Beyond the Outer Limits

Copyright © 2008 by James R. Mori

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Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

ISBN: 978-0-595-48210-8 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-0-595-60301-5 (ebk)

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter 1 Seek New Lands

Chapter 2 Mother Lode

Chapter 3 Return To The Sea

Chapter 4 Dust Unto Dust

Chapter 5 Sharks

Chapter 6 The Lonely Sea And Mountain

Chapter 7 Mud

Chapter 8 Kaleidoscope

Chapter 9 Return To The Center

Chapter 10 Where Is Home?

Chapter 11 What Is Home?

Chapter 12 The Space Man

Chapter 13 Summertime

Chapter 14 Vagabundo

Chapter 15 Search

Chapter 16 The Outer Limits

Chapter 17 … And Beyond

Epilogue

Author’s Note

To five of my good friends from the Sea of Cortez who have lived and are living the seven words that drive the storyline of this book.

Seek and find refuge—adapt and prosper.

It is in the best interest of all species of plants and animals to establish their distribution to the outer limits and beyond.

William Henry Stitt

1854

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The academic fish community, including L.T. Findley, Bruce Collette, Milton Love, Bob Shipp, and Mexican Fisheries Biologist, Gabriela Montemayor. Gene Kira and Jim Davis—who passed along their knowledge unselfishly.

To my good friends at the Sonora Writers Group. Also, Bill Manville and Michael Collins, who helped make this a better book.

John Johnson, a high school biology teacher, who opened the eyes of a young man to the logic and predictability of the natural world that surrounds us.

My wife Glenna for the inspiration, badgering, countless hours of correcting my punctuation and spelling, and over fifty years of being my best friend.

So, here it is Mr. M.—a novel written in the present tense. Fifty-four years later.

PROLOGUE

Travel is made BEYOND the OUTER LIMITS... on feet, wings, hooves, paws, fins, tentacles, cilium, flagellum, boats, wheeled vehicles, airplanes, and space capsules.

Seeds, spores, and pollen are carried by the wind and ocean currents. They are also attached to driftwood, leaves, skin, scales, feathers, fur, chitin, membranes, blood, and many other things.

*      *      *      *

They crossed from the Old World to North America many thousands of years earlier when ice covered large portions of the northern hemisphere. The sea level was hundreds of feet lower than today and a flat grassy plain connected Asia to the New World, allowing migrations of plants and animals in both directions.

They found a Pleistocene mega fauna of mammoth, musk ox, steppe lions, antelope, bison, short face bear, sabertooth cat, giant ground sloth, and many more.

They extended their distribution to the southern tip of South America, finding isolated canyons, mountain valleys, vast grassy plains, forests, jungles, and deserts to their liking. They established some of the most advanced civilizations in the ancient world.

Then came

The Others

CHAPTER 1

SEEK NEW LANDS

Deering, Missouri

1850

The strange feeling inside the chest of Joshua Warden is neither pleasure nor pain. He tried to explain it to his wife yesterday as, Sompthin like a clock that’s wound too tight. Today the feeling is more intense as he stands between his two young sons among the trees that separate his pasture from his fallow corn field. His eyes search for the western horizon, but in this part of the Missouri Bootheel that digs south into Arkansas, the sycamores, tupelos, sweetgums, and other trees do not allow it to be viewed. He relies upon the words of others to tell his sons of the wonders the family will see on their great westward journey that begins tomorrow.

As if in a trance, Joshua stares at the trees, knowing that the western horizon is beyond. He begins to tell his sons the stories he has heard of the west. Boys, they say that west a Independence a man kin see the horizon in ever direction and tell that the world is round. The grass is as high as a youngen an they is buffalos by the thousands. Trees grow only near the cricks an rivers on the plains, but futher west they is high mountains an pine trees where the snow don’t never melt. The rivers is so strong they kin knock a man offen his horse. Then they is a fierce desert that don’t hardly ever git no rain. The Sierra Mountains in Californe is hard to cross an a body gotta make it over em before November when the snow starts, but the foothills on the other side is naice an that’s where the gold is—we’s gonna git us some. It aint so easy ta … He stops in mid sentence and looks upward, through the tree branches, seeing a perfect V formation of geese flying north. Joshua speaks to the birds: Ah know, Ah know, Ah know.

Honk … honk … honk … honk …

Tick tock … tick tock … tick tock … tick tock …

Joshua kneels, placing his hands on the two graves. Ah wish ya was commin with us boys, but Ah know that you is with Him and that we’ll all be tagather again some day. Your Ma will be here at sundown as she is everday to shed the tears that I ain’t got no more of. We’s gonna leave at first light in the mornin. Ah got the wagon bout ready, been givin the oxen all they kin eat fir weeks. Gonna throw your great grandma’s rockin chair up on top and squeeze in the little thangs your Ma wants ta take. We gotta leave room in the wagon fir your Grandma ta ride cause she kaint walk most a the way ta Californe like the rest of us kin. Joshua rises, bows his head, and says, Ah love ya boys.

He passes his seventeen year old daughter, Jenny, on his way back to the house. Papa, Momma doesn’t know how many of Gramma’s dishes she should pack for the trip.

Like Ah tole her, Jen. We gotta wait till all the important thangs is in. Ah promised her we’d git Gramma’s old rockin chair in but we don’t really need none a them fancy dishes a the Judge … they’s too dainty … break on the trail … we don’t need em. Make shore she packs the tin plates and that ya give Bob a extra scoop a oats; he got a long way ta go n Ah been ridin him hard the lass few days. The oxes is fine; didn’t put in no crop this sprang so they’s fat n sassy, jus standin round n eatin. Make shore ya feed the hounds too. Jason Moore’s gonna come n git em when he picks up the chickens tamarra cause they kaint git over here full time fir a while till after we skedaddles. He thinks, Still kaint see why he bought this place, though Ah’s glad he did … hell—worms in the corn n apples, hadn’t had a soul here fir months fir horseshoes or ta fix a gun … nobody’s got no money.

Alice Warden steps back and takes a look at the house that will soon be lived in by the Moores from across the river. She had given birth to Jenny here and the two boys, Joey and John, who are now buried under the trees by the pasture—a sad testament to the cholera epidemic that ravaged the small community a few months earlier. Matilda Montgomery, Alice’s mother, sits in a rocker on the back porch knitting. She has become increasingly withdrawn since knowing that the family was heading west. Times had once been very kind to Matilda, married to the county judge, big house on the river, then bad things happened: demon rum, loose women, and riverboat gambling got to the judge. Alice ran off at sixteen with one of the Warden kids. Not that Joshua Warden isn’t a good man or a good father, husband, or provider—within his means, it’s just that Alice could have had so much more. She had been to private school in Cape Girardeau and seemed destined to live a life much different than the one she has now, or is about to begin.

Southwest of Independence, Missouri

Joshua Warden leads his wagon and four oxen into a group of about two dozen wagons that are camped along the south shore of the river. He secures his wagon at the edge of the cottonwood grove and tells Jenny to make sure that the oxen are watered. He then walks to the nearest wagon and asks the first man he sees, This the Wallace Party?

Yes it is. Colonel Wallace is the tall thin man with the white beard over there beneath the trees.

He is greeted warmly by several families as he walks to the Colonel’s camp.

Colonel Wallace, Ah’s Joshua Warden. They tole me back in Independence you’d be camped here tanight n Ah maybe could join your party on the trip to Californe.

Well, Sir, we have already organized our present party and have agreed upon the rules and regulations that will enable us to achieve a safe journey across the plains, deserts, and mountains. You would have to be voted into our group and agree to the same conditions as the others. It is getting late today. Why don’t you set up camp next to the last wagon and we can discuss your joining the party tomorrow?

Which way will ya be a goin? Aint they several ways?

We will continue down the old Santa Fe Trail beyond Council Grove and thence south westward to the big bend of the Arkansas River where we will follow that river to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. From there we will travel north to the South Platte River and then on to Fort Laramie.

Aint that a new route? Ah aint heared a no trail in that direction.

Yes it is. When I was in the Army, I traveled this route on two occasions and I think it a better way to go, especially when one considers the increasing number of wagon trains using the older route. Last year well over 8,000 wagons traveled the route along the Platte River to Fort Laramie on the way to the California gold fields. Though our route is somewhat longer, we will find better feed for the stock and the Indians will be friendlier. My scout, Mr. Dupree, is also familiar with this portion of the trail and has been beyond Fort Laramie with fur trappers, all the way to the Great Salt Lake. My assistant, Mr. Lee, served with me for thirty years in the army; in later years, as my First Sergeant. I will require a fee of fifty cents a day while we are on the trail if you are accepted into our party.

Joshua Warden leaves his wife, mother, and daughter at their wagon site the following morning and walks back to Colonel Wallace’s wagon. He is standing among six other men discussing what Joshua assumes to be important business. He moves under a cottonwood to wait until the six men finish their loud discussion.

The Colonel looks over to Joshua. Mr. Warden, please come over, we have just been discussing your joining the wagon train. Colonel Wallace introduces Joshua to the six other men whom Joshua discovers are the governing council of the wagon train.

A small wiry man with a somewhat reddened nose, very large black beard, and black piercing eyes named Amos Krebbs asks Joshua, Sir, we noticed last evening when you came into camp that you are traveling with an elderly woman, a younger female, and another woman. Is that all that will be in your party?

Tha’s rat, them people’s mah mother-in-law, wife, an daughter. We lost two sons lass year ta the cholera; that started our move west.

We are sorry for your loss, Mr. Warden; however, the trip we are about to take is very dangerous and some here would prefer to have more able bodied men in the wagons that travel with us. It will be necessary for our group to hunt our food and to protect ourselves from wild animals and Indians.

Ah kin understand that Mr. Krebbs. You kin believe that ma wife, Alice, is very smart in the use and care of firearms. Ah’s a blacksmith an a gunsmith. Ah got with me several very fine Kentucky rifles. Ya know we be a travelin in an area that’s chuck full a antelopes. That there smooth bore musket you leaned against the tree over there aint no proper weapon to take such animals at long range. Why, any man would be lucky ta hit the broadside of a buffalo at 100 paces with that. Now a Kentucky rifle keeps the ball on course over hunnerts a yards, you see …

Joshua begins a detailed discussion of ballistics, sectional densities, adjustments of sight patterns at distance, what types of powder, and how much to use on what occasions. The members of the governing council look at each other with blank faces. Colonel Wallace turns to Joshua and says, "Ahh, Mr. Warden, we welcome you to our wagon train. We have compiled a list of provisions that will be necessary for each wagon to have before we depart the day after tomorrow.

Mr. Templeton and his wife will come to your wagon and go over the list with you this morning. There will be a supply wagon leaving for the trading post tomorrow morning for one last trip to replenish any things that are deemed necessary. I would like to speak to you in private about your personal finances. We need to know what assets are available to our train members."

As Joshua is returning to his wagon, one of the council members pokes the man standing next to him in the ribs and says with wide eyes, A gunsmith. A smile breaks across both faces.

Alice, we been accepted inta the wagon train. It’ll cost us fifty cents a day but Ah thank it’s worth it. We be under the care of a famous Army colonel. Here’s a list a supplies we need ifn we’re a gonna go with this wagon party. Ah thank we have everthang we need but a Mr. and Mrs. Templeton will be here this mornin to check our provisions. They’s gotta check our animals, food, firearms, tools, an other thangs.

Alice has a smile on her face. It is one of the few smiles that Joshua had seen on his wife’s face since the death of their two sons. I’m pleased to know that so much thought is being given to our journey, Joshua. She then retreats into her silent demeanor, turns to her mother, Matilda, and says, Mother, please help me with this list of supplies. In the past several months, Matilda Montgomery had become increasingly withdrawn, especially since leaving their home in southern Missouri. As an elderly woman, she felt that she needed to remain, even though she knew that the men of the Warden family would never consent to staying in one place more than a few years. She had followed her now-deceased husband, Judge Clyde, from western Pennsylvania to Indiana, and then to Missouri. Now she follows her son-in-law, Joshua, across a foreboding and unknown continent.

The following morning, before the supply wagon was to head the short distance back to town for supplies, Joshua looks above the camp to the bench land above the river. Earlier he had noticed a man with a shovel digging there. Upon closer inspection, he notices that the man is Amos Krebbs, the member of the governing council of the wagon train to whom he had spoken yesterday.

Joshua walks through the cottonwoods and climbs the short distance up to the flat bench land above the river and asks, Mr. Krebbs, Ah see ya been doin a lot a diggin up here. There somethin Ah can hep you with? Mr. and Mrs. Templeton said our supplies is fine fir the trip ta Californe and Ah’ll jus be a sittin around fir most a the day a waitin fir our great adventure ta begin tamarra.

"Thank for your offer, Mr. Warden, but I believe that I have found what I am looking for. Place your hand into this hole, bring up the soil and take a deep breath. What you smell, Mr. Warden, is life. It is a living thing just waiting for the plow and seeds of wheat, corn, barley, or most anything else. My father took our family to the United States from Eastern Europe when I was a small boy. You see, in Europe a common person could never hope to own land—especially a Jew. Father was a tailor and a very good one. Our family settled in Pittsburgh. We had a good life and even had a small piece of land on the outskirts of town. We had a cow and a goat, chickens, two horses, fruit trees, and a very large garden where we produced much of our own food. Father could never get over the fact that he owned land, even though it was only about an acre. I would see him walking to the garden after long hours in his shop. He would put his hands into the soil and smell it, as you and I have just done."

Well, when we git ta Californe, Ah’m shore that you kin buy many acres a fine farmland after you stuff yur pockets full a gold.

It is a dream that we all have, Mr. Warden, but I think that I have found my dream right here in Kansas. I spent many agonizing hours last night thinking. You started it yesterday when you questioned my choice of my firearm. I began to realize that there are many other things lacking in my knowledge about the survival of my family in the wilderness. The exodus of the Krebbs family that started in Poland is about to end in this place called Kansas. The Kauffmans who are in the wagon next to mine said that there is fine land here that can be settled. There are even places available where improvements such as sod houses have been left behind by some of the many people who also have dreams of gold in California. Mr. Warden, we will be leaving the wagon train soon. The future of my family will be in Kansas. I must tell the Colonel of my decision.

Joshua stands in silence not knowing what to say. He thinks, How kin anyone put down roots where ya kin see the far horizon in ever direction? Ah’d be crazy in a week. For the first time since his journey began, he feels that strange thing in his chest begin to tighten. Ah wish ya luck, Mr. Krebbs.

The following morning, the wagon train heads southwest towards the unknown and with the hopes and dreams of twenty-seven families. They follow the Santa Fe Trail for several days to the settlement of Council Grove.

The older women and smaller children are in the wagons. Most of the others are walking next to their oxen. The twenty-seven wagons have been placed in three groups of nine wagons each. This is done for defensive purposes and so that all groups will have their turn to be in front of the train rather than breathe the dust in the rear. Everyone knows what will come later when they reach the more arid regions to the west. Today the high-grass prairie is verdant. A gentle breeze from the south causes the grass to bend and exposes a myriad of wildflowers. Birds are singing, a hopeful sign for the uncertain days, weeks, and months ahead. Alice Warden sits with her mother in the wagon behind the oxen. Joshua and his daughter, Jennifer, walk in the tall grass prairie.

Amos Krebbs and his family leave the wagon train beyond Council Grove and travel several miles from the trail to a bluff overlooking the Waucumba River. As the family sits on the bluff, David throws a rock into an oxbow pond below. A flock of ducks rises above the cottonwoods, circles back, and returns.

In the distance Amos sees a building and evidence of habitation. There are several horses and what appears to be a plow and two wagons. Deborah, you and the boys stay here. I’ll ride the horse over and ask some questions about home- steading in the area. We might as well spend the night here. Boys, you help your mother set up camp. Stake out and water the oxen, and put them in the shade.

Amos returns in about an hour with a package wrapped in brown paper. I met some very nice people, Deborah. Their name is Krogen, from Ohio. They homesteaded that property last year; the husband is named Lars. Her name is something Scandinavian. There are also two boys, a younger sister, and the wife’s widowed mother. They are very nice people. Here, the elderly lady gave me a loaf of fresh baked bread.

Well, wasn’t that nice of them?

Yes, Mr. Krogen said that they would welcome neighbors. He showed me his property line and said that there are two other homesteads in the area, one just up river and another to the east. We are not too far from Council Grove and he expects that the railroad will get there some day. That would make it easy to get grain to the eastern markets.

Deborah’s pot of beans, cheese, and dried fruit go well with the fresh bread. The boys spread a canvas and blankets under the cottonwoods as Joshua and Deborah sit next to the dying campfire. Aaron calls from his bed under the trees. Papa, David and I seen two deer along the river. There is quail and rabbits. We seen …

Saw rabbits, Aaron … saw.

Saw … and blackberry bushes and maybe those pawpaw trees like we used to have in Pittsburgh. I love to eat those. Looks like oak trees and something like a hickory, but I’m not sure. We saw two deer and I know that there are catfish in the river. We saw a weasel carrying one and …

Alright boys, we’ll take a closer look around here tomorrow. We had a long day. Go to sleep. Your mother and I are going into the wagon for our night’s sleep; God rest.

As Amos holds Deborah in their wagon bed, Deborah speaks, Amos, I am pleased that we are not going to California. Both of our families left Europe many years ago looking for something and running away from bad things. I don’t think that gold was in the minds of our people when they came to this new world.

Tomorrow morning the boys and I will take our shovels and begin digging. The soil down here along the river is deep and rich. That’s all the gold our family needs. I want to see what it’s like up on the bluff before we decide where we stay. Oh and by the way, get out your fancy dress and those new clothes for the boys. We are going calling tomorrow on the Krogens who may become our new neighbors.

Thousands of years earlier, behind the retreating polar ice cap, a vast prairie slowly emerged. It provided for a multitude of plant and animal species. Upon arrival, They found prairie grasses taller than a young boy and the yellow dogs that followed them on their long journey from the Old World. They prospered and harvested the many great animals of the plains before the arrival of

The Others,

who then spread their contagions, to which They had no immunity, killed many of the native animals, introduced new ones, and plowed the land into oblivion in little more than one hundred years.

The trail beyond Council Grove continues to the great bend of the Arkansas River flowing east from the Rocky Mountains. There is very good feed and an abundance of water for the animals. Several bison herds had been seen in the distance. Yesterday the scout, Billy Dupree, shot a bison and distributed the meat among the wagon train. Colonel Wallace approaches the Warden wagon during an afternoon break. Mr. Warden, Billy tells me that there is much bison sign ahead on the trail. I would like to form a hunting party; we should lay in some meat supplies while it is available. You appear to know much about hunting rifles.

Thanks fir figurin me ta be a good shot, Colonel Wallace, but Ahm feared ma horse, Bob, kaint keep up in no long chase of wild bison. Look at em over there. No, he’s made fir the plow, not the chase.

A fine looking horse, Mr. Warden. but I agree with your assessment of his talents. I have several horses that can run down any bison. You are more than welcome to ride one of mine tomorrow on the hunt.

Very early the following morning, Joshua, mounted on one of the Colonel’s finest horses, rides with the Colonel, Billy Dupree, and three other men. From a slight rise they see a bison herd that the Colonel says must number at least a hundred. Joshua believes that the number is much greater but realizes that he is very excited. The Colonel spurs his horse as he removes his rifle from its scabbard. He yells to the men to get as close as they can before firing and to aim just behind the shoulder. The next several minutes are a blur in the mind and memory of Joshua. He remembers spurring the horse towards the bison and pointing his rifle behind the shoulder of one of the bison that had fallen behind the others and of pulling the trigger. Joshua had always told others about the importance of taking time and obtaining a proper site picture before firing, but all that Joshua remembers is pointing the rifle and pulling the trigger. He then remembers the voice of Colonel Wallace saying, Nice shot, Mr. Warden. Stay here with this animal. It looks like the others will be strung out a ways to the south from here.

They sit upon the backs of horses that are wild of eye and spirit, but bonded to those who had captured them on the prairie in their youth. Feathers of eagles adorn the manes of the horses and the hair of the three bronzed men.

The Others can be seen and heard in the distance attacking a bison herd. They are armed with bows, arrows, and spears that are but slightly different from those carried into this land by their ancestors 10,000 or more years earlier. Today, bison, deer, elk, and antelope still abound but scenes such as the one occurring in the distance are becoming more common. No word is spoken by the three but They all know that the bison will be scattered and that the elders, women, and children in camp must wait.

Colonel Wallace returns in about twenty minutes. Joshua is covered with bison blood from chin to boot as he hears the words, Mr. Warden, Sergeant Lee here tells me that your mother-in-law has been stricken ill back in camp. You should return there post haste. Sergeant Lee can finish the skinning of your bison. Tell the rest of the camp that we will return with the meat in a few hours. Colonel, what happened to mah wife’s mother?

The Sergeant tells me that she collapsed shortly after we left camp this morning and that she is paralyzed on her right side.

As Joshua arrives in camp, he goes directly to the Warden wagon. Alice is standing outside the wagon with several other women. When she sees the bloody Joshua, her knees buckle. He rushes to the side of his wife and says, It’s alright Alice; it’s only bison blood. What happened to your mother?

Oh Joshua, she cannot speak, is paralyzed on her right side, and has trouble breathing. Joshua glances to the tear-streaked face of his daughter, Jennifer, looking for words of encouragement, but can find none. He enters the wagon and goes to his mother-in-law, who is being attended by Mrs. Piper, the wife of the unofficial pastor of the wagon train.

It is a blessing that Mrs. Piper does not immediately notice the bloody face of Joshua in the darkened wagon. Mother Montgomery, it’s Joshua. There is no response and as Joshua’s eyes become accustomed to the darkened wagon, he sees the blank stare and hears the labored breathing of his mother-in-law. He places his blood stained hand around her hand. It remains limp.

Sometime after midnight, Joshua is awakened from his bed on the prairie by Alice. Joshua, Mother is gone. It was not unexpected and in a way, Joshua is relieved that she will not have to suffer the rigors of the journey ahead.

Reverend Milton Piper’s last words above the prairie grave site of Matilda Montgomery are, Rest in peace, Mrs. Montgomery, in this most lonely but beautiful part of God’s Creation.

From a distance, They observe the proceedings knowing that it is one of significance and related to the Great Spirit. They dismount and begin a solemn chant. As the wagon train moves beyond the far horizon, They move to the deserted camp looking for discarded treasures of The Others. Three whale bone buttons, a few iron nails, and a porcelain doll’s head are quickly picked up.

A great mistake is made when one of Them finds a fine, but soiled, linen handkerchief that was left by little Dorothy Piper, who suffers from the consumption. He places the soiled cloth in a buckskin pouch that holds a fine knife fashioned from a Cavalry officer’s broken Damascus steel sword.

Joshua and his family continue westward with the wagon train thinking of their loss but with a renewed resolve to conquer the trail ahead. By the time they can see the snowcapped Rocky Mountains on the western horizon and begin to turn northwest toward Fort Laramie, they have settled into an almost monotonous routine. About fifteen miles were traveled yesterday. Joshua is aware of that fact and he adds up miles and days ahead—trying to determine when they will reach

California. Yesterday he and Billy Dupree had bagged three antelope and fresh meat was enjoyed by many.

Most of the bison meat is now being dried on top of the slow moving wagons. The grass of the higher and drier prairie is still sufficient for the stock and Colonel Wallace is in no hurry to press the train forward, wanting the animals in as good a condition as possible when they arrive at the more crowded trail that awaits them.

The view of Fort Laramie from the now more heavily traveled and rutted trail is a surprise to Joshua. He had always imagined it a stout compound surrounded by logs and vertical timbers in front of parapets. What he sees are buildings that he assumes to be barracks, mess, and headquarters sitting behind a mound of earth piled up perhaps eight or nine feet high. It is a very crowded and unpleasant place. Large numbers of wagons and tent-like buildings surround the fort, and the smell of overflowing latrines makes Joshua yearn for the open and green prairie that they have left behind.

Colonel Wallace calls for a general meeting of the wagon train to explain the obvious. From this time on, we will have a more crowded trail. It will be necessary for us to take our stock farther from the trails to find forage each day and our progress will be less. I suggest that we spend a day here to replace any supplies that may be needed. There will be little, if any, forage for the stock today but we will find some ahead, even if it is off the trail.

The following morning, after a sleepless night caused by the milling of underfed, unhappy cattle, horses, and people—Joshua, Alice, and Jenny go to one of several sutler stores surrounding the post. They are amazed at the prices. Everything costs at least twice or three times the amount charged at Independence. Ah thank it’s a mighty good time fir me ta give up the bad habit a chawn tabacce, Alice. Jenny, even though you’re a young lady, Ah know how you like sassafras hard candy. Ah’m shore we kin afford some of that. Alice, Ah know we’re short on baking powder … and this may be the last place to buy them needles we lost.

At the wretched camp, among the noisy animals and horrible smells, the wagon train members wait anxiously to head west the following morning. Joshua says to Alice, Ah’m worried bout Jenny.

Well dear, you must remember that we have had three tragic deaths in the family in less than a year. She is also almost seventeen years old. There are three women of seventeen on this wagon train who are already married. She has no friends and every time some young man shows any interest in her, you run him off.

Well, ah … There be plenty a time fir that when we git to Californe.

Several days later the wagon train approaches the Medicine Bow River. Billy Dupree is in mid stream conferring with Colonel Wallace whose flowing white locks are now below the collar of his buckskin jacket. The Colonel spurs his horse through the current that washes above his stirrups and signals for the three wagon team leaders to assemble. Gentlemen, Mr. Dupree tells me that there is some fine pasture in a meadow a scant hour or so upstream. After our unpleasant stay at Fort Laramie, however short it may have been, and the lean pickings along the trail since, I have decided that we need a day or so of rest. Please follow Mr. Dupree upstream. I will follow from behind. This is excellent elk country. We will get a hunting party out tomorrow for some meat.

Joshua has been wondering about the great divide that separates the flow of water on the continent between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In his mind he always saw massive peaks and deep canyons. But where are the giant peaks? There has been a definite upgrade on the trail but unless one was walking, it was barely noticeable. The air has become dry—the humidity of the lower plains has been absent for over a week. Aromatic sagebrush replaces the lush prairie grasses. What grass there is grows mostly in the shade of the sagebrush, much to the dismay of the stock. It is also colder. Last night he and Alice wrapped an extra blanket around themselves in the wagon and Joshua noticed some ice crystals above the river in the shade this morning.

Joshua has decided against joining the hunting party that leaves the next morning for the timbered hills above the lush meadow where they camp. He believes that he is needed in camp for moral support and needs to spend some quiet time with his family. When telling Billy Dupree of his decision, Billy replied, That’s fine, Mr. Warden. If we get elk, I’ll be sure you and your daughter get some.

Thanks Billy.

As her father and Billy Dupree are discussing the upcoming hunt, Jenny stares at the young guide from inside the wagon. She finds him fascinating. He is small and wiry, dressed in fringed buckskins tucked into black knee-high cavalry boots that make his feet look larger than they are. Dark hair flows beneath a strange pork pie brimmed hat that shades his most distinctive feature—his flitting eyes. He has a sparse goatee and a crooked nose. Billy’s quick smile might be described as wicked by some, but not by Jenny. He has large hands for a small man and she has never seen him without his rifle in one of them. He speaks with an accent that she cannot place. Jenny is fascinated and has had many disturbing and strange thoughts about him.

After a leisurely breakfast the following morning, Alice notices Reverend Piper approaching their wagon. He is smaller in stature than one would imagine when seen up close and his voice seems to belong to a much larger man. The pastor has a thick waist and stands at least a head shorter than Joshua. He has a wispy light brown beard and hardly any moustache. Pale green eyes convey concern, sympathy, and understanding.

Mrs. Warden, could you attend to Dorothy and look in on Mrs. Piper for me? I must attend the Nelsons. Young Tim is ill and his father went on the hunt this morning. We are quite worried. Dorothy’s cough is worse and I fear that my wife might also be coming down with whatever it is. She may have a fever. How are you feeling?

Oh I’m fine, Reverend. Might I take something to Mrs. Piper?

Pastor Piper replies, I made breakfast this morning but only our two boys would eat. I am quite concerned.

Alice also becomes concerned when entering the Piper wagon. Dorothy is having a coughing fit and Mrs. Piper sits in a stupor, obviously up all night and now sweating profusely. Mrs. Piper what may I do to assist you?

Please attend to Dorothy, I cannot rouse her. I know she needs some water; she burns with fever.

The young girl is delirious and Alice cannot force water past her lips. She turns to Mrs. Piper and sees that she is now soaked with perspiration even though the morning is very cool. Alice says, I will be right back Mrs. Piper, and returns to Joshua and Jennifer.

Joshua we have a serious problem at the Pipers. Dorothy and Mrs. Piper are both very ill. I cannot wake Dorothy. Both of them burn with fever. Have their boys gone on the hunt? I know that the Reverend is at the Nelsons, attending what I fear may be the same sickness. We need to contact the Colonel; if this is the beginning of an epidemic, we need to separate the ill from the well.

Joshua turns and walks across the green meadow to the camp, perhaps a quarter of a mile away. Sergeant Lee, we seem ta have several sick people in group three.

Yes, Mr. Warden, there is also a wagon of three people in group one who are all very sick. I am going to fetch Colonel Wallace right now. At that moment four rifle shots are heard in the distance to the west of camp. I guess I know where to go now, says the Sergeant.

Colonel Wallace arrives in camp about an hour later and comes to the Warden wagon. Mr. Warden, is it the Piper wagon that has the problem here?

Yes sir. Mah wife’s over there now. The Pastor’s been with the Nelson boy who was sick, but Ah see he’s back ta his wagon now.

Jennifer starts to follow the Colonel to her mother at the Piper’s wagon. Young lady, I believe it best that you stay away from any contagion. I have seen much of this in the Army. It is best to separate the sick from the healthy. You and your father please remain here. I am calling a council meeting and will contact your group leader. Ah, since your leader is Pastor Piper, I would like for you to attend in his place at my camp this afternoon, Mr. Warden. We will know better then what we may be facing. Hopefully it is just some bad water from the filth at Fort Laramie. Places like that always bother me. The Fort was set up to protect settlers, not make them sick. Too many people in one place … never a good idea. He walks to the Piper wagon.

Pastor Piper, how is your family? asks the Colonel.

Not well I am afraid, Colonel. The boys are alright, but my daughter is in delirium, spitting blood and my wife is soaking with fever. He goes on to tell the Colonel that the young Nelson boy that he attended in the morning was also coughing blood.

Pastor, I would like for you, your boys, and Mrs. Warden to stay here. We are having a council meeting at five. I have asked that Mr. Warden take your place. We will tell you of our decisions at its conclusion. As he leaves, the Colonel has a deeply furrowed brow; his worst fears are on his mind.

At the council meeting, Colonel Wallace opens the discussion. Gentlemen, Sergeant Lee and I have observed the sick in our wagons. At this time we have a total of 14 people showing symptoms of chills, fever, diarrhea, delirium, and some are spitting blood. I am not a physician, but I have observed camp sickness from drinking bad water, which is what I had hoped was our problem. Sadly to say, I do not believe that to be the case—not with the blood spitting. There is also the possibility of there being more than one cause, but we cannot take the chance. I am ordering that we quarantine those affected wagons and those who have been in close contact with the sick. Those under quarantine will move to the southern end of the meadow beyond the large rock formation. We will wait here for two more days to see what transpires. Anyone who objects to my decision is, of course, free to leave the train, travel on their own to California, or return to the east. Those who choose to obey my decisions are, of course, welcome to remain. I have been through many difficult situations in my life. We will get through this one. Gentlemen, please return to your wagon sections and inform your people of my decision. I will certainly make the rounds of each affected and unaffected wagon, but it may take me until tomorrow to see everyone. Have all of your quarantined wagons and people in the south meadow as early in the morning as possible.

They had been camped on a tall grass meadow by a small prairie pond for many days waiting for the two hunting parties of six braves to return with bison. The women, old men, and children had managed to capture a few prairie dogs, three rabbits, some fish, and a raccoon. A party of three hunters returned with two bison that had been dressed with a very sharp knife. In the evening a great feast was held. Swollen bellies prevailed, happy chants, and thankful drums were heard late into the night.

Two days later,

They experience a great illness in camp with fever, coughing, and delirium. The medicine man visits many tepees. On the fifth day after the feast, eight of Them are dead and many more lie listless with high fevers. The remaining few move on after leaving their dead in the deserted meadow of sorrow.

An afternoon thunderstorm

descends producing more darkness. Wolves and coyotes assemble near the campsite below circling buzzards, while two black ravens peck at a discarded doll’s head.

Colonel Wallace, all of the quarantined wagons and people on your list are in the south meadow.

Thank you, Billy. Now I want you to stay away from those sick people. You are going to have important work to do and all of us, the sick and the well, will depend on you.

Yes Sir, Colonel.

Jenny Warden sits in her wagon in a stupor. Tears stream down her cherubic face and upturned nose from very blue eyes and her small body is wracked with sobbing. Nothing that Joshua does can soothe her torment, and he sits up throughout the night listening to her sobs. Her two younger brothers lie in graves in Missouri, her grandmother is in the ground of the lonely prairie, and now her mother is in exile in the south meadow with the infirm.

Billy Dupree approaches the Warden wagon just before sunup as Joshua is about to pour a cup of campfire coffee. Here, Billy, Ah spect ya need this.

Thank you, Mr. Warden. I wanted to tell you and Jenny that I saw Mrs. Warden yesterday at the quarantined area. She said to be sure and tell you that she is just fine and not to worry.

Joshua thinks for a brief moment on Billy’s pronunciation of the word fine, and says, Thank ya, Billy. Billy takes a swig of the black coffee, passes the tin cup to Jenny who has now come to the end of the wagon to see what is happening. She drinks the coffee from Billy’s cup and watches quietly as he rides back to the Colonel’s camp.

The next day, more illness appears when two children