The Wagon Train Trek

by Jesse Wiley

  You look around over the ridge. You remember hearing something about the local Arapaho Nation in this area having treaties with the soldiers. You’ve also heard from passing traders in Independence and Big Springs that different Plains Nations have rights to these herds of buffalo.

  “Maybe we should wait and see,” you suggest.

  Mr. O’Neil stomps his foot. “Wait for what, exactly?”

  “Look!” You point to the top of the ridge, where five Arapaho men sit on horseback. “I think they have a right to this herd of buffalo.”

  Pa squints into the sunlight. “Hmm. I think you might be correct.”

  “You don’t know that.” Mr. O’Neil’s face is red. “Maybe they’re waitin’ to hunt those buffalo like the rest of us. There’s plenty of ’em to go around. Plenty. We don’t need much meat, anyway.”

  “I’m not sure we should interfere.” Pa wipes his brow.

  “Just one buffalo,” Mr. O’Neil insists. “That’s it, Doctor. Can’t hurt to kill just one buffalo, can it?”

  You’re not sure. What should your family do?

  If you ask him to leave the buffalo alone, turn to page 78

  If you let him hunt the buffalo, turn to page 62

  Return to page 120

  You’re so close to Oregon City. It’s not much farther to continue down the Willamette River to your final destination. You’ve got to keep moving. Everyone can rest when you get to Oregon City. You don’t want to lose momentum now.

  The O’Neils disagree at first. They want to stop in Fort Vancouver to get supplies. The Joneses support their decision, but the Whittakers and the Masons both want to keep moving as you do.

  Ultimately, you decide to split up your rafts and continue on ahead without the two families. Your Klickitat guide named Ow-hi tells you that he wants to end his journey with you in Fort Vancouver rather than go all the way down the Willamette River to Oregon City. You say farewell to him when you get to the fort. Now you must navigate the rest of the way on your own.

  At first, this leg of the journey goes smoothly. Pa, Mr. Whittaker, and Mr. Mason continue to herd the livestock along the riverbank while you and the others drive the raft down the river.

  The weather takes a turn for the worse. The wind picks up, and rain pours down in sheets. Before you know it, the raft is pulled under by the river current. You and the others are left floundering for shore. It’s a miracle that no one drowns, but all your supplies and food are floating downstream. You may be alive, but your dreams of Oregon City drown in this river.

   THE END

  Return to page 95

  Hunting this herd of buffalo doesn’t sound like a good idea, especially with the Arapaho men on the other side of the valley.

  “Remember what the soldiers said, Pa,” you say. “They have treaties with the Nations in this area. If we hunt buffalo, there could be trouble. We don’t want that, do we?”

  Pa shakes his head. “No, we certainly don’t.” He wipes dust off his spectacles and turns to Mr. O’Neil. “If you’re running low on supplies, we’ll be happy to share. But we need to leave these buffalo alone. We’ll stop a few miles up ahead. There might be more buffalo or some antelopes, even.”

  “But . . .” Mr. O’Neil stops himself. “All right. We’ll keep going.” He hauls his gun over his shoulder and returns to his wagon.

  As you start moving again, George Washington barks. You look over to see one of the Arapaho men waving. You smile, knowing you did the right thing. Only a few miles later, you find a small herd of deer grazing. Pa and several of the other men retrieve the meat from three bucks, which will last several days among the six wagons. You, Annie, and Matthew help pick up dried patches of buffalo dung, or “buffalo chips,” which you’ll use as kindling for campfires.

  “Chips or not, it’s still manure,” Matthew snickers.

  Annie rolls her eyes, and you laugh.

  You eventually make it to Fort Bridger, where you rest for a day, restock on supplies, and continue on. You cross canyons and rivers. Your wagon gets a broken axle. Mr. Whittaker helps you and Pa replace it, but now you have only one extra left.

  Weeks later, you reach Fort Hall. It’s bustling with excitement. There are soldiers, traders, Cheyenne families, and other wagon trains stopping there before moving on to either Oregon, Salt Lake City, or California. You hear people murmuring about the Gold Rush.

  You smile as a young girl eagerly scratches your Newfoundlands’ shaggy heads. She’s wearing clothing of the Cheyenne Nation.

  “They’re friendly.” You smile.

  She sneaks them a piece of buffalo jerky just before your ma calls you away. You wave goodbye. You wish you could stay longer, but you’re here for only a few days. Pa buys a new replacement axle, and Ma stocks up on more food. She even cooks soft, doughy biscuits and a fresh apple pie. Your favorite!

  On the second day, you’re milking Trixie while Ma and Pa are loading food onto the wagon.

  Mr. Whittaker approaches. “Listen, Doctor, some of the other families and I have been talking. We’ve been thinking that we might try to head south to California instead of north to Oregon. Trail might be a bit easier, and there might be more opportunity, given the Gold Rush.”

  Pa’s eyes widen. “You really think it’s a wise idea to change trails now? Gold is hardly a guaranteed prospect, Mr. Whittaker.”

  “Well, we’ve depleted more funds than we would’ve liked. You know we had to chuck some of my bigger tools along the way. I’m not sure I have enough money to buy new ones when we get to Oregon City. If we happen to strike gold out in California—

  “That’s a big ‘if.’” Ma steps beside Pa.

  Mr. Whittaker nods. “I know. But . . . we’re seriously considering it. Would you folks be willing to split up and go with us and the O’Neils to California?”

  You remember hearing about people heading to California in droves, but not everyone winds up striking gold. In fact, you’ve been hearing murmurs around the fort that the Gold Rush may be over.

  Should you agree to split up and try for California, or try to convince everyone to keep going on the Oregon Trail?

  If you keep going on the Oregon Trail, turn to page 129

  If you try the California Trail, turn to page 106

  Return to page 71

  Although you’re concerned about the fur traders returning, you know the oxen won’t make it more than a few miles.

  “We’ll have a better chance if we keep watch tonight,” you offer. “That’s what being in a wagon train is all about, right, Pa? Making sure we look after one another?”

  Pa and Ma share a smile.

  “You’re absolutely right.” Pa hugs you to his side. “Especially as leaders of the train, we need to ensure everyone’s well-being. We have a better chance of that by staying in a strong corral.”

  That night, Pa and the other men keep watch around the circle of wagons. In the middle of the night, you hear something just outside your tent. George Washington and King George whimper, then growl. You scramble outside to see one of the fur traders sneaking toward your wagon!

  You shout for your pa. He and Mr. Whittaker rush over. They scare off the “fur traders.”

  “Good work!” They pat you on the back.

  You scratch your dogs’ heads. “The Georges helped!”

  King George rewards you with an especially slobbery kiss.

  The next morning, there’s still excitement over last night’s hubbub, but you’ve all overslept and get a late start to the day. You hurry to scribble everything down in your family’s journal as Ma and Pa cook a hasty breakfast. The camp is chaotic.

  You stuff your face with johnnycakes—a flat cornmeal cake cooked on the griddle—and bacon as quickly as you can. Now you’re very thirsty. The food tastes a bit funny, but you’re so hungry, you don’t complain. Maybe it wasn’t cooked enough, but you know everyone is in a hurry to make up for lost time and get to Big Springs.

  A few hours into travel
ing, both Pa and Ma complain of stomach cramps. Soon, your wagon has to stop. Pa and Ma are shaking and throwing up. They both have a fever and they’re too sick to go on. With Pa being the only doctor, no one else knows how to help them.

  “Maybe there’s a doctor in Big Springs.” Mrs. Whittaker pulls at her bonnet. “We could go get help.”

  You’re not sure what to do. Pa has taught you some medical information. Should you try to find another doctor or help them yourself?

  If you try to get help at Big Springs, turn to page 117

  If you try to help them yourself, turn to page 118

  Return to page 20

  I don’t think we’ll make it trying to trap animals for trade, Pa,” you admit. Pa is a doctor. He’s never been an especially good hunter, and none of you knows the first thing about trading for a living along the Oregon Trail. Back home you lived in a busy town—you haven’t had much practice killing and skinning animals.

  Pa nods. “I don’t think we would. We should try to head back to Big Springs. Maybe I can get work as a doctor there. I’m sure lots of passing pioneers will need our help.”

  But Mr. Mason and the Joneses are upset by this prospect.

  “You’re just going to turn back?” Mr. Mason says. “You were supposed to be our wagon-train captain, Doctor!”

  Pa shrugs helplessly. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing else we can do.”

  Mr. Mason storms off. “I’m sorry we ever joined this wagon train. A lot of good it’s done us.”

  Your family and the Whittakers are the only ones to head back to Big Springs. The Masons and the Joneses decide to hunt animals and sell their fur along the Trail. You finally make it back to Big Springs, where Pa sets up a small practice caring for the tiny community, along with any passing wagon trains. It’s not the life you’d hoped for, but it’ll do until you can try for Oregon City next year.

   THE END

  Return to page 62

  You shake your head. “No, Ma, don’t go. It’s snowing too much. We should try to wait it out.”

  Pa opens his eyes and nods weakly. “Don’t go out in this. You could get stuck in the snow.” He trembles and pulls his blanket tighter around himself.

  “Hush!” Ma wraps her scarf around him. “Don’t talk. You need to rest.”

  But you and she both know there’s little either of you can do.

  “Here, Pa—drink some water.” You hold a steaming-hot cup to his lips.

  Before he takes one sip, he doubles over. Ma moves to help him. Your heart fills with worry. Maybe trying to brave the storm would have been the wiser option—that is, if your own brain weren’t so fuzzy. Now you’re shaking. Within hours, you die of cholera.

   THE END

  Return to page 66

  We’ve done all the work we can here, Pa,” you say. “Salt Lake City is nice, but we should keep going to California.”

  Ma smiles. “I’ll echo that. It feels like we’ve been here for years, not days. Let’s move on.”

  You meet up with the other two families, who are relieved to finally be pushing forth on the California Trail after delaying for so long.

  “We’re sure glad you decided to come along, Doc,” Mr. O’Neil admits. “Thought you were going to settle here for good.”

  Pa shakes his head. “Just performing my Hippocratic oath, Mr. O’Neil. But we’re ready to be your wagon captains once again.”

  You’re not even twenty miles out when disaster strikes. Mrs. Whittaker comes across a snake in the brush. It bites her ankle. Pa tries to save her, but he’s too late. She dies several days later. Her children are devastated. Mr. Whittaker announces he’s going back to Salt Lake City.

  “Don’t think we’ll make it out to California now.” Tears fill his eyes.

  You’re sad to say goodbye to Annie and Matthew. You and the O’Neils press on. An axle on your wagon breaks, and you’re not sure how to fix it. Mr. Whittaker was the carpenter, but now he’s gone. Mr. O’Neil and Pa eventually replace it, but the wagon never moves as smoothly as it did before.

  You eventually run short on water. Two of your oxen die of dehydration. To make matters worse, you’re so exhausted and thirsty that you forget to tie up Trixie one night. She wanders off into the desert. You never find her again.

  You hope you’ll make it to California eventually, but the second half of your journey has been riddled with heartache and disaster. You never should have split up your wagon train and left the Oregon Trail.

   THE END

  Return to page 91

  These people need our help, Pa,” you say. “It wouldn’t be right to just leave when everyone’s so sick and in need of a doctor.”

  Pa rolls up his sleeves and wipes his brow. “You’re absolutely right. It’s our duty to do what’s best for these poor people.”

  Ma smiles and squeezes your shoulder. “We’ll make it to California eventually. I’m proud of you for understanding what’s really important.”

  The three of you find a nearby inn to stay and board your team of oxen—and Trixie, of course—while you set up a makeshift practice to help the suffering community. You and Ma act as Pa’s assistants, running to and fro to help him change linens and towels. You retrieve water from the nearby spring and boil it to make sure it’s clean. The patients’ area is as comfortable and sterile as possible.

  It’s not pleasant work, and many people still die of cholera. But you know that you’re making a difference and manage to help save several lives. You make sure to tell people to always boil their water, to avoid alkaline water at all costs, and to eat only fully cooked food.

  The Whittakers and the O’Neils aren’t pleased about lingering in Salt Lake City for so long. On the fourth day in the city, both families come and find you.

  “Doc, we know you’re trying to do good here,” Mr. O’Neil says. “But we gotta keep moving on. We’re honestly afraid of getting cholera ourselves.”

  “We have to think about our own families.” Mrs. Whittaker clutches little William tightly. “This place is riddled with sickness. We can’t stay here. If you intend on living here, we’ll move on without you.”

  Pa wipes his brow and looks to you and Ma. “We didn’t plan on staying here for good, Mrs. Whittaker. But . . . let me talk it over with my family, and I’ll let you all know.”

  “By tonight!” Mr. Whittaker slams his fist on the counter. “We’re leaving first thing tomorrow morning, with or without you, Dr. Howard.”

  Later that day, you receive a sudden influx of patients that leaves you and your parents overwhelmed with work. You barely have time to breathe, much less think about packing up and going back on the Trail. Despite all the hard work, you start to get to know the families in the community, who are grateful to have a physician in the area. You feel good knowing you’re helping, and you start to make new friends.

  That night, you and your parents sit around a table at the inn’s tavern, worn out and unsure of what to do. You like Salt Lake City. The people are friendly, and it’s a pleasant climate.

  Should you stay here for a while longer or keep going with the other two families along the California Trail?

  If you stay in Salt Lake City, turn to page 29

  If you keep moving along the California Trail, turn to page 89

  Return to page 59

  Most of you are running low on funds, but finding a guide to help navigate the river is worth the price. You pool some money together and locate a guide nearby.

  Soon enough, you meet a Klickitat man named Ow-hi who agrees to navigate your rafts through the rocky river gorge. You help Ma, Pa, and the others build two large rafts for the wagon train—you’ll have to leave your wagons behind. Ow-hi will be on the raft with you, the Whittakers, and the Masons, while the O’Neils and the Joneses will follow on the other raft.

  But not even Ow-hi can get you past a deadly stretch of rapids called the Cascades, nearly thirty miles ahead. About four miles long, the rapids are far too steep for any raft o
r canoe. Ow-hi tells everyone that the Cascades must be portaged, meaning the supplies must be carried overland for a short period.

  “But that’s impossible!” Mr. Mason shakes his fist. “We have far too much to carry!” He waves to his two wagons.

  “There will be others to help,” Ow-hi promises. “It will not be an easy path, but it is the only way around the rapids.”

  Mr. Mason wrinkles his nose.

  Pa clasps a strong hand onto your shoulder. “I’m glad you’ll have someone to help you. I feel better knowing the journey will be safer for everyone.”

  “What do you mean?” Your eyebrows raise.

  “Ow-hi tells us that it’s safer to drive the stock on the bank of the river alongside you and meet you at the portage. Which is why I’m counting on you to listen to Ow-hi and help your ma raft our wagon’s cargo safely down the river. Can you do that?”

  You nod and swallow. This will be even more difficult than you thought.

  Finally, all five families are on the two rafts, and Mr. O’Neil has the stock herded off on the riverbank. You start out on the Columbia River. The rafts are precarious. You’re afraid that they will tip over in a watery whirlpool. Everything you have will be lost.