"In ten days more we got to Independence without having no more
trouble of no kind, and was surprised at our luck. At Independence
we Americans left the train, sold our furs, got a big price, too--
each of us had a shot-bag full of gold and silver, more money than
we know'd what to do with. Me, Curtis, and Thorpe concluded we'd buy
a new outfit, consisting of another six-mule wagon, and harness,
so we'd have a full team, meaning to go back to the mountains with
the first big caravan what left.
"All the folks in the settlement what seen Paul took a great fancy
to him. Some wanted to adopt him, and some said I'd ought to take
him to St. Louis and place him in an orphan asylum; but I 'lowed if
there was going to be any adopting done, I'd do it myself, 'cause
the kid seemed now just as if he was my own; besides the little
fellow I know'd loved me and didn't want me to leave him. I had
kin-folks in Independence, an old aunt, and me and Paul staid there.
She had a young gal with her, and she learned Paul out of books;
so he picked up considerable, as we had to wait more than two months
before Colonel St. Vrain's caravan was ready to start for New Mexico.
"I bought Paul a coal-black pony, and had a suit of fine buckskin
made for him out of the pelt of a black-tail deer I'd shot the winter
before on Powder River.
Pages:
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393