Page 48 of Wagon Train Hope
“Like your ma said, ‘We do our best and leave God with the rest.’” It might not be how she’d worded it, but it was close enough.
He studied the wagons pulled together in a three-cornered pen. A store of wood had been stowed under eachin preparation for crossing the valley. The oxen were grazing. They’d get lots to eat before they set out in the morning.
Satisfied, he nodded. “We’re as ready as we can be.”
From inside the circled wagons, Marnie called, “Supper. Come and get it.”
As usual, they ate well, though some supplies were getting low. Marnie had mentioned that they might need to visit one of the nearby towns. His meal over, he leaned back, Irene sitting cross-legged beside him.
Cecil brought out Pa’s guitar.
“My favorite time of the day,” Irene murmured.
Pa began to play. The music carried in the evening air. A warmth only partly from the cooking fire, filled the circle. A sense of contentment had descended, and something more. Walt wasn’t sure what to call it. Unity, perhaps? Which surprised him. He’d always been at such odds with Irene, but that was disappearing.
They sang several songs, her voice accompanying his. Uniting them in a way he’d never known before. Didn’t know it was possible.
Pa put the guitar down. “We’ve been warned the next two days will be challenging and even dangerous. Walt has done his best to prepare, and yet we will almost certainly encounter unforeseen difficulties. Let’s pray for God’s guidance and protection.” Something Pa did daily. It was more needful now than usual.
The next morning,they delayed their start to fill the water barrels. Before they left, Walt gathered them to give instructions. “The alkali is dangerous and deceptive. I have marked out a trail that I have tested. No one can leave it for any reason.”
“Agreed!” Pa’s voice was firm.
Cecil and Irene mounted their horses and rode to his side. After a few minutes, Cecil fell back to ride by each wagon and then remained at Hazel and Louise’s. When Hazel climbed down to walk, Cecil dismounted and walked at her side, taking Petey from her and parking him on his hip.
Walt grinned as he glanced back at his brother.
“What is it?” Irene turned to see what had caused it. “Cecil is kind to Hazel.”
“Maybe he feels sorry for her.”
Laughter erupted from Irene. When she could talk, she said, “There’s no need to feel sorry for her. Hazel is stronger than she looks.”
“Guess it runs in the family.”
Her smile flattened. She held his gaze. Then her eyes shone as she nodded. “Thank you.”
Cecil rejoined them. “The countryside lacks appeal.”
Walt and Irene murmured agreement before he shifted his attention to Cecil. “I need to ride ahead and find a safe trail. You keep the wagons moving. I’ve marked the way.” Rocks or branches indicated where he meant.
“I’ll go with you.” Irene nudged her horse forward.
Walt’s horse’s hooves did a circular dance as he came around to face her. “It isn’t safe.”
“All the more reason for me to go. Two pairs of eyes are better than one.”
They did a silent duel for two…three…four breaths, and then he exhaled deeply. “I suppose you’re safer with me than on your own. Come on.”
Put that way, his invitation likely didn’t sound welcoming. But she rode at his side. Once past the area he’d scouted, he stopped. “The white ring around an area means it’s not safe. It’s a little harder to see other dangerous places.” He explained how he’d learned to look for the amount of vegetation as a clue. “Where there’s less, we need to avoid that area.Stay away from ground that quivers. If we keep a little more than the width of the wagons between us, we’ll be able to mark out a safe trail.” Anxious about letting her proceed without being at her side, he’d feel better if she stayed back at the wagons, but she wouldn’t do that. There was a place for stubbornness. This wasn’t it. With a huff, he accepted that he wouldn’t be able to change her mind.
They rode between white patches. They circled the flat grayish areas. Twice, his horse drew back, feeling the unstable ground beneath his hooves. Irene’s horse did the same. He had a supply of sticks tied on behind him, and every fifty feet or so, he jabbed some in the ground to indicate it was safe.
The sun poured down on them. With their canteens now empty, he declared they should rejoin the wagons and take a noon break. The oxen were allowed to rest. They ate the hay from the wagons and drank water from the barrels. In order to keep them from heading for the scattered patches of water, someone stayed with them at all times. Bertie helped Pa do it. The women set out cold food. Walt rationed the water each of them drank.
After resting the oxen, they moved out, the heat sucking at them, but not a tree or any shelter in sight. No one complained, though Hazel had her hands full with a fussy baby that the others took turns carrying.
He rode ahead again, Irene at his side despite him having serious concerns about her safety.
