Page:From the West to the West.djvu/22

16 arms. "It's all settled, mother. I've made terms with Lije. He's to take my farm and pay me as he can. I've made a liberal discount for the keep of the old folks; and we'll sell off the stock, the farming implements, the household stuff, and the sawmill, and be off in less than a month for the Territory of Oregon."

Mrs. Ranger shrank and shivered. "Oregon is a long way off, John," she said, nestling closer to his side and half suppressing a sob. "There's the danger and the hardships of the journey to be considered, you know."

"I will always protect you and the children under all circumstances, Annie. Can't you trust me?"

"Haven't I always trusted you, John? But—"

"What is it, Annie? Don't be afraid to speak your mind."

"I was thinking, dear,—you know we've always lived on the frontier, and civilization is just now beginning to catch up with us,—mightn't it be better for us to stay here and enjoy it? Illinois is still a new country, you know. We've never had any advantages to speak of, and none of the children, nor I, have ever seen a railroad."

"Don't be foolish, Annie! We'll take civilization with us wherever we go, railroads or no railroads."

"But we'll be compelled to leave our parents behind, John. They're old and infirm now, and we'll be going so far away that we'll never see them again. At least, I sha'n't."

The husband cleared his throat, but did not reply. The wife continued her protest.

"Just think of the sorrow we'll bring upon 'em in their closing days, dear! Then there's that awful journey for us and the children through more than two thousand miles of unsettled country, among wild beasts and wilder Indians. Hadn't we better let well-enough alone, and remain where we are comfortable?"

"A six months' journey across the untracked continent,