Westward Hearts (23 page)

Then, with their wagons hitched and packed and ready to roll, they’d all consumed a standing breakfast of cold cornbread and bacon and hard-boiled eggs—prepared to jump into their wagons at any moment. But the wait, almost two hours, had seemed endless. Naturally, they were all antsy to be on their way. However, Asa made good use of their extra time by reading from the family Bible—he read the scriptures about Abraham and Sarah setting out on the desert—and then he asked God’s blessing on their first day of travel.

To start the journey, Elizabeth had decided to drive her own wagon with her children at her side and the dog in the back. Brady was riding alongside Matthew with the understanding that he’d take her place behind the reins after they stopped for dinner. After that, she and the children would walk or ride horses until they finally stopped to make camp for the night. However, she soon realized that driving the wagon wasn’t nearly as fulfilling as she’d imagined, especially in the rear of the train, where it was exceedingly dusty. Just the same, the children’s spirits were high, and at Ruth’s insistence, they sang some songs. The pace seemed slow, but Elizabeth understood why that was. What she didn’t understand was why they stopped several times. Would it always be like this?

A misty spring rain began to fall by midmorning so that Elizabeth had to pull the tarp awning out over their heads to protect them. Then JT fetched a blanket that they shared over their shoulders. However, the moisture did help to settle the dust some, and Elizabeth knew it would be advantageous to the prairie grass as well. As they continued to roll along, it felt good to be out in the open again. The days spent on the river and then in the wagon camp had felt a bit close and crowded. But looking from the right to the left, from north to south, and seeing nothing but rolling grasslands was refreshing.

All was peaceful and green with a wide stretch of cloudy sky for as far as the eye could see. Bucolic and serene. Even the rain-scented air smelled fresh and clean. And the team seemed energetic and happy to plod steadily along. Perhaps they smelled the sweet meadow grasses, or perhaps they were simply glad to be finally going somewhere. All in all, despite the jostling ride, it was a most pleasurable experience.

However, by the time the wagon train slowly ground to a halt at midday, the travelers were eager to get out of the wagon and stretch their legs. Elizabeth’s back ached from the bumpy ride, and the children needed a break.

“Stay together,” she warned them. “And don’t wander far from the wagon. And watch out for snakes, JT.”

She rubbed her back as she went up to the team. “Good work.” She began to undo the harness from Beau’s neck. “I’m sure you’ve worked up a thirst.”

“Me and JT can see to the animals,” Brady offered. “If’n you want to go help your ma with dinner.”

She thanked him and headed up to her parents’ wagon, curious as to how her mother had fared. To Elizabeth’s relief, Clara was in good spirits.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” she said as she struck a match to some twisted paper and held it to the kindling she’d already stacked. “My backside’s a little sore. I s’pect it’ll take some getting used to.”

“That carriage seat Matthew rigged up for you should help some.” Elizabeth opened up the kitchen board, letting it down to discover that everything was now coated with dust. “I plan to walk this afternoon in case you care to join me.” She wet a rag and began wiping out a skillet. Soon the children joined them and were put to work getting water and firewood. Everyone had chores to do and seemed happy to do them. Elizabeth just hoped this helpfulness wouldn’t wear off before this trip ended. She didn’t even want to think about how many days and miles still stretched ahead of them. Mostly she was thankful that they were finally on their way.

Everyone was in good spirits when they eventually sat down for their midday meal of beans and ham and biscuits. “Nothing fancy,” Clara said apologetically. “But at least it’s hot.”

“And we got coffee.” Matthew held up his cup.

“And we’ll have something more interesting for dinner,” she assured them. “I still have a few things packed on ice. And there’s corned beef and a smoked ham yet too.”

“But eventually the menu will become more limited,” Elizabeth warned them. “Unless you guys do some hunting or fishing.”

“You sure won’t hear me complaining about food,” Asa told them. “I just got a close look at what some of our fellow travelers will be eating today. I was checking on how our unit fared.” He shook his head grimly. “And I’m glad I’m not dining at their tables right now.”

“What are they having?” Elizabeth asked.

He chuckled. “Let me just say this. Our Bostonian friends appear to be somewhat lacking in their cooking skills.”

“What was wrong?” Clara asked.

“To begin with, they couldn’t get their fire going. I helped them a bit. Then I mentioned how you brought some catalogs along to use for fire starting purposes, as well as for some other purposes. Now I’m afraid you might need to hide those catalogs of yours, Clara. Precious tender.”

They all laughed.

“But what were they cooking?” Elizabeth asked.

“Well, they thought they were cooking beans.” He chuckled. “Problem was that Lavinia didn’t know she had to soak the beans overnight. She thought she could just pour them into the pot and cook them.”

“Bostonians who don’t know how to make beans?” Matthew hooted.

“Seems they left their cooks back in Boston,” Asa explained. “None of their womenfolk know much of anything about cooking. I doubt they’ve ever cooked on an open fire before.”

“We’ll have to go help them at suppertime,” Clara said to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded. “As much attention as you men placed on guns, I suppose we should have spent some time talking about cooking. It’s been an adjustment for us too. But I figured the other women knew what they were doing.”

“Lavinia admitted to me that they’d been getting food in town almost every day. Buying bread from the bakery and food that was ready to eat.”

“Do they have adequate food for the trip?” Clara questioned.

“Oh, sure. They got everything on the supplies list just like we did. The problem is they don’t quite know what to do with it now.”

“Well, be assured, we’ll help them,” Elizabeth told Asa. “At the very least, we could send Ruthie over.” She winked at her daughter. “You could teach them a thing or two about baking.”

Ruth nodded eagerly. “I’m happy to go help them, Mama.”

“I’m sure you are.”

They were just finishing up their meal when Captain Brownlee came by on horseback. “Everyone doing all right in unit five?” he called out to Asa.

Asa saluted him and then nodded. “All’s well in unit five.”

The captain tipped his head. “Good to hear. We had a few minor breakdowns. That was the reason for those delays. Harness trouble in unit three. A hitch problem in unit two. But we should be ready to roll in about an hour or less.”

After the captain left, Clara grinned at Asa. “I’m glad you didn’t tell him about Ruby’s challenges.”

“No need to,” Asa told her. “JT’s promised to continue assisting their wagon as needed.”

Now Elizabeth nudged her father. “You didn’t mention the cooking problems with the Bostonians either,” she teased.

He laughed. “Oh, Lizzie, I don’t s’pect the captain wants to hear about that sort of troubles. Not just yet anyhow.”

After dinner, JT and Brady took over driving Elizabeth’s wagon, and she joined Clara and Ruth in walking alongside the wagons. It was interesting to be far enough away to see the full length of the train.

“It’s really rather picturesque,” Elizabeth said as they trekked along. “If I were a painter, I’d like to paint it just now.”

“It’s like a town on wheels,” Clara said.

“Wouldn’t it be fun if the wagons were all stores,” Ruth suggested. “We could buy cakes from the bakers and candy and hair ribbons from the mercantile.”

“Speaking of cakes, JT’s birthday is just two days away. Will we try to bake him a cake?” Clara asked. “I have some cocoa powder tucked away for special occasions.”

“Can we have a party?” Ruth asked hopefully.

“Why not?” Elizabeth nodded.

So, as they walked, they made plans for a birthday celebration for JT. Elizabeth wasn’t sure how many of these plans they would carry out. It was quite possible that after three days on the trail, they would all be worn out. But it passed the time to talk about it. After a couple of hours, Clara returned to riding in the wagon, and Ruth decided to join her grandparents. Curious to test her own stamina, Elizabeth continued to walk. By the time the wagons began to slow and finally stop, she was thoroughly worn out. Seeing that the units were being rearranged into camp circles, she sat down on a boulder and just watched.

Some folks were obviously more skilled at driving teams than others. And it was one thing to keep a wagon going in a straight line but something else to get the wagon pulled into a circle. However, after about half an hour, the wagons seemed to be settled, and the teams were being released from their harnesses. Feeling slightly guilty for just sitting, Elizabeth forced herself up from her stone seat and made her way over to unit five, where Clara was already getting their cook fire started.

“Do you think I should check on the Bostonians?” Elizabeth asked. “Make sure they’re getting their fire started?”

Clara reluctantly handed her the catalog. “Just take a few pieces.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Precious tender.”

“Can I come?” Ruth asked.

“Why don’t you stay and help Grandma to get supper started,” Elizabeth suggested. “If I need you, I’ll call out.”

Elizabeth wasn’t sure how she’d be received by the Bostonians, but she was determined to offer them a hand. She hadn’t really met them properly, perhaps because she sensed they were a bit standoffish. Or perhaps because she’d been too busy. But if they’d really eaten uncooked beans for lunch, she thought it was about time.

“Hello,” she called out as she approached their wagons, where the men were still struggling to remove harnesses and yokes from one of the oxen teams. At the rate they were going, it might take them some time. But one of the women came over to greet her. “You’re Asa’s daughter, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I’m Elizabeth Martin.” She extended her hand.

“I’m Belinda Bramford,” the young woman said. Now an older woman was joining them. “And this is Lavinia Prescott.”

Elizabeth grasped her hand too. “My father mentioned you were having some challenges with cooking over an open fire.” She held up some catalog pages. “Would you like some fire starter?”

Lavinia nodded eagerly. “I was just telling my daughter Evelyn that I was tempted to start tearing up one of my books.” She sighed. “But it seems a shame to burn a perfectly good book.”

“You’ll have to teach your children how to gather little twigs along the trail. When the weather gets warmer, dry grass will work too. You can bundle them into fire starter bundles and put some lard on them.” She walked over to where one of the girls was bent over the fire, blowing so hard that Elizabeth was surprised she hadn’t fainted by now.

“This is Evelyn,” Lavinia said. “She was certain she could get the fire going.”

Elizabeth bent down to help Evelyn. “I’ve been trying to figure out who goes with whom in your families.” She stood and looked at Lavinia. “You’re Mr. Prescott’s wife, right?”

“Yes. Hugh is my husband.”

Now Elizabeth looked at Belinda. She’d seen her riding next to Mr. Bramford, although she seemed a bit young. “So are you Mr. Bramford’s wife?”

Belinda giggled. “No. I’m his daughter.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth glanced around their camp. “Where’s your mother?”

“Belinda’s mother, also my best friend, died several years ago,” Lavinia said quickly.

Elizabeth slowly nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“But your father mentioned that you’re a widow,” Lavinia said with interest.

Elizabeth nodded. “That’s true.”

“You’re brave to take this trip without a husband,” Belinda told her. “I’m sure I never would do that.”

“I have my family with me,” she reminded them. “And it had always been my husband’s dream to go to Oregon. His family is already there.”

“It was my father’s dream too,” Belinda said.

“And William talked us into coming with him,” Lavinia explained. “But I’m starting to wonder if we really knew what we were getting into.”

Elizabeth looked at their citified clothing and wondered too. “My family and I are farmers, so we’re accustomed to a more rustic lifestyle.” She looked at the fire, which was starting to burn. “I thought perhaps I could help you with dinner.”

“Really?” Belinda looked hopeful. “Wouldn’t that be wonderful, Lavinia?”

Lavinia’s eyes lit up. “Any assistance would be most appreciated.”

As Elizabeth helped them, showing them how to make biscuits and how to use their own collapsible oven, which was actually higher quality than her mother’s, she also helped them to put their outdoor kitchen into better order. As she worked with them, she met the other children. Between the two families, there were six offspring. Three young men and three young women, all in their mid to late teens and energetic. If many hands truly did make light work, the Bostonians should fare well.