8,I DON'T "K1 H"OY4 ,MAYBE !Y J >5'T S
SC>Y AF ALL40
  ,N T FOLKS "E /OPP$ 2+ SC>$ & WORRI$ !
:OLE WAY4 ,IF WE'D "KN BETT]1 ,I ?"\1
WE'D H WORRI$ AB .N MEET+ UP ) ,9DIANS4
,H[ _M M1LS ( GAME & FI% DID WE 5JOY
?ANKS 6_! TRADES8 ,H[ _M RIV]       #BEE
CROSS+S WD H BE5 \R UNDO+ )\T _! GUID.E8
  ,N[ ,I NOTIC$ A BURLY FIGURE D[N AM;G
! M54 ,CD T POSSIBLY 2 ,>NOLD ,FULL]8 ,J
YE/]"D ,MEL9DA 0 SAY+ H] "F / CDN'T GET
\ (! WAGON AF 2+ FELL$ 0FEV] & GRIEF Z
HE /OOD AT ,BITSY'S GRAVE4 ,B N[1 "! HE
WAS1 LA%+ A ROPE >.D A B\LD]1 %\T+ = AN
,9DIAN ON ! O!R SIDE 6GIVE X A TE/+ TUG4
,": _H HE F.D ? FRE% /R5G?8 ,X LIFT$ MY
HE>T4 ,LOOK AT !M ALL1 SCRAMBL+ >.D D[N
"!1 "W+ TGR4
  ,SU45LY1 X /RUCK ME H[ %ORTSI<T$ ,I'D
BE54 ,MAYBE ? CL"E;S 9 A CRISIS1 ? SUM-
MON+ ( /R5G? & W 6FACE AN UN=ESE5 *AL-
L5GE--MAYBE 9 ! 5D ^! C.T$ = M ?AN ME-
TICUL\S PLANN+ & N1TLY TICK$-(F LI/S4
,MAYBE FIGUR+ \ H[ 6PAT* A BOOT 0 M IM-
PORTANT ?AN CORRECTLY JUDG+ H[ _M BR&-
NEW PAIRS 6PACK 9 ! F/ PLACE4
  ,O!R WOM5 7 WAT*+ ! CROSS+ 3TRAP;N
TAKE %APE TOO--,ORL5A ,WILLIAMS1 = "O4
  ,%E TURN$ H] BONNET BRIM T[>D ME4 8,D
Y RE,Y ?9K T'S GO+ 6BE SAFE80 ,%E1 ,I
NOTIC$1 _H N 4C>D$ ! SLATS ( .H] BONNET4
,BL1*$ TRANSLUC5T 0! SUN1 ! FRAIL   #BEF
FABRIC / /OOD GU>D OV] H] MO/ VALUA# AS-
SET1 H] B1UTI;L FACE4
  8,( C\RSE X'LL 2 SAFE10 ,I ANSW]$4
8,DON'T Y REMEMB] T ,MR4 ,FULL] & MY [N
PA D[N "! >E ! V "OS 9 *>GE (! (FICIAL
,-MITTEE ( ,SAFETY80 ,I SMIL$ BROADLY AT
,ORL5A4 8,H[ CD X N 2 SAFE80 ,!N ,I WID-
5$ MY EYES & J]K$ MY H1D M1N+;LLY T[>D
,ME7IE4
  8,AH10 ,ORL5A SD1 CAT*+ ON1 NO4+4
  ,I SQUEEZ$ ,ME7IE'S H&4 ,! M5 _H ?"\ (
"S?+ 6TRY4 ,!Y _H A PLAN4 ,Z F> Z ,I 0
3C]N$1 NOBODY _H ANY BUSI;S ADMITT+ \
L\D ! TRU?--T ! :OLE ?+ LOOK$ P]FECTLY
T]RIFY+4
  ,ESPECI,Y 9 FRONT ( ^! *N4 ,MY *N4
  ,ORL5A REG>D$ ! TWO ( !M 4PAS.NATELY =
A MO;T1 !N LIFT$ H] LOVELY D>K EYES 6ME4
8,SORRY 6HE> AB YR SI/]40
  ,I SI<$4
  8,^! >E H]S1 ,I TAKE X80
  ,I NO4$4 8,T'S _! PA D[N "!4 ,! TALL
"O40
  ,ORL5A SMIL$ 6H]F4 8,OH1 DON'T WORRY4
,I "K :O HE IS40                    #BEG
  ,Z SOON Z ! *N & ,I />T$ BACK 6\R WAG-
ON1 ,ME7IE SPUN >.D 6WALK BACKW>D 9
FRONT ( ME4
  8,AUNTIE ,LOVISA80 %E SD4 8,:Y DOES T
PRETTY LADY MAKE Y S FR[NY80

  ,I KEPT TRACK (! 3/RUC;N PROGRESS Z ,I
REP1T$LY HIK$ ! /EEP TRAIL D[N 6! RIV] &
BACK = WAT]4 ,T AFN1 ,I _H J DIPP$ UP A
BUCKET :5 A RID] CAME /UMBL+ 8 HORSE D[N
! /EEP DESC5T1 A MAN F A -PANY 9 ! RE>4
,HE PICK$ 8 WAY "R UP 6,/EPH5 ,MEEK HMF1
:O 0 SPRAWL$ AG/ A P[D] BOX1 HALF-D1D )!
FEV] B DET]M9$ 6HELP OV]SEE ! F]RY'S
3/RUC;N4
  ,! MAN PO9T$ 9 GRT AGIT,N BACK ! WAY
HE'D -E1 !N 9 ! OPPOSITE DIREC;N1 NOR?-
WE/ OV] ! RIV] T[>D ,! ,DALLES4
  ,MEEK /A7]$ 6HIS FEET & YELL$ = 8
WIFE1 :O CAME RUNN+4 ,A KNOT ( M5 SUR-
R.D$ !M1 >GU+1 GE/UR+1 LOOK+ OV] _! %\L-
D]S 6! BLUFF ABV4 ,I SAW T ,R[L& 0 AM;G
!M4
  8,:AT'S HAPP5+80 ,I ASK$ ,MEL9DA1 :O 0
-+ UP F T DIREC;N1 HAV+ DELIV]$ A   #BEH
M1L 6,AMOS &! O!RS4
  8,"S"O'S GUNN+ = ,MEEK10 %E REPLI$4
8,SD "SBODY 9 ! TRA9 2H U J BURI$ TWO (
8 BOYS1 SWE>S HE'LL KILL ! MAN 6BLAME =
X40
  ,I /OOD "!1 TRANSFIX$ 0! LL DRAMA
PLAY+ \ 2F U4 ,! PULLEY L9ES 7 R1DY1 B !
WAGON B$ _H YET 6BE RI7$4 ,NO "T = X N[4
,M5 SCRAM#D 6HELP ! ,MEEKS 96ROPE SL+S
6SW+ !M ACR4 ,!Y _H 6GET AWAY4 ,NOBODY 0
EXACTLY GRATE;L 6! MAN :O'D GOT U LO/ 9
! WILD];S1 B ,I GUESS FOLKS FIGUR$ WE'D
_H 5 DY+ )\T SPE$+ ! PROCESS 0FIR+ L1D
96EA* O!R4
  ,N[ !Y 7 HELP+ ,ELIZABE? ,MEEK 96!
SL+4 ,M]CY6 ,6?9K ,I'D 5VI$ H] :5 ,I F/
SAW H] A/RIDE A SLEEK HORSE1 RID+ 2S H]
BUCKSK9-CLAD HUSB& AT ! ,?REE ,ISL&
,CROSS+4 ,SEE H[ A GIRL HAS 6TAKE S]I\S
C>E :O %E SIGNS ON )8 ,2C :AT"E TR\# YR
HUSB& GETS 9TO1 Y'LL 2 9 X ) HM4 ,"O "D
Y'RE PU6$ ) PRIDE1 WIFE (! MAN BRA7+ HE
"KS A %ORTCUT 6,OREGON4 ,A FEW WEEKS
LAT] Y'RE DANGL+ HI< OV] A RIV]1 SKIRTS
AFLUTT]1 FOLKS *AS+ Y ) D1DLY IN-   #BEI
T5T4 ,I MO/ DEF9ITELY DID N 5VY H] N[4
  ,ON ! F> SIDE1 ! C\PLE SCRAM#D 6M.T !
WET HORSES ! ,9DIANS _H CROSS$ = !M4 ,!Y
7 />T+ UP ! /EEP RIDGE :5 ! 4TRAU<T MAN
F ! TRA9 2H GALLOP$ 6! BLUFF $GE1 SWUNG
(F 8 M.T & CAME /UMBL+ D[N 6! ROCKY %ELF
ON FOOT1 WAV+ 8 GUN4
  ,SCR1M+ ) RAGE1 HE AIM$4 ,!N1 APP>5TLY
JUDG+ 8 T>GET 2Y RANGE1 HE 4*>G$ 8 GUN
96! AIR4 ,WEEP+ BITT]LY1 HE SANK 6!
GR.D1 PROBABLY J Z GLAD1 ,I "SH[ ?"\1 6H
! RIV] "! 6/OP HM4 ,HE DIDN'T RE,Y WANT
6-MIT MURD]4 ,HE J WANT$ 6BLAME "SBODY1
L P ALW D4 ,HE J WANT$ ,GOD 6SEE H[ HE
CDN'T /& X1 LOS+ 8 TWO F9E SONS4
  ,ONLY LAT] T NI<T :5 ! TALE 0 REP1T$
-PLETE ) "NS & DETAILS DID ,I FIGURE X
\3 ,"O ( ^? F9E SONS1 N[ D1D1 0 ,JOHN
,NO#4

  8,!Y'RE TRY+ X10 ,SOL CAME REPORT+ !
NEXT MORN+1 & NO "O _H 6ASK :AT HE M1NT4
,WE ALL PICK$ UP ! *N & W5T 6! BLUFF4
,AT ! PULLEYS1 ! SUSP5D$ WAGON B$ _H BE5
LOAD$ )! "PS (A 4MANTL$ WAGON4      #BFJ
,MY BRO!RS ,AMOS & ,ISAAC 7 HELP+ MAN
ROPES ON BO? SIDES (! *ASM4
  8,"H %E -ES10 "S"O YELL$1 &! B$ SWUNG
\4
  ,Z ! LOAD$ WAGON B$ DANGL$ OV] ! :ITE
WAT]1 ,I /OPP$ BR1?+4 ,WD ! ROPES HOLD8
,! WAGON 0 SLID+1 SLID+ ''' Z WAIT+ H&S
ON ! F> SIDE GRASP$ ! BOX1 WE ALL *E]$4
,A2IE & ,I LAU<$ & HU7$ EA* O!R ) N]V\S
RELIEF4
  ,! F/ WAGON 0 ALR 2+ PUT BACK TGR ON !
F> SIDE Z ! SECOND LOAD 0 S5T SW++4 ,!
SY/EM 0 GO+ 6"W4 ,WE .WD CROSS ? RIV]4
  ,A L9E ( WAGONS 2GAN 9*+ D[N ! /EEP
9CL9E1 NO SOON] R1*+ ! BOTTOM ?AN ! [N]S
7 SW>M+ OV] !M1 UNLOAD+1 4MANTL+1 PIL+
UP _! 2L;G+S 6BE R1DY = _! TURN4
  ,N[ ! F/ ACTUAL PASS5G]S CLIMB$ ABO>D4
,Z ! DESIGNAT$ FAMILY RODE \ OV] ! RIV]1
! *N LOOK$ 6_! P>5TS = REASSUR.E4 ..,S ?
IS H[ WE G 6.,OREGON1 ,I CD IMAG9E !M
?9K+1 9NOC5TLY TRU/+1 / "Y 5 62LIEVE T
:AT"E _! MA & PA TOLD !M 6D M/ 2 ! "R
?+1 ! SM>T ?+1 ! SAFE ?+4 ,ONLY LAT] WD
!Y R1LIZE J H[ EXTRAORD9>Y X _H     #BFA
ALL BE51 ? J\RNEY ACR ! PLA9S1 ? DET\R
"? HELL4 ,ONLY :5 !Y TOLD ! /ORY 6_! [N
*N WD !Y 2G9 6"U/& :AT _! P>5TS M/ H
FELT1 LOAD+ !M 96A WAGON BOX 6SW+ ABV A
*URN+ *ASM ( :ITE WAT]4

  ,Z ! ,K+ & ,FULL] WAGONS TOOK _! PLAC-
ES 9 ! L9E 9*+ D[N ! GRADE 6! IMPROVIS$
F]RY TWO "DS LAT]1 ! -PANY T _H BE5 2H U
ON ! TRAIL PULL$ 96! CAMPGR.D4 ,JOHN
,NO#'S TWELVE-YE>-OLD SI/]1 ,M>Y1 CAME
LOOK+ = ME4
  8,Y MI<T Z WELL H ?10 %E SD1 H&+ ME
,JOHN'S BROAD-BRIMM$ FELT HAT4 8,HE ALW
SD YR OLD BONNET WASN'T DO+ Y M* GD40
  ,I TOOK ! HAT1 CIRCL+ X 9 MY H&S1 ?9K+
(! BOY :O'D WORRI$ OV] ME4
  8,GUESS ,I BETT] WE> X1 !N40 ,I GAVE
H] A SAD SMILE & PUT X ON4
  ,M>Y NO4$4 8,HE'D H LIK$ T40
  ,!N H] EYES %IFT$ PA/ ME1 CAT*+ SI<T (
! OV]H1D F]RY4 ,H] M\? FELL OP54 8,T'S
H[ WE H 6G OV]80
  8,LOOKS SC>Y10 ,I AC"KL$G$4 8,B !Y'VE
BE5 DO+ ? = TWO "DS SOLID1 & NO?-   #BFB
+'S G"O WR;G S F>40
  ,/1 %E LOOK$ WORRI$4
  8,H"O/LY4 ,MY BRO!RS H BE5 HELP+ "W X1
S ,I'D H HE>D40
  ,WE WAT*$ A MO;T1 ! SC5E 2L REM9D+ ME
( NO?+ S M* Z AN ANTHILL1 ALL ! "W]S 9
MO;N1 EA* DO+ 8 BIT1 EA* C>RY+ 8 %>E (!
BURD54
  8,X .IS "S K9D ( CL"E10 ,M>Y ALL[$4
  ,I NO4$1 EXP]I5C+ AN ODD TW+E ( PRIDE1
REMEMB]+ H[ B1T5 D[N WE'D ALL BE5 J A
C\PLE ( "DS AGO4
  ,M>Y & ,I WAT*$ A L"O WAGON />T !
GRUEL+1 F\R-MILE CLIMB 6! TOP (! OPPO-
SITE RIDGE Z1 BACK D[N AT ! L&+1 ! NEXT
"O 0 2+ UNLOAD$ F ! F]RY = REASSEMBLY4
  8,>E !Y MAK+ ANO!R BIG CAMP :5 !Y GET
OV] ! TOP ( T80 ,M>Y ASK$4
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,"EYBODY'S J H1D+ =
,! ,DALLES4 ,"!'S SUPPOS$ 6BE "S RELIEF
"PIES -+ \ 6MEET U40 ,& ,I HOP$ 6,GOD T
WD PROVE TRUE1 = ALM E WAGON N[ C>RI$
"S"O NE> P]I%+1 A WE>Y S\L = :OM A BIT (
FOOD MI<T M1N ! DI6];E 2T LIFE & D1?4
                                    #BFC
  ,Z ,R[L& SETTL$ ME &! *N 96! WAGON-B$
F]RY )! O!RS A C\PLE ( H\RS LAT]1 ,I
TRI$ 6RECALL ! ^WS ( REASSUR.E ,I'D GIV5
,M>Y ,NO#4 ,I TRI$ TELL+ MYF ? 0 P]FECT-
LY SAFE4
  ,I WRAPP$ MY >MS TI<T >.D ,ME7IE &
,JIMMY1 & Z ! WAGON B$ DIPP$ =W>D1 S DID
MY /OMA*4 ,I %UT MY EYES AG/ ! DIZZY+
:ITE WAT] 2L1 &)A SICK5+ SWOOP1 WE ROLL$
\ & ACR4














                                    #BFD
























                ,SIXTE5             #BFE

  ,! ,LO/ ,MEEKS--T'S :AT !Y 7 CALL+ U4
,\R WAGONS 7 /RUNG \ 9 CLU/]S ALL AL;G !
=TY-MILE /RET* F ! ,DES*UTES CROSS+ 6,!
,DALLES4 ,"S 7 MET 0A RELIEF "PY ,/EPH5
,MEEK _H >RANG$1 H1D$ 0A WELL-"KN GUIDE
CALL$ ,BLACK ,H>RIS4 ,= _M1 ?\<1 ! FOOD
SUPPLIES 7 TOO LATE4 ,GRAVES 7 / 2+ DUG
--F\R AT ! TOP ( ,TY< ,RIDGE & ANO!R AT
,FIFTE5-,MILE ,CREEK1 J A "D %ORT ( ,!
,DALLES4 ,"! ,CAPTA9 ,LI7ETT'S WIFE1 A
"M ( SEV51 0 LAID 6RE/4
  ,Z \R FAMILY'S WAGONS PULL$ 96! CAMP
ON ! ,COLUMBIA AF D>K ON ! NI<T ( ,OCTO-
B] #AC1 WE 7 MET ) LANT]NS LI<T+ 3C]N$
FACES4 ,FOLKS F O!R -PANIES :O'D ?"\
!MVS WORN \ 0! ,BLUE ,M.TA9S SEEM$ AP-
PALL$ AT ! SI<T ( U & \R T]RI# 3DI;N4
,MADE !M SEE J H[ M* WORSE ?+S CD H BE5
_H !Y !MVS TAK5 ! ,TRAPP]'S ,TRAIL4
  ,A WOMAN (F]$ U HOT PORRIDGE4
  8,APPRECIATE X1 B WE'RE ALL "R10 ,R[L&
ASSUR$ H]4 8,Y MI<T *ECK ^! WAGONS "R 2H
U1 ?\<4 ,!Y'VE BE5 ON %ORT] R,NS ?AN WE
H40                                 #BFF
  8,R[L&60 ,I CRI$1 A<A/4 ,I TURN$ BACK
6! WOMAN4 8,WE'D 2 S GRATE;L 6TAKE A BIT
=! *N4 ,I DON'T SUPPOSE ANY"O HAS ANY
MILK80
  8,LOVISA10 ,R[L& ADMONI%$ ME4
  8,:AT10 ,I SD FLATLY1 CLIMB+ PA/ HM
96! WAGON 6FET* ,ME7IE & ,JIMMY4 ,I
DIDN'T C>E IF ,I 0 SP1K+ \ ( TURN4
  8,WE C MAKE D40
  ,X 0 D>K1 WE _H NO FIRE4
  8,R[L&1 T WOMAN'S GOT HOT PORRIDGE "R
N[4 ,IF X MAKES Y FEEL BETT] 6SIT "H ALL
3FID5T & PRIDE;L1 TRY+ 6LOOK L Y N"E NE$
ANY"O ELSE'S HELP1 Y J G "R AH1D40
  ,I JUMP$ 6! GR.D & LIFT$ ,ME7IE AF ME4
  8,I 9T5D 6SEE ^! BABIES F$40

  ,I CRAWL$ \ (! WAGON ! NEXT MORN+
FEEL+ 4GU/+LY FIL?Y1 & ,I WD H MADE GET-
T+ CL1N MY TOP PRIOR;Y IF ONLY WE _HN'T
ALL BE5 S HUNGRY4 ,! PREVI\S NI<T'S POR-
RIDGE 0 A />T1 B WE _H WAY M ?AN A B[L'S
WOR? ( CAT*+ UP 6D :5 X CAME 6FILL+ \R
/OMA*S4
  ,I LOOK$ >.D ! W9DSWEPT 5CAMP-    #BFG
;T3 A %IFT+ SETTLE;T ON %IFT+ S&S1 A
TEMPOR>Y COLLEC;N ( WAGONS NE> ! ,ME?OD-
I/ MIS.N4 ,& 2Y ! WAGONS ''' ! ,COLUM-
BIA4 ,F9,Y4 ,! MI<TY ,RIV] (! ,WE/4 ,X 0
BLUE1 REFLECT+ ! SKY1 & LOOK$ L X RAN
CLE>1 N MU4Y L ! ,MISS\RI OR S&Y L !
,PLATTE4 ,I REG>D$ XS B1UTY W>ILY1 "K+
WE 7 SOON FAC+ ! NAVIG,N ( T UNIMAG9A#
VOLUME ( WAT]4 ,Z ! W9D :IPP$ ! GR1SY
HAIR AB MY FACE1 ,I /OOD "! A MO;T1 GAZ+
AT ! RIV]4 ,HALFWAY ACR ! 3T95T ,I'D
WALK$ 6>RIVE AT ? SI<T--,I RECKON$ ,I "\
6GIVE X A MO;T4
  ,ALL "R1 N[ ,I'D SE5 X4 ,I TURN$ AWAY4
,I 0 HUNGRY4 ,I 0 DIRTY4 ,& S 0 "EY"O :O
0 C.T+ ON ME4
  ,S9CE =! MO;T ,I SEEM$ 6BE "O (! L1/
SICKLY1 ,I SETTL$ ,ME7IE & ,JIMMY ) MY
SI/]S1 SMOO!D MY HAIR ! BE/ ,I CD1 &
/>T$ ! MILE-&-A-HALF HIKE UP 6! MIS.N TO
SEE :AT SUPPLIES CD 2 _H4
  ,! PRICES6 ,HI< AT E =T AL;G ! WAY1 !
,ME?ODI/ MIS.N'S 7 ! WOR/ ( ALL4 ,& !N X
TURN$ \ FOOD /OCKS 7 R,N$ AT T4
  8,? IS ALL ! FL\R ,I C BUY80 ,I   #BFH
SD 6! MAN 2H ! MAKE%IFT1 B>REL-H1D C.T]4
8,EV5 IF ,I'M WILL+ 6PAY YR PRICE80
  8,EI<T QU>TS P] FAMILY4 ,T'S ! LIMIT40
  8,B WE H A RE,Y BIG FAMILY10 ,I PRO-
TE/$4 8,T DOESN'T SEEM "R40
  8,WE'RE N A SUPPLY DEPOT1 ,MISS4 ,? IS
A MIS.N4 ,WE CAME "H 6SAVE H1!N S\LS1 N
RESCUE TRAVEL]S40
  8,B WE 7 ) ,MEEK'S GR\P4 ,! "OS :O 7
LO/8 ,WE'VE BE5 \ "! = WEEKS & P >E NE>
/>V+60
  ,8 LOOK 0 COLD4 8,X'S N \R FAULT Y
TRI$ A %ORTCUT40 ,HE LOOK$ PA/ ME4
8,:O'S NEXT "H80
  ,I /OOD DUMBF.D$4 ,WE BURI$ OV] ?IRTY
P AL;G ! TRAIL & ? 0 8 ,*RI/IAN RE-
SPONSE8 ,! CR[D BU/L$ ME ASIDE4
  ,MRS4 ,BR[N /EPP$ UP1 BRISKLY C.T+ \
M"OY4 8,MY EI<T QU>TS1 PL1SE40
  ,EI<T QU>TS = H] FAMILY ( F\R4 ,MAYBE
%E'D PAY BACK :AT %E 8BORR[$08 ,B NO4
,HOI/+ H] BAG1 %E SAIL$ PA/ ME )A COOL
GL.E4
  ,MAMIE FOLL[$ H]1 ! HEELS (! BOOTS T
_H BE5 M9E KNOCK+ SM>TLY ON !       #BFI
PUN*EON FLOOR4 ,I SWE> %E MADE A PO9T (
N LOOK+ MY WAY4 ,T'S :5 X /RUCK ME4
,FOLKS >E S /RANGE4 ,%E'D N"E LIK$ ME
2F1 & N[ T ,I'D SE5 H] AT H] L[E/1 %E
HAT$ ME WORSE4 ,%E'D BE5 B>EFOOT1 & ,I
_H BOOTS 6GIVE H]4 ,%E 0 N"E GO+ 6=GIVE
ME = T4
  ,WELL1 ,I CD H>DLY CLAIM SURPRISE4
,I'D SE5 X OV] & OV]4 ,? J\RNEY _H BR"\
\ ! BE/ 9 "S1 ! WOR/ 9 O!RS4 ,:AT"E Y _H
9SIDE1 ! TRAIL WD TE/ X1 EXPOSE X = ALL
! _W 6SEE4
  ,& ,MAMIE ,BR[N WASN'T ! ONLY "O /RUG-
GL+ )A PA9;L MIX ( PRIDE & %AME4 ,H"O/-
LY1 ,R[L& J WORE ME \1 ! WAY HE HAT$ AC-
CEPT+ HELP4 ,N[ T NEI ( U 0 GO+ 6DIE (
CAMP FEV]1 WE 7 "R BACK SNAPP+ AT EA*
O!R AG4
  ,I B"\ :AT !Y'D ALL[ (! MIS.N'S PRE-
CI\S FL\R1 HAUL$ X BACK 6CAMP1 !N H1D$ \
6SEE :AT ELSE CD 2 F.D 9 ! WAY ( FOOD4
  ,0! %ORE1 ,9DIANS 7 B>T]+ = SALMON1 B
\R FAMILY _HN'T M* LEFT 6TRADE4 ,AL? !
,NATIVES SEEM$ 6LOVE :ITE-MAN'S CLO!S1
,I D\BT$ ANY SELF-RESPECT+ ,9DIAN   #BGJ
WD /OOP 6WE>+ ! RAGS WE 7 REDUC$ 60N[4
  ,I PICK$ MY WAY UPRIV] AL;G ! ROCKY
%ORE1 WAT*+ ! ,9DIANS SPE>+ FI% F !
WOOD5 PLAT=MS !Y'D BUILT \ F ! ROCKY
L$GES OV] ! L[ FALLS4 ,H[ EASILY !Y MAN-
AG$ X1 H[ GRACE;LLY4 ,!Y SEEM$ S AT EASE
9 ? L&4 ,:ILE !Y H>VE/$ AN ABUND.E (
FOOD1 WE PITI;L ,BO/ONS1 Z !Y CALL$ U1
_H 6SCRAB# = E BITE4 ,& !N FI<T OV] X6
,WE CDN'T EV5 SEEM 6TAKE C>E ( \R [N4
  ,P4 ,"L1 ,I'D 2 GLAD :5 WE GOT 6! VAL-
LEY & F.D \R [N PLACE4 ,I WANT$ X 6BE J
U ,K+S AG1 "W+ TGR4 ,I 0 S WE>Y ( BUTT+
H1DS ON A DAILY BASIS ) ALL ^! O!RS1 ?
GRT CR[D ( HUMAN;Y T _H S 5*ANT$ ME 9 !
2G9N+4 ,I 0 SICK ( HE>+ M5 CURS+ &( 2+
PRIVY 6O!R FOLKS' %AME;L FAMILY FI<TS4
,I DIDN'T WANT 6H 6WORRY AT NI<T ANY-
MORE1 :5 ! S.D ( "S WOMAN SO2+ 9 H] WAG-
ON R1*$ MY E>S4
  ,LOOK+ D[N1 ,I CAU<T MY BR1?4 ,AT MY
FEET1 A SALMON FLIPP$ XS TAIL 9 A %ALL[
ROCK POOL4 ,)\T A SECOND ?"\ ,I HURL$
MYF AT X1 FALL+ & PLUNG+ AB 9 ! KNEE-
DEEP WAT]1 ?R[+ MY >MS >.D ! H1V+   #BGA
HUNK ( MUSCLE & 5]GY1 B ,I CD NO M HOLD
! SLIPP]Y ?+ 9 MY GRASP ?AN ,I CD CAT*
RA9 9 MY H&S4
  8,GIVE X UP60 ,I -M&$ ! FI% "? CL5*$
TEE? J 2F X FLAIL$ FREE4 ,MY ONLY HOPE 0
T ! CR1TURE MI<T EXHAU/ XF 2F ,I DID4
8,DAMN X60
  ,I /OPP$4 ,I LOOK$ 6! SKY4 ,:5 NO H1V-
5LY ?"UBOLT /RUCK ME D1D1 ,I GRA2$ ! FI%
AG & LET LOOSE A /R+ ( ALL ! CUSS ^WS
,I'D HE>D ,R[L& USE AG/ E BROK5 SPOKE &
SPL9T]$ AXLE ALL ! WAY F ,MISS\RI4 ,:AT
A WRE/L+ MAT*4 ,ME AG/ T FI%4 ,OV] & OV]
X SLIPP$ BACK 6! WAT] UNTIL ,I 0 LEFT
:IMP]+ ) FRU/R,N4 ,& ALL T BAD LANGUAGE
DIDN'T HELP ME ANY M ?AN X "E SEEM$ TO
HELP ,R[L&4
  ,T'S :5 ,I HE>D A GRUNT1 A ^W P]H1 B
2+ AN ,9DIAN ^W1 ONLY A S.D 6ME4 ,/A7]+
6MY FEET1 ,I FLUNG BACK MY WET HAIR &
LOOK$ UP 6F9D A "Y MAN4 ,HE WORE NO?+ B
A LO9CLO?1 & _H ,I ANY S5SIBILITIES RE-
MA9+1 "!'S NO D\BT HE WD H PUT ME 6!
BLU% ) 8 WELL-=M$ & F9ELY MUSCL$ BODY4
,8 D>K EYES LOCK$ ON M9E4 ,)A J]K   #BGB
( 8 JAW1 HE ORD]$ ME \ (! WAT]4
  ,SNA7+ MY FLOAT+ FELT HAT1 ,I DRA7$ MY
SOAK$ SKIRTS F ! POOL4 ,! FI% DID 2L;G
6! ,9DIANS1 ,I SUPPOS$4 ,2L;G$ 6! "OS )!
WIT 6CAT* !M4 ,WELL1 AT L1/ HE _HN'T
LAU<$ AT ME4 ,T ,I CDN'T H BORNE4
  ,Z ,I /OOD "! DRIPP+ & HUMILIAT$1 !
,9DIAN 3TEMPLAT$ ! SALMON =A MO;T4 ,!N1
CASU,Y1 ) "O FLUID MO;N1 HE RAIS$ 8 D\#-
PR;G$ SPE> & DEFTLY S5T X "? ! FI%4 ,I
SI<$4 ,S EASY = HM4 ,HE SWUNG ! SPE>
BE>+ ! FLIPP+ CR1TURE 6! SIDE1 PICK$ UP
A ROCK1 &) "O SWIFT BL[1 4PAT*$ X 6/ILL-
;S4
  ,!N1 SU45LY1 HE 0 HOLD+ ! SPE> )! SIL-
V]Y PRIZE ACR ! POOL T[>D ME4
  ,I PUT A H& ON MY BR1/4 ..,= ME8 ,Y'RE
GIV+ X 6.ME8
  ,HE NO4$ /]NLY4
  ,:Y1 HE PITI$ ME4 ,WELL1 ,I DES]V$ X4
,NO1 ,I .NE$$ X4
  ,)A %AKE (! SPE>1 HE AG URG$ ! SALMON
ON ME1 GLANC+ OV] 8 %\LD]1 Z IF 6SAY1
..,QK1 TAKE X1 2F ANY"O .SEES4
  ,)A GRATE;L SI<1 ,I GRA2$ T       #BGC
FI%4

  ,? W9D6 ,X N"E /OPP$--H[L+ UP ! GORGE1
BL[+ AWAY ANY?+ 9 CAMP T WASN'T H1VY OR
TI$ D[N4 ,&! WAY X SNAPP$ ! DIRTY CANVAS
WAGON COV]S ALL "D L;G1 ALL NI<T4
..,WAP4 ,WAP4 ,WAP .WAP4 ,I WANT$ TO
SCR1M4
  8,-E ON10 ,I SD 6,ME7IE1 KNOTT+ A %AWL
>.D H] %\LD]S4 8,LET'S G D[N 0! CREEK40
  ,AT L1/ =A LL :ILE WE'D GET AWAY F !
GLOOM T HUNG OV] ! CLU/]$ WAGONS4 ,D1?
SEEM$ 6BE /ALK+ U1 PUNI%+ ^? :O'D FOLL[$
,/EPH5 ,MEEK4 ,WE'D _H 6BURY ,CAPTA9
,P>K]'S WIFE & NEWBORN BABY1 & !N X 0
,MRS4 ,T]WILLIG]4 ,& T ,MR4 ,WILSON--P 7
SAY+ HE 0 S FAMI%$1 :5 HE F9,Y GOT "S
FOOD1 HE SAT D[N & ACTU,Y ATE HMF 6D1?4
,NEWS -+ BACK F D[NRIV] WASN'T M* BETT]4
,R"E5D ,MOORE _H DR[N$ 9 ! RAPIDS4
  ,) ,JIMMY ON MY HIP & ,ME7IE 0! H&1 ,I
MADE MY WAY 6! LL %ELT]$ B1* ": A CREEK
FANN$ 96! RIV]4 ,"H ! M5 7 BUILD+ ! RAFT
ON : WE'D FLOAT ! ,COLUMBIA4
  ,CAPTA9 ,B>L[ _H TAK5 WAGONS UP   #BGD
6SE>* \ A R\TE >.D ,M.T ,HOOD1 B Y CDN'T
SAY ! ^W .%ORTCUT 6ANYBODY 9 \R FAMILY
N[ )\T !Y'D BLAN* & %U4]4 ,EV5 IF ,B>L[
MANAG$ 6GET "?1 X DIDN'T NECESS>ILY M1N
WE CD ANYWAY4 ,HE'D SET \ 9 ,SEPTEMB]4
,N[1 9 ! MI4LE ( ,OCTOB]1 M.TA9 SN[S CD
/>T ANY "T4 ,WE 7 TOO LATE4 ,& :ILE WE'D
BE5 LANGUI%+ 9 ! DES]T1 ! WAIT+ LI/ (
FAMILIES WILL+ 6PAY = PASSAGE ON ! MIS.N
.BAT1UX OR 9 ,9DIAN CANOES _H GR[N TOO
L;G4
  ,PRICE ,FULL] & MY BRO!R ,ISAAC SET (F
DRIV+ :AT REMA9$ ( \R H]D ON A R\TE T
R\<LY P>ALLEL$ ! RIV]4 ,SUPPOS$LY X 0 A
PACK TRAIL J WIDE 5 = S+LE-FILE CATTLE1
B TOO /EEP & N>R[ = WAGONS4 ,F\RTE5 "DS1
!Y FIGUR$1 =! DROV]S' R\TE1 & F\RTE5 "DS
6COAX ! EXHAU/$ OX5 6DRAG ! REQUIR$ LOGS
D[N F ! SP>SE PAT*ES ( WOODS ON ! HILLS1
BUILD ! RAFT1 & DESC5D ! RIV]4 ,WE'D
MEET 2L ! RAPIDS4
  ,! RAPIDS N"O ( U EV5 C>$ 64CUSS4
  8,DA60 ,JIMMY CRI$1 SPOTT+ ,R[L& )!
O!R M54 ,ME7IE $G$ D[N 6! LL B1* 6PLAY )
! "YE/ ,FULL] BOYS1 &A GIRL MY [N   #BGE
AGE F ANO!R -PANY JO9$ ME1 P]*+ ON A
ROCK 6*AT4
  ,I 0 /RUCK 0H] B"R-BLUE CALICO DRESS &
?"\ )A PANG X MI<T H BE5 ! V "O ,S,Y _H
RAV$ AB :5 %E GOT S DELIRI\S4 ,! GIRL
9TRODUC$ H]F Z ,S>AH ,HELMICK4
  8,B !Y CALL ME ,S,Y40
  ,WDN'T Y "K8 ,WELL1 X 0 A -MON 5 "N4
  8,DID Y SAVE T DRESS ALL ! WAY80 ,I
ASK$4 8,X LOOKS S N1T & FRE%40
  ,S>AH NO4$1 SMIL+ PRETTILY4 8,S9CE
WE'RE ALM "!1 ,I ?"\ ,I'D BR+ X \4 ,X'S
NO?+ FANCY1 RE,Y1 B ,I SD :5 WE />T$ ,I
DID N WANT 6>RIVE 9 ,OREGON WE>+ RAGS60
  ,/UNG1 ,I TURN$ AWAY & />$ AT ! BU2L+
CREEK4 ,MY [N DRESS1 ONCE RI* M>OON1 0
BL1*$ A SICKLY P9K4 ,ALL ( U ,K+ WOM5 _H
LO/ \R ROSY R.D;S4 ,I 0 WORN 6NO?+ B B"O
& MUSCLE & S9EW4 ,ALT ,I FELT L "S ,MIS-
S\RI CORN-PAT* SC>ECR[1 W1!R$ 6%R$S 0!
ELE;TS4
  8,OH1 ,I'M SORRY10 ,S>AH SD1 R1LIZ+
TOO LATE H[ H] -;T M/ H S.D$4 8,I DIDN'T
M1N--0 ,B :AT CD %E SAY8 ,WE BO? "U/OOD
MY TATT]$ 3DI;N 0 EXACTLY :AT       #BGF
%E'D HOP$ 6AVOID4
  ,JIMMY FUSS$ 6BE LET D[N1 WRI7L+1
SLIPP+ HMF FREE F MY >MS 6G PA4+ ACR !
WET S&--PAT PAT PAT--&=A FEW MO;TS NO?+
M 0 SD4 ,F9,Y MY NEW ACQUA9T.E SEEM$ UN-
A# 63TA9 A MO;T L;G] H] DELI<T AT H] [N
GD =TUNE4
  8,ACTU,Y1 ,I J GOT M>RI$ 9 ,APRIL & ,I
H A :OLE TR\SS1U10 %E 3FESS$4 8,?+S M*
NIC] ?AN ?4 ,MY "M & MY AUNTS SEW$ X
ALL4 ,I HAV5'T T\*$ X ! :OLE WAY4 ,& MY
,H5RY IS S SWEET4 ,:5 WE _H 6L1VE ?+S 0!
TRAIL 6LI<T5 ! WAGON1 HE N"E ONCE SU7E/$
L1V+ MY TRUNK40
  ,I SI<$1 PURELY SICK ) 5VY4 ,0 X H]
K9D & 3SID]ATE NEW HUSB&8 ,! FACT T %E
_H A TRUNK;L ( PRETTY DRESSES8 ,MAYBE
"PLY1 B M1 ,I ?9K ,I 5VI$ H] "S?+ H>D]
6PUT 96^WS4 ,S>AH ,HELMICK _H MADE PLANS
AB ? TRIP & !Y _H -E TRUE4 ,%E'D BE5 DE-
T]M9$ H] >RIVAL WD 2 A C]TA9 WAY1 & N[1
"H %E /OOD1 A BIT M FRECKL$ 0! SUN ?AN
%E'D H LIK$ MAYBE1 B /1 %E 0 WE>+ A
CRISP NEW DRESS4 ,%E 0 BUOYANT1 N--L ME
--BROK54                            #BGG
  ,WE ,K+S MADE PLANS TOO4 ,:AT GD DID X
D8 ,I FELT L ,GOD ,HMF _H SLAPP$ U D[N4
  ,JIMMY FELL BACK ON 8 BOTTOM1 LAU<$1 &
GAMELY PU%$ HMF 6HIS FEET AG4
  8,YR LL BOY'S S* A D>L+10 ,S>AH ,HEL-
MICK SD1 A GD-HE>T$ ATTEMPT 6/E] AWAY F
! AWKW>D -P>ISON ( W>DROBES4
  8,HE'S N M9E4 ,HE'S MY SI/]'S4 ,SAME )
! LL GIRL OV] "!40 ,I PO9T$ \ ,ME7IE1 :O
_H MANAG$ 6"W H] WAY 96! ,FULL] BOYS'
DI7+ PROJECT4
  ,S>AH LOOK$ >.D4 8,IS YR SI/] D[N )!
FEV] !N80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,%E'S ''' WE TOOK
,MEEK'S CUT(F40
  ,9/ANT "U/&+ CL\D$ ,S>AH'S FACE4 8,WE
HE>D AB T40 ,%E WAT*$ ,JIMMY1 ALL SYMPA-
?Y1 & TACT;LLY DIDN'T REQUIRE ME 6-E "R
\ & SAY X--T1 L DOZ5S ( O!R *N 9 \R "PY1
HE 0 N[ "M.S4 8,POOR LL ?+40
  ,JIMMY DIDN'T SEEM 6FEEL L A POOR LL
?+1 ?\<4 ,/OOP+ 6FL+ SCOOPS ( WET S&
OV]H1D1 HE APPE>$ P]FECTLY DELI<T$ )!
_W4
  8,HE J TOOK 8 F/ /EPS A C\PLE (   #BGH
"DS AGO10 ,I SD4 8,N[ ,I'M *AS+ HM ALL !
"T40
  ,WE WAT*$ HM FROLIC =A FEW MO;TS1 !N
,S>AH SD1 8,I'M S GLAD WE DIDN'T G T
R\TE4 ,MY ,H5RY J KNEW X WD 2 BAD4 ,EV5
?\< WE'D TRU/$ ,CAPTA9 ,P>K] "R UP UNTIL
!N1 ,H5RY SD HE WDN'T RISK X1 EV5 IF X
M1NT SIGN+ ON )A NEW CAPTA940
  8,DID Y HE> AB 8 WIFE & BABY80
  8,CAPTA9 ,P>K]'S8 ,NO1 :AT80
  8,!Y DI$40
  8,LL ,G9NY80
  8,WELL1 YES1 %E DI$1 TOO1 B ,I M1NT !
NEWBORN40
  8,OH1 MY ,"L4 ,N[ Y SEE1 ,I'M SURE T
WDN'T H HAPP5$ IF !Y'D /AY$ ) U4 ,& !N
WE ALL 5D$ UP GETT+ "H 2F Y ANYWAY40
  ,I LOOK$ \ OV] ! RIV] 6! DRY1 TAN
HILLS 2Y1 TRY+ H>D N 6HE> ! H9T ( RE-
CRIM9,N 9 ?4
  8,I RECKON Y M/ 2 K9D ( MAD AT YR M5-
FOLK !N10 ,S>AH SD4 8,T !Y DRA7$ Y \ "!
! WR;G WAY4 ,"S SAY X'S LUCKY Y DIDN'T
.ALL DIE40
  ,P 7 SAY+ T8 ,9 A SU45 RU% (      #BGI
LOVE & LOYALTY1 ,I SD1 8,NO1 ,I'M N MAD4
,X WASN'T _! FAULT40
  ,ACTU,Y1 "R UP 6T MO;T1 MAYBE ,I _H
BE5 RES5T+ :AT WE'D BE5 PUT "?1 B 0 T
FAIR8 ,! 5TIRE J\RNEY _H BE5 A S]IES (
*OICES1 & UP 6! V LA/ \R ,K+ M5 _H *OS5
"R4 ,!Y _H GD R1SONS = RISK+ ! CUT(F4 ,!
FACT T X TURN$ \ 6BE WR;G DIDN'T M1N "!
0 ANY?+ WR;G ) .!M4 ,:Y1 ,I'D PUT UP \R
BUN* AG/ ANY"O'S4
  ,I WAT*$ ,R[L& & ,AMOS MUSCLE A LOG
96PLACE ON ! RAFT4
  8,T'S MY BRO!R ,AMOS10 ,I SD1 PO9T+ HM
\4 8,HE RAN A F]RY BACK ON ! ,MISS\RI1 S
HE "KS ALL AB ^! ?+S40
  8,T'S LUCKY10 ,S>AH ALL[$4
  8,ANO!R ( MY BRO!RS &A BOY F ! FAMILY
WE'RE ) ALR SET (F ON ! CATTLE TRAIL4
,WE'VE GOT Q A F9E H]D--,SPANI% ,DURHAM4
,DIDN'T LOSE TOO _M AL;G ! WAY40
  ,BRA7+1 ,I "K4 ,B ,I CDN'T RESI/ PO9T+
\ ."S?+ \R FAMILY _H MANAG$ PROP]LY1
."S?+ T _H TURN$ \ "R4 ,2C :AT IF WE ._H
SET \ A BIT PU6$ ) PRIDE8 ,WE'D PD = T1
& M4 ,& S :AT IF ALL \R PLANS       #BHJ
_HN'T "W$ \8 ,T DIDN'T MAKE C>E;L PLANN+
"S?+ 6BE A%AM$ (1 DID X8
  8,:O'S ! TALL "O80 ,S>AH ASK$4
  8,:AT8 ,OH1 T'S ,R[L& ,*AMB]S4 ,MY
SI/]'S HUSB&40 ,& "! W5T MY *EEKS1 GETT+
ALL HOT AG4 8,WELL1 HE 0 H] HUSB&4 ,2F4
,HE'S ? LL FELLA'S PA40
  8,GD-LOOK+1 ISN'T HE80
  8,YES1 HE IS10 ,I SD1 & !N A4$ QKLY1
8,ALL \R BOYS >E40

  ,! NEXT MORN+ ,I /OOD ON ! SAME SPOT &
WAT*$ ,S>AH ,HELMICK'S "PY LOAD+ _! TWO
RAFTS4 ,H"O/LY1 "O (! WOM5 LOOK$ S F>
PA/ H] "T1 X SEEM$ %E CD H BIR!D H] BABY
TWO MON?S AGO4
  ,Z _! "PY UNTI$ ! MOOR+ L9ES1 WE ,K+S
& ,FULL]S /OPP$ "W 6WAT*1 A SIGN ( RE-
SPECT1 X SEEM$ 6ME1 =! BOLD & DANG]\S
NATURE ( ? "UTAK+4 ,Z !Y PU%$ AWAY1 ,S>-
AH ,HELMICK WAV$ 6ME1 !N PATT$ H] LL
TRUNK Z IF 6SAY1 ..,"H X IS1 ! LOVELY
TR\SS1U ,I 0 DESCRIB+ 6.Y6
  ,I NO4$ & SMIL$1 WAV+ !M (F4
  8,GD LUCK 6Y60 ,R[L& CALL$1 &     #BHA
,I SAW ,AMOS SQU9T+ AT ! RAFTS Z !Y 7
CAU<T 0! CURR5TS1 TRY+1 Z ALW1 6LE>N :AT
HE CD F ^? :O 7 GO+ 2F4

  ,T EV5+ ,I CLIMB$ 96,SUSAN'S WAGON1
,A2IE FOLL[+4
  8,I'M HOT10 ,LEXIE KEPT SAY+4
  8,"H'S A DR9K ( WAT]1 H"OY10 ,A2IE SD1
GLANC+ AT ME L %E WANT$ 6MAKE SURE ,I
"U/OOD J H[ BAD (F ,LEXIE WAS4
  ,B 0N[ ,I'D SE5 ALM "EY"O 9 \R FAMILY
GET SICK & !N GET WELL4 ,I WASN'T OV]LY
WORRI$4
  8,"!1 PET10 ,I SD1 SMOO?+ ,LEXIE'S
MATT$ CURLS4 8,:AT A GD1 BRAVE GIRL Y'VE
BE540 ,!N ,I TURN$ 6,SUSAN & MADE MY
VOICE *E];L4 8,TM'S ! "D4 ,AMOS SAYS !
RAFT IS R1DY &! W1!R LOOKS F9E4 ,WE'RE
GO+ 6RIDE T RIV] "R ON D[N40
  8,B ,I'M ''' ,I'M N R1DY 6TRAVEL40
  8,WELL1 ? H>DLY EV5 C.TS = TRAVEL+60
,I SD4 8,Y WON'T H 6TAKE "O /EP6 ,Y'LL J
LIE "! L A PR9CESS1 FLOAT+ AL;G40
  ,%E SE>*$ MY FACE4 8,Y DON'T ?9K X'LL
2 H>D-GO+80                         #BHB
  8,OH1 NO1 N AT ALL10 ,I SD1 & TURN$ TO
,A2IE4 8,T'S :AT ! BOYS >E SAY+1 ISN'T
X80
  8,UM ''' YES10 ,A2IE SD1 Z IF %E'D BE5
S CAU<T UP 9 MY PLAYACT+1 X TOOK H] A
MO;T 6?9K H[ 6JO9 IN4
  ,POOR ,SUSAN4 ,"! 0 NO L;G] ANY S* ?+
Z TOO SICK 6TRAVEL1 IF "! "E _H BE54 ,=
SIX MON?S "!'D BE5 WAY TOO M* /OPP+ ON
A3.T ( SCATT]$ CATTLE1 BROK5 WAGON
:EELS1 LACK ( WAT] AH1D1 OR J PLA9 N "K+
: DIREC;N 6G4 ,N[1 IF ! WAGONS1 ! F]-
RIES1 ! ROPE PULLEYS1 ! LOG RAFTS1 OR
:AT"E CURR5T 3VEY.E ! M5 _H RI7$ 0 R1DY1
WE _H 6BE R1DY TOO4 ,WE CD NO L;G] AF=D
6LAY BY--N =A P]SON 6L1VE ? _W OR 6-E
96X1 M* LESS = "S"O :O 0 M]ELY D1?LY
ILL4
  8,2SS1 Y'RE GO+ 6BE BETT] TM10 ,I SD )
Z M* 3VIC;N Z ,I CD MU/]4 8,Y'RE N \ (
YR H1D ANYMORE1 & ONCE ! RA% />TS FAD+1
WE "K Y'RE ON YR WAY 6WELL4 ,& Y'RE
/R;G6 ,LOOK H[ L;G Y'VE F"\ ? (F 9 ! F/
PLACE4 ,:Y1 Y FOOL$ "EYBODY4 ,WE ?"\ Y 7
FRAIL60                             #BHC
  ,SUSAN MOAN$4 8,I "K T'S :AT YR MA
?9KS4 ,:AT %E'S ALW ?"\40
  8,%E SURE DOESN'T ?9K T ANYMORE4 ,J TD
%E 0 SAY+ H[ Y TURN$ \ 6H WAY M GRIT ?AN
%E "E KNEW40
  8,RE,Y80
  8,RE,Y4 ,& %E 0 TELL+ ! SNAKE /ORY AG1
WASN'T %E1 ,A2IE80
  ,A2IE NO4$4
  ,SMIL+ FA9TLY AT ! NO;N1 ,SUSAN DRIFT$
BACK 6SLEEP4
  ,AF WE CLIMB$ \ (! WAGON & GOT A LL
WAYS AWAY1 ,A2IE :IRL$ & BLOCK$ MY PA?4
  8,! W1!R IS N F9E10 %E A3US$ ME4
  ,I LOOK$ UP AT ! COLD1 GRAY SKY1 !N \
6! :ITECAPS ON ! RIV]'S *OPP+ WAVES4
8,X'S Z GD Z X'S GO+ 6GET40
  8,& Y DON'T RE,Y ?9K ,SUSAN'S BETT]40
  8,:AT6 ,I D TOO60
  8,Y .ALW ?9K ?+S >E GO+ 6BE F9E10 ,AB-
BIE SD4 8,Y "E LI/5 6YRF8 ,Y SD ! V SAME
?+S 6,S,Y4 ,I HE>D Y4 ,& !N LOOK :AT
HAPP5$4 ,I ?9K %E KNEW ALL AL;G %E
WASN'T GO+ 6MAKE X4 ,& %E 0 "R6 ,"S"TS
?+S >E .N F9E40                     #BHD
  ,WELL1 %E _H ME "!4 ,B S :AT8
  8,LET'S SEE10 ,I SD4 8,S,Y WORRI$ %E
WDN'T MAKE X & %E DIDN'T4 ,DOES T MAKE
H] ! W9N]8 ,= 2+ "R80 ,I PO9T$ AT ,SU-
SAN'S WAGON4 8,Y WANT ME 6G 9 "! & TELL
H] ,I RE,Y DON'T ?9K %E'S GO+ 6MAKE X8
,H1V5 "KS ,I WDN'T WANT 6BE CAU<T PRE-
DICT+ .WR;G40
  ,A2IE />T$ SNI6L+4 8,Y "K ,I DON'T M1N
X T WAY4 ,I'M J SC>$ = !M1 T'S ALL4 ,&
,I'M SC>$ AB ! RIV]40
  8,I "K40 ,I SI<$--A L;G1 TIR$1 ALM-TO-
!-5D-(-!-TRAIL SI<4 8,-E ON1 !N1 DON'T
CRY4 ,I'M SORRY ,I S.D$ M1N4 ,! ?+ IS1
,A2IE1 ,I'VE J DECID$ "!'S N M* USE 9
ASSUM+ ! WOR/4 ,IF WE'D />T$ FIGUR+ WE
W]5'T ANY ( U GO+ 6MAKE X 6,OREGON ! F/
"T ! GO+ GOT R\<1 WELL1 WE CD'VE SAT "R
D[N 9 ! DU/ & WAIT$ 6DIE1 "R8 ,SAV$ \RVS
A ?\S& MILES4 ,& WE WD H6 ,DI$1 ,I M1N4
,2C ,I'LL BET ! QKE/ WAY 6TURN 96FOLKS
:O >5'T GO+ 6MAKE X IS 6/>T .ACT+ L
FOLKS :O >5'T GO+ 6MAKE X40
  ,A2IE GAVE T A GRUDG+ SMILE4
  8,WE'VE GOT 6H FAI?1 ,A2IE40      #BHE
  8,B X'S S H>D60
  8,I "K40 ,I LOOK$ ACR ! CAMP 6MY [N
W1!R-B1T5 WAGON4 8,ALM Z H>D Z .N HAV+
FAI?40




















                                    #BHF
























                ,SEV5TE5            #BHG

  ,! M5 TOOK ! ,K+ & ,FULL] WAGONS A"P &
LOAD$ !M ONTO ! RAFT1 SPAC+ !M EV5LY1
SETT+ EA* WAGON BOX ON XS [N F\R :EELS
LAID FLAT4 ,Z SOON Z MY BRO!R ,JOHN'S
WAGON 0 9 PLACE1 HE C>E;LLY SCOOP$ ,SU-
SAN 96HIS >MS & C>RI$ H] ONTO ! RAFT1
T5D]LY SETTL+ H] 96! WAGON B$4 ,A2IE
FOLL[$ ) BABY ,*>LIE & ,LEXIE4 ,NEXT !
SUPPLIES 7 LOAD$ &1 F9,Y1 WE WOM5 &
GIRLS BR"\ ! LA/ (! LL "OS ABO>D1 9CLUD+
,LL ,LUTE1 :O 0 WELL & FEI/Y Z "E4 ,NO-
BODY C>$ 6KEEP T RAMBUNCTI\S * QUIET ON
! RAFT "O M9UTE L;G] ?AN NEC4
  ,/&+ 0\R [N WAGON1 HAV+ NE/L$ ,JIMMY
SECURELY 9SIDE1 ,I GRIPP$ ! FRONT CANVAS
B[ Z ! M5 UNTI$ ! RAFT & PU%$ X (F4
  ,O!R M5 ON %ORE PAUS$ 9 _! [N RAFT-
BUILD+ LABORS1 /RAI<T5$ & TURN$ \R WAY4
,S DID _! WOM5 & *N4 ,Z "O LL GIRL WAV$1
,I LIFT$ A H& 9 ANSW]+ F>EWELL4
  8,"EYBODY WAT*+ U10 ,ME7IE SD4
  ,I NO4$1 SW++ H] 96! WAGON BOX1 WI%+
!Y W]5'T4 ,MI<T'VE BE5 EASI] 6ACT BRAVE
IF !Y ALL J KEPT "W+1 PRET5D+ ? 0   #BHH
M]ELY R\T9E & N AN "UTAK+ %AD[$ 0S*
GRAVE RISKS4
  ,B !N1 WE'D D"O ! SAME ?+ :5 O!RS _H
DE"P$4 ,I GUESS A P]SON J DOESN'T "U/& !
OM9\S E6ECT ( ? RESPECT;L WIT;S UNTIL
%E'S ! "O /&+ ON ! RAFT1 FLOAT+ AWAY1
WAT*+ ALL ^? FIGURES ON %ORE GR[ SMALL Z
!Y REC$E 96! 4T.E4
  ,SU45LY ! RAFT TEET]$4 ,I /UM#D = BAL-
.E4 ,WAT] SLO%$ AL;G ! CRACKS 2T ! LOGS
"U MY PAT*$ BOOTS4 ,I LOOK$ 6,R[L&4 ,7
WE 9 TR\#8 ,0 X SUPPOS$ 6TILT L ?8
  ,HE GAVE ME A QK1 REASSUR+ NOD4 ,I
/>T$ BR1?+ AG4 ,R[L& ,I CD TRU/4 ,IF HE
0 CALM1 ,I CD 2 CALM TOO4
  ,BIG-EY$1 ,ME7IE /OOD FRAM$ 0! C9*$
CANVAS AT ! 5D (! WAGON BOX4
  8,SEE80 ,I SD 6H] ) =C$ *E] Z ! CURR5T
CAU<T ! RAFT4 8,"H WE G1 D[N ! RIV]60
,LOOK+ ACR \R CRAFT1 ,I R1LIZ$ ,SOL 0
MANN+ "O (! SWEEPS4 ,H"O/LY1 T BOY SIM-
PLY REFUS$ 6GRASP ! FACT T HE WASN'T "O
(! GR[N M54
  ,A2IE /OOD H] PO/ AT BRO!R ,JOHN'S
WAGON1 9SIDE ( : ,SUSAN1 ,LEXIE1    #BHI
& LL ,*>LIE 7 B$D$ D[N4
  8,H[ >E !Y80 ,I CALL$ OV] ! RU% ( W9D
& WAT]4
  8,BETT]1 ,I ?9K10 %E CALL$ BACK4 ,!N1
PE]+ 9SIDE1 %E FR[N$4 8,LUTE6 ,Y /OP T60
  ,I FAC$ =W>D 96! W9D Z ! DRY1 B>E
HILLS 2GAN 6GLIDE BY4 ,! WAT]Y AIR FELT
GD ON MY FACE4 ,MAYBE ? RIV] PASSAGE
WASN'T GO+ 6BE S BAD AF ALL4 ,AT L1/ WE
W]5'T /RU7L+ OV] M M.TA9S 2H ,CAPTA9
,B>L[4 ,AF HUNDR$S ^U HUNDR$S ( KNOCK-
AB1 BUMP+ MILES1 ? 0 ALM PL1SANT4
  ,! ,COLUMBIA FL[$ NOR? AT F/ =A MILE
OR TWO1 !N VE]$ WE/1 R.D+ A HI<-RIDG$
PO9T ON ! LEFT4 ,ALM IMMLY "! APPE>$ ON
! HILLCRE/S & 9 ! RAV9ES D>K GRE5 PAT*ES
( TIMB]4
  ,F9,Y1 AF SIX MON?S & TWO ?\S& MILES3
TALL TREES4

  ,WE MADE CAMP 9 A =EBOD+ SPOT ON !
NOR? %ORE T NI<T1 OPPOSITE AN ISL& !
,9DIANS CALL$ ,MEMALOOSE1 ! RE/+ PLACE (
_! D1D4 ,I ?"\ ( ,S,Y1 H[ -PLETELY
UNN]V$ %E WD H BE5 0?4 ,AT ! NOR?   #BIJ
%ORE CAMP1 :5 ,I W5T A LL WAYS 96!
WOODS1 ,I NOTIC$ AN ODD S.D "UFOOT4 ,I
LOOK$ D[N4 ,B"OS4 ,HUMAN B"OS4 ,I HELD
MY BR1?1 %UT MY EYES1 & BACK$ \1 W9C+ AT
EA* /EP4 ,? WASN'T J AN OM9\S "N4 ,^! 7
P4 ,? 0 _! SACR$ PLACE1 & WE 7 TRESPASS-
]S "H4 ,I CDN'T WAIT 6GET 2Y X4
  ,LATE T NI<T1 :5 ! O!R WOM5 & *N _H
G"O 6B$1 ,I OV]HE>D ! M5 AT ! CAMPFIRE
DEBAT+ YET ANO!R CRUCIAL *OICE4 ,!Y
SPOKE 9 L[1 E>NE/ VOICES4
  8,I'M ?9K+ MAYBE WE %D PORTAGE10 ,PA
SD4 8,I DON'T L ! S.D (! /ORIES -+ F D[N
"!40
  8,D[N "!0 M1NT ! DR1D$ RAPIDS1 ,I
KNEW1 B :AT _H ! M5 HE>D8 ,I KNEW AB
,R"E5D ,MOORE4 ,7 "! O!RS :O'D DA%$ _!
RAFTS ON ! ROCKS8
  8,B ! "T1 ,PA10 ,AMOS SD4 8,6PACK "EY-
?+ >.D ON T ROAD '''0
  8,N EV5 A ROAD1 IS X80 ,R[L& PUT IN4
  8,>5'T "S GETT+ "?80 ,MR4 ,FULL] ASK$4
  8,"S1 YES10 ,R[L& REPLI$1 8B DID Y HE>
T ,HUDSON'S ,BAY FELL[8 ,*URN$ 6MUD1
AXLE-DEEP1 HE SD4 ,& N[1 ) EV5 M    #BIA
RA9 '''0 ,"! 0 A PAUSE4 8,I H 6"Q :E!R
WE CD GET ! WAGONS "? AT ALL40
  8,N 6M5;N ! WOM5 & *N10 ,JOHN A4$4
8,WELL1 "S ( !M CD D X1 B ! WAY ,SUSAN
IS "R N[1 &! LL "OS '''0
  ,R[L& TURN$ 6MY BRO!R4 8,I ?"\ !Y 7
BETT]40 ,& !N HE A4$1 8,L1/ T'S :AT ,LO-
VISA SD40
  ,I %IV]$ 9 ! %AD[S4 ,J 6HE> HM SP1K MY
"N4 ,CR$IT MY OP9ION4
  ,JOHN SI<$4 8,A LL BETT]1 MAYBE1 B
,SUSAN C'T MAKE ANY H>D HIKE1 T'S =
SURE40
  ,AN [L HOOT$ 9 ! L;G1 BROOD+ SIL;E Z
,I IMAG9$ EA* MAN WEI<+ ! RISKS4 ,NO
*OICE 0 FREE ( !M1 N :5 "T & W1!R 7
POIS$ 6TAKE _! [N TOLLS4 ,:AT 0 ! USE (
PLAY+ X SAFE1 AVOID+ ! RIV]1 ONLY 6DIE (
COLD & SICK;S8
  8,I FEEL PRETTY GD AB ! RAFT1 ,PA10
,AMOS SD F9,Y4 8,%E'S N WAT]LO7$ L "S40
  ,T SEEM$ 6BE X1 !N1 ! 5D (! 4CUS.N4 ,X
S.D$ 6ME Z IF !Y'D AGRE$ ON TRY+ ! RIV]1
! RIV] ALL ! WAY4
  8,S10 ,R[L& SD4 8,:580            #BIB
  8,"D AF TM1 ,I FIGURE10 ,AMOS SD4
  8,GIVE Y ANY CLUE :AT 6WAT* =80
  ,AMOS NO4$1 !N LAU<$ %ORTLY1 )\T HU-
MOR4 8,LOOKS L A LAKE4 ,J :5 Y ?9K Y'RE
SAFE1 SEE8 ,T'S :5 Y'RE N40

  ,:5 ,I CRAWL$ 96! T5T ,A2IE & ,I 7 %>+
) ,ME7IE & ,JIMMY1 ,A2IE :ISP]$ T %E _H
A SECRET 63FESS3 ,%E & ,PRICE 7 PROMIS$4
  ,N[ :Y DID T NEWS PRICK ME L A KNIFE
PO9T8 ,AF ALL1 X CAME Z NO SURPRISE4 ,I
SI<$4 ,I'D FELT ! SAME :5 ,MEL9DA &
,AMOS _H MADE _! 5GAGE;T (FICIAL4 ,"EY"O
0 PAIR+ UP4 ,X 0 GETT+ H>D]1 TRY+ 6PRE-
T5D ,I DIDN'T C>E4 ,:AT 0 GO+ 6HAPP5 TO
ME8
  8,HE ASK$ J 2F !Y />T$ (F )! CATTLE10
,A2IE SD4 8,& Y "K :AT HE SD8 ,HE SAYS1
,8,A2IE1 ,I FIGUR$ Y 7 ! "O = ME "R F !
/>T4 ,OR AT L1/ =! LA/ ?\S& MILES40' ,HE
SD HE WANT$ 6GET MY PROMISE 2F1 B X
WASN'T UNTIL N[ HE FELT HE CD4 ,2C N[
WE'RE ALM "!40
  ,WE 7 QUIET A MO;T1 P]H AT ! SOLEMN
NO;N T ! S-CALL$ ,PROMIS$ ,L& 0     #BIC
AT H&4 ,X 0 H>D 62LIEVE1 = ,I CD B>ELY
REMEMB] ! "T 2F1 A "T :5 WE W]5'T ON !
ROAD1 :5 E "D'S MA9 ?"\ WASN'T ! /RU7LE
6DRAG ! WAGONS A LL F>!R WE/4 ,& N[1 J Z
AT ! 2G9N+1 P WD 2 GO+ SEP>ATE WAYS4
,DECI.NS _H 6BE MADE4
  8,?9K Y'LL M>RY "R (F80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,I HOPE S4 ,B ,LOVISA1
,I'M S HAPPY6 ,OH1 ,I D WI% Y CD 2 HAPPY
L ? TOO40
  ,I TUCK$ A TATT]$ BLANKET >.D ,ME7IE4
,I CD N"E 2 HAPPY 9 ! SAME WAY Z ,A2IE1
T 0 SURE4 ,A2IE'S JOY 0 S PURE & UNCOM-
PLICAT$4 ,H] FEEL+S 7 NO?+ L ! MIX$-UP
MESS TWI/+ 9SIDE ME4
  8,>E Y FEEL+ BAD AB ,JOHN ,NO#80 ,A2IE
SD4 8,IS T X80
  ,I HESITAT$4 8,I FEEL BAD HE DI$4 ,I
FEEL BAD ,I CDN'T EV5 CRY :5 ,I HE>D4 ,X
DIDN'T MAKE ME ?9K ,I %D H WANT$ 6M>RY
HM1 ?\<1 IF T'S :AT Y'RE IMAG9+40
  8,NO4 ,I "K40
  ,& !N1 AF A MO;T1 8,LOVISA8 ,"S"TS
,I'VE WOND]$4 ,H Y "E ?"\ AB--0 ,A2IE
DROPP$ H] VOICE 6A :ISP]4 8,R[-     #BID
L&80
  ,9 ! D>K;S (! T5T1 A HOT FLU% RU%$ F
MY C5T] \ 6MY SCALP & D[N 6MY TOES4
  8,:AT AB HM80 ,I :ISP]$ BACK--A DESP]-
ATE EF=T AT N Q -PREH5D+4
  8,Y CD M>RY .HM40
  8,A2IE60
  8,WELL1 :AT8 ,HE LIKES Y4 ,"EY"O "KS
X4 ,I C'T 2LIEVE H[ P]T Y TALK 6HM1 & HE
DOESN'T EV5 SEEM 6M9D40
  8,WELL1 :AT'S HE GO+ 6D8 ,TELL ME N TO
TAKE C>E ( ^! *N8 ,/OP WA%+ 8 SOCKS80
  8,OH1 Y "K X'S M ?AN T6 ,:5 Y 7 SICK
HE--0
  8,A2IE1 /OP X60 ,I :ISP]$4 8,N 9 FRONT
(--0
  8,OH1 POOH4 ,%E DOESN'T "K :AT WE'RE
TALK+ AB40
  8,TALK9' 'B\T MY PA10 ,ME7IE MUTT]$1 B
,A2IE DIDN'T EV5 HE> H]4
  8,R[L& SAYS ?1 ,R[L& SAYS T10 %E MIM-
ICK$4 8,Y "K Y'VE ALW LIK$ HM40
  8,I H N6 ,I DIDN'T EV5 WANT 6BE 9 8
WAGON4 ,I TOLD Y T "R F ! F/40
  ,A L;G SIL;E 5SU$4 ,I ?"\ MAYBE   #BIE
,A2IE 0 R1DY 6LET X DROP1 B NO4
  8,X'S PLA9 Y DON'T ?9K ,I'M TOO SM>T
AB ^! ?+S10 %E F9,Y V5TUR$1 8B ,I "K Y1
,LOVISA4 ,I'VE WAT*$ Y4 ,SAY+ Y DON'T
C>E =A MAN 6COV] UP H[ M* Y .D C>E IS N
! SAME Z TRULY N LIK+ HM40
  ,WELL4 ,T FAIR TOOK ! W9D \ ( ME4
  8,IN FACT1 ,I'D SAY X'S M L ! EXACT
OPPOSITE40
  ,:AT CD ,I SAY8 ,6?9K X %D 2 MY LL
SI/] :O WD NAIL X S N1TLY4 ,GD ?+ X 0
D>K4 ,I DIDN'T WANT H] SEE+ MY FACE4
  8,A2IE8 ,CD WE N TALK AB ? ANYMORE8
,AT L1/ N "R N[80
  ,MAYBE %E CD TALK AB ?+S L ? 9 FRONT (
,LEXIE & GET AWAY ) X1 B ,ME7IE 0 TOO
SM>T4 ,POOR LL ?+4 ,%E DIDN'T NE$ 6HE>
TALK AB P M>RY+ H] "F :5 H] "M 0 H>DLY
COLD 9 ! GR.D4
  ,"L1 ,I'D DIE IF ANY"O 9 ! FAMILY EV5
SUSPECT$ ,I'D "E _H S* A ?"\6 ,ME1 ?9K+
= "O 9/ANT ,I CD REPLACE ,S,Y8 ,T 0 A GD
"O4 ,S,Y 0 "EY?+ ,I 0 N--K9D & PATI5T1
G5TLE-MANN]$1 & ,I'LL BET %E N"E EV5 _H
A BAD ?"\ AB A P]SON1 N"E M9D A     #BIF
BAD ^W4 ,NO WOND] ,R[L& ADOR$ H]4 ,& ME
S LACK+ 9 ALL ^? ?+S1 S -PLETELY ! OPPO-
SITE1 H[ CD HE "E FEEL ANY": NE> T WAY
AB ME8
  ,\ 9 ! TREETOPS1 ! [L HOOT$4 ,ONCE AG
,I FELT SURELY ,I M/ 2 ! LA/ P]SON 9 !
:OLE CAMP / AWAKE1 />+ 96! D>K;S4

  ,! MI<TY ,COLUMBIA SURG$ "E WE/W>D1 &
ON X 0 BORNE \R RAFT4 ,N ! ONLY CRAFT
NAVIGAT+ ! WAT]S T "D1 B X MI<T Z WELL H
BE5 = ALL ,I CD SEE Z WE FLOAT$ AL;G1
MANEUV]+ ! WAT]Y CORRIDOR "O BROAD B5D
AT A "T4
  ,! BANKS ROSE PRECIPIT\SLY ON EI SIDE
N[1 =M+ MAJE/IC PORTALS CR[N$ )! TALLE/
FIRS4
  ,"! _H BE5 S _M GATEWAYS ON ? J\RNEY4
,WE _H TRAVEL$ "U ! WIDE/ ( SKIES1 & N[
? F9AL1 BR1?TAK+ PASSAGE 6! WE/ _H N>R[$
T SKY 6B A SWA?4 ,I ?REW BACK MY H1D4 ,!
M.TA9S 7 S HI<1 S MAGNIFIC5T4 ,& AT LA/1
! =E/S4 ,IF ,I _H FELT SMALL AG/ ! VA/;S
(! PLA9S1 ^! T[]+ PALISADES MADE ME FEEL
Z IF WE 7 M]E SPECKS ( HUMAN;Y      #BIG
BO2+ AL;G4
  ,AT E TURN1 E B5D1 A NEW VI/A OP5$ 2F
U1 &) EA* SC5E REV1L$1 ,I'D WOND]3 .,IS
.? .X8
  ,I LOOK$ ACR ! RAFT 6,R[L&1 :O /OOD
BRAC$ AT 8 SWEEP4 ,I RECALL$ ! ^WS ,A2IE
_H :ISP]$ 9 ! D>K4 ,%E 0 S "R H[ ,I FELT
AB HM4 ,H[ ,I'D ALW FELT1 D[N DEEP4 ,I'D
BE5 AFRAID 6ADMIT X EV5 6MYF1 H[ M* ,I
ADMIR$ MY [N SI/]'S HUSB&4
  ,F9,Y ! RAFT R.D$ A WOOD$ PO9T & '''
MY BR1? /OPP$4 ,! LAKE4 ,! BROAD1 FLAT
WAT] APPE>$ 65D AT A 4TANT %ORE /RAI<T
AH1D1 ": A L[ L9E ( TREES /RUCK \ ACR !
RIV] L A DAM4
  ,A GL.E AT ,R[L& TOLD ME ,I'D GUESS$
"R4 ,"S?+ 9 8 PO/URE SEEM$ NEWLY AL]T4
,ALL ! M5 _H -E 6ATT5;N & LOOK$ 6EA* O!R
= A6IRM,N4 ,!Y TRAD$ GRIM NODS4 ,? 0 X4
,! M>RI$ "OS W5T 6_! WIVES4 ,MY HE>T
GRIPP$4 ,R[L& _H H&$ (F ! SWEEP 6,AMOS &
0 -+ 6ME4 ,WELL1 6U1 ANYWAY4
  8,R1DY1 ,ME7IE80 HE SD4 8,X MI<T GET
B\NCY40
  ,ME7IE NO4$ SOLEMNLY4             #BIH
  8,/ ?9K+ ! SAME AB 2+ 9 ! WAGON B$80
,I ASK$4
  ,HE LOOK$ AT ! :EEL.S WOOD5 BOX1 CAL-
CULAT+4 ,I CD ALM SEE HM TRY+ 6IMAG9E "O
M "T H[ ?+S MI<T G WR;G1 : WAY ! WAGON
MI<T SLIDE1 H[ A T9Y BODY MI<T 2 CRU%$
0"S FR1KI% UPH1VAL4 ,WE _H PRIVATELY
4CUSS$ E>LI] :E!R 6LA% ! *N 6! WAGON OR
6! RAFT XF1 B ! HORRIFIC NO;N ( "O ( !M
2+ PULL$ "U 0! S9K+ RAFT / MADE ME QU1SY
E "T ,I 3SID]$ TRY+ X T WAY4
  8,:AT D Y ?9K80 ,R[L& SD4
  ,ASK+ .ME4 ,OH1 WE .7 A GD T1M4 ,SU45-
LY ,I FELT H[ DESP]ATELY ,I DID WANT TO
GET "? ?4 ,WANT$ .ALL ( U 6SURVIVE4 ,2C
IF X 0 NO S91 ! WAY ,I FELT1 !N AT ! 5D
( ? '''
  8,LOVISA8 ,:AT'S BE/8 ,9 OR \80
  ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 ,NO "T 6?9K AB !
5D4 ,"T 6?9K AB N[4
  8,I GUESS ,I'LL SIT TI<T ) !M \TSIDE10
,I SD4 8,Y "K1 9 CASE '''0
  ,HE NO4$4 ,HE DIDN'T NE$ ME PUTT+ X
96^WS3 ..,9 CASE ! RAFT SMA%ES ON !
ROCKS & \R ONLY HOPE IS JUMP+       #BII
.CLE> '''
  ,& N[ ,I HE>D A FA9T1 4TANT RO>4
  8,R[L&40 ,I LI/5$4 8,IS T '''80
  8,:AT8 ,! W9D80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 ,N[ HE HE>D X TOO4 ,I
SAW "S?+ 9 8 JAW "W4 ,! S.D WASN'T Z L\D
Z ! RO> ( ^? FALLS 9 ! ,SNAKE ,RIV]1 !
"OS WE'D HE>D AT S* AN AMAZ+ 4T.E4 ,B
!N1 ^? W]5'T WAT]S WE 7 ATTEMPT+ 6NAVI-
GATE4 ,^! W]E4
  8,X'LL / TAKE A LL :ILE 6GET "!40 ,R[-
L& T\SL$ ! *N'S H1DS4
  8,GET 6:AT80 ,ME7IE SD1 FACE UPTURN$1
LOOK+ 6ME1 !N ,R[L&4
  ,NEI ( U ANSW]$4 ,WE 7 LOOK+ AT EA*
O!R4
  8,WE'RE GO+ 6BE F9E10 HE SD4 8,Y HE>
ME80
  ,I NO4$1 PU%+ ! W9D-:IPP$ HAIR F MY
FACE4 ,WE 7 ALIKE 9 ?--AGREE+ 6TRY BE-
LIEV+ ! BE/4
  ,I WAT*$ HM PICK 8 WAY BACK OV] !
SLIPP]Y LOGS 6TAKE UP "O (! EXTRA /E]+
POLES4 ,I GL.ED >.D AT ! O!R WOM5--,MA )
,LYDIA & ,RHODA1 ,ANNIE HAV+ A      #CJJ
QUIET ^W ) ,SOL1 ,HOPE /RU7L+ 6HOLD LL
,WILEY1 :O1 AT EI<TE5 MON?S MO/ DEF9ITE-
LY DID N WANT 6BE HELD1 ! "Y] ,FULL]
BOYS "U ,MEL9DA'S W+4 ,"S?+ S HELP.S AB
ALL ?4 ,WE 7 SUPPOS$ 6BRACE \RVS1 B H[8
,LEFT 6\R [N 9/9CTS1 WE'D H GA!R$ AT !
C5T] (! RAFT & CLUNG TGR = SUPPORT4 ,B
WE CDN'T4 ,WE _H 6OBEY ! M5'S 9/RUC;NS
6KEEP 6\R ASSIGN$ PLACES4 ,! WEI<T ( EA*
WIFE1 EA* 2LOV$ *1 EA* BALE ( GDS--ALL
_H BE5 CALCULAT$ & 4TRIBUT$ 9 S* A WAY Z
6KEEP ! RAFT BAL.ED4
  ,I GAVE MY "M & LL SI/]S A BRAVE1 *9-
UP LOOK1 !N TURN$ 6,ME7IE & ,JIMMY4
8,WELL60 ,I SD *E];LLY1 KNEEL+ D[N 6!M4
8,% WE J SIT "R "H80
  8,X'S WET10 ,ME7IE PO9T$ \4
  8,T WON'T HURT40 ,I DIDN'T APPRECIATE
! COLD DAMP;S EI1 B ? WD FEEL M SECURE1
& IF WE GOT "? ? ) NO?+ B DAMP SKIRTS1
WE'D 2 DO+ F9E4 ,I SAT D[N1 MY BACK AG/
! WAGON1 & PULL$ ! *N CLOSE1 "O >M WRAP-
P+ EA*4
  8,SEE80 ,I SD4 8,WE C BRACE \R FEET
AG/ ^! LL LOGS ! DA4IES TI$ ON      #CJA
TOP4 ,!N WE WON'T 2 SLID+ >.D4 ,ME7IE8
,HAS YR PA "E RI45 Y FA/ ON 8 HORSE80
  ,ME7IE %OOK H] H1D NO4
  8,WELL1 !N1 ,I RECKON ?IS'LL 2 ! FA/E/
RIDE Y'VE "E _H60
  ,ME7IE1 B.S H] HE>T1 0 TOO SM>T = ?
K9D ( TALK4 ,%E BIT H] LIP GRAVELY1 EYES
WID5+ 9 SICK1 9CONSOLA# FE>4 ,%E CD SEE
WELL 5 NOBODY 0 GETT+ R1DY = FUN4
  ,I SI<$4 8,WE'LL 2 ALL "R1 H"OY40
  ,AT ! NEXT WAGON ,A2IE LOOK$ F"R5$
TOO4 ,SUSAN1 ,LEXIE1 &! BABY1 ,*>LIE1
LAY 9SIDE4 ,= !M1 "! WASN'T M* *OICE4
,WDN'T X 2 A B.S+ IF !Y CD J SLEEP "? !
:OLE ?+8
  ,N[ A KNICK]$ LEG SWUNG OV] ! BACK (
_! WAGON4
  8,LUTE60 ,A2IE SD1 BLOCK+ 8 WAY4
8,DON'T6 ,Y HE>D YR PA6 ,Y'VE GOT 6/AY
9SIDE60
  8,:Y80 HE DEM&$4 8,I WANNA SEE60
  8,/AY 9 "!60 8 "F ,JOHN CALL$ F 8 PO/
AT ! /]N'S R\<LY CRAFT$ RU4]4 8,X'S SAF-
]4 ,Y TOO1 ,A2IE40
  ,A2IE LOOK$ AT ME1 %RU7$1 &       #CJB
CLIMB$ IN4
  ,"L1 ,I ?"\1 />+ AF H]4 ,EV5 ! M5
DIDN'T AGREE :AT 0 BE/ OR SAFE/4 ,WELL1
? RAFT+ (! RAPIDS 0 N A ?+ )A LOT (
PREC$5T1 & Z ,PA _H F/ PO9T$ \ WAY BACK
9 ,C>ROLL ,C.TY1 T'S :AT PIONE]+ 0 ALL
AB--2+ F/1 TRY+ "S?+ NEW )\T ANY GU>AN-
TEES4 ,H[ EXHIL>AT+ T _H S.D$ AT ! 2G9-
N+6 ,N[ X S.D$ RECK.S4 ,FOOLI%1 EV54 ,WE
NE$$ A BETT] PLAN4 ,A SAF] "O4 ,WE NE$$
P :O'D D"O ? 2F 6GIVE U ADVICE4
  ,B ADVICE WASN'T 6BE _H4 ,N = ? 5D1V-
OR4 ,Z ,R[L& _H 3FID$ 6ME1 ! BE/ ANY"O
CD TELL U AB %OOT+ ! RAPIDS CD 2 SUMM$
UP 9 TWO ^WS3 .,TRY4 ,& !N1 .HOPE4
  .,OH1 .,GOD4
  ,! RAFT VE]$ %>PLY 6! LEFT Z WE 7
PULL$ REL5T.SLY T[>D T OM9\S RO>4 ,ALL !
WAT] ( ? WIDE RIV] 0 2+ =C$ "? A *ASM AT
! S\!RN SIDE1 A N>R[+ WE WD MO;T>ILY G
CRA%+ "?4 ,MY EYES D>T$ >.D4 ,! RAFT _H
SEEM$ S HUGE ON %ORE1 S /URDY1 A V]ITA#
>K4 ,N[ X SEEM$ PA9;LLY CLE> X 0 B A
FLIMSY LA%+ ( WET LOGS1 A FRAIL B>RI] 2T
U &! *URN+ :ITE WAT]4               #CJC
  ,NO6 ,! RAFT LUR*$ =W>D4 ,? ISN'T A GD
IDEA6 ,WE %D H G"O ! NEW M.TA9 ROAD )
,CAPTA9 ,B>L[6 ,? CDN'T POSSIBLY 2 !
SAF] R\TE4 ,OR WE %D H "SH[ PORTAG$ >.D
? "P4 .,I CD H WALK$4 ,MUD 0 NO?+ 6?4
  ,B1 TOO LATE4 ,\R C\RSE 0 *OS54 ,!
RAFT R.D$ ! B5D1 SPUN A -PLETE & T]RIFY+
FULL TURN1 !N PLUNG$ AH1D4
  ,"O GLIMPSE (! :ITE WAT] & ,I %UT MY
EYES4 ,D[NW>D WE CRA%$1 B\NC+ 9 ! WAVES4
,"U MY >M1 ,ME7IE :IMP]$4 ,SPRAY NE$L$
U4 ,"? A SPACE 2T ! WAGONS1 ,I CD SEE
,R[L&1 ALR SOAK+ WET1 /RU7L+ = FOOT+4 ,8
FACE 0 SET1 8 BODY BRAC$1 MUSCLES T5S$4
,?R[+ E \NCE ( /R5G? AG/ X1 HE HOI/$ !
SWEEP F XS LOCK4 ,"! WD 2 NO /E]+ N[4
,ONLY A PU%+ AWAY F ! ROCKS4 ,GOD HELP
HM4 ,GOD HELP U ALL4 ,/1 HE DIDN'T LOOK
PANICKY1 M]ELY RESOLUTE1 Z IF HE _H EX-
PECT$ ? 6BE H>D & NO?+ 9 X SURPRIS$ HM4
  ,I LOOK$ D[N AT ! *N & %\T$1 8,YR DAD-
DY'S A GD RAFT]60
  ,ME7IE _H H] FACE BURI$ & WDN'T LOOK
UP1 B ,JIMMY CR[$ ) DELI<T Z ! SPRAY HIT
HM1 ! LL D>L+4 ,MADE ME WANT TO     #CJD
LAU< & CRY AT ! SAME "T4 ,I LOV$ 8 9NO-
C5T FE>.S;S4 ,I FELT A H9T ( X TOO1 !
SIMULTANE\S JOY & T]ROR ( RAC+ AH1D1 !
SWIFT SLIDE D[N A SLOPE ( WAT]4
  ,! TUMBL+ RAPIDS CAME 9 SU3ES.N Z ! M5
/RU7L$ 6AIM ! CRAFT 96! YAWN+ JAWS ( EA*
BOIL+ CAULDRON4 ,"S"TS WE'D HIT A BRIEF1
CALM] /RET*1 GIV+ J 5 "T = U 6/&1 CRANE
>.D1 & GET ! ALL'S-WELL SIGNAL F EA* O?-
]4 ,WE 7 WET & COLD4 ,WE 7 SC>$4 ,B /1
WE WOM5 CLUT*$ ! *N1 & IF ! M5 CD MAKE
NO PRET5SE ( \T"R 3TROL1 !Y M.T$ AN 5]-
GETIC /.E ( DEF5SE AG/ EA* ROCK \TCROP-
P+1 M5 :O 7 =! MO/ "P LE>N+ ! >T ( RIV]
PILOT+ Z !Y W5T4
  8,T WAY6 ,LEFT6 ,NO1 N[ "R60 ,%\T+ AT
EA* O!R1 !Y 7 4COV]+ ! R\TE Z !Y W5T
AL;G1 GUESS+ _! WAY1 GAMBL+ !Y CD *OOSE
AG/ ! D1DLIE/ (! RAPIDS1 PITT+ !MVS AG/
! RIV] 9 A BATTLE = "EY?+ !Y [N$ & E HU-
MAN 2+ !Y LOV$4
  ,BUCK+ & ROCK+1 ! RAFT C>E5$ D[NRIV]4
,MY H1D KNOCK$ AG/ ! WAGON4 ,I %UT MY
EYES1 CL5*$ MY TEE?1 & HUNG ON = DE>
LIFE Z R&OM ?"\S FLICK]$ "? MY      #CJE
BRA94 ,A2IE &! SICK "OS--:AT IDIOCY1
IMAG9+ ANY"O MI<T SLEEP "? ?6 ,I CLUT*$
! BABIES TI<T]4 .,OH1 .,S,Y1 ,I ?"\1
..LOOK :AT Y GOT 6MISS4 ,LOOK D[N1 SEE
:AT'S HAPP5+ 6U N[4 ,2 \R .ANGEL4
  ,! RAFT SLAMM$ AG/ A ROCK1 J>R+ B"OS1
/RA9+ TE!RS4 ,! LOG CRAFT GROAN$ OM9\S-
LY1 CR1K+ Z ! WAT] RU%$ PA/4
  8,PU% H] (F60 ! M5 7 YELL+4 8,LOOK \60
  ,)A WR5*+ J]K ! CRAFT POPP$ LOOSE &
DROPP$ )A JAW-SLAMM+ ?UD 96A POOL 2L1
SP9N+1 HESITAT+1 !N HURTL+ D[NW>D AG4
  ,JIMMY 0 :IMP]+ N[1 NO L;G] AMUS$4
,EV5 A "O-YE>-OLD CDN'T HELP ! 3TAGION (
PURE FE>1 ! GUT W>N+ ( DANG]4 ,F\R MILES
( RAPIDS !Y'D SD4 ,! DESC5T SEEM$ 5D.S4
,I OP5$ MY EYES 9 "T 6SEE ,JIMMY ?R[ UP4
  8,OH1 SWEETIE40 ,I US$ ! HEM ( 8 SMOCK
6WIPE 8 M\?4 8,WE'RE ALM "?10 ,I MUR-
MUR$1 NOTIC+ ! LI<T AH1D ": ! RIV] OP5$
\4
  ,B J !N ! RAFT HIT "S?+ & /ALL$4
,AL>M+LY1 X 2GAN 6TILT4
  8,GET H] (F60 ! M5 7 YELL+4 8,GET H]
(F60                                #CJF
  ,I JUMP$ UP4 ,MA & ,MEL9DA SCR1M$4 ,"O
CORN] (! RAFT DIPP$ D[NW>D &1 NI<TM>I%-
LY1 B>RELS 2GAN TIPP+ & ROLL+ T[>D !
:ITE WAT] T SEEM$ R1DY 6SWALL[ ! CRAFT
:OLE4
  8,GET D[N60 ,R[L& YELL$4 8,HANG TI<T40
  ,I OBEY$1 DROPP+ 6! UPHILL SIDE (!
WAGON ": WE WDN'T 2 HIT1 ,I FIGUR$1 IF X
SLID1 BRAC+ MY FEET ON ! CROSS LOGS1
GRIPP+ ! SCR1M+ *N4 ,I HE>D A T]RI#
GROAN+ RASP & TURN$ 6SEE ! ROPE HOLD+
,JOHN & ,SUSAN'S WAGON TI<T51 /RA9 AN
9/ANT1 !N SNAP4
  ,! WAGON LUR*$ T[>D ! WAT]4
  8,GET \60 ,JOHN %\T$4
  ,F ! UPHILL CANVAS OP5+1 ,LL ,LUTE
CAME TUMBL+1 SCRAMBL+ UP ! RAFT4 ,A2IE
CLIMB$ \ "R 2H4
  ,MY SI/] & ,I LOCK$ EYES 9 SPLIT-
SECOND RECOGNI;N4 ,? WASN'T A NI<TM>E4
,? WASN'T "S"O ELSE'S TRAGIC /ORY4 ,? 0
U1 \R WOR/ FE> -+ TRUE4
  ,:AT HAPP5$ NEXT 0 F9I%$ 9 A FLA%1 B !
HORROR ( X SE>$ A P]MAN5T SC> 9 MY M9D1
A CLE> & UN=GETTA# PICTURE T WD 2   #CJG
) ME Z L;G Z ,I LIV$4 ,I WD ALW 2 GRATE-
;L "!'D BE5 NO GLIMPSE ( GOLD5 CURLS AT
! CANVAS FLAP4 ,X 0 BAD 5\<1 J "K+ ,SU-
SAN &! BABIES 7 9SIDE4
  ,! DOOM$ WAGON SLID1 ROCK$ BRIEFLY ON
! $GE1 !N FLIPP$ (F4
  8,NO60 ,JOHN RO>$4
  ,X 0 FA/2 X 0 SIMPLE4 ,MY BRO!R'S
WIFE1 8 *N 7 9 ! RIV]4 ,HE 0 ! "F4 ,HE 0
9 *>GE4 ,HE M/ SAVE !M4 ,)A BL L1P HE
?REW HMF AF !M4 ,HE M/ SAVE !M OR DIE
TRY+4
  ,J Z HE1 TOO1 4APPE>$ 2N ! WAVES1 !
RAFT POPP$ FREE1 "R$ XF & %OT D[N ! LA/
HUNDR$ Y>DS (! RAPIDS 6A L&+4
  ,Z FA/ Z !Y CD1 ! M5 BR"\ ! CRAFT 6RE/
AT ! PO9T ( L& >.D ! "R (! *UTE1 & WE
ALL CLAMB]$ A%ORE1 CRY+ & SCR1M+1 /A7]+
UP & D[N ! ROCKY B1*1 ! M5 YELL+ AT EA*
O!R Z IF "! 0 "S?+ !Y "\ 6D 6SAVE ! LO/
"OS1 & D X FA/4
  ,B "! 0 NO?+4 ,J L T1 X 0 OV]4
  8,OH1 MY ,GOD60 ,A2IE CRI$1 H&S 6H]
FACE4 8,OH1 MY ,GOD60
  ,I ?"\ ,I SAW "S?+ :ITE G 0IN !   #CJH
GRE5 WAT]1 B NO?+ M4
  ,JOHN1 ,SUSAN1 ,LEXIE1 & BABY ,*>LIE4
,TWO ?\S& MILES !Y'D -E1 ONLY 6BE SWAL-
L[$ UP & C>RI$ AWAY 0! ,RIV] (! ,WE/4