The Road to Oregon City Read online

  As you hike, you realize that even though the mountainous terrain is challenging, it is also beautiful. With all the tall trees, cliffs, canyons, and purple haze of snowcapped mountains in the distance, the views have been breathtaking.

  As you’re walking, the wind suddenly begins to blow and the temperature drops.

  “That’s a northern wind,” Ma says, looking concerned.

  “Look!” Samuel shouts. “It’s snowing!”

  Sure enough, flakes of snow fill the air. They land on your arms and face. You open your mouth and feel the icy coldness melt on your tongue.

  “It tastes sweet,” you say, laughing. You haven’t seen snow for so long, but it feels funny to see it now, when it’s still only September.

  Archie runs back and forth and barks at the flakes. Hannah just twirls, letting her apron fill with the white fluff.

  But within minutes, the light snowfall turns into a fierce storm. The driving winds and thick sheet of white snow are hard to move through. And the animals seem to be scared as the icy cold air pelts their skin. They push against their yokes and kick as if they want to run away.

  “Halt the wagons!” Caleb orders.

  You watch as everyone huddles together, discussing what to do.

  “Do you think we should take cover and make camp,” Caleb asks, shouting over the wind, “and wait for the storm to pass?”

  “Look at the animals,” Pa says. “They might freeze if we leave them standing in the cold. We need to keep them moving.”

  “In this?” Ma argues. “We can barely make out where we are going. We can just cover the animals with blankets.”

  “But maybe if we keep moving, we’ll make it out of the storm area,” another woman adds.

  Back and forth they argue. You don’t know which sounds like the best option. Part of you wants to camp, and you hope that you and your friends will be allowed to play in the snow. But you wonder if the arguments for moving forward make sense too.

  What does everyone decide?

  If you decide to make camp, turn to page 41

  If you decide to keep moving, turn to page 35

  Return to page 158

  I think we can manage on our own,” Pa says, looking confident. “The raft I’m going to build will be so solid, it’ll be like a boat.”

  After two days of working, the raft is finally ready. As always, you’re impressed by Pa’s craftsmanship.

  Finally, the time arrives to load up the raft. Pa sets it in the water and ties it to the banks with thick ropes. He leads the animals and the wagon onto it, and it stays steady. Then he takes Ma and Hannah by the hand and seats them in the wagon. You and Samuel join them. When everything seems secure, Pa jumps onto the raft and cuts the ropes. You’re off!

  Pa has big poles he’s using to steer the raft. He gives you a second one to help him, since you are the eldest and because you are the strongest swimmer in the family. It makes you feel important to hold the pole and help Pa. And it’s fun to be on the river, floating along.

  You travel for about an hour with no problem until suddenly the rapids grow faster and the water gets choppier. Pa struggles to keep the raft steady as it lurches in the water, and you try to help. But your pole snaps in half as you plunge it into the water.

  “Hold on!” Pa shouts as the raft starts to rock violently. You feel your breakfast start to come up into your throat as you hold on to the wagon for dear life. But once the raft capsizes, you aren’t able to grab on to anything and are flailing in the freezing water. You try to swim for shore, but you don’t see anything, and your body starts to give out, exhausted.

   THE END

  Return to page 56

  I think I should stay with my family,” you respond. “If that’s okay.”

  “No problem. We’ll see you on the other side,” Joseph says with smile.

  You help Pa and some of the other men pull the raft out of the water and carry it to the mouth of the rapids. The path to get there isn’t very long, but it’s really slippery and narrow. You make your way slowly behind the raft, but you find it hard to keep your footing. Suddenly you hear a muffled shout as Samuel clings to your leg. He is dangling off a steep cliff that sits on the edge of the path!

  You extend your hand to pull him up, but in the process, you slip yourself. Your hands are grabbing for anything to hold on to, but the ground is so wet that you slide down the side of the mountain.

   THE END

  Return to page 128

  I think we should try the South Alternate Route,” you finally say. “It seems like it will be a good choice. And I don’t want to cross that river again either.”

  Ma gives you a grateful smile.

  “Okay, it’s settled, then,” Pa says. “I’ll tell Caleb and see what everyone else has decided.”

  Pa comes back and lets you all know that the other families are going to join you on the route.

  “They feel the same way about the river,” he says with a smile. “And I can’t say I blame anyone.”

  You set off toward the south and hike without any problems for the first two days. By the third day, it gets drier and dustier, and you are disgusted as you pass the rotting carcasses of a dead ox and horse. There are flies hovering around them, and you cover your mouth and nose with your shirt to block the stench.

  “Will that happen to our animals?” a horrified Samuel asks you as you hurry past them.

  “I don’t know, Sam,” you reply. You don’t add what else you are thinking: that you don’t know what happened to the people who were with those animals either.

  The next day you see something that takes your breath away. Enormous mountains made out of sand are spread out in front of you.

  “Whoa. What are those?” Hannah asks, pointing.

  “Those are the Bruneau Dunes,” Caleb says. “They are made entirely of sand.”

  “Are we going to have to go all the way around them?” Samuel grumbles. He’s been in a bad mood for the past few days, and his face is flushed as he frowns.

  “Yes, unless we decide to go through them,” Caleb says. “We can try that, because it will save us a day’s travel at least. But it will be a challenge.”

  You gaze up at the massive piles of sand as everyone votes on which way to go. When it is your family’s turn, what do you choose?

  If you choose to go around the dunes, turn to page 63

  If you choose to go through the dunes, turn to page 30

  Return to page 13

  You lean forward and stretch out your arm as much as you can toward Eliza.

  “Grab my hand!” you shout.

  “I can’t!” Eliza says. “I’ll fall.”

  “No, you won’t,” you promise. “I’ll pull you up.”

  “I’m scared,” Eliza says, her face red from the exertion of holding on.

  “Just try,” you say. “Come on, Eliza! Grab on!”

  Eliza finally lets go and manages to grab your hand. You hold on tight and try to pull her up with all your strength. But it feels impossible.

  “Come on,” you groan, pulling harder. Only instead of Eliza coming any farther up, you are pulled down! You try to grab on to something with your feet to stop yourself from sliding over the side of the cliff. But the force of gravity is too strong, and the next thing you know, you are tumbling down the side of the cliff with Eliza behind you.

   THE END

  Return to page 63

  I think I need to get my shoes repaired again,” you say, showing Ma how worn-out the bottoms have gotten. She gasps and covers her mouth in surprise.

  “I’m so glad you said something!” she says. “How did your shoes wear out so quickly? The cobbler back at Fort Hall must not have done a good job.”

  “Yes,” says Pa, shaking his head. “And we paid him good money, too. Your feet would have frozen while we traveled through these mountains.”

  Ma goes to look for some buckskin to repair your shoes. But soon she returns instead with the very same m
occasin boots you had seen earlier, along with the wooden horse for Hannah and a miniature bow and arrow for Samuel.

  “Try these on,” Ma says, handing you the boots.

  Slipping your foot inside, you’re surprised by how light but sturdy they are.

  “Are they comfortable?” Ma asks you, and you nod.

  “Thank you,” you say, thrilled to be out of your uncomfortable shoes.

  You feel a mix of emotions on leaving the fort. The next time you will see civilization, it will be in Oregon City. And, as Caleb reminds you, you still have to walk more than 450 miles until you get there.

  After a week and a half of hiking, your wagon train reaches what is known as Farewell Bend, where you will forever part ways with the Snake River.

  “Even though it brought us challenges, I, for one, will be sorry to say goodbye to this river,” Ma says. You wonder if she is thinking of the fresh fish or the water for the animals. It was hard enough crossing the river once; never mind multiple times.

  “Are you feeling all right?” you ask, noticing that Ma looks a bit pale.

  “I’m fine, dear,” she says with a small smile. “My head is feeling a bit heavy is all.”

  You notice that Ma continues to look weaker over the next day, and she has to stop frequently because her stomach is unwell. At night, when you make camp, she asks you to take charge of making supper.

  “I just need to lie down for a bit, and I’ll be better,” she says.

  Pa builds a campfire, and you pull out the skillet and prepare beans flavored with bacon. You try to make Ma’s cornbread, too, but it turns out like mush.

  You notice Pa picking at his plate.

  “I’m sorry the food isn’t as good as Ma’s,” you say, a lump forming in your throat.

  “No, no, it’s delicious,” Pa says, giving you a weak smile. “I’m just not feeling too hungry.”

  You hope Ma is better tomorrow, because nothing seems right with her sleeping at suppertime instead of being with the rest of you. But the next morning, she isn’t better. And, even worse, Pa is sick too. Both your parents just lie in their tent instead of taking part in the usual morning routine.

  “I’m sorry, kids,” Pa says weakly from his feather mat. “We were both sick all night. We need to rest.”

  When it’s time to roll the wagons, Caleb finds that your family isn’t ready to leave yet.

  “What’s the matter?” he asks you with a frown.

  You tell him about Ma and Pa, and he comes back with the man in your wagon train who is a vet. He has been serving as the doctor on your journey. The man goes into their tent and comes out looking grim.

  “I’m afraid this is dysentery,” he says. “Your parents need rest and plenty of fluids, and hopefully they will pull through.”

  The lump is back in your throat, and you swallow hard.

  “What about the Trail?” you finally manage to ask, noticing how tiny your voice sounds.

  Caleb gives you a sad look.

  “I’m afraid I can’t keep the rest of the wagon train waiting too long. I think I can convince everyone to camp for an extra day, though.”

  You just nod, grateful. Caleb gives you a pat on the back and hurries back to tell the rest. You spend the day trying to get your parents to eat or drink, but they can’t manage to keep much down.

  That evening, you peek into your parents’ tent again.

  “The wagon train is getting ready to roll out tomorrow,” you say. “Are you going to be okay to go?”

  “Do you think you can drive the oxen team?” Pa asks you. “We don’t have the strength to walk, but Ma and I can ride in the wagon.”

  “But if you don’t feel comfortable,” Ma adds, “we can just wait until we are better to travel. We’ll be able to move faster and can catch up with the rest of the train later.”

  You think about what both your parents say. As much as you like the idea of taking charge and leading the wagon yourself, it also makes you nervous. Already, it’s been tough to be in charge and take care of everything on your own. Maybe a little more rest here, by the river, will be better for everyone. But you also hate the idea of being left behind.

  What do you decide?

  If you decide to steer the oxen and head out, turn to page 122

  If you decide to stay camped a little longer, turn to page 23

  Return to page 83

  Okay, mister,” you say reluctantly. “We don’t have the money, but we have jewelry.”

  “I need to see it first,” the man says as he coughs. “And we take half now, and the rest when we get to Oregon City.”

  You dig Ma’s jewelry box out from the fabric-lined chest in the wagon that holds all your family’s valuables and give it to Ma. The men take the jewels Ma offers them. You see one of them eyeing her wedding ring.

  “This one I keep,” she says firmly.

  Even though you don’t want to admit it, it’s a relief to have the men’s help. They help you pack up the wagon and cut wood for the campfire. You didn’t realize how exhausted you were from doing your chores and Pa’s, plus taking care of Ma.

  But over the next couple of days, you start to feel weak, and by the third, you are riding in the wagon with Ma. You have caught a cold and soon you will follow Pa to his grave.

   THE END

  Return to page 53

  That’s okay, mister,” you tell the man, standing as tall as you can. “I’m going to get my family to Oregon City on my own.”

  The men start to snicker softly, and you feel your face burn.

  “Suit yourself,” the leader finally says. “Good luck to you. And sorry for your loss.”

  Ma thanks them for their help, and they ride off. She tries to give you an encouraging nod and then goes to lie down in the wagon. You pack up the rest of your family’s things with Samuel and Hannah and start the wagon rolling.

  As you travel farther into the Blue Mountains, you try to hold on to the determined feeling that keeps you going. But as the days go by, Ma still isn’t strong enough to walk. And you find the Trail almost impossible to navigate, with large trees blocking the path. You can’t cut them up and move them on your own.

  “What’s that?” Samuel asks, pointing toward what looks like a little cottage nestled among the trees.

  It’s a small abandoned log cabin! You decide to stay in the cozy space for a while and give Ma time to heal. You learn how to set traps and hunt so you can feed your family through the long, cold winter. All the while, you think of Pa and what he would want you to do. That makes it easier. When spring comes around, you promise yourself, you’ll find a way to continue on your journey somehow.

   THE END

  Return to page 53

  I can steer the wagon so we don’t fall behind,” you say, trying to sound surer of yourself than you feel.

  “I think that’s a good decision,” Pa says with a proud look on his face.

  “I agree,” Ma says. “It actually might not have been safe to stay here alone.”

  The next morning, you, Samuel, and Hannah break up your camp and pack up the wagon the best you can, with some help from the others. You lay Ma and Pa’s feather mats in the back, after rearranging things to make it less lumpy.

  Caleb helps Ma climb into the wagon and then turns to you.

  “We’re going to be approaching the Blue Mountains soon. It’s good your family isn’t staying behind,” he says in a hushed voice. “I’d hate to think of what would happen to you if your parents took a turn for the worse.”

  You just nod. That was something you’ve been trying not to think about. Although this trip has been filled with challenges, you have never been as scared as you are now. You’ve heard stories of orphans along the Trail who have to either continue on their own or depend on the generosity of others. It makes your stomach turn, and you try to push the thought out of your head.

  “I’ll send Joseph and Eliza to help you out throughout the day,” Caleb continues. “And if you need anyth
ing, just shout.”

  You nod again and take a deep breath before starting the oxen moving.

  I have to push on, you tell yourself. I have to get my family to Oregon City.

  You’ve passed Farewell Bend now, and Snake River is behind you. As your wagon train has to cut its way through shoulder-tall sagebrush, the journey is slow and exhausting. Up ahead are the famous Blue Mountains, filled with woods and steep climbs. You desperately hope Ma and Pa are better soon. Hannah and Samuel are as helpful as they can be, tending to Ma and Pa and listening to you without arguing. You see both of them wipe back tears when no one is looking, and you know how hard they are trying to be brave, because you feel exactly the same way.

  Over the next couple of days, you are relieved when Ma and Pa do start to improve. By the fourth day, Pa is walking next to you again, and Ma is sitting up in the wagon and smiling. You feel lighter, like a huge load has been lifted off your shoulders.

  * * *

  Look at those trees!” Samuel says, grinning widely as he runs up to you. “They must be more than two hundred feet tall!”

  You’ve passed Flagstaff Hill and are now in the Blue Mountains. You stretch your neck upward to look at the massive fir trees around you. Like everyone, you’ve never seen anything like them before.