Read Online Passage West by Ruth Ryan Langan - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Ruth Ryan Langan
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to pull out and leave them behind.
“What in God’s name have ye been doing for the last two days, man?” Mordecai’s burr was thick with fury.
“I didn’t think to check the wagon. When I bought it I was told it was sound.”
“Aye. ’Tis sound. But nothing survives this journey unless it’s well cared for. Ye’ve been neglecting your duties, James Market. Leaving all the work to a mere slip of a girl. The care of this wagon should be yours.”
Stung by the words that had been heard by half the wagon train, James bent to the task of repairing the axle, while his women were forced to empty the wagon of all supplies. It was late afternoon before the wagon was repaired and the train was able to roll out the gates of the fort. James Market took the reins while the women tramped beside the wagon. At dusk, when the train finally stopped for the night, Carrie and Vi were too exhausted to even consider making a meal. The chore fell to Abby, who started a fire and set strips of rabbit to roast. Checking the game sack, she realized that they had only enough for another day.
Her father, angry and sullen, sat alone beside the wagon, drinking from the jug.
“Pa, we’re nearly out of meat.”
“What’s that to me? Stump says I have to stay with the wagon.”
Abby stared at the ground. “Maybe I could barter for one of the men from the train to hunt for our game along with his own.”
“And how will you pay him?”
Abby bit her lip. She didn’t know. They had no money, and few goods to trade.
“What’s wrong with you hunting?” James asked, taking a final pull of whiskey and shoving the cork into the jug.
“Me?” Abby stuck her hands in the pockets of her dirty britches. “I’ve fired a rifle before. But I’ve never killed an animal, Pa.”
“Then it’s time you learned. If I have to stay with the wagon, the least you can do is take care of our food.” He stood. “Now where’s my dinner? I’m hungry.”
As he walked away, Abby watched his retreating back. She’d never killed. And she’d never been alone in the wilderness before. But then, she’d never driven a team before they joined the train. She’d never done a hundred things she now did routinely. And at least she would have an excuse to be out of her father’s way for a few hours each day.
Walking to the back of the wagon, she lifted the rifle down and tested its weight. Later, she decided, she would find the wagon master. Mordecai Stump would teach her what she had to know to hunt their food.
Chapter Six
After supper, Abby picked up the rifle and made her way through the loop of wagons to the cook wagon. When she entered the circle of firelight, she felt suddenly awkward. Five voices abruptly stopped speaking. Five pairs of men’s eyes watched as she approached. Following Mordecai’s example, each stood and removed his hat.
“Well, Miss Abby, this is a pleasure.”
She had hoped to find Mordecai alone. After meals the men usually went about the business of finishing their chores. Tonight Mordecai and Thompson, Brand and Rourke and Parker still hovered by the fire. Casting a glance at the others, she began to explain her presence.
“Since Pa has to stay with the wagon now, I’ll be expected to take care of some of his chores. I’ll be needing to lay in a supply of game.” Holding the rifle out in front of her, Abby said simply, “I was hoping you could show me how to be a better shot.” She lifted a shoulder in embarrassment. “And tell me anything I ought to know about this land when I leave the protection of the wagon train.”
Mordecai swallowed his smile. She was an altogether unusual young woman. Shy yet bold. Hardworking, while managing to retain an air of fragile vulnerability. Despite the mannish clothes and tough talk, there was no hiding the fact that she was every inch a lady.
He took the weapon from her hand and examined the Sharps breech-loading rifle. “Ever handle this, lass?”
“Once or
“What in God’s name have ye been doing for the last two days, man?” Mordecai’s burr was thick with fury.
“I didn’t think to check the wagon. When I bought it I was told it was sound.”
“Aye. ’Tis sound. But nothing survives this journey unless it’s well cared for. Ye’ve been neglecting your duties, James Market. Leaving all the work to a mere slip of a girl. The care of this wagon should be yours.”
Stung by the words that had been heard by half the wagon train, James bent to the task of repairing the axle, while his women were forced to empty the wagon of all supplies. It was late afternoon before the wagon was repaired and the train was able to roll out the gates of the fort. James Market took the reins while the women tramped beside the wagon. At dusk, when the train finally stopped for the night, Carrie and Vi were too exhausted to even consider making a meal. The chore fell to Abby, who started a fire and set strips of rabbit to roast. Checking the game sack, she realized that they had only enough for another day.
Her father, angry and sullen, sat alone beside the wagon, drinking from the jug.
“Pa, we’re nearly out of meat.”
“What’s that to me? Stump says I have to stay with the wagon.”
Abby stared at the ground. “Maybe I could barter for one of the men from the train to hunt for our game along with his own.”
“And how will you pay him?”
Abby bit her lip. She didn’t know. They had no money, and few goods to trade.
“What’s wrong with you hunting?” James asked, taking a final pull of whiskey and shoving the cork into the jug.
“Me?” Abby stuck her hands in the pockets of her dirty britches. “I’ve fired a rifle before. But I’ve never killed an animal, Pa.”
“Then it’s time you learned. If I have to stay with the wagon, the least you can do is take care of our food.” He stood. “Now where’s my dinner? I’m hungry.”
As he walked away, Abby watched his retreating back. She’d never killed. And she’d never been alone in the wilderness before. But then, she’d never driven a team before they joined the train. She’d never done a hundred things she now did routinely. And at least she would have an excuse to be out of her father’s way for a few hours each day.
Walking to the back of the wagon, she lifted the rifle down and tested its weight. Later, she decided, she would find the wagon master. Mordecai Stump would teach her what she had to know to hunt their food.
Chapter Six
After supper, Abby picked up the rifle and made her way through the loop of wagons to the cook wagon. When she entered the circle of firelight, she felt suddenly awkward. Five voices abruptly stopped speaking. Five pairs of men’s eyes watched as she approached. Following Mordecai’s example, each stood and removed his hat.
“Well, Miss Abby, this is a pleasure.”
She had hoped to find Mordecai alone. After meals the men usually went about the business of finishing their chores. Tonight Mordecai and Thompson, Brand and Rourke and Parker still hovered by the fire. Casting a glance at the others, she began to explain her presence.
“Since Pa has to stay with the wagon now, I’ll be expected to take care of some of his chores. I’ll be needing to lay in a supply of game.” Holding the rifle out in front of her, Abby said simply, “I was hoping you could show me how to be a better shot.” She lifted a shoulder in embarrassment. “And tell me anything I ought to know about this land when I leave the protection of the wagon train.”
Mordecai swallowed his smile. She was an altogether unusual young woman. Shy yet bold. Hardworking, while managing to retain an air of fragile vulnerability. Despite the mannish clothes and tough talk, there was no hiding the fact that she was every inch a lady.
He took the weapon from her hand and examined the Sharps breech-loading rifle. “Ever handle this, lass?”
“Once or
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