Journey of Hope: A Novel of Triumph and Heartbreak on the Oregon Trail in 1852 (31 page)

“Why, we’re giving you two a proper shivaree,” Old man Tucker said gleefully.

“Back home it’s called a serenade,” Mrs. Markham said, and with that, they all commenced to singing and banging on their makeshift instruments again. After one bawdy song, James said, “I thank you all, now if you will please…” Someone started up another song and when that one was finished, yet another was sung, all accompanied by their makeshift instruments. By this time, folks were so tickled with the exasperation on James’s face and the patience on Rebecca’s that they couldn’t help but giggle, and the song dissolved into laughter.

“Now it’s time to kidnap the groom,” someone said. Then James went into action. He picked up a pitchfork that was leaning against the tent and brandished it at the crowd.

“Oh, no, you don’t,” he said. “Your songs have been real nice. Now it’s time for all of you to go get some sleep and leave me and my bride to our rest.”

“Ha! Your rest, you say?” Came a voice from the back, and the crowd laughed uproariously. James’s face wore a menacing smile, and although people thought he was joking, no one wanted to test the new groom.

“Alright, son. We’ll leave you two be. We couldn’t let the night go by without a shivaree to celebrate your marriage,” Old man Tucker said.

James stood the pitchfork up next to him but he kept his hand on it. “Well, we thank you all kindly. I must say you are in fine voice tonight.”

Everyone laughed.

“And whoever decorated our tent,” Rebecca said, “it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

Then there were handshakes and hugs, and soon the newlyweds were alone again.

“Did you know they were going to do that?” James asked as they returned to the tent.

“I had no idea!” Rebecca said, laughing. “It’s very sweet, though.”

James looked thoughtful. “These people all mean a lot to me. This is a night that I will always remember.”

Rebecca took his hands in hers. “You mean a lot to them. That’s why they did this for us.”

He looked at her a long moment. “I thought I left my family back east, but I’ve gained a new family. When your folks took me in after I lost all my trees in the Snake, I thought that was very kind of them. But it’s become more than kindness. It’s bigger than that.” He took a long breath and let it out. “After everything that’s happened, I feel like we all have a bond that goes deeper than kindness. We’ve been through things no one should have to experience. So much pain and loss, and so much joy, too. It’s hard to describe, but I would do anything for them.”

“Yes,” Rebecca said, drawing him into her embrace. “Yes, you’re right, James, but it’s not hard to describe. It’s simply love.” She kissed him sweetly.

“Why don’t you blow out the candles,” she whispered, and James happily carried out the first request from his new bride. As he put out each candle, he made little promises to himself, and they all included love, kindness, and joy.

Birthday Gift

Chapter Thirty-Two

Mile 1842

The rain had been steady for two days and they hadn’t made good time. Captain Wyatt was encouraging everyone to push on. He rode up alongside the Browns’ wagon. Abel was in the driver’s seat. Emily was inside the wagon with Buster, sheltered from the rain. Dan Christopher and Clem Morris were leading the oxen.

“Mr. Brown, your stock would move more easily if you got down and helped them along.” He had to raise his voice above the rain.

“Christopher and Morris are helping.”

“Your weight is an extra burden, Mr. Brown.”

“Those oxen are strong, Captain. I’m fine where I am.”

“Those beasts are nearly played out, Mr. Brown.”

“They only need to last a little longer, Captain, just until we get to The Dalles. Then I’ll trade them in for a guide to take us down river.”

Captain Wyatt looked long and hard at Abel Brown before he turned his horse and rode off. He wasn’t a fool. He knew what Abel had been up to with his card games masquerading as business meetings, but there wasn’t a thing he could do about it now. Maybe he could make something happen in Oregon City. Time would tell.

He found the Muellers a few wagons back. Mrs. Mueller was inside the wagon, and Nellie and John were leading the teams. Nellie looked exhausted.

“John, we’re going to stop up here in another mile. We’ll rest for a couple of hours before we move on.”

“Alright, Captain. I think the rest will be very welcomed,” John said, glancing at his wife.

Captain Wyatt moved through the train informing the families of his plan. He knew some of them wanted to stop for the night, but he couldn’t let that happen. They were a little behind schedule, and he was worried about snow. He had been caught once before three years back. The wagon train had taken the Barlow Road and hadn’t gotten very far when a snowstorm had stopped them. Two days later, when the storm passed, they had had to backtrack and take the river route. He didn’t care for the river route. There were always mishaps, and invariably, someone drowned—a bitter end to a long and hard journey.

He drew up next to the Hanssons’ wagon. “Hans, Mr. Rowe could use your help when we stop in an hour. One of his wheels is coming apart.”

“Alright, Captain, I’ll take a look at it.”

Both Ben and Hans helped anyone in need whether they would get paid or not. Usually if they weren’t paid in money, they were compensated with a hot meal or a trade of another sort. Their skills with wagons and stock were invaluable, and they were the only overlanders who were actually making money on this trip.

Except for Mr. Brown
, the Captain thought darkly.
He’s making a lot of money
.

Two days later the rain had stopped and the sun shone brightly. The air was crisp with the smell of autumn, and the trees wore brilliant hues of reds and golds. Everyone was in good spirits anticipating the end of the long journey.

Rebecca was putting finishing touches on Tommy’s birthday cake. There had been other birthdays in the past months that had gone uncelebrated in the daily toil of the trail, but Mary had begged Rebecca to make Tommy a birthday cake. She had had to borrow sugar from Emily and eggs from Nellie. The little cake looked forlorn without icing, but she knew it would still be a welcomed treat. Sam had carefully whittled small sticks to use as candles, and these Rebecca spaced evenly around the top of the cake. Then Sam used a torch from the fire to light them.

“Okay, everyone,” Rebecca said as she walked to the campfire with the cake.

Little Annie spun in circles clapping, delighted with the celebration. Even Mattie seemed happy and content. Tommy leaned over the small cake and blew out all the candles, and everyone cheered.

“Give us a speech, Tommy,” Mary teased.

Tommy stood up, smiling, happy to be the center of attention. He bowed deeply.

“Thank you all for coming to my party,” he said. “And thank you, Rebecca, for making this fine birthday cake!” He looked around imploringly at the faces of his family. “Do I have to share it?”

“Cake!” Annie exclaimed, clapping her hands. Everyone laughed.

“Okay,” Tommy said with mock resignation. “I guess I’ll share.”

Rebecca cut the small cake into tiny pieces and passed them around.

“It’s really good, Rebecca,” Sam said. He had finished his piece in two bites. “Is there any left?”

“No, Sam! You don’t get any more. If there’s any left, it’s Tommy’s,” Mary said indignantly.

“Who made you queen of the world,” Sam said cuttingly.

“Tommy, someone has brought you a gift,” Thomas said standing up. He went to the back of the wagon and returned carrying a large and heavy rolled bundle. “Mr. Ames tanned this hide for you. He thought you might like it.” Thomas unrolled the hide and they all looked in silence for a few moments. There was the hide and head of the bear that had chased Tommy in the meadow. It was now a bearskin rug. Its teeth were bared and the eyes were pieces of black stone.

“Wow!” Tommy said. “Is it really mine, Dad?”

Annie crawled into Rebecca’s lap, not sure what the mean looking animal would do.

“Yes, it’s all yours!”

“You’re so lucky!” Sam exclaimed. “Look at those teeth! They almost chomped you, Tommy!”

“That’s scary!” Mary said.

Ruth and Rebecca exchanged looks. “That is not going in the house,” Ruth said adamantly.

“Ma! It would look so great on the floor in front of the fireplace,” Sam said, feeling one of the long incisors.

Ruth looked at Thomas threateningly.

“It’s okay, Ma,” Tommy said. “I’ll put it in my room.”

Ruth let the discussion end for now, but there was no way that bear was ever going to have a place in her home. Never!

Sam, Mary, and Tommy were closely examining the head of the bear. Thomas looked at his wife from across the fire. He recognized the determined jaw set on Ruth’s face. He smiled to himself.
The bear might end up in the barn
, he thought. That would be the closest Ruth would ever let it get to her family. It had gotten too close when it was alive.

Lost And Found

Chapter Thirty-Three

October 5, 1852
Mile 1883

The wagon train had crossed the Des Chute River and was stopped for the mid-day meal when James Cardell told his wife Rebecca that two oxen were missing.

“Missing? Where could they be?” she replied.

“They can’t have gone far. I looked close by but I didn’t see them.”

“James, we have to find them!”

“Sam and Thomas are helping me look. Thomas saddled Molly and is riding out a ways.” James looked worried. They were so close to The Dalles now, and to lose two oxen would be devastating. But they weren’t on the prairie, and visibility was compromised by the trees and brush.

“James, what about asking the Indians to help us?” Rebecca asked. When they had made camp, there were a few Indians camped close by.

James looked reluctant, but then he remembered losing his trees in the Snake River because he hadn’t asked the Indians for help. He sighed heavily. “Alright, Rebecca, I’ll ask them.”

James and thirteen-year-old Sam walked over to the Indian camp. Two of the four men stood up when they approached. “Speak English?” James asked.

One of them nodded.

“I’ve lost two oxen and I could use your help.”

The English-speaking Indian turned to the other and spoke in his native language. The other man looked at James and Sam and then back to his friend. He nodded.

“We will help,” the first man said, and the two Indians turned and walked to their horses that were tied close by.

James breathed a sigh and he and Sam walked back to camp.

“Why are we asking the Indians for help? Why can’t we find them ourselves?” Sam asked.

“Because the Indians know this place. They’ve lived here a long time, and they know where animals will go.”

Sam was thoughtful for a few minutes. “I guess you’re right, James. How did you get so smart?”

“Your sister Rebecca is the smart one, Sam. I’ve had to learn the hard way.”