Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-04-06
CHAPTER xxx.--Continued.

The captain stood at the head of the
front team. his hand resting on the
yoke as he leaned against the bowed
neck Of one of the oxen. The men and
women were thin almost as the beasts
which dragged the wagons. These lat
Ger stood with lolling tongues even
thus carry In the day, for water here
about was scarce and bitter to the
taste. So. at first almost in silence,
we made the salutations of the desert.
So. presently, we exchanged the news
of east and west.
There is to-day no news of the quail
fly which we then communicated.
They knew nothing of Oregon.
knew noting of the east A national
election had been held, regarding
which knew not even the names Of
the candidates Of either party. not to
mention results. All could do was
to guess and to point to the inscrip-
ton on the white top of the foremost
wagon: -F'iftyFour Forty or Fight"
is Polk elected?" asked the cap
tain Of the train.
He nodded. He shore is said he.
Were comm out to take Oregon.
What's the news?"
MY own grim news was that Oregon
was ours and must be ours. | shook
hands with a hundred men on that.
our hands clasped In stern and silent
grip. Then, after a time. urged
other questions foremost in my own
mind. Had they seen a small party
east-bound?
Yes. 4 had answer. They had passed
this light outfit east of Bridger's post.
There was one chance in a hundred
they might get over the South pass
that fall. for they we're travelling light
and fast. Ath good animals. and old
Joe Meek was sure he would make 1t
through. The women? Well, one was
a preachers wife, another an old
Gypsy. and another the most beautiful
woman ever seen on the trail or any
where else.
Then they began to question me re-
garding Oregon. How was the land
Would II raise wheat and corn and
hogs? How was the weather? Was
there much game? Would 1t take
much labor to cleaS farm?
or course 1t came to politics. Yes.
Texas had been annexed. somehow.
not by regular vote of the senate.
There wts some hitch about that. My
leader reckoned there was no regular
treaty. 1t had just been done by joint
resolution of the house-done by Ty.
Ter and Calhoun. just in time to take
the feather out of old Folks cap! The
treaty of annexation-why. yes. It was
ratified by congress. and everything
figned up March 3. Just one day be-
lore Pcsk's inaugural! Polk was on
the warpath. according to my gaunt
leader. There was going to be war
as sure as shooting. unless we got all
of Oregon.
DO you seen that writin' on my
wagon top?" asked the captain. Fifty
-FOUR Fc-ty or Fight That's us!"
And SO they went on to tell us how
this cry was spreading. south and
west, and over the north as well; al
though the Wings did not dare cry it
quite so loudly.
And so at last we parted. each the
better foe the information gained. each
70 resume what would to-day seem
practically an endless journey. Our
.arewells were as careless, as conf
lent, as had been our greetings. Thou
lands of miles of unsettled country
ay east and west of US, and all
around us. our empire. not then won.
made the Journey across the South
,ass, the snow being now beaten. down
IN the trails more than usual by the
yest-bound animals and vehicles. or
Ill these now coming on. none would
ret farther west that Fort HAN that
'ear. Our own party. although over
he Rockies, had yet the plains to
ross. was glad enough when we
staggered into old Fort Laramie in
he midst of binding snowStorm.
Winter had caught US fair and full.
had lost the race!
Here. then, must winter. Yet
earned that Joe Meek had QUILTED
It Laramie almost month eariier,
With new animals. had bought little
grain. and. under escort of cavalry
roop which had come west with the
wagon train. had started east In time.
perhaps. to make 1t through to the
Missouri In q race Of LOCO miles tn