The Long Journey - Christian Historical Fiction (An American Journey, #1) by Cliff Ball

Author:Cliff Ball
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian fiction, christian historical, christian romance, The Gold Rush, Trail of Tears, Indian Territory, Bear Flag Republic
Publisher: Cliff Ball Books
Published: 2015-06-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Early the next morning, George and Duncan prepared the wagon and the oxen for the trip to Independence. The two men attached a barrel full of grain for the oxen on the side of the wagon, along with four barrels full of water for drinking, and packed enough food for the newlyweds that would last until they arrived in Independence. Moira, Rachel, and Sarah helped Ellie pack her belongings, but made sure not to pack so many things that it would bog down the wagon.

As they prepared to leave, Moira asked her daughter, “Please write to us when you get to Independence so we know you arrived safely, all right?”

“I’ll do that, Ma. I’ll even write down everything we see or experience while we’re on the California Trail, and we’ll send you those when we get to California,”

“We’ll look forward to reading your letters.”

“I think we ought to pray before your journey,” stated Duncan.

“Good idea, my husband, would you lead the prayer?”

“All right. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the good times we’ve had with our family. We thank you for bringing George into our lives and thank you for letting him and Ellie find each other. We pray for a hedge of protection for them and for travel blessings as they traverse the great expanse to California. Give them the wisdom to do what’s right. In all these things we do, we thank you for giving us the ability to do them. We thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for our sins. In your name, we pray, amen.”

After everyone said their goodbyes, many hugs exchanged, and tears shed, George assisted Ellie onto the wagon, while George would be on foot and guiding the oxen. When the oxen began to pull the wagon, George and Ellie waved at the family and they waved back. The McGregor’s continued watching until they could no longer see the wagon.

A few hours after they crossed the Mississippi River on a cheap ferry that amounted to little more than a raft guided by ropes, George said, “I’m sorry we didn’t go on our honeymoon first, but time was of the essence,”

“Don’t worry about it, George, I understand. All that matters is that we love each other. Wherever you go, I’ll go.”

From the last three days of March and then into the first week of May, the newlyweds experienced one snowstorm, some heavy rain, some hail, heavy winds, and three days where it was hotter and more humid than normal. Even though George wanted to travel ten miles a day, some days they couldn’t travel more than five miles, so he made up for that by having them travel from dawn to dusk for a week, with multiple breaks. Their oxen had no problem pulling the wagon over muddy trails and muddy roads. The wagon itself was sturdy and the canvas covering the wagon never once leaked. The couple spent many nights sleeping in the wagon because of the waterproofed canvas.

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