Corinne had a soft cloth sack full of extra cornbread that Cookie had made that morning. The bugs were losing the battle or were staying behind after they traveled a few miles. Corinne was thankful in whatever way allowed her to exist without the pesky creatures nipping at her constantly.
The cornbread was still warm from Cookie's small oven and the fresh butter they got from Chelsea had created a luxury to savor. Lucas had brought the butter over. He seemed to find lots of little ways to be near her. She liked it. She would not let thoughts of his fiancé back east enter her mind this morning. She smiled to herself quietly as she headed over to meet the new folks.
A beautiful blond woman greeted her with a young pair of equally blond twins holding onto her skirts. The young boys were truly as close to identical as Corinne had ever seen. She smiled a welcome their way but they buried their heads further into momma's skirt.
"Welcome to our train, just saying hello and sharing a treat." Corinne said with a friendly smile.
The woman smiled big, saying nothing, and looked expectant.
"Jah." She said after a minute. Her smile was stunning but she didn’t seem to understand Corinne. Corinne tried again using gestures. She smiled herself and handed the bag toward the woman. The woman accepted it and examined it then started speaking in a language Corinne didn’t understand. It was Corinne's turn to look confused.
Corinne pointed to her chest, said, "Corinne,” and waited expectantly for the woman's name. It never came. The blond mother took her bag and showed the boys then rubbed her tummy and waved. They all walked away from Corinne and headed to their own fire to enjoy the treat. Corinne felt dismissed, turned around, and walked back to her own fire laughing to herself. So much for getting to know the neighbors.
* * * * *
Today was going to be a busy day. The courthouse rock was visible in the distance. As much as Corinne wanted to see it up close she had other things she wanted to do. Laundry was a tedious chore that mocked Corinne's best efforts. She felt her clothes looked dirty even after being washed in the silt water of the Platte. The edges of everyone's clothes looked dingy and sweat stained.
Rain and trees seemed a lovely memory of Ash Hollow but that was dimming with the reality of the barren landscape. There was plenty of low scrub brush and dirty sand they walked through day after day. Corinne reached her wagon and after getting the wash bags she began her daylong fight with the laundry. She felt grimy herself but the luxury of clean water to bathe in was not to be had. She hoped that she kept herself from stinking but knew she looked as travel worn as everyone else did.
The hot sun was beating down on her face and shoulders as she scrubbed and eventually she retrieved a light bonnet to keep her face covered. She didn’t want to burn and be miserable tonight. She was just starting to sleep better after the bugs tormented her for the last several nights.
After hanging up all the relatively clean wash on a thin rope she strung between the two wagons she decided to rest in her wagon. The men and the Grants were off on foot or horseback to see the landmarks. Clive had been gone for several days having taken over some scouting duties since three of the scouts had died from cholera. Corinne felt his absence strongly but knew he was good a good scout for their train. His wisdom would get them through it all.
That night as everyone filed back to their wagons with a festive spirit had everyone wanting to celebrate reaching the landmark. Near the wagons was a large flat clearing and after lighting some fires and a few chickens and rabbits giving their life for the cause, a feast was laid out. Fruit preserves that had been held back were opened and shared. Music was at its best and Corinne danced with many partners. She thought of her dear friend Angela and how much she would have enjoyed this time with her.
* * * * *
"Can I convince you to take a stroll with me Ms. Temple?" Sidney Prince was by her side after dancing with his mother. "We will stay close." He added when she had a look of refusal. He offered his arm but she nodded and took two steps ahead of him. She wanted to be his friend but taking his arm might encourage him too much.
"I'm sorry. I know you shouldn't take a man's arm this soon." His face was young and his jet-black hair was slicked back. Corinne admired the kindness in his eyes but was afraid to be too nice to him. She knew he was harboring budding romantic notions about her.
"Mr. Prince you honor me with your attention but I want to clear the air between us." Corinne stopped walking and tried to look him in the eye before she let him down. She wanted it to be painless and friendly. "I would love to have your friendship, but beyond that I have no aspirations of seeking romantic attentions from any man." Her heart did a flip at the thought of another man's recent attention that she enjoyed rather well. Liar! She whispered to herself.
"I have been three years away from the company of my Father. I wish to finish this journey, Lord willing, and spend some time with the only family I have left." Corinne took his arm then as a friendship gesture. He took it gracefully and walked her back.
Within five minutes Lucas came around and she was swept away on a fast jig. He didn’t wait even a minute before asking where she had gone.
"Sidney took me walking, but we didn't go far." She felt ten times the liar for enjoying his gaze as he danced with her. His medium brown hair was recently trimmed. His tan made his dark green eyes seem more intense than usual. Corinne tried not to notice too much.
"Well Sidney is young and I hope he realizes that the dark isn't safe. And I don't like him taking you away from your friends." Lucas had a possessive look that charmed her female senses. A girl never should admit to it but she really did enjoy a man being a little bit jealous of her attention. She smiled to calm him.
"I took the moment of privacy to let him know that his attention was flattering however, I have no intention of having any relationship with him other than friendship."
Lucas actually smiled his brightest smile of the day for that remark.
Corinne finished the dance knowing her favorite dance partner enjoyed her company but inside she ignored that question in the back of her mind. What will he to do with his fiancé back in Kentucky? Should he just throw his affection around when someone is waiting for him? Corinne knew little of how to deal with these questions and felt the smallest amount of guilt for passing off on Sidney's sweet honorable attempts at courting when he wasn’t spoken for and Lucas was. When did this all become so confusing?
She laid her head down at a late hour and slept for a short time when she awoke to banging pots and children's laughter. After a few sentences of talking Corinne realized the Swedish family was still awake. Corinne sat up and lit her lantern. This reminded her of Andrew's early morning habits and she smiled and saw it is nearly one a.m. She extinguished the lamp, lay down, and tried to sleep but the racket was loud. A male voice joined the speaking and Corinne imagined that was the husband. She wondered absently if he was blond, too. After thirty minutes of shuffling and finally, a bit of shushing from the mother, the family seemed to settle down. Then began a song of sorts, they all did it together, the children and the parents. It lasted a few minutes and Corinne had to keep from laughing at the silliness. What were they doing?
The chanting song ended and soon the entire camp got back to its slumber.
* * * * *
Chapter Twenty-Two
June 21 1848
The first official day of summer. The morning started with a creek crossing. It was easy going but for a few breakdowns. Some wagons were taking a beating and many repairs later, still barely holding together. Corinne felt confident in the Blake boys and their care for her and the wagons had been excellent. Reggie and Cookie watched over her like brothers. They were a great team. She thought.
The air was dry and the creek was refreshing. The women found a secluded place for a bath again and everyone enjoyed the clean feeling after a long while of dusty trail grime.
Corinne kept herself away from Sidney and Lucas lately. She d
idn’t like the feelings she was having and thought the best course of action was to avoid it completely. She kept her eyes on the landscape and her mind occupied with her own dreams in Oregon. She had the image in her mind.
The mountain behind and her the fields before her in purple splendor, she could see different trees blooming in the spring, maybe even citrus fruits. She drew a blank on how that would happen. She heard rumors that women could own property in Oregon but she would not know until she arrived. There was also her father to think about. Would he support her dream to start her own farm and understand what she wanted to grow? She hoped to make lavender oil and other oils, possibly be the first producer of some oils in the states. It would take time and many people to help but maybe her prayers would see fruit.
After crossing that clear-watered creek the climate turned toward dry. Corinne spent her days in the harsh dry climate on Clover or on foot. Sometimes her handkerchief did little to block the choking dust from her nose and mouth. Her eyes were constantly coated with caked-on sand and a white silt substance that made her eyes tear and burn. Everyone was in this together. The summer was just beginning and they all suffered through the miles of endless rocks and sand.
The march was enduring and seemed measureless. The daily routine engrained. The mile markers were the big landscape changes. The landmarks they read about and they used them to guide their steps, the end was coming closer but the going was painfully slow. Everyone felt today was the day. Corinne anticipated it herself; it was the high point they had all been waiting for. Independence Rock ahead!
* * * * *
Corinne planned to carve her own name in the famous place. She forged ahead through everything and knew of untold trials waiting. Soon the halfway point would be behind her. She dreamed of a roof and bed almost as much as her lavender fields. Oregon City began sounding like heaven to her, a land of milk and honey.
The wagons were taking a break, men gave water to the animals and men stretched their tired muscles. Corinne had a rag with wash water to clean her face and hands of the trail dust. Chelsea strolled over with Brody and made small talk. Brody even seemed excited about "pendance rock." The scouts said they should see it on the horizon today. The rocky hills were small and spread out. Everyone missed the sight of trees.
By late afternoon it had been spotted, a cheer rang out and wagons stopped for good. A line of people with homemade paint and brushes were marching out to a turtle shaped mound that stood out from the stark dry landscape. The air was full of joy as they battled the heat with a song on their lips. The journey was halfway done. They all secretly knew the easiest half was what they had already accomplished but no one said so today. Today was celebration for life and the bright future ahead.
Corinne traveled with the Grants and they all took their turn painting their names. Corinne spent an hour looking for her father's name without any luck. The place was enormous and she soon gave up and headed back with her companions. She found herself watching Lucas walk back with Brody on his shoulders. His eyes were smiling and he treated Brody with stories and smiles. She found herself daydreaming about him sometimes, too. He was taken, but she felt that maybe someday a man would come along for her that was like him, hopefully.
* * * * *
Food was spread out in a dazzling display of resourcefulness. People pulled out reserve stocks of canned fruit. Butter had been hoarded and pastries were stacked high on makeshift tables. Clive, with the help of another scout, downed three deer; so roasted venison steaks were also shared.
The land was barren and the people didn’t care, a feast and a party was now the order of the evening. Corinne had been learning some great cooking tips from Cookie and helped him with the task of making enough biscuits to share with everyone. Corinne was proud of her growing list of skills. Her hands were properly calloused these days and she felt a growing sense of womanhood rising up in her chest. She had her own goals and she also had a taste of freedom that she would not abandon lightly.
Corinne enjoyed the meal and as soon as the dancing started she was actively dancing with her friends. She stopped after the fourth dance to go back to her wagon. Her stomach was a little upset and she put some peppermint in her water. Within minutes she was very uncomfortable.
"Chelsea, I'm going to head in for the night. I am feeling poorly." Corinne walked over to her friends to let them know where she would be. She didn’t realize that she would soon have company.
"Hello beautiful." A familiar young voice interrupted Corinne's thoughts on her churning stomach.
"Sidney, I am sorry I didn't get a chance to dance with you. I am feeling.." Corinne wanted to send him away so she could be ill in peace. Her stomach was getting hot and her head spun a little. Sidney interrupted her.
"I have wanted to talk with you for days. I have tried to stay away from you." Sidney looked so serious with his dark eyes full of young passion. He pulled her close. He was not paying attention to her distress.
"Oh Sidney..." Corinne groaned and grabbed her stomach. She wasn’t even listening to him. Her stomach cramps grew in intensity.
Sidney suddenly realized his folly. He was trying to woo a sick woman. His frustration grew. His timing was always off. He took a large awkward hand and patted her back. He tried to find soothing words and she groaned and doubled over. He was afraid she was going to lose her dinner on or near him any moment. His stomach had never been one to handle that. If anyone was sick near him he usually would end up joining in. "Let me find you some help." Sidney didn’t even get a glance from Corinne as he nearly sprinted away from her. He found Chelsea and sent her to rescue her friend. Girls knew how to handle these things. He would have been disappointed had he waited around another moment as the man whom he secretly disliked was recruited for carrying the beautiful young invalid.
Corinne did indeed lose her dinner a moment after Sidney left her company. She was glad he had left. His company was getting more and more pressing on her. He looked at her in an odd way like he expected something of her. He would someday be a very handsome man but his boyish actions prevented her from seeing him as anything but a sweet lad who wanted her attention. Right now she just wanted to not exist as she fought a battle with dragons in her stomach.
Chelsea, Russell and Lucas came to her aid to settle and clean her up. Ten more people over the course of the night got some severe stomach cramps. Though everyone was at first afraid of another round of cholera they soon discovered that everyone who was been sick had eaten some fruit pastries from a certain family.
The Swedish family had shared some fruit pies with everyone and some of the fruit had been put up badly it seemed. No one could tell them for none of them spoke English. The family was quickly making enemies with many outfits who tired of the late night loudness and now sharing bad fruit preserves. The gossip about them the next day wasn’t very flattering.
* * * * *
Corrine didn’t feel up to doing much for several days. She hid in her wagon as they traveled but the rocking and jerking from the uneven terrain did little to ease her illness. She wished for rest and finally after three days of fitful sleeping she felt a bit better. She found herself enjoying life again as the Sweetwater River revived the entire train.
They passed the Devil's Gate in awe of its magnificence but kept moving through as they refilled their water barrels and kept their steady pace. The summer heat wasn’t fooling anyone. Winter would come and they knew they have to make every day count. They would be traveling along the route of the Sweetwater for almost a week. They would cross over it several times before leaving it behind to head toward the South Pass. They knew it would be the easiest way to get through the difficult wagon crushing Rocky Mountains.
* * * * *
Chapter Twenty-Three
July 7 1848
A daylight moon shown in the clear sky. Not a cloud was seen as Corinne stretched her back while sitting on Clover. It was nearing noon and the train had been traveling all nigh
t. The heat was dry and scorching. The wagon boss decided to push on this morning despite the protest of several ox handlers.
The animals were dying.
Mr. Walters reminded every one of the contracts they signed and they agreed to keep moving. Corinne heard the shout for the wagons to rest and she was certainly glad of it herself. They should have stopped hours ago. Corinne had a feeling tempers were going to get worse as the heat and the barren waterless landscape tested them all. They filled their barrels after a difficult crossing on the Big Sandy two days ago. Many travelers wished to stop and camp near the water to allow the weakening animals to drink and rest. Mr. Walters and his crew ignored the requests and pushed on.
Corinne saw at least ten dead oxen that day and she heard rumors of many other ox handlers losing the battle with the heat. Every day the terrain grew more difficult for the animals to find any kind of sustenance. Many of the poorer families had no oats or feed of any kind left and those who had it, gave it sparingly when they shared. The women were getting nervous about the growing tension. Desperate men had short tempers.
* * * * *
Corinne was grumpy. She had a few good reasons; dirty everything, face, hair, and clothes, a monthly cycle with the accompanying cramps in her belly and back, and an injured horse. Clover had a sharp rock wedged in her hoof and after removing it Corinne was certain Clover was bruised. Corinne was gladly giving her a break from riding but wasn’t enjoying the walk much herself. Corinne shared her womanly grief with Chelsea and got the traditional female sympathy but it didn’t help her mood. She tired of the dreary landscape, the dry dirt she ate all day as she walked and everything else this trail threw at her. There was no plant life to look at, no trees, just dry sandy dirt that swirled around you and caked on eyes, nose and mouth. The evening was better when the temperature dropped but the celebratory atmosphere was gone with the last river crossing.