ABACUS by Chris McGowan

Author:Chris McGowan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boson Books
Published: 2011-08-21T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18: Wagons Roll

Kate and AP had been traveling through hilly country for the last few hours and were at the bottom of a deep dip, with a huge hill in front of them like the one they had just walked down.

“I wonder why it’s called the Bozeman Trail? All they’ve done is clear some rocks and bushes so wagons can pass.”

“It’s not exactly busy either,” added Kate. “No sign of anyone all day.”

“I’m hot.”

“And thirsty,” said Kate. “There’s nothing here but dust.”

“What time is it?”

She squinted up at the bright sun. “I’d guess late afternoon.”

“Let’s keep going until dark.”

“I’d love to jump into that river again,” said Kate.

“We might find another one when we—”

“What was that noise?” Kate interrupted.

They both stood still, listening.

“I hear it,” said AP. “A creaking sound, coming from behind us.”

“I think it’s a wagon!” said Kate eagerly.

Shading their eyes against the bright sky, they could see a dust cloud at the top of the hill.

As they watched, a covered wagon came into view. Several more followed, until there were six of them.

Minutes later Kate and AP were bouncing along on the front seat of a wagon, wedged between the driver and his wife.

“Where’d you young people say you’re from?”

“We’re from out east,” AP replied, “Boston.”

Kate and AP had worked out their cover story during their long trek. They decided AP should do most of the talking as he sounded more convincing.

“You say your folks took sick an’ had to get back home?” continued the driver.

“Yep,” said AP.

“My, that’s a real shame,” said his wife. “’Specially with you an’ your sister being so young an’ all.”

“Seeing as how sis an’ me weren’t planning on giving up the West,” said AP, feeling his way into the role of settler, “we decided to stay behind and make a go of it on our own.”

“Good on ya, boy!” said the driver, slapping AP on the back so hard he nearly fell off the seat. “That’s the spirit we need!”

“Now you’re Kate, an’ your brother’s name’s Aiy Peey,” said his wife.

“Yes, Ma’am,” said Kate.

“You can call us by our first names, you being kinda grown up an’ all. This here’s Zach and I’m Libby. Ma’s in the back with our two little boys, Jacob and Luke. Real good kids they are.”

The screaming coming from behind made Kate doubt the last point.

“Where are you heading?” asked Zach.

“Nowhere in particular,” AP replied. “Just some place to get a good start. We plan on making a fortune, right sis?”

“Yep,” said Kate, wondering how much further he would push his acting role.

“Well they sure picked the right wagon train, eh Libby?”

His wife nodded and smiled.

“We’re all planning on making a fortune,” said Zach. “That’s why this here wagon train’s heading straight for the Black Hills.”

“Black Hills?” Kate and AP gasped in unison, recalling how settlers had plundered the Indian’s sacred place. But they bit their tongues and said nothing.

“There’s gold in those hills from the grass roots down!” said Zach. “You just dig in your shovel an’ out it comes.

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