Lost Wagon
章节目录
共 239 题- THE LOST WAGON
- Dodd, Mead & Company, New York
- Copyright, 1955 by Jim Kjelgaard
- All rights reserved
- Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-7136
- Printed in the United States of America
- For Alma and Rob Zaun
- Contents
- I Pondering
- II The Discussion
- III The Destroyers
- IV Mountain Man
- V The Start
- VI The Party
- VII Independence
- VIII The River
- IX Storm
- X Snedeker's
- XI Winter
- XII Barbara and Ellis
- XIII Spring
- XIV The Mule
- XV The Meadows
- XVI The Farm
- XVII Besieged
- The Lost Wagon
- CHAPTER ONE
- Pondering
- Joe said, "Hello, Bobby."
- Joe grinned. "Yup."
- Emma asked, "Did you get a lot done?"
- Percy's shrug was cold as ice. "You asked me."
- CHAPTER TWO
- The Discussion
- Emma glanced curiously at her. "Why not?"
- Emma murmured, "Dear, a choice of only two escorts! Yes, you may go."
- He blurted, "How would you like to go west?"
- CHAPTER THREE
- The Destroyers
- She said, "You look tired."
- She smiled. "I will if I want to. How did it go today?"
- Joe said dryly, "Eleanor has the manners of a pig, huh?"
- Joe said in astonishment, "What the dickens happened to you?"
- Joe said sternly, "What's that you said?"
- Joe exploded, "I'll--!"
- She said uncertainly, "It's very late for new crops."
- She said, "Don't tell me that, Joe."
- Joe said, "Come in."
- Joe said, "I know."
- Joe repeated, "Have some breakfast, Pete."
- Pete said stubbornly, "What's right is right."
- Pete opened surprised eyes. "You going to plant again?"
- Elias Dorrance asked, "What will you do now?"
- Emma gaped, and Joe said quickly, "I told him to--I told him no."
- She half rose out of her chair. "Joe, maybe you should have--"
- CHAPTER FOUR
- Mountain Man
- Emma whispered, "Go ahead, Joe."
- He left, and Grandpa asked Joe, "What do you want to know about?"
- Joe asked in some astonishment, "On the Oregon Trail?"
- Grandpa muttered, "That's all my time's good for now."
- She said, "Oh, I do hope nothing happens!"
- CHAPTER FIVE
- The Start
- Tad said, "I ain't doin' anything."
- Joe stopped and said gruffly, "Sorry I yelled, Tad."
- Tad asked too casually, "What'd you find out this morning, Pa?"
- Emma said, heaving a deep and tremulous sigh, "Yes, dear, it's Oregon."
- Little Joe asked, "How far is Oregon?"
- Emma said, "Is something wrong?"
- Tad said happily, "I'll go with you, Pa."
- He said with honest surprise, "_I_ made it easy for her?"
- Tad yelled, "Pa! Your line!"
- Joe grinned. "Could be you're right. I'll turn in."
- Joe shook his head. "Not with this."
- Watson Charters said, "You'll have to be quiet, Percy."
- CHAPTER SIX
- The Party
- Barbara asked, "Is something the matter, Daddy?"
- Pete said firmly, "Tell him, Tad."
- Joe felt hot anger rise. "Who did he shoot at?"
- Joe asked in astonishment, "You're not mad at me!"
- He said, "I didn't give your dishes to Helen."
- Emma greeted him. "Hello, Yancey."
- CHAPTER SEVEN
- Independence
- Her voice was shocked, "Joe, did you see what those women were wearing?"
- Joe's anger flared. "Yes! What do you aim to do about it?"
- Joe said, "I'm Joe Tower and I'm on my way to Oregon."
- Joe grinned. "Have to get to Oregon."
- Jake Favors looked narrowly at him. "What do you mean?"
- Joe looked him straight in the eye. "I haven't got time."
- Emma moved uneasily and murmured, "Yes, we need it."
- Emma said, "It's a long ways to Oregon, Ally."
- Emma's eyes twinkled, "We're sure."
- The girl sighed, "That will be wonderful!"
- Little Emma said, "Now we must give him some bread."
- Little Emma said, "Ugh!"
- The colored man smiled back. "Ah'll fetch you some fi' wood."
- Barbara suddenly exclaimed, "Mother!"
- Barbara said, "We must catch them quickly!"
- Emma said, "The colored man helped a lot. Anybody hungry hereabouts?"
- Emma said doubtfully, "I don't know--"
- Joe asked wonderingly, "Who did he assault?"
- CHAPTER EIGHT
- The River
- Emma looked wistfully at the fire. "I kind of miss a wood fire."
- Joe's heart leaped. "What are they?"
- Tad panted up the knoll to join him. "Missed, huh?"
- Joe said glumly, "I missed."
- Tad said, "I ain't hungry neither, Mom."
- She said uncertainly, "All right."
- Joe said, "By the way, you take your meals too, Bobby."
- He whispered back, "Yes, darling."
- Alfred asked, "How many stones I got?"
- Emma breathed, "This is wonderful!"
- She became a little coy. "You hadn't even met me!"
- Tad asked eagerly, "Can I take the rifle and go see my buffalo, Pa?"
- Barbara shuddered, but braced herself. "Can I help you with it, Daddy?"
- Joe said gently, "I don't think so, Bobby."
- Emma said, "Ally, you go with Barbara."
- Tad asked, puzzled, "What are we going to do with it, Pa?"
- Tad blinked once, and then he said soberly, "Yes, Pa."
- Emma said, "Yes. But let's make our beds first."
- CHAPTER NINE
- Storm
- Joe laughed. "You never have luck, do you?"
- Joe said, "Figured on wintering at Snedeker's."
- Joe said gently, "Try your best, Bobby. We're going into Laramie today."
- Joe rested a hand briefly on the boy's shoulder. "I'll need help."
- Tad said, "They're gettin' tired, Pa."
- He heard a shouted, "Where are you?"
- CHAPTER TEN
- Snedeker's
- Joe shrugged. "I've seen him around."
- He was a little surprised. "Why should I?"
- He looked closely at her. "Why do you want to know about Gearey, Emma?"
- She avoided his eyes. "Just a woman's curiosity. Will you find out?"
- He said reluctantly, "I'll ask Dugan or Dunbar."
- She laughed, "Oh Mother, none of them are serious--it's really all fun!"
- Emma murmured, "Hugo must talk fast."
- Emma smiled softly. "You're not exactly very old or experienced, Bobby."
- Dunbar looked frankly at him. "Why?"
- Dunbar's eyes were grave. "Has Gearey been sparking your daughter?"
- Joe said, "No. There isn't."
- He said, "I found out about this Gearey. He seems to be no good."
- Her eyes revealed nothing. "Thank you, Joe."
- She smiled briefly. "There isn't any need to worry."
- Joe said, "I'm looking for Jim Snedeker. My name's Joe Tower."
- CHAPTER ELEVEN
- Winter
- Joe said, "Don't seem like tonight is Christmas Eve, does it?"
- Ellis murmured absently, "No, it doesn't."
- Joe said caustically, "Tenderfoot!"
- Ellis shrugged. "Live and learn. I won't do it again."
- Joe said firmly, "I most certainly do."
- Ellis repeated, "I asked if you had any objections."
- There was another silence, and Ellis said thoughtfully, "Joe--"
- He murmured, "Wait'll the kids are gone."
- Emma hesitated. "Barbara hasn't accepted him."
- Emma said, "She'd have told me."
- She sighed. "That's right. All we can do is help guide Barbara."
- He said, "It's been a hard road, Emma, and a long one."
- She said, "I have something for you, too."
- Joe said, "I'll have to get busy."
- Emma asked, "Pop some more corn, will you?"
- Joe called, "You're all coming over to our place."
- Joe looked at him askance. "Do you think you should give it away?"
- Emma said quickly, "No, you stay here, Joe. I'll get it."
- He said simply, "I'll never forget her. We lived in Baltimore."
- Emma's voice was very gentle. "Did it hurt?"
- He said firmly, "I'm grateful Mary made the choice she did."
- CHAPTER TWELVE
- Barbara and Ellis
- And her reply. "I--I don't know, Ellis."
- Ellis passed her a slip of paper. "Your dance card."
- He grinned. "No harm in hinting, is there?"
- Dunbar barked, "Jankoski and Gearey, stay in line!"
- She replied primly, "Five minutes should be ample."
- Then she turned to him. "Well?"
- He chewed his lip. "Can't we get out of sight of those blasted--"
- Morosely he replied, "It isn't noon yet."
- She said airily, "What don't you like?"
- She was uncertain. "Are you sure?"
- She shouted back, "I'm all right."
- She voiced her fear. "Don't--don't you think we'd better go back?"
- Joe said grimly, "I'll keep up."
- Joe said sympathetically, "It must have been a terrible night."
- CHAPTER THIRTEEN
- Spring
- CHAPTER FOURTEEN
- The Mule
- Ellis said, "I wish we were in Oregon."
- She shivered. "They--they're coming."
- Joe muttered, "I wish Ellis would come."
- Joe said, "Well have to get another mule."
- Ellis set his jaw. "Ride down the Trail until I find one."
- Her voice was calm. "Of course he'll be back. And he'll bring a mule."
- Joe said, "You got one, huh?"
- He tried to control himself. "You shouldn't have done that, Ellis."
- Joe said shortly, "Better turn in, Ellis."
- Joe said quietly, "Get the mule, Ellis."
- Joe stared at him in astonishment. "You knew this all the time?"
- CHAPTER FIFTEEN
- The Meadows
- Joe turned to confront a trim young sergeant. "Mr. Tower?"
- Major Dismuke halted. "What's the matter with the child?"
- Major Dismuke whirled on Joe. "Did you bring a case of smallpox here?"
- Joe said bewilderedly, "Ellis--"
- Emma said, "May we have some fresh water, Joe?"
- Barbara called, "I'll get it."
- Tad exclaimed, "Look yonder!"
- She added softly, "I'm going to miss the open sky and the stars."
- CHAPTER SIXTEEN
- The Farm
- Ellis said, "Soon, I hope."
- Emma said, "I must be there."
- She smiled knowingly, "Do you miss Missouri, Joe?"
- CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
- Besieged
- Horror was reflected in Emma's face. "That poor woman!"
- Barbara asked anxiously, "Is Ellis coming?"
- Ellis said quickly, "You stay here, Joe. I'll go."
- Barbara paled, but said, "Let him go, Daddy."
- Emma said worriedly, "You be careful, Joe."
- Joe said gently, "Leave the women and kids here unprotected?"
- Joe said worriedly, "You might get a chance soon enough."
- Henry Winterson breathed, "There they are!"
- And Barbara said fiercely, "Leave him alone!"
- Emma said, "I'll get them down."
- Barbara said steadily, "Mother, will you bring me a pillow?"
- She choked back a sob. "Ellis, no!"
- Winterson called softly, "Joe."
- Winterson grunted, "They'll take anything they can lay their hands on."
- He said vaguely, "It might miss the house."
- Joe breathed, "God Almighty!"
- About the Author
- Books by Jim Kjelgaard
- End of Project Gutenberg's The Lost Wagon, by James Arthur Kjelgaard