THE LOST WAGON
by JIM KJELGAARD
Jacket by Al Orbaan
Endpapers by Gerald McCann
Lithographed in U.S.A.
[Transcriber Note: Extensive research did not uncover any evidence thatthe U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Dodd, Mead & Company · New York
Copyright, 1955 by Jim Kjelgaard
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form
without permission in writing from the publisher
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-7136
Printed in the United States of America
The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary andhave no relation to any person or actual happening
For Alma and Rob Zaun
Contents
CHAPTER ONE - Pondering
CHAPTER TWO - The Discussion
CHAPTER THREE - The Destroyers
CHAPTER FOUR - Mountain Man
CHAPTER FIVE - The Start
CHAPTER SIX - The Party
CHAPTER SEVEN - Independence
CHAPTER EIGHT - The River
CHAPTER NINE - Storm
CHAPTER TEN - Snedeker's
CHAPTER ELEVEN - Winter
CHAPTER TWELVE - Barbara and Ellis
CHAPTER THIRTEEN - Spring
CHAPTER FOURTEEN - The Mule
CHAPTER FIFTEEN - The Meadows
CHAPTER SIXTEEN - The Farm
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - Besieged
About the Author
Books by Jim Kjelgaard
The Lost Wagon
CHAPTER ONE
Pondering
When he had guided his plow halfway down the furrow, a bar-winged flyalighted just above Joe Tower's right ear. He felt it crawling, itspresence irritating through the sweat that beaded his forehead anddampened his temples, and he knew that he should swat it away. When itwas ready to do so the fly would bite him, and bar-winged flies drewblood when they bit.
He did not raise his hand because once again the devils which, atsporadic intervals, tormented him, were having a field day. The fly wasa counter-irritant. He wanted it to bite. It was a time to be hurtbecause, after the fly bit him, there would be that much moresatisfaction in smashing it.
At the same time he kept a wary eye on the mules. Though he wassometimes confused by the facts and affairs of his personal world, atthe moment he had no doubt whatever about one thing. He hated all mulesin general and these two in particular. They were big, sleek roan bruteswith an air of innocence that was somehow imparted by their wagging earsand doleful expressions, but was entirely belied by the devil in t