Bound For Oregon

Six days later, Father tells the family they have made it 400 miles but still have 2,000 miles to go before reaching Oregon. Then, it rains for three days and the wagon train must wait before moving on. Mary Ellen feels restless spending so much time in the wagon but tries to make up games with John and her sisters to keep busy. One night, John makes them popcorn in the Dutch oven while another traveler plays his fiddle in a nearby wagon.

When the rain passes, four families in the train turn back towards home. The Todds continue west with the rest of the train. However, they have to wait again when they reach the Kaw River because it’s too muddy to cross. They camp on the riverbank with several other families and the travelers share stories of discouragement and fear. Many people are turning around because they regret leaving home and the trek is too difficult. Mary Ellen studies Father’s face during these talks and realizes he has no plans of returning to Arkansas.

The muds dry up and the Todds and three other families continue on. Mary Ellen misses the rest of the train. When they cross the river, the water is too deep for the cattle, and the Todds’ heifer Daisy floats away. The Todds make it across and their wagon is undamaged. However, Mary Ellen cries over Daisy that night. Father comforts the family, reads Bible verses, and reminds them how grateful they should be that no one in their party got lost in the crossing. Mary Ellen knows Father is right but continues crying for Daisy and everything else she’s lost, too.

The Todds and their fellow travelers cross into Nebraska. One night, Father, Mr. Tedrose, and Mr. Grant discuss the rest of the journey. Sarah Jane Tedrose tells Mary Ellen about their life back home in Kentucky. They owned a plantation but left because her sister was sick and the doctors thought that the western air would improve her health. This is the first time her parents have done any work because their plantation was run by enslaved people. Mary Ellen doesn’t understand all of this but enjoys Sarah Jane’s company throughout the following days and weeks. They often walk and run alongside the wagon. One day, they spot a group of Indigenous Americans riding towards them on their horses while they’re walking. Mary Ellen is terrified, but Father reassures her. He and the men talk to the Indigenous peoples and they explain they mean no harm to the pioneers. He also tells Mary Ellen that the Indigenous Americans have had their land invaded and stolen and have a right to be angry. Mary Ellen tries to understand this point of view but still feels scared.

Another day, Mary Ellen and Sarah Jane take a turn riding John and David’s horses behind the wagons. Mary Ellen is terrified when another group of Indigenous Americans rides up alongside them. When Father notices the men, the other riders race away, laughing. Back at the wagon, Mary Ellen bursts into tears. Mother and Father assure her that she was very brave.

In the next weeks, Mary Ellen starts to feel bad for their cattle, Buck and Ben. They’ve taken a faster pace, and the cattle are tired. Then one day, Rover collapses from fatigue, too. Mother doesn’t want him riding in the wagon, so John carries him on his horse. The days continue to pass, and the prairies open up. Eventually, they reach the Platte, which seems “impossible to cross” to Mary Ellen (75). One day, they stop at Grand Island and a local family gives Father a newspaper. After reading it, he tells the group that Abraham Lincoln is attracting national attention, and the country is talking about the problem of slavery. Lincoln is married to Father’s cousin. Father’s remarks inspire Mr. Tedrose to voice his negative opinions of Black Americans. Father and Mr. Grant disagree and remind him that they live in a free country and every person is equal. Mary Ellen and Sarah Jane argue about the issue, too.

The group sets their political disagreements aside to plan the rest of their trip. They’re worried about their animals’ health, and some men think they should take one route while others think they should take another. Finally, the Tedroses decide to split from the group. Mary Ellen is sad to say goodbye to Sarah Jane. That night, she lies awake thinking about Arkansas, her friends, home, and her grandmother. She’s surprised to discover that she can’t remember them as well as she expected to. She wraps Grandma’s quilt around her to feel better.