Читать книгу The Two Sams: Men of the West - F. M. Worden - Страница 13

Chapter 6

Fort Laramie

Sam rode into Independence, after leaving the paddle wheel steamer. There were three wagon trains being made up to go west, one a Mormon with a hundred and fifty Saints. Many a pretty girl was with this train.

Sam missed Sarah already.

Sam asked a wagon boss when they expected to leave. “Not for another week.” The other trains were waiting for one thing or the other. No one seemed to be in a hurry.

He decided to push on by himself. He followed a well worn trail west. As he moved past settlements and farms the plains became empty of civilization. He could see that the wagons moved four wide abreast. He guessed it was for protection from Indians. The grass was stirrup high, small streams ran to the north toward the Missouri river. Game became plentiful, rabbits bounded away every few yards, deer stopped to watch them go by. Antelope herds grazed in the distance. Coyotes and wolves hid in the tall grass, not moving unless Sam and his horses disturbed them. Late in the evening of the first day out, two wolves followed along for some time, staying out of gun range. He surmised them had been shot at before. A crippled antelope appeared. The wolves went after it and Sam watched as the two got a meal.