by Rita Hestand
Johnson bowed his head in thought and then raised himself to look into Cully's eyes. "Yeah, Mr. Martin Kane."
"Good, good to know. There are times when one is needed."
"Another thing, we'll be parting ways when we get to the old California trail. But until then, I'm your wagon master but I want you to feel free to confide any troubles or needs to Mr. Johnson who will relay them to me. Together we have a good size remuda and plenty of beef to see us through most of the trip. One other thing I might mention, at some point we'll be crossing rivers, at that time we will lighten our loads as much as possible. This will not be a request, it will be a demand. Heavy wagons can't make it to Oregon, I can tell you now, there are mountains to deal with and the wagons must be as light as possible to make it through. There are places that wagons must be either lifted or let off a cliff to get around. And a heavy wagon won't work, I can tell you for fact. So, at the river crossings is a good place to leave your heavy stuff."
"But we have things we want to take to Oregon to begin our life with." One woman protested.
"I'm sure you do. But you'll be losing some of those things before you get there. Oregon gets rough the closer you get. Heavy wagons won't make it. Going up or down a mountain is hard in a heavy loaded wagon. It just can't be done, it's been tried before. And you might remember this, it's better to get through and get to Oregon, then not."
Cully started to walk off and then one woman from the other train jumped out at him, "Why'd you kill that man back there?"
Cully turned around, stiffened his back and came up to the woman. "That man was a known killer, the Sheriff told me so when he came here. He would have killed that pregnant woman. Now, if she was your daughter, would you want that?"
"Why no…. of course not."
"Well, he would have killed her." Cully informed her.
"And her unborn baby too. Would you rather she dies, than a man like him?"
"Why no…."
"That's why I killed him." Cully did walk off this time, frustrated at trying to explain life to these people. The other train had no idea what that man was capable of, they were all so naïve. His women knew and knew well. No one from his train asked.
Cully mused about that. Did they really trust him that much?
Chapter Eleven
Hobby had ridden ahead for a couple of days and one day he came running like a wild Indian toward the camp. Hobby was a striking man of about thirty some odd years. He wasn't tall, but he was so lean he appeared to be. He was muscled and had long thick black hair that he kept control of with a leather band across his forehead. Most of the women were a little drawn to him, at his commanding presence. And yet the fact that he was a half-breed didn't scare Cully's women. He was very popular among them, Cully noticed.
A lot of his ladies admired Hobby, and Johnny was quite popular with the ladies too. So, it was entirely possible that maybe some of them wouldn't be marrying gold miners. Cully chuckled to himself at the thought.
"Something wrong?" Cully asked seeing how his horse had worked up a good lather as Hobby dismounted and frowned.
Holding his reins, he motioned for Cully to move away from the people, so they could talk.
"The water is no good at the next hole. Too much waste going into the water." He told him. "I counted ten trains ahead, too many people."
Maintaining control over his emotions, Cully studied the problem for a moment. Firming his lips, he nodded. "No wonder you've had such a ride, Hobby. Alright, I was worried about it when we left Ft. Kearney, there have been a lot of trains in front of us this year. And a lot of them behind us too. Too many people. Can't stop that, but we can take precautions." He stared at Hobby who was listening to his every word. "You and Johnny and Slim get some horses and tie as many barrels as you can on each, take the Saunders wagon and fill it up too, go back to the last watering hole and fill up, then bring them back and we'll have to ration water until we find a spring or tributary that is clean, that isn't contaminated."
Hobby nodded and rode off to tell Johnny.
The people saw the goings on of the men and began murmuring to each other. Abby walked up to him. She was wearing her riding gear, but she looked fresh and clean. She was a mighty appealing woman, Cully admitted silently. "Anything wrong?" She asked.
"No, why do you ask."
"I'm learning to read your expressions, I guess. That and the way Hobby tore into camp." She said in a low whisper as she watched Hobby ride off.
"The water up ahead is contaminated." He told her. It seemed almost natural to tell her things on his mind. He wanted to be truthful with his train and he wouldn't hide it from them.
"Cholera?" She looked concerned.
"If it isn't, it soon will be." He told her.
She nodded, "I'll tell the girls."
"I plan on having another talk with everyone this evening. They won't like it, but they must know. Hobby and Johnny went out to get water from our last spring. When they pollute the Platte, it extends to the tributaries and then we have to look further out for the water to drink."
"You're going to ration?" She assumed quickly.
Surprised she knew what he was thinking he stared down into her dark expressive eyes, "Yeah. I don't want to, because it eventually leads to disgruntled people, but I have no choice. I'd rather they be mad at me, than coming down with disease."
"It isn't an easy job, is it?"
"I'm used to it." He tried to look busy, so he didn't notice every detail of her, like the way her hair always shined, or how her gaze sought his.
"I hate to add to the problems, but I don't know if you are aware or not, but Penny Scoggins is going to have her baby any day now." She told him. "I don't know her very well, but I ran into her the other evening, and she told me."
"Scoggins, alright, thanks for letting me know. She's with the other train, isn't she?"
"Yes, she's a real sweet lady, this is her first." Abby told him.
"I'll alert their doctor then." He told her.
She smiled and walked off.
He stood there absorbing that smile for just a minute. Cully rarely indulged in admiring a woman, especially on a train, but there was something about Abby that was different. And that something warmed his heart. She was a handsome woman, he couldn’t deny it, but he'd keep it to himself, she had dreams to fulfill.
It was nightfall before the men returned with the barrels of water. And everyone seemed to follow them into the center of the circle where they made camp. The people saw the barrels and knew something was up.
Cully gathered the people together again, he knew they would be upset but being part of his job, he didn't falter. He knew showing any sign of weakness was detrimental to a wagon master.
"Folks the water hole ahead is contaminated. We can't drink it. The boys just brought back twenty barrels of water. We'll ration each wagon a bucket full a day, that will be for drinking, not washing. I'd advise you not to wash your clothes or be taking baths right now. Unless you can manage a spit bath. We'll need that water for a while. Ladies, use it sparingly to clean the dishes too. One pot of coffee for each wagon too."
"But I've got five kids, and most of you only have one or two, I'll need more." Mr. Blackburn told him. Mr. Blackburn was a heavyset man of about thirty-five and had numerous friends in the wagon community. He was well liked by most, even though he was a tough man, he seemed fair too. That's why people liked him.
"Fine, you'll get a bucket and a half."
Blackburn nodded.
Everyone grumbled but Cully expected them to. It wasn't a pleasant part of his job, but it was an important part and they would have to get used to the discipline he had to administer. "I don't know how far up the water is contaminated, but I'll send Hobby out to scout for other sources along the way. If he finds some we'll restock, but for now you are all on rations."
They'd been drinking from the Platte, but the water was fouled in some places and he couldn't trust it any longer, so they'd hunt for
springs along the way. Hobby knew where to look and Cully was sure he'd find something for them before too long.
Then it happened, one of the men from the other train came forward and yelled, "What does our wagon master say about rationing?"
Cully noted the 'our wagon master' and frowned.
Mr. Johnson stepped forward, sheepishly looking around at his disgruntled people. "Cully is the wagon master now. He's much more experienced than I. If he says the water is contaminated, then his word goes. We don't want any trouble on this train. We had to join forces to stay safe as the Indians are causing a few troubles. But water is water and if it's unsafe we must abide by wagon master rules on this. Rationing the water until we can find other resources is the law of the trains. All of you know that. We don't want disease."
Cully waited to see if anyone else would raise a ruckus.
They didn't but the grumblings began, and he knew there would be more before it was over.
Cully planted himself in the middle of the crowd and stood firm. "For everyone's information, Mr. Johnson and I are heading this train together. It's a join effort. It must be because there are so many wagons. True, he is a more familiar figure to you than I, but we can't have fighting and bickering on a train this size. Decisions must be made in a hurry sometimes when it comes to disease and things like rationing water. If anyone deliberately starts trouble, you'll be kicked off the train. We will do everything in our power to keep you safe and headed toward your destination, but we require a certain amount of respect as to our decisions. I've been up this trail several times. Mr. Johnson has not. However, he knows you better than I do. If you have problems, take them to him. But you will all follow the rules or be kicked off the train. Every decision we make is for your own good. Some of them you may not like, but if you want to get there in one piece, you'll follow our rules. I'm not saying they are always easy to follow, I won't kid you, they aren't. But they must be followed because of the amount of people we have."
There were a few more grunts, but then the people began to disperse and go about their daily chores.
Two things Cully knew they would balk at, rationing water, and making their wagons lighter. That would come too.
Cully looked up the doctor on the other train and introduced himself.
"You're doctor Caruthers?" Cully asked, as he watched the doctor tearing strips of cloth for bandages.
"I am." The doctor looked at him arching one brow as he shot him a glance.
The doctor was in his fifties, with brown hair that was quickly turning gray. But his light blue eyes were alert and expressive. He was quite distinguished looking in his gray suit.
"Are you aware of Mrs. Penny Scoggins condition?"
"Oh yes, she's due any time now." The doctor gave him his full attention now.
"We won't be stopping for the event, I wanted you to know, we have to get to Independence Rock by the fourth of July, and we need to keep on schedule. But I just wanted to make sure you knew. I've been told she's due soon, wanted to make sure she'd have some help."
"Yes, she's in good health, young, and this is her first, which means it will take a while for that baby, but I'm aware and will be on hand for her."
"Good, just wanted to be sure all is well." Cully started to leave but turned to add. "We have a doctor with our train too, have you met him."
"Oh yes, I've met him and his bottle."
Cully frowned, "Yeah, well, he does have a bit of a problem. I don't allow drinking on this train, and if he is, he's doing it in private, so I haven't caught him."
"More than a bit, I'm afraid." The doctor laughed, "But we'll get on. If I need him, I do know how to sober him up easily."
Cully smiled. "Good, and thanks."
He nodded and smiled as Cully rode off.
Hobby came up to Cully. "I want to check on a spring that I know about. Can I take some extra barrels in case it is producing?"
"Of course. Check the supply wagon." Cully told him.
"You've got a wagon with a busted wheel in the back there."
"I'll send Johnny to take care of it." Cully told him.
"Any signs of Indian trouble?"
"Just smoke signals, they know we are here. Not just us, but all the trains. You know, the more trains that pass, the more worked up they get. And I kind of understand their thinking. The white people come in droves and move in on their land. It is enough to start a war over."
Cully nodded.
"Why you do this?" Hobby suddenly asked.
"Do what?" Cully glanced at him.
"Lead trains."
"Grew up on cattle drives, thought when I got older that herding people had to be better than cows." Cully chuckled. "Sometimes, I think I was wrong."
Hobby smiled.
"Why do you scout for them?" Cully asked.
"I enjoy looking at pretty women." He chuckled. "And not being cooped up in some barracks forever. I like being one with the land."
Cully smiled and glanced out over the prairie, "Yeah, there's something to say for the wide-open spaces."
"And the pretty women." Hobby grinned and rode off.
Cully hadn't thought about women in any permanent situation at least. He took them as he could, he preferred dance hall girls who expected nothing in return. But the more he looked at Abby, the more he wondered.
That evening Penny Scroggins went into labor. Since it was her first the doctor told Cully and Johnny it would be a long while before the actual birth. He was staying with her all the way because she was a frightened young woman.
Her screams pierced the evening air and every woman on the train kept checking on her and asking the doc if they could help.
It was the wee hours of the morning before the baby was born and the screams finally subsided.
One of the older women brought several handsewn blankets for the baby and some clothes from her own babies that were much bigger now.
"It's a boy!" The doctor shouted as he came out of the wagon and joined the men for a drink.
Many of the women gathered around the young mother and child, anxious to see the baby and hold him.
The proud father nearly fainted when he heard he had a son. Everyone patted him on the back and the doc from Cully's train handed out cigars.
Having a baby on the train seemed to cheer everyone up.
Chapter Twelve
As they traveled, Cully was aware that some of the trains in front of them had buried their dead along the way, probably from Cholera. It was rule of thumb that anyone dying on a train had to be buried on the trail itself so that wild animals and thieving outlaws didn't dig them up and rob them, but Cully saw the signs and it distressed him some. He never got over having to travel over graves. It left a bad taste in his mouth.
Most of the dead came from the train in front of them, the graves were too new and that worried Cully more because the disease could be catching up to them. The train ahead hadn't given the Cholera, it was the one ahead of them.
One man commented, "Those are graves, aren't they?" He asked Cully as he rode up beside him.
"They are."
"What the hell?" the man asked. "We are trampling them, why would they bury their dead on the actual trail?" The young man asked, shaking his head with disgust.
"Cholera took them, most likely. It might mean the train in front of them caused it, or they caused it themselves and the wagon master didn't know in time to save them." Cully told the man.
"But why are they burying them on the trail itself?" The man clearly didn't understand.
Cully looked down at the ground, as though it might provide the words he needed to explain. "Because burying them on the trail itself, the wagons will level the graves and so it will be harder for animals to dig them up, or buzzards to pick their bones, and for outlaws."
"Why would an outlaw dig a grave up?" The man frowned.
"To rob him. Gold watches, teeth, even money, some carry in disguise."
"My God, they've no respec
t for the dead?" The man asked astounded.
"No sir, respect isn't something outlaws understand very well." Cully smirked and rode off. "Hopefully, you won't be witness to it."
To take their mind off the water being rationed, a couple of men dug out some instruments and played, before long, some were dancing to it the fiddle and harmonica. A man with a guitar joined them. They made some nice music too, Cully mused. Music was something almost everyone on the train appreciated.
It livened the people up and took their minds off their troubles.
They were having a good time when suddenly three Indians rode up. They were not threatening but amused by the music obviously.
Hobby and Cully went to talk to them. The music stopped abruptly. Everyone stopped and stared.
The Indians wanted to make a trade. Cully was glad that's what they came for. They offered buffalo meat, pottery and beads, they wanted blankets and whiskey.
Cully refused the whiskey but offered them blankets and one milk cow. The Indians dickered with Hobby for a long while, then settled for the trade. Cully had instructed Hobby from the start not to ever give them whiskey. Hobby agreed.
Everyone from the trains stared at their new guests.
Dressed in buckskins, some wore leggings and feathers in their hair, others wore hardly anything. The women were wide eyed, some dismayed at their lack of dress.
The people gathered around to watch the exchange, the women from the other train seemed afraid of them, as though they'd never seen an Indian before. Cully's women were amused by them. They were a colorful bunch. And some gasped when they stared at the women with interest. Cully didn't like how they seemed so interested in the women, but he did his best to make the trade quickly.
"Good thing we had plenty of milk cows." Cully smiled at Hobby.
"It's a sore trade for whiskey though." Hobby smiled back.
"That's another thing, I don't rightly know how many have whiskey with them, but we need to find out."
Hobby nodded.
"What did they want?" Johnson asked, as he moved closer to Cully and Hobby now.