The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-05-26
CHAPTER r Xxx.
Counter Currents.

Counter Currents.
Woman IS IKE the reed that bends TO
every breeze, but breaks not in the tenn
pest Bishop Richard Whately
The Oregon immigration for ls45
numbered, according to some ac-
counts, not less than 5000 souls Our
people still rolled westward in a
mighty wave. The history of that
great west-bound movement Is we'll
known. The story of yet more de-
cisive journey Of that same year never
has been written-that of Helena Won
RITZ, from Oregon to the east The
price OF that journey was an empire;
its cost-ah, let me not yet speak OF
that
Although Meek and agreed that he
should push east at the best possible
speed it was well enough understood
that should give him no more than
day or so start. ] did not purpose to
allow so risky journey as this to be
undertaken by any woman in SO small
a party, and made no doubt that !
would overtake them at least at Fort
Hall, perhaps 500 miles east of the
missions, or at farthest at Fort Bird
ger, some 700 miles from the starting
point in Oregon.
The young wife of one of the mis-
sionaries was glad. enough to take
Ppassage thus for the east; and there
was the silent Threlka. Those two
could offer company, even did not the
little Indian maid. adopted by the
baroness. serve to interest her. Their
equipment and supplies were as good
as any purchasable. What could be
done, we now had done.
Yet, after all, Helena Won RITZ had
her own way. did not see her again
after we parted that evening at the
mission. | was absent for couple Of
days with hunting party, and on my
return discovered that she was gone,
with no more than brief farewell to
those left behind, Meek was anxious
as herself to be off; but he left word
for me to follow on at once.
II may be supposed that | myself
now hurried in my plans. | was able
to make up small party of four men
about half the number Meek took with
him; and threw together such
equipment as ] could find remaining
not wholly to my liking, but good
l II / fap t1I 10 trl ~ Il
headed by a woman. But one thing
after another cost us time, and we die
not average 20 miles day. | fell
half desperate, as | reflected on whai
that might mean. As early fall wai
approaching, could expect, Ia view
Of my own lost time, to encounter tn,
, annual wagon train 200 or 300 milei
farther westward than the object O
my pursuit naturally would have done
AS matter of fact. my party me
= the wagons at point well to the ives
1 OF Fort Hall.
s It was early In the morning we me
them coming westvthat long, weary
dust-coyered, creeping caravan. q mil
long, slow serpent. crawling westwar
across the desert. In time came u
! to the head OF the tremendous wsgo
!, train Of lS45, and It's leader and my
. self thew UP our hands In the saluts
tion OF the wilderness.
: The captain stood at the head OF tn
o front team. his hand resting on tn
e yoke as he leaned against the bowe
: neck OF one Of the oxen. The men an
y women We're thin almost as the beast
! which dragged the wagons. These la
' ter stood with lolling tongues eve
! thus early in the day, for water her
= about was scarce and bitter to III
- taste SO, at first almost in silenc
/ we made the salutations of the deser
y SO, presently. we exchanged the new
d OF east and west.
IN There Is to-day no news Of the qua
l. ity which we then communicate
., They knew nothing Of Oregon.
ID knew nothing Of the east A nation
election had been held, regardli
= which knew not even the names
Z the candidates Of either party not
!, mention results Ali could do vi
y to guess and TO point to the inscrl
Il tion on the white top of the foremo
!. wagon: "Eifty-Four Forty or Fight
rs Polk elected?" | asked the ca
M tain of the train.
n. He nodded "fIe shore IS" Faid |
he Were comm out to take Oregc
e. What's the news?v 'f'
no My own grim news was that Greg
ne was ours and must be ours. ! sho
hands with a hundred men on TIL
our hands clasped In stern and sile
!. grip Then, after a time. ! urg
I, other questions foremost In my o.
g mind Had they seen small paI
- eastboundg
Yes. i had answer. They had pass
'or this light outfit east. Of Bridger's pc
There was one chance In hundr
re. they n,seBt eet over ths soatA =.
that fall far fhav were travelling Lis