Free Love's Long Journey (Love Comes Softly Series #3) by Janette Oke Page B

the wagons needed two teams in order to pull them across. Many outriders traveled beside each wagon, steadying it with the many ropes that Mr. Blake insisted upon; thus no wagon got into trouble in midstream from a current that tried to take it sideways rather than forward. Missie couldn't help but remember the tragic death in the other group; if the other wagon master had used such precautions. . . . Mr. Blake was a cautious and experienced wagon master--another of God's provisions.
    Once the crossing had been made successfully, the group gathered and Willie offered a prayer of thanks to God for all the travelers. The weary men and animals were glad again to make camp for a good night's rest before taking to the trail. The next day they would resume their journey after their twenty-nine-day delay.
    Missie was becoming increasingly concerned about Becky. They still had many days on the trail before reaching Tettsford Junction. Would the services of Mrs. Kosensky be needed after all?
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    Chapter 11
    On the Way Again
    Early the next morning, the camp was a bustle of activity. The travelers could hardly wait for the word to move out. Even the horses stamped in their impatience. Missie was surprised at the feelings that clamored within her. During their previous weeks on the trail, she had dreaded the crossing of the Big River, for it seemed to mark the point of no return. But now that it was finally behind them, she was as restless as the teams. She felt like starting out to walk on her own. If she had known the trail and the direction that she was to take, she might have done just that.
    Finally the wagons were lined up and the order shouted. The creak of the harnesses and grind of wheels sounded like music to Missie's ears. At last! They were on their way again! All were alive and accounted for. They had crossed the Big River; surely only lesser obstacles lay in their pathway. Since turning back was no longer possible, she was anxious to forge ahead.
    Missie could sense Willie's excitement as he carefully guided the team to follow the wagon ahead of him. It was hard for him to restrain himself from urging them on at a faster speed, but no one
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    Chapter 12
    Town
    Mr. Blake seemed to have a great aversion to towns. In every possible instance he skirted far around them, no matter how small the settlement. When he could not avoid one, he ordered the wagons to keep on moving. No one was allowed to stop for any dallying. Each family made a list of those supplies that were needed and either Mr. Blake or one of his scouts rode into the town and made the purchases.
    The wagon master said that his job was to get the wagons, and the folks in them, to Tettsford Junction; and he planned to do just that--and the most deadly enemy of the west-bound settler was a town. Blake had lost no one to swollen rivers, prairie fires or Indians on his many trains west. But he had lost people to towns. And since he did not like having his good record smudged, towns were his enemies.
    Everyone was surprised, therefore, when Mr. Blake called a meeting of the train members and announced, "Tomorrow we reach Lipton. Ain't much of a town, but we will be stopping there fer a day. Our campsite is to the right of the town within easy
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    walking distance. No teams--no horses atall--no wagons--are to go into the town. Those of you thet have more purchases to make then can be carried will be glad to know thet the Lipton General Store will make deliveries. The place carries a fair line of essentials.
    "The train will move on again at the usual hour on Wednesday mornin'. I suggest thet ya all be ready to go."
    A general uproar followed the announcement; excitement filled each traveler. To see a town again! To more than just drive through with one's longing eyes picking out dress shops, barbers, food delicacies--just about everything! It would be so good to stop and browse, even though one could spare little money for actual shopping.
    Missie's eyes glowed as