Bound For Oregon

Throughout June, Mary Ellen spends her days walking behind the wagon looking for wild roses. Meanwhile, the family continues traveling, eventually passing Fort Kearney and arriving in Fort Laramie, Wyoming “by the Fourth of July” (81). Some days they cross paths with other families and wagon trains. Some of these wagons are drawn by mules and seem to move faster than the Todds’ train. Mary Ellen sometimes wishes they didn’t use oxen as the trek is growing more difficult. It’s hot and the air is filled with mosquitoes. They also have more and more trouble finding water and it’s often filled with mud. Out on the Platte, firewood is harder to find, too. They start burning buffalo chips to build fires so that they can cook. At first, Mother complains about the smell the chips give off, but everyone eventually adjusts. Mary Ellen and Louvina start gathering the chips for fuel, too.

Then one day, a wagon comes speeding towards the Todds’ train. The family inside is frantic and informs the Todds’ train that there’s a cholera epidemic spreading up ahead. This family is turning back so they don’t get sick. Everyone starts to worry about contracting cholera and they pass more and more graves as they continue on their way.