Chapter 60

The days that followed were pert near the happiest of the entire journey. As we rode, Izzy would spend the time mendin' clothes or readin' from one of Pa's books to pass the time.

She took an instant likin' to Jane Eyre.

"Poor Jane. Ain't it time she had some good luck for a change?" She growled in frustration. "I cain't read any more right now. I just wanna pull that Blanche Ingram's hair out by the roots!" She huffed as she slammed the book shut.

"Darlin', remember it's only a story." I answered with a smile.

"I know, but I cain't help it. It seems so real…"

Chapter 61

One afternoon, when we was about two weeks outside of Shreveport and had stopped to set up camp near Corsicana Texas, two other wagons also headin' West, pulled up alongside of us.

They asked permission to camp there of course, and I found I didn't have the heart to refuse 'em, especially considerin' one of the wagons was carryin' a man and wife, John and Lizzie Tucker, along with two young'uns and their old granny.

The other wagon, well, let's just say if'n it had been them folks without the Tuckers; I'd a telled 'em to keep movin' on down the trail.

Chapter 62

Correspondence sent to-

Messrs Henry and Theodorick Swan
Springfield, Robertson County
Tennessee

Hillsboro, Texas
July 15, 1867

Dearest brothers,

I hope this letter finds you both well.

Chapter 63

"Where ya comin' from?" One of the horses had thrown a shoe, so Izzy and I found ourselves at the blacksmith's shop upon arrivin' in the town of Comanche.

"Tennessee," I answered.

The feller nodded. "Good to know ya ain't comin' from the coast. All the news from that way is bad. They got the yellow fever down there somethin' fierce. The town Doc says he heard tell they's declared it a epidemic."

That warn't good news. I only prayed the sickness stayed far away from us.

"'Course things ain't all rosy up here neither, on account of our Injun troubles." He talked as he worked on Lightnin's hoof.