{No Turning Back - part XI}
July 1st, 1847 Independence Rock
After nooning today, we started to see a gray shadow in the distance. The farther along we went, the bigger it got. And lo and behold, around dusk, we came to Independence Rock.
It's pretty smooth, and I just walked up the side of it with my brothers and sister. When we got to the top, we each carved out name under our last name, and the year. Then Pa came up on top when he was done seein' that the wagons got in a circle, and led us to the opposite end of Independence Rock and said, "Look there."
And right there, on the rock in front of us, was the name "JIM LEWIS" carved in big block letters. Pa laughed at our faces, 'cause we was so shocked, then he said, "I carved that in there the last time I led a train west. That was 'bout twenty years ago."
I wonder what it must be like for Pa, seein' the name he carved twenty years ago still in that rock. It's pretty amazing that he gets to see it again. I probably won't ever see this rock again.
July 2nd, 1847
Wagons aren't the only thing that trail's hard on. Our clothes are wearing thin and they're stained. Missy's elbow is coming through her sleeve, and I can see both knees through Andy's britches. We brought extra clothes along, but I hadn't planned on using them just yet. Guess I might just break down soon, though. My own dress is ripped at the hem in a bunch of places, from pushing through brush to find wild fruit.
Today we found a good patch of fruit by the trail, and Miss Myrtle showed us some roots that are edible.
Independence Day, 1847
Tonight, after we made camp, Pa went 'round and told everyone that we were having a celebration of our nation's birth. Seemed a little funny, seein' as how we ain't in the United States right now, just in some territory. But Pa says someday this will all be part of the country, and we all love America, anywho, so we might as well celebrate. Not to mention, we need somethin' to raise the spirits.
So the men got one antelope and two deer that had been shot today and they fixed a big spit to roast them on. Then the womenfolk started fixin' beans and potatoes and wild vegetables. Then the men set up the makeshift tables we had last time and we filled them with vittles.
As I figured, once we finished eating, the dancing began again. I don't rightly know what I think 'bout dancing. I've read in the Bible that King David danced, and in one of the psalms it says to praise God with dance. But honestly, when I see a couple dancing a slow dance, and the man is holding the woman real close, I think the last thing they're thinking about is praising God.
But then I think, what does a square dance have to do with praising God, too? You never hear Mr. Withers yell "dosey-doe, and say hallelu!" But in square dancing there's no closeness between men and women so, is it really wrong?
And what about married folks? Is it alright for them to dance because they're married, and it don't matter how close they get? I guess I'm mainly worried 'bout how intimate dancing sometimes seems.
Anyhow, I figure that since I have this many questions, I just plain shouldn't do it. I sat with Viola and Carl all night, and politely turned down any fella that asked for a dance.
It started to rain late into the night so the party had to break up.
After nooning today, we started to see a gray shadow in the distance. The farther along we went, the bigger it got. And lo and behold, around dusk, we came to Independence Rock.
It's pretty smooth, and I just walked up the side of it with my brothers and sister. When we got to the top, we each carved out name under our last name, and the year. Then Pa came up on top when he was done seein' that the wagons got in a circle, and led us to the opposite end of Independence Rock and said, "Look there."
And right there, on the rock in front of us, was the name "JIM LEWIS" carved in big block letters. Pa laughed at our faces, 'cause we was so shocked, then he said, "I carved that in there the last time I led a train west. That was 'bout twenty years ago."
I wonder what it must be like for Pa, seein' the name he carved twenty years ago still in that rock. It's pretty amazing that he gets to see it again. I probably won't ever see this rock again.
July 2nd, 1847
Wagons aren't the only thing that trail's hard on. Our clothes are wearing thin and they're stained. Missy's elbow is coming through her sleeve, and I can see both knees through Andy's britches. We brought extra clothes along, but I hadn't planned on using them just yet. Guess I might just break down soon, though. My own dress is ripped at the hem in a bunch of places, from pushing through brush to find wild fruit.
Today we found a good patch of fruit by the trail, and Miss Myrtle showed us some roots that are edible.
Independence Day, 1847
Tonight, after we made camp, Pa went 'round and told everyone that we were having a celebration of our nation's birth. Seemed a little funny, seein' as how we ain't in the United States right now, just in some territory. But Pa says someday this will all be part of the country, and we all love America, anywho, so we might as well celebrate. Not to mention, we need somethin' to raise the spirits.
So the men got one antelope and two deer that had been shot today and they fixed a big spit to roast them on. Then the womenfolk started fixin' beans and potatoes and wild vegetables. Then the men set up the makeshift tables we had last time and we filled them with vittles.
As I figured, once we finished eating, the dancing began again. I don't rightly know what I think 'bout dancing. I've read in the Bible that King David danced, and in one of the psalms it says to praise God with dance. But honestly, when I see a couple dancing a slow dance, and the man is holding the woman real close, I think the last thing they're thinking about is praising God.
But then I think, what does a square dance have to do with praising God, too? You never hear Mr. Withers yell "dosey-doe, and say hallelu!" But in square dancing there's no closeness between men and women so, is it really wrong?
And what about married folks? Is it alright for them to dance because they're married, and it don't matter how close they get? I guess I'm mainly worried 'bout how intimate dancing sometimes seems.
Anyhow, I figure that since I have this many questions, I just plain shouldn't do it. I sat with Viola and Carl all night, and politely turned down any fella that asked for a dance.
It started to rain late into the night so the party had to break up.
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