Danger at the Haunted Gate

by Jesse Wiley

  “It is the truth,” Little Wolf continues. “Where are the rest of your people?”

  Pa looks sheepish. “We left without them after the tornado because they had to stay and fix their damaged wagons. It will take them some time to repair them.”

  “So few wagons means more attacks,” says Little Wolf, shaking his head. “But we will protect you until they join you again.”

  Ma clasps her hands and smiles. “You’re very kind,” she says.

  “What do you expect in return?” Pa asks, cautiously.

  “We could use some gunpowder,” Little Wolf says. “If you have it. Or sugar.”

  The next morning the Cheyenne men return as you are ready to get back on the Trail. They lead you on a path that takes you by their settlement, and you stop there for a midday break. Hannah and Samuel stare enviously at the children running around and playing.

  Ma stops to admire a colorful woven blanket.

  “How beautiful,” Ma says. She convinces Pa to stay here for a few days. Ma says she can ask the Cheyenne people to learn how to weave during that time.

  The days quickly turn into weeks. You make friends with the Cheyenne children and learn to love life on their land. Pa hunts and fishes with the other men, and your family realizes that the Cheyenne lifestyle suits you just fine. No one is in a hurry now to get to Oregon.

   THE END

  Return to page 110

  You get the jerky and the prairie bread from the wagon. Samuel pulls the tin plates out of the box they are kept in, and Ma starts to serve the food. Just then, Eliza comes over looking for you.

  “We just got a nice fire going,” she says. “Why don’t you all come over and sit with us?”

  Hannah jumps up first. “Hurray!” she cheers.

  You take your plates to where Eliza’s family has made camp. Ma carries over the stew and the cornbread, and soon the food is sizzling over the fire. As the scent of the food fills the air, everyone is in a much more cheerful mood.

  The warmth of the fire has taken the chill out of your bones, and by now Pa has returned. You dip your bread into the gravy of the stew and take a big bite, grateful for the hot meal, and for good friends.

  After everyone is done eating, Caleb pulls out his fiddle. Another man from the wagon train takes his harmonica out of his pocket. They start to play a cheery tune, and the rest of you clap along.

  “May I have this dance?” Pa says, holding his hand out to Ma. He pulls her up and starts to twirl her around. She spins, laughing. Hannah and Samuel jump up and lock arms in a square dance. You grab hands with Eliza and Joseph and spin until you are dizzy. You all sleep well that night, exhausted but happy.

  * * *

  The next morning, you hike the rest of the way around Scotts Bluff. When you stop for your midday break, Caleb gathers the families together.

  “Look over there,” he says, pointing toward the horizon to the west. You can just make out faint purple shadows in the distance.

  “Those are the mountains we will be crossing through,” Caleb continues. “It’s going to be difficult.”

  Everyone falls silent, thinking about what is ahead. You’ve had plenty of challenges already, but now that the prairie has given way to rougher ground, there will be different ones.

  “But we are a hardy group, and I know we can do it,” Caleb adds. You nod in agreement.

  “We’re coming up close to Fort Laramie,” Caleb continues. You’ve heard of this fort before, and know it’s a trading post that was built by a fur trader.

  “It will be nice to be around civilization again,” someone adds. “How long since we’ve seen a building?”

  “And we can stock up on some supplies,” Ma says. “I’ve almost run out of salt.”

  “I’ve heard that things are especially expensive at Fort Laramie,” Caleb cautions. “The same items that cost five cents back in Independence can cost a full dollar there!”

  Everyone starts talking at once about how people take advantage of the pioneers.

  “It’s like robbery!” one woman exclaims.

  Then a man from another wagon pipes up with an idea. “We should hunt the foxes and antelope around here and then trade the furs for the items we need at the fort. I’ve heard we can fetch a pretty penny for furs.”

  “But it’s already too late in the day to hunt,” someone else says.

  “We can camp here for a day or two,” the man continues. He looks around at everyone, trying to convince them of his plan.

  “Isn’t the fur trade slowing down in these parts?” someone else asks. “And we need to keep moving to get to Independence Rock on time.”

  “But wouldn’t it be worth it, if we could stock up on all the things we need?” the man insists.

  Everyone talks at once, arguing about whether to continue to the fort now or stop to make camp and hunt here.

  “How about if the wagons that want to continue to the fort now go ahead,” Pa suggests. “Those who want to hunt can follow in a day or two.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Caleb agrees. “What are you going to do?”

  If you continue to the fort, turn to page 113

  If you camp and go hunting, turn to page 129

  Return to page 70

  Pa thinks it’s a waste of time to search for the missing men.

  “They have gotten a half a day’s head start already, and we have no idea where they could have gotten to,” he says to you all.

  “So what should we do?” Ma asks.

  “We should go back to Independence Rock,” Pa says. “We can find out more about these men, wait for them to come back and surprise them!”

  The feeling of arriving at Independence Rock is completely different this time. No one has any of the excitement you had before. Instead you’re a little nervous about what is going to happen.

  Independence Rock is still filled with loads of pioneers passing through. Everyone celebrates Independence Day here, even though the fourth of July has passed. You see people celebrate with feasts, flags, games, and even costumes. But no one in your group takes part in the merriment.

  Pa looks around to see if the men are already back but all he finds are people with stories of how they were tricked and robbed, just like you. You set up camp and wait, hoping that the men will return. As the days go by, there are no signs of them. Maybe they have moved on to another site where they can take advantage of innocent pioneers, you finally decide.

  “Now what will we do?” Ma says, hiding her tears.

  Luckily you have a flash of inspiration. You see someone who doesn’t know how to write his name pay someone else to carve his initials into Independence Rock. Before you know it, you are running a successful name-carving business of your own. You charge for both painting with axle grease and etching names into the granite.

  At this rate, you’ll earn the money you need to get back on the Trail. Eventually.

   THE END

  Return to page 35

  Those trees don’t look strong enough to build an axle from,” Pa says, after taking a better look at them.

  “I think we have no choice but to unload some of our things, then,” Ma says. “Can you turn this wagon into a cart?”

  Pa is confident he can. While Ma distributes your essential goods to different families, Pa works on the wagon. You can’t help but be bitter that of everyone’s wagon in the wagon train, yours is the one that has fallen apart. Quickly you realize that it’s going to be impossible for anyone to sit in the new cart, which means even less rest.

  “Maybe the cart will be easier to get through the mountains up ahead,” Pa says to make you all feel better.

  The cart does prove easier to navigate. But what is more difficult to handle is managing with less of your stuff and keeping track of who has it. You notice that the people you gave your things to start to use them, lose them, and eventually mix them up with their own things. Soon you are arguing over what is yours and what is theirs, and your back-and-forth bec
omes heated. Ma is really upset and tells Pa she doesn’t want to continue like this.

  “We can’t make it all the way to Oregon without our own four-wheeled wagon,” she says. Pa, looking defeated, pulls you and your little brother and sister together and breaks the news to you.

  “We are going to stop in Fort Laramie and do what it takes to fix our wagon.”

  You know what this means. Your trip is on hold for now. For how long, you don’t know.

   THE END

  Return to page 40

  Your family decides to go ahead. Only four wagons are able to continue, and you count your blessings that yours is one of them. Unfortunately, Caleb’s family is not with you, so Pa takes on the role of wagon leader.

  Things go smoothly for the first day, but you realize that you don’t have enough wagons to make a corral. That makes you nervous. You’ve heard too many stories of roving bandits and even packs of coyotes attacking pioneers on the Trail. You know most of the stories are exaggerated, but they’re still scary.

  “Do you think we should have waited for the others?” Hannah asks you as the day winds down.

  “I don’t know, but it’s really lonely out here,” you reply, looking around as the sun starts to set.

  Ma overhears you and Hannah talking and confesses that she is a little worried, too. Somehow knowing how she feels makes you feel like you need to be extra brave.

  “It’ll be okay,” you say aloud, trying hard to sound confident.

  The worst part about leaving the rest of the group is how much you miss Joseph and Eliza. Now, during the rare times that you get to rest, you won’t have them around to have fun with.

  The day is almost over, and you are ready to make camp. You help Pa gather fuel for the fire, and Ma expertly gets it roaring. As you’re sitting down to supper, you see some horses with riders heading toward you. Your heart starts to beat faster. Could these be bandits? As they get closer you can see they are Native American people. Possibly Cheyenne. Should you be wary?

  Pa looks concerned, and he urges you and Ma to get back in the wagon.

  “But we don’t know what they want yet,” Ma says.

  “It’s best to be prepared,” Pa says. “I’m responsible for everyone now.” You wonder if Pa has been feeling as insecure as the rest of you about being in a smaller wagon train.

  Another man from your group interrupts.

  “Should we tell them to turn back?” he says.

  “No,” Ma says. “Let’s invite them to supper and see what happens.”

  Pa and the other man exchange looks as they consider that idea.

  What do you decide?

  If you challenge the Cheyenne men, turn to page 140

  If you invite the Cheyenne men to supper, turn to page 98

  Return to page 87

  After your family discusses the options, Pa tells Caleb that you will continue onward to Fort Laramie. Ma is eager to get there, and Pa doesn’t want to take the extra time to hunt. He’s confident that you can trade or buy the things you need, and he’s determined to get to Independence Rock by the Fourth of July. You, Hannah, and Samuel are excited to get to the fort, too.

  Caleb will come with you, along with most of the other families. Only three of the wagons decide to stay back and hunt for furs. They say they will catch up to you later.

  You set off toward the fort, wondering what it will be like. When you arrive, you see Native people set up around it. Ma says they belong to the Arapaho tribe. You’re impressed by their animal skins and feathered headpieces. They also have beautiful beaded moccasins and woven blankets set up for sale or to trade.

  As your wagon pulls up closer to the building, you see soldiers in blue uniforms walking around. There are merchants and fur traders and plenty of other pioneer families, too.

  “It’s so nice to be here after so many days on the Trail,” Ma says. Her eyes look wistful and you know she is thinking of home.

  Later that evening, after your family makes camp, a confident-looking man approaches.

  “Good evening,” he says. “My name is George, and I’m a trader here at Fort Laramie. Welcome.”

  “Would you like to eat supper with us?” Ma offers, holding out an extra plate.

  “No, thank you, ma’am,” George replies. “But I would like to talk with you all for a bit.”

  “Of course,” Pa says. “Have a seat.”

  George sits on the ground next to you. You’re struck by how clean his clothes are compared to everyone who has been on the Trail for weeks. You feel a little embarrassed looking at how dusty and grimy everyone in your family is, but George doesn’t seem to notice.

  “You all have made a lot of progress on the Trail. Congratulations on making it so far.”

  “Thanks,” Pa says.

  “The Trail is going to get a lot harder from here on out, though, since you’re getting near the Rockies,” George goes on.

  “Yes, we know,” Pa replies.

  “I can help you out,” George continues. He looks around and points to your wagon. “You’re far too overloaded and need to lighten your wagon to help your oxen drive through the mountains.”

  “What are you suggesting?” Ma asks.

  “I’ll take your extra goods and that cow of yours in exchange for two packing mules.”

  “Packing mules?” Ma asks. “Why do we need those?”

  “When you get on the rocky terrain, they are sure-footed and can carry a lot of supplies. Your wagon will be lighter that way.”

  “We’ve been managing so far without problems,” Ma replies.

  “But you’ll soon see it gets harder to cover as much ground each day,” George says. “The less heavy your wagon, the faster you can move. If you want to get to Oregon before the harsh snows, that will be important.”

  Pa has been nodding thoughtfully.

  “But shouldn’t we keep the cow?” he says. “She gives us milk and butter.”

  “Well, that’s up to you folks to decide,” George continues. “The mules are worth a lot, so I can’t take less than the cow. Besides, you can’t load the cow up with supplies, and she might have trouble getting through the mountains.”

  George says he’ll be back in the morning, then he gets up and shakes hands with Pa. He tips his hat toward Ma and wishes you all a good night.

  When he leaves, Ma and Pa talk about what to do. Ma wants to keep the cow, but Pa is tempted to get the mules. They discuss what extra items in the wagon they can get rid of and the things they want to get. You wonder what is the best thing to do.

  What does your family decide?

  If you trade the cow and extra goods for the mules, turn to page 27

  If you keep the cow and try to get what else you need, turn to page 60

  Return to page 101

  Most of the people in your wagon train agree that you should go around the bluffs, even if it will take an extra day or two. Preventing damage to the wagons is the safest course of action.

  Caleb guides the wagons along the North Platte River, and you trek for a few hours longer. You can feel the stones on the rough path through the soles of your boots, which are wearing thin.

  You wonder how your team of oxen, which have been so strong and faithful, must feel. Not only are they walking as far as you, but they also are pulling the loaded wagon every day. Luckily, there has been plenty of green grass for them to graze on every night.

  “Woof! Woof!” Archie, your dog, sees a squirrel and barks.

  “Hold on, boy!” you call out, afraid that he will chase the squirrel.

  Archie has been great company on the journey, but he has also gotten you into trouble a couple of times. Last time he ran away, you ended up bumping into a bear while you were searching for him.

  “Let me get it,” Samuel says, ready with his slingshot.

  Back home in Kentucky, you never would have imagined this, but your favorite dish on the Trail is “Brunswick Stew,” which is made from squirrel meat. Samuel expertly
fires his slingshot, and you smile as you realize you won’t have to eat bacon again tonight.

  “Halt the wagons,” shouts Caleb.

  You notice the clouds above getting darker. Caleb was smart to stop the wagons before the rain begins.

  “I need you to go fetch some firewood in a hurry,” Pa says to you. “And get it into the wagon to keep it dry.”

  “I’ll go with you,” says Eliza.

  The two of you head toward some trees in the distance. You’ll look for fallen branches and twigs.

  “I can’t wait until we finally get off the Trail,” Eliza says as you go. “I miss sleeping in a bed.”

  “Me, too,” you agree, “but Oregon Territory is still a long way away.”

  “I know. We aren’t even halfway there,” Eliza answers with a long sigh.

  “We almost will be, once we reach Devil’s Gate,” you reply. “It means we’ll have already traveled over eight hundred miles.” You both pause as you think about what a huge distance that is.

  “But it also means we’ll have more than a thousand miles to go,” sighs Eliza, looking down at her worn boots. “Sometimes I think we’ll never get to Oregon.”

  “We’ll get there,” you say, sounding more sure of it than you feel. As you speak, the wind picks up and the sky suddenly gets dark.

  “It’s going to storm,” Eliza says, looking a little worried.