Facing the Storm Along the Oregon Trail Read Free

and the child just beamed, knowing full well that she had found a new friend for her journey as well.
    Another meal for the morning and then they would be on their way.
    Captain Swallows rode up and as she handed him a hot cup of cocoa, he thanked her, shook his head and moved along. Looking back the Captain reminded Emily that if they had anything they needed to do, they should attend to it because they would be heading out in about fifteen minutes.
    Fort Laramie would be their next stop and there they could resupply their needs.
    Chimney Rock also stood for something. It meant that they would now be journeying through rougher terrain, leaving the prairies, heading westward toward the Rocky Mountains. Its tall peak was shooting upward as they loaded up their wagons with children of all ages and adults, and as they continued to look back, they could see its brilliance standing so erect and high for miles and miles.
    They watched below them as the ground they’d been on became rugged and their climb got steeper.
    There were no more prairies where they could roll along at a good pace. They would travel from there expecting to arrive in Fort Laramie and this is where they could resupply and get any repairs done that might be in need. This is also where they could shoe their oxen.
    Fort Laramie would be a place where they could rest their weary bodies and get rejuvenated so that they could take off once again. It seemed that there would always be a landmark ahead that would push them onward, giving them the continued strength they needed.
    And for those who were Christians, they always had God leading them on and filling their needs along the way.

Chapter Four
    Rustlers on the Trail
    REACHING FT. LARAMIE , the journey had gone smoothly and the wagonloads of families welcomed it with open arms. One by one they would pile out of their wagons looking weary, covered with dust from the trail, and spirits tired but still optimistic.
    Children and adults alike had run out of energy by the time they reached the Fort, and they spent their time relaxing in the stores and the restaurants, as well as taking their long awaited baths in rooms that were available.
    After enjoying warm baths and good food, they were now prepared to pull out and travel on. Hopping up alongside of Benjamin, Emily took her seat, full of vigor and fun as she teased Benjamin about what they would see up ahead.
    Benjamin, staring down at his sister shook his head with disbelief at how quickly she could always be refreshed and said “You are just like mama, always a smile on that face. How do you do it? Please tell me.”
    “I wouldn’t say it’s something I’ve done Benjamin, it’s more what the good Lord does.”
    “I guess you’re right, but it seems women are very blessed in that department.”
    “That’s because it’s the woman’s job to be the one to uplift her family,” she teased.
    And, the whole train began pulling out, waving their hands in the air at the shop owners as they wished them well along the trail.
    Independence Rock would be a next major landmark ahead of them and it stood as the symbol for the celebration of being half way to Oregon. Many people that had traveled the trail before them had written or carved their names and dates into the rock, as their group would as they pass by.
    But, they had a way to go before reaching it. So, they settled into their journey, laughing and sharing memories of their parents and their Aunt they were headed to see. The wagon filled with many children still trailed behind them in line and looking back to get a glance of their happy faces was a delight for Emily and she would describe everything they were doing to Benjamin as he drove on.
    AFTER HOURS ON on the trail, the train had decided to pull over to make their lunch time meal and as the children poured out of their wagons, the adults were scurrying around to get their preparations in order.
    Benjamin drove the oxen over to some grass that was