Long Ride of 1842

The Long Ride of 1842

April 9th

Kate walked in the door, loud and bustling as always. She went to her sister, who was sitting at the table drinking tea. She looked up and smiled. “Hi Kate” Was all she said. Kate rushed to her chair and splattered out the news.

“Shayla! Did you see what the papers said?” She exclaimed loud and excitedly. Shayla’s face became serious. “Yes Kate. I saw them this morning.” 

“Well then? Are we going to help make meals, for the travelers?” Shayla hesitated. “Well, I might not have the time.” 

“What do you mean, Shayla? We do it every year.” Shayla sighed. “Kate. I decided that I’m going to go along. This whole trip the community does every year, is for a reason. It’s to explore new lands and see where the Indians are, and if we can settle there. I have to see if we can claim some land.” 

“But, what about Paul—” “I know what happened to Paul.”

“But—” “I know, Kate.”

Kate cried and finished her sentence. “Paul died, going on that trip. Because of that trip across the country, we don’t have a big brother anymore. It’s bad enough, without Paul, and Mama and Papa. But you too?” Shayla wiped away one of Kate’s tears. “Look Kate. I know it’s hard. But we can’t stay here. It’s not enough food and land. That’s why I need to go with the community to see the undiscovered plains where only Indians and wild game roam. It’s for the best.” 

Kate sniffled. She was only fourteen. She was scared of being left alone for months. And she knew she couldn’t go along. 

April 12th

The days passed, and the two girls went to the center of the village where the travelers were readying their horses and their families were packing food and water inside their leather bags. Kate was one of them. She buttoned the last button on the goatskin bag and patted the horses’s side. She hugged the soft horse’s head and more tears spilled out from her eyes. She couldn’t bear to face Shayla. She was so afraid of something happening to her. 

Just then, the man in charge of the group got on his horse and yelled out to everyone. 

“Attention please!” He called out. He looked very tough and firm. 

“We have one drop out. Lars Grantsfield will not be joining us. He’s very ill. Our prayers will be with him. There is now an extra spot available if any able bodied citizen would like to join.” 

Kate’s eyes widened and she jumped up and down. “Me! Me! Sir, pick me!” Shayla slapped her hand. “Stop that! Start acting like a fourteen year old!” She whispered harshly. But it was no use. The man named Henry Carson heard the girl’s voice. 

“What about you, young lady?” He asked. Kate stepped forward. “I’m able bodied. I can ride a horse, and I can help.”

The man looked at Kate. But before he could talk, Shayla pushed herself through the crowd, to the front of the lines. 

“Please sir, I’m her sister, I know how she’ll be. She’s just a child, please don’t allow her to come along. Please, our brother, sir. He died going on one of these trips. I’m just trying to spare her.” 

For the first time, Kate actually felt very sorry for her big sister, and almost cried. 

The man sighed, and finally decided. “Kate. You can come along.” Shayla almost cried. Kate’s eyes widened. “Really? I can come?” She jumped up and down and gave Shayla a big hug, who was still in shock of what happened. But Shayla turned away. “Go Kate. You got what you wanted. Now leave me alone.” Her face was red and hot with frustration.

The travelers mounted upon their horses and said yelled their final goodbyes. The journey was on. Shayla looked down, one by one, a tear streamed down her face. Kate rode next to her. “Shayla.” She said getting closer. “Why are you so mad at me?” Shayla looked away. “Because it’s dangerous! You are just a child! Indians could slaughter you, or worse, marry you! They’d kill me if they found out we were sisters, and if not—” “What’s all that yackin’” He yelled looking back on the long line of horses. “You, girl! Get back in single file!” He was talking about Kate. Naturally. 

Kate urged her horse back to the end of the long line. The first miles seemed to go on forever. When they got to mile 17, they stopped and set up camp. They had stopped plenty of times to give their horses a rest and drink water and eat a little. But now, they were to open the night. Kate thought this was very exciting. They set up tents and all gathered around a campfire. One of the people there was a man named Jason Farrell. Kate believed he was a real cowboy. He wore dusty cowboy boots and a cowboy hat that sat on top of sandy colored hair. He even had a silver pistol hanging from his belt. Kate was amazed. He would often tell stories about his time as a cowboy. Kate was mesmerized by his stories, until Henry told her about his real job. The man named Jason Farrell was Henry’s nephew and worked at a postal service. Kate was very disappointed. But riding across the country to deliver mail was still interesting. Kate imagined herself riding on a black stallion, racing across the country in time to deliver important mail. She would be a hero. Even Shayla would be proud of her. Kate dazed off, just thinking about it.

April 13th

Kate blinked and sat up. Had she fallen asleep that quickly? Some were already on their horse, and some were still cleaning up camp. The breakfast was all finished but one unbuttered biscuit. Kate groaned and laid back down. 

      Days went by that turned into weeks. Soon tragic things began happening. A sickness was spreading and some were so sick they had to go home. Some even died. Shayla was one of those people. 

On April 27th, She hugged Kate before she went, but she couldn’t stop what was coming. Kate sobbed dearly but couldn’t hug her again. Henry told Kate, that she would catch the sickness as well. 

As days went by, Kate was silent. She felt sick as well, but tried to hide it. Until Henry told her the news.

May 17th

“Kate. I’m sorry. But you have to go home. You’re too ill. You’re to weak to go on. Especially without Shayla. I can see it in your eyes. Nickolas Heartwell is taking the sick ones home. I’m afraid you must be one of those people.” Kate was once again silent. She knew he was right. She said nothing, but nodded her head slowly. Henry went on. “Kate, I may not see you for a while. I’m sure the townspeople will find a home for you.” Kate again nodded and Henry helped her on her horse.

May 18th

Kate had been riding with the sick ones for a whole day now. They had to stop extra times because the weak travelers needed lots of time to rest. They finally reached their home town with fewer people. Some had died while on the road. Luckily Kate was getting stronger, but just a little bit. She was taken back to her home to rest and the doctor assisted her. When she was completely well, she moved into the house of Mrs Carson, Henry’s wife. At the time when the travelers were first leaving, Mrs Carson, also known as Janet, had hurt her leg and couldn’t go along. Now she was fairly better and Kate helped take care of her. Exactly nine months later, Henry returned home. He was now Kate’s father. The two lived a happy life with their daughter. Kate was well and happy.And when she thought about her parents, her brother, and Shayla, instead of crying long, hard tears, she felt peace. She always remembered her long ride of 1842, until she was 94 years old, and she died.