Wagon Train Cinderella

by Kennedy, Shirley

  One day the trail became so steep they had to double-team the oxen and recruit all but the smallest children to lend a hand in getting the wagons to the top. Luke drove the first of the Sawyers’ two wagons. The entire family, from five-year-old Isaac on up, pushed from behind. Callie strained with all her might. Occasionally she glanced over the side of the narrow road and quickly looked away. Dear God! She couldn’t bear to look at the frightening drop, at least one hundred feet straight down to where huge boulders lay at the bottom. The two outside wheels of the wagon rested only inches from the edge. What if the wagon went over the side? She’d heard of such accidents happening. People were injured, even killed. She closed her eyes, pushed, and prayed. How awful to think this long, hard journey might end on a next-to-nothing trail in the middle of nowhere. It very well could, considering the wagon hovered only inches from complete disaster.

  They reached the summit. Amid sighs of relief, they joined the group of wagons waiting in a wide area not far from the top. Callie couldn’t relax, though. Worry nagged at her. Such a narrow trail. Would Ma and Pa make it all right? So far it had been a miracle anyone had made it to the top. She spoke to Florida. “I’ll be right back. I’ve got to see if my family’s safe.”

  Callie returned to the top and stood watching as, one by one, wagons with exhausted oxen, drivers, and whole families pushed to reach the summit. At last she spied her family’s two wagons, last in line. Whip in hand, Pa was driving, his face drawn with ferocious concentration. Ma slumped on the seat beside him. She must have exhausted herself with all the pushing. Andy was driving the other wagon. He climbed down and joined Lydia and Tommy behind the first wagon, pushing hard as they could. Callie looked at the wheels. Oh no! Her hand went to her throat. The rims were less than an inch from the edge and rolling closer. Pa, watch out!

  One outside wheel slid over the edge, then the other. The wagon began to tip. For what seemed an endless moment in time, it hung suspended. Pa cracked the whip, yelling at the oxen. Callie held her breath, praying to God he could recover. The wagon tipped again, this time so far it couldn’t recover. A scream tore through the air. Was it Ma? Frightened animals bellowed as the wagon, oxen, driver and Andy, caught by a wheel, plunged over the side. Seconds later, a deafening crash sounded from the bottom of the canyon.

  A deathly stillness followed. Callie stood frozen, trying to comprehend what she’d just seen. Tommy’s wails brought her back to reality. Thank God, he hadn’t gone off the cliff, nor had Lydia, who stood pale and shaking beside him. What of Ma, Pa, and Andy? She rushed to the edge, just as Luke arrived. Together they peered at the tangled wreckage at the bottom. Something moved, one of the oxen. But what of the rest? “I must get down there.” She picked up her skirt. Steep though the canyon wall was, all she could think was she had to get to her family.

  Luke grabbed her from behind. “Don’t. I’ll take care of it.”

  She struggled to break away. “They could be hurt. Dead! I must get to them.”

  Luke tightened his grip. “You want to kill yourself? If they’re still alive, I’ll get them out.”

  The soothing calmness of his voice brought her to her senses. She stopped struggling. What had she been thinking? The cliff was way too steep for her to climb down. Luke couldn’t do it either. No one could. “How can you get down there?”

  “I’ll find a way. You wait here. Take care of Lydia and Tommy. They’re going to need you.” Luke headed back down the trail, hailing all able-bodied men as he went. Waiting was torture. Callie went to Lydia and Tommy, both of them crying, and offered what comfort she could.

  At last men’s voices sounded in the canyon below. Thank God, they must have found a way down. Half in anticipation, half in dread, she peered over the edge at Luke and the rest examining the wreckage. Luke called up to her. “Your Pa is alive. So’s your Ma.”

  Alive! A sob burned her throat, but she didn’t let it out. “What about Andy?”

  A long pause followed, so long she guessed what Luke was going to say.

  “Andy’s dead. Looks like he was killed instantly.”

  The climb down into the canyon and back was so steep and treacherous, they had to bury Andy in a shallow grave where he died. The descent and climb were so difficult most members of the company couldn’t attend the brief burial service. At least Reverend Wilkins, aided by continuous prayers for help from God Almighty, managed to climb down and say a prayer over the young man’s grave. For Callie, the next few hours were a blur. Andy’s death hit her hard. He was a good man, maybe not the brightest, but he’d had nothing but kind words for everyone. He and Len had so wanted to get to the gold fields and make their fortune. What cruel fate that neither ever would.

  One of the oxen was killed outright. The other three survived and were put to use pulling Caleb and Hester in hastily constructed stretchers up the canyon to a place where, with the help of several strong, able-bodied men, they were hauled to the top. Ma suffered a broken arm, scrapes and bruises. Pa was much worse off with several broken ribs, a broken shoulder, and a leg shattered in the fall. In severe pain, he couldn’t hold back his screams whenever he was touched or moved, which, under the circumstances, happened often and couldn’t be avoided. Callie wanted to cover her ears whenever his agonized screams sounded. Mean though he was, awful though he’d treated her, she still held compassion in her heart for the only father she’d ever known.

  Some of the men pitched a tent for the injured Whitakers. When Callie went to visit, they were both in such shock and pain they couldn’t speak.

  Poor Lydia was in tears, grieving over Andy. “I was always so mean to him. If only I’d been nicer!”

  Callie marveled at how her shallow stepsister had gained a new depth of feeling. Luke was right. A long journey like this might bring out the worst in some people, but in others, it brought out their best.

  That night Magnus called his captains together for an emergency meeting. Callie, along with Florida and some others, drew close enough to hear their leaders discuss the fate of the Whitakers. One problem was solved immediately when several families offered to buy the Whitakers’ cattle and their three extra oxen, but major decisions remained to be made. Of their two wagons, one had been completely destroyed and left lying in the canyon. Helping hands had unloaded most of the family’s possessions, hauled them up the hill to be placed in the remaining wagon. Enough oxen remained to pull it, but with both Andy and Len gone, and Whitaker badly injured, the burning question was, who would drive the wagon? Who would take care of the oxen and yoke them every day?

  There were no hired hands left who weren’t already busy. Although many women were capable of driving a wagon, Hester was eliminated immediately. Her arm was broken, and, besides, she had never so much as touched a pair of reins. She would be totally incapable of handling a team of four stubborn oxen. So how about Lydia? The thought of that scatterbrained girl driving a wagon caused the only chuckle of the evening. That Caleb might drive was out of the question. At his slightest movement, the pain from his broken bones brought new waves of agony. His fellow travelers had heartily disliked him, but even the most hard-hearted captain softened upon hearing his cries of suffering.

  “So, what shall we do?” Magnus said at last. “Whitaker can’t drive and there’s no one to take his place.”

  Reverend Wilkins spoke up. “We could wait right here until he gets better. Shouldn’t be more than a week or two.”

  Loud boos met his suggestion. Winter was coming. They had no time to waste if they wanted to get to California before snow in the Sierra Nevadas caught them in a deadly trap. They consulted Luke who, up to now, had listened without speaking. He confirmed they were behind schedule. At this point, they shouldn’t waste a day, or they could be in big trouble.

  In a boisterous voice, feisty Jack Gowdy proposed the Whitakers simply be left behind. “Just make sure they got enough food. When Whitaker’s ribs heal, he can make his choice, either continue on to Califo
rnia or turn around and go back where he come from. He could probably find another train to join…if he’s lucky.”

  The murmur of agreement sunk Callie’s heart. How could these people even think of leaving her family in the wilderness to fend for themselves? She doubted they’d survive. Besides, Ma and Pa had sold the farm and sacrificed everything for this trip. How could they go back now?

  Apparently the captains of the wagon train didn’t much care. After more heated discussion, they took a vote. The Whitakers were to be left behind.

  Florida shook her head disapprovingly. “It’s always heartless men who make these decisions. Oh, Callie, I’m so sorry.”

  Callie’s mind raced. She was only a woman, but this was her family, and she must do something. There was no time to waste. If anyone would know, Luke would. Earlier he’d been at the meeting, then left, she guessed, in disgust. Maybe he didn’t want to talk to her, but she’d ask his opinion anyway, and right now.

  “Luke?”

  He was alone, outside his tent, dousing his campfire.

  “I need to talk to you.”

  He straightened and smiled at her. “Sit down. I can guess why you came.”

  She sat by the remains of the campfire, as did he. “What am I going to do? They’re my family.”

  Luke raised his eyebrows. “You care? After the way your Pa treated you?” She started to reply but he raised his hand. “You don’t have to explain. It’s good you love your family, no matter what.”

  “I can’t bear the thought of just leaving them here.”

  “Can’t blame you. I doubt they’ll survive the first winter storm.”

  “So what can I do?”

  Luke slowly unfolded his long, lean body and poured himself another cup of coffee, biting his lip in deep thought. “You know how to drive a wagon.”

  “Thanks to Florida.”

  “It’s not that hard, is it?”

  “No, it’s not, but what—” It dawned on her what he meant. “You think I could drive my family all the way to California?”

  “Why not?”

  “I couldn’t because…” There were so many reasons she didn’t know where to begin. “I’m not a man, for one thing.”

  His gaze swept over her, his mouth quirking in a half smile. “Glad you told me. I’d never have guessed.”

  She ignored his attempt at humor. “I’ve driven the oxen over the easiest of trails but nothing really difficult. How could I handle a trail like the one we were on today?”

  “I’m not saying it would be easy.”

  “It would be impossible. What about the yoke?” She remembered how Pa grunted, groaned, and cursed each morning while yoking the oxen. “Those yokes are heavy. I don’t think I could do it alone.”

  “You couldn’t. You’d need help. Your ma could never do it, but how about Lydia?”

  “Lydia?” The thought of silly Lydia yoking the oxen caused her to burst into laughter. “Never. She’s much too delicate.”

  “Delicate, my eye. Your sister is a strong, healthy girl, despite what your ma says. You’d be surprised how fast she’d learn how to yoke those oxen when her only other choice is to be left in the middle of the wilderness with winter coming on.”

  His words made sense. Look at all she’d accomplished since she’d started this journey, things she’d never done before, or considered doing. “Even if you’re right, don’t forget Pa threw me out. He never wanted to hear my name again. He’s so stubborn he’d never change his mind, even now.”

  A faint smile crossed Luke’s face. “He banished you forever, but that was before he nearly killed himself going off that cliff. Now you’re the strong one. What could he do to stop you?”

  She the strong one? For a long moment she let his words sink in. “You’re right. Pa’s weak now, and helpless. He couldn’t do a thing.”

  “So what will you do?”

  She had always obeyed her parents. Only since this journey started had she dared to defy them. She dreaded flouting their wishes again, but what choice did she have? “I’ll go talk to them.”

  He regarded her intently. “I’ll help you all I can.”

  She couldn’t stop her little laugh of irony. “That’s nice, but soon we’ll reach Fort Hall. It looks like I’ll be going to California after all, and you to Oregon.”

  He stepped forward and clasped her body tightly to his. “You think I don’t know that?”

  His breath, warm and moist against her face, caused a lurch of excitement within her. She wound her arms around his neck and whispered, “I will miss you.”

  He drew her closer and buried his face in her hair. “You think I won’t miss you?”

  At the sound of approaching voices, they broke apart. Her heart pounded. Her weak knees could hardly hold her up. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms again, but someone was coming and that wouldn’t do. “Good night, Luke.”

  “Goodnight, Callie.”

  Her heart ached as she turned on her heel and walked away.

  * * * *

  The Whitakers’ sleeping arrangements had changed. Ma and Pa now occupied the tent while Lydia and Tommy occupied the one remaining wagon. Callie found them fast asleep when she climbed inside and shook her stepsister’s shoulder. “Wake up, Lydia. I’ve got to talk to you.”

  Lydia sat up and gazed back in startled surprise. “What are you doing here? You know what Pa said.”

  “Forget all that. Here’s what we need to do…”

  By the time Callie finished, Lydia was looking at her as if she’d completely lost her mind. “You want me to drive the wagon?”

  “It’s easy. I’ll teach you. Don’t worry, you won’t be driving all the time, only when I can’t.”

  Lydia’s blue eyes grew wide with horror. “And yoke the oxen?”

  “It’s not that hard. I’m hoping some of the men can help, but I won’t lie to you, mainly it’ll be up to us.”

  Her stepsister shook her head in utter disbelief. “I could never, never do such a thing.”

  “Here’s what will happen if you don’t…”

  Callie explained how Magnus and his captains had decided to leave the Whitakers behind. “That means you’d be left to fend for yourselves with no one to help and with winter coming on. They tried to convince themselves Pa will soon be well enough to drive the wagon, but they know in their hearts he won’t. All they’re worried about is themselves, and who can blame them? There’s no time to lose if they want to get to California before the snow starts.”

  “How can I lift that heavy yoke?”

  “We’ll do it together.”

  “But what if…?”

  Callie continued to answer her stepsister’s questions. Lydia’s resistance slowly melted. She had many fears, but the fear of being left alone in the wilderness conquered all others. “You think we can do it?”

  “I know we can.”

  “Pa won’t like it.”

  “What Pa likes or doesn’t like isn’t important right now. He’s in no position to argue.”

  “Even so, I’d hate to be the one to tell him.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.” Callie put a reassuring smile on her face, one she didn’t really feel.

  Minutes later, holding a lantern, Callie stepped into the tent where Hester was sleeping and Pa lay awake on his blankets. She set the lamp down, dropped to her knees beside him and took a moment to calm herself. It wasn’t every day she defied her father. He couldn’t hurt her now, but even so, her heart pounded. “Pa? Can you hear me?”

  He raised his head and scowled. As if the effort was too much, he dropped his head back on his pillow and rasped, “Go away.”

  “I can’t do that. You’re badly hurt. You need me and I’m not going away.”

  He raised his head again. “How dare you! You are not to darken my door.”

  “You don’t have a door. You’re in a tent in the middle of
nowhere. You need my help. Without it, you’ll never get to California, or back home, or anywhere.”

  He tried to rise, but the effort caused him to clasp his side and groan with pain. Cursing, he fell back on the blankets again.

  She waited until his pain subsided. “You don’t have to worry. We’re still going to California. I’m going to drive the wagon and Lydia will help.”

  “You?” His voice broke with scorn. “And Lydia?” He began to laugh, but a sharp stab of pain caused him to clutch his side and lapse into silence.

  She waited for an answer, but her stepfather closed his eyes and clamped his jaw. Clearly he had nothing more to say. She got off her knees. “Good night, Pa.”

  She slipped from the tent. Thank goodness that was over. She’d defied Pa and got her way, but it wasn’t much of a triumph. Now all she had to do was drive the wagon all the way to California. Ahead lay two huge mountain ranges and a desert so treacherous they’d be lucky if they didn’t lose lives trying to get across. What had she let herself in for? God in heaven, what had she done?

  * * * *

  Magnus agreed the company would stay one more day. None too willingly, members of the train spent their time waiting for the Whitakers to recover sufficiently to travel. Callie caught a lot of dark looks and muttered curses. She understood their impatience and could hardly blame them. Everyone knew disaster would strike if they lingered too long before the snows came. She moved back to their wagon and fell easily into her old routine of cooking and doing the chores for her family. It wasn’t the same, though. To avoid conflict, she stayed away from the tent where Ma and Pa lay, letting others bring them food and do whatever they could to ease their suffering. Ma didn’t even know she was back. Lydia tended to her, as well as Florida and some of the other kind-hearted women. At least Callie’s work was easier now, what with Lydia helping more than she ever had before. Tommy was delighted to have her back. When he first saw her, his eyes lit. “Callie come home?”