America 1883: The Western Homeland

Chapter 49 The group gathered on the banks of the Brazos River to discuss crossing it.

"Keep an eye on John!" Margaret didn't answer directly, but simply gave the order before quickly putting on a sturdy felt hat and thick leather gloves.

"Wait...you're going to herd the cattle?" Tom could hardly believe his eyes.

"I don't want to sit in the carriage; my teeth are chattering. Should I sit on that piece of wood, or on the saddle? I choose the saddle!"

Margaret put on her felt hat and gloves and left.

Elsa was left standing there dumbfounded.

Tom, though surprised, had more of an "I knew it" expression on his face.

How could a woman who could drive that heavy covered wagon so steadily be a bad rider?

James and captain Shai finally reached an agreement.

The rest period on the banks of the Red River came to an end. In three days, the immigrants had barely learned to dog paddle, and James and Captain Shay had reached a consensus—to head west! Tom's herd of cattle also joined the main group, following behind.

Shay led the main force, clearing the way. A little over a day later, the turbid, swift-flowing Brazos River once again loomed before them.

The atmosphere was somber on the riverbank.

The group gathered around to discuss this second challenge.

Cowboy leader Wade spoke first, his tone tinged with frustration: "This river looks deep and swift, and the water level is too high! Maybe we should have listened to you and crossed the Red River. Now look what we've done, two rivers are blocking our way!"

Shay leaned against a fallen, withered tree, looking exhausted, but his voice was steady: "What's the panic? We still have twenty rivers like this to cross before we reach our destination!"

James ignored the sentimentality and cut straight to the point: "Have you found a place we can get through?"

Thomas, who was scouting ahead, immediately replied, "There's a bison crossing a few kilometers upstream. The riverbed there's mostly rocky and relatively shallow."

"How deep is the water?" James pressed.

"We need to get there!" Thomas said succinctly, then proposed a plan: "First, drive the cattle there, then use horses to carry as many people as possible. Finally, use horse-drawn carts."

Wade immediately shook his head, his tone tinged with lingering fear: "That won't work! Drive the cattle across first? They'll trample the other side to pieces! If even one cart gets stuck, the rest will be stuck in the river, unable to move! I've seen that scene before; you definitely don't want to experience that!"

Seeing that everyone's expressions had become serious, he continued, "It has to be the other way around: first ferry people across, then transport the horse-drawn carts, and finally drive the oxen."

Shea looked at Wade: "How many people do you need to control the cattle across the river?"

"Leave the cattle to me," Wade said, patting his chest with undisguised cowboy confidence. "You guys keep an eye on the wagons and stay away from the shore. Just don't block my way."

Shai turned to James: "Can you help ferry someone across?"

James nodded readily: "No problem."

"Then we'll cross the river tomorrow morning," Shay decided.

"Wait a minute," Wade added, "it'll be easier to get the livestock into the water once the sun comes up and the temperature rises and they get tired."

"There's rain upstream, so the water level might go even higher," some people worry.

"The water level is high enough now!" another person retorted.

Wade estimated, "By the time I start herding the cattle, it will be almost noon."

Tom listened silently to the entire discussion. After the meeting, he approached Thomas and said, "Would you like to take me to see that ferry crossing?"

Thomas led Tom to the Bison Ferry upstream.

With a wide field of vision, Tom observed carefully: the water was indeed a bit shallow, but the current was still surging and rushing.

More importantly, he keenly spotted the barely perceptible undercurrent in the middle of the river—a deep ditch hidden underwater!

"There's a hidden ditch in the middle," Tom pointed to the middle of the river, "The carriage has to go around it to cross safely. Do you think they can manage?"

Tom also discovered the hidden ditch, which surprised Thomas—it was a danger he had personally discovered by going into the water.

He said helplessly, "This is already the shallowest part of the entire Brazos River; even the bison choose to cross here. The water level upstream is still rising, and we... don't have time to look any further."

Shay's voice came from behind, sounding like an explanation, but more like a message to everyone: "Time waits for no one."

Tom didn't argue anymore.

Ultimately, this has nothing to do with him.

But how useful are those immigrants who have only learned to "swim" for three days in this swift current that can swallow everything?

He turned his horse around and returned to camp.

His gaze involuntarily swept across the wide and treacherous river, and the ominous premonition in his heart grew stronger and stronger—the crossing chosen by Captain Shay might be the best, but the rushing Brazos River looked like a death knell for the immigrant caravan.

Danger? That's from the perspective of others.

Tom's family must not get bogged down in this mess.

On the way back, Tom frowned, pondering a safer way to cross the river.

"Don't worry!" James's voice suddenly rang out beside him; he had caught up on horseback without anyone noticing.

"We absolutely cannot cross the river with them!" Tom declared resolutely, each word leaving no room for doubt.

James raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a hint of approval: "Just what I wanted."

This experienced father clearly saw the potential danger—being trapped in the icy river would be a catastrophic disaster for them, with their woman and child.

"I'll go to Zack's place first." Tom spurred his horse and galloped towards his own workers' camp.

With the river crossing imminent, preparations must be made in advance.

At the edge of the camp, only Simone was packing her things.

"Tom!"

"Simone," Tom reined in his horse, his voice quickening, "the captain and the others have arranged to cross the river tomorrow morning. But we're not going with them. I've discovered there are hidden ditches in the middle of the river at that crossing; it's too dangerous."

He quickly issued the order: "Tell Zak and the others to follow the main group tomorrow morning and drive the cattle across the river together. You and our wagons, come with me tonight!"

"By the way," Tom looked at her, "how's your swimming coming along?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Simone's face: "You know... I've never been in the water before..."

"Understood," Tom said decisively. "I'll get the carriage across to the other side. Can you follow on horseback?"

"Yes! I can do it!" Simone nodded quickly, her eyes showing both nervousness and a sense of certainty at being trusted.

As German immigrants, it is illegal for them to learn to swim in their home country.

Tom returned to his camp.

The fire flickered, illuminating the faces of the family members gathered around.

"Have you reached a decision?"

"Crossing the river tonight!"

James's voice was firm and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

This decision was exactly what Tom wanted.

"I've already spoken to Simone," he replied calmly. "I'll be in charge of taking her and the carriage there tonight."

James nodded slightly, then looked at his son with a scrutinizing gaze: "Are you confident?"

Tom stood tall, the campfire casting a resolute silhouette on his young face, and spoke with unwavering conviction: "For a Dutton man, there is no 'can't' in life!"

Beside her, a quiet smile of satisfaction curved the corners of her mother Margaret's lips.

"Should we... tell Elsa about crossing the river tonight?" Margaret suggested softly, breaking the brief silence.

Night fell completely over the riverbank, and the chirping of insects filled the air.

James had just returned from Elsa's place, his steps heavy and his face noticeably dark, clearly indicating that he hadn't had a smooth conversation with his daughter, who was still immersed in sweet moments.

He had just approached the edge of the glow of his campfire when he suddenly stopped!