The Dragon and The Eagle: Follow Our Dreams: Follow Your Dreams

By Sam Sansum

We are now known as the Dragon ( Dafyd Rhees). I was born in Wales. on arriving in New York. I met up with (Katie Brooks). Known as the Eagle. We gained our names as we both have the ability to raise our adrenalin, whenever it is needed. Raising our adrenalin level, makes us very strong and we can run faster and think quicker. We would beco

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leavitt Peak Press
• Release date: Dec 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9781962363402

Sam Sansum

The author lives in the UK. He is married. His hobbies are sports and history. It's through his hobby of history, that came this story of Strangers fighting together, giving their lives to be free.

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The Dragon and The Eagle

Follow our Dreams

Sam Sansum

Copyright 2023 by Sam Sansum

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotation in a book review.

ISBN 978-1-962363-39-6 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-962363-40-2 (Ebook)

Inquiries and Book Orders should be addressed to:

Leavitt Peak Press

17901 Pioneer Blvd Ste L #298, Artesia, California 90701

Phone #: [phone]

Contents

Chapter 1:   Into the Wilderness

Chapter 2:   Final Preparation

Chapter 3:   A Visit to the Mohawks

Chapter 4:   Independence

Chapter 5:   Into the Wilderness

Chapter 6:   Plains and Rivers

Chapter 7:   The Blues

Chapter 8:   Sun, Sand and Mosquitoes

Chapter 9:   Rivers, Mountains and Storms

Chapter 10:   I Hate Rivers

Chapter 11:    The Garden of Eden?

Chapter 12:   The Snake

Chapter 13:   Salmon en Croûte

Chapter 14:   Three Island Crossing

Chapter 15:   The Blue Mountains

Chapter 16:   Where Would We Be Without friends?

Chapter 17:   The Clackamas River/Valley

Chapter 18:   Dreams Do Come

Introduction

We are now known as the Dragon ( Dafydd Rhees).

I was born in Wales. on arriving in New York. I met up with (Katie Brooks). Known as the Eagle. We gained our names as we both have the ability to raise our adrenalin, whenever it is needed. Raising our adrenalin level, makes us very strong and we can run faster and think quicker. We would become like super heroes.

But we were still only human and can still be injured or even killed.

Together with Katies Rangers, we had helped George Washington drive the British out of what is now, the United States of America. (The Dragon and the Eagle. (Book 1.) During the American war of Independence.)

New Challenges beckoned us. We had heard tales of people starting a new life in California, and also Oregon.

From our home in Philadelphia, there would be a 3000 miles journey across mainly wilderness. There would be dangers. Disease, Indians, Storms, and Rivers to cross.

Many people dream of a new life. There was a promise of six square miles, of fertile land. Free to each settler over the age of fourteen.

Everyone needs a dream, something to follow and to fight to achieve. Our dream is to reach Oregon and build a new life for ourselves and our children.

Will our Dreams come true?

Chapter 1

Into the Wilderness

I had given the order to go. But that just meant ‘get everything onto your wagon, and be ready to leave in three hours’.

You stupid man, do you want everyone here to die? It was our wagon master, Ward Bond. He did smell a bit of alcohol, but he wasn’t drunk. You and Katie are the leaders so I guess you felt you needed to take over the organising of this wagon train. Why? Neither of you have any knowledge at all. Look, according to your orders, they should be ready to travel in a few hours, but some are still trying to load furniture on their wagons! He shouted.

I was beginning to feel like a naughty schoolboy. Katie had heard all the shouting and got out of the wagon to find out what all the noise was about.

What’s going on? My baby is finally asleep! moaned Katie.

I’m glad you are here as well. Tell me, who is your wagon master? he asked in a sarcastic voice.

You are, Mr Bond. We know that. I wondered why he asked that question.

Can you two tell me, why do you plan to leave almost at the start of summer? We have to leave late April, or the first week in May. Leaving at the beginning of June, we will get caught up in prairie thunderstorms which bring strong winds. And you will find snow on the blue mountains, preventing us from crossing. Also, it has been brought to my attention that your people are not carrying enough stores. He was looking very angry now.

We thought you would ask that question. We never told our settlers not to carry any meat, as I understand there are plenty of Buffalo on the way. That way we can lighten the load. I said with confidence. I thought he was going to punch me.

Buffalo don’t follow your wagon train, just in case you need to kill one for dinner. You can go weeks without seeing one. Sometimes you can go months. So far these people will either get killed in the prairie storms, freeze waiting for the snow to melt in the spring or simply run out of food and starve. Although, do you know what most people will likely die of on this journey?

Katie was quick to reply. Indians!

He was now scratching his head and also shaking it. Disease! This is the biggest killer on the journey. Very few of you will be killed by the Native Americans. Look at those wagons. A family of four will fill half of a wagon with enough food to keep them from starving. He had not stopped shaking his head in disapproval. All furniture and non-essential items need to be removed or your animals will collapse and die from exhaustion. The animals pulling the wagons will have to haul the wagons up steep hills and across mountains. They will pull their wagon in high temperatures across hot dry deserts. Most importantly, they will be asked to take your wagons nearly 3000 miles. I knew most of this, but I had failed to tell the settlers.

One settler who was standing nearby, listening to every word that Ward was telling us, suddenly spoke. What if we walk alongside our wagons now and then?

Ward turned and walked away. I have heard enough. None of these people will be alive at the halfway point. I ran after him. He turned and began to speak again. If we are lucky, we may travel fifteen miles a day. And everyone will walk. Otherwise, their animals will be dead and they will be pulling the wagons. I was now physically trying to stop him from leaving.

Please Ward, Katie pleaded, I know we have been fools. We did not see you much, so we just took control. We were wrong, we should have looked for you and asked for your advice. What can we do, in order to get you to lead the wagon train as you originally agreed? He stopped and began to speak again.

Postpone the journey. You have left everything too late. Go now and most of you will die. Listen, the way to Oregon begins at Independence. We will have to get there before we can begin our journey west. Independence is 900 miles from here. We will need to leave this city about July and get through the Cumberland pass before December -bear in mind that the pass could easily become blocked with snow. We will leave Independence in the last week of April, or when the grass is high enough to feed our animals. The bonus is that in the town of Independence, people can buy more food, get fresh animals. Also get the wheels on their wagons checked. If you agree with this, then I will lead your wagon train. Katie and I looked at each other. We knew he was correct.

Ok we will do what you ask, providing that you help us prepare during the coming months. He agreed, and we went away to break the bad news, which was really good news - if we had left now, most may have died.

Katie ordered everyone to stop whatever they were doing. They were then ordered to gather together near the river where there was room for everyone.

First, we both apologised. I then began to deliver the bad news that the journey would not begin until late July. We would depart in the third week of July, 1784.

If we leave now, many catastrophes could happen. We could run short of food; get caught in Prairie thunderstorms; freeze to death at the Blue Mountains; plus, many other perilous things.

Katie then took over and explained that we had got carried away with our leadership rolls, forgetting that we had a wagon master who knew more about the trip we were about to make than we did.

I then finished off the speech. We have wronged you all, and could have got most of you killed. We have failed you all as leaders. We are both willing to step down and you may elect another leader. Once again, we apologise. We both bowed and began to walk away.

Lana and Jane were the first to get to the spot where we had just made our resignation speech. Jane began to address everyone.

We are watching two people who I, and most of you, owe your lives to, walk away. They have sweated blood and tears for you.

Then Lana chimed in. I was a prisoner, about to be forcibly married. They were both willing to risk their lives to set me free.

Next Mary, one of the freed slaves spoke up. My family was torn from the land where we were born. Then brought to this so-called land of opportunity. We were all at times beaten and whipped and were made to work 12 hours a day under the hot sun. Eventually, we could not take any more, we knew that if we were caught, we all would be killed. This did not deter us, we had to take a chance for freedom. We thought that our dreams had been achieved, when we reached this wagon train. Then, the overseer arrived with his men. If they had taken us away, death was waiting. People don’t stand up to plantation owners and their servants. But these two, who are currently walking away from us, stood up to them. Because of this, my family can all share your dream. So we will have to wait another few months to ensure our dream. Surely that is better than rushing off and dying.

Jen then stood up. My family was killed, and my home burnt. They took me in. I was a total stranger, but they made me part of their family. You will be fools if you let them leave, I for one would give my life for them.

It was now Madge’s turn to speak. I was a fool; I had taken money to betray them and you, but instead of punishing me, they forgave me. Not only that, they helped my mother return to good health. And also accepted me as part of their family. Will you let them leave for one mistake? Or shall we show them the love that they have always given to us? I for one am off to ask, no beg them to stay, who is coming with me?

We were both upset, but we now had to think about a new life, and we had little Julia. We could see our horses not too far away. We were thinking of spending some time with Katie’s family. When we heard a lot of shouting. Turning around there were hundreds of people running towards us. My natural instinct was to get to our horses and leave as soon as possible. Katie grasped my arm.

It’s our friends from the wagon train.

They were soon all around us, begging us to stay. Now this would normally be where you tell your employer that you will consider staying if they offer an increase in your wages. Well, at least that’s what I had heard, I have never had a full-time job. In this case we did not have a chance to debate the request - we were both just lifted up and carried back to the meeting place.

Of course we agreed to stay. But there was still a lot of work to do in order to prepare for the departure. I had one bit of information to exchange with everyone.

If we got to Oregon, couples are entitled to 640 acres of land, while single people will get 320 acres. I began, everyone immediately turned to the person next to them, talking in excitement. So much land! And free to them. But in order to get there, there are important changes we must make in our preparations. Do not use the big heavy Conestoga wagons. Your animals will have problems pulling them uphill and across bumpy ground, and of course crossing rivers. Instead, use a Prairie Schooner. They are far lighter and smaller, easier for your animals to pull over the 3000 miles that our journey consists of. I let that sink in for a moment. There is a choice of three animals that can be used to pull your wagons. Horses are strong and faster than the other two options, but they will require grass to eat. At times on our journey, the grass will disappear and only prairie grasses and sage will be available to eat - they risk starvation along the route. Oxen are strong and have more stamina than horses, also they can survive on prairie grass and sage. They of course are slow. The third option is the Mule. Strong, good stamina, will eat prairie grass and sage. They are faster than the Oxen but, how shall I put it? Can be cantankerous and obstinate. The choice is yours. Again, I gave everyone some time for short discussions about this new information to settle.

"Next, we must address possessions and food. There will be little space in your wagons, especially if you have a large family. Apart from your pots and pans, you will all need three changes of clothing. I have prepared a list of the amount of food you must take with you, or you won’t be able to be part of our journey to Oregon.

For each member of your party you will require the equivalent of the following."

I began to read off the list.

Packing list

Food

•120-200 pounds of flour in canvas sacks

Any of the three types of flour:

Shorts: this is coarse-ground. Between wheat bran and whole wheat, which is poorly sifted. But the cheapest.

Middlings: Formed during separation of bran and white flour. Very high in Gluten. Mid-priced.

Superfine: White flour (as close to what we would buy in the shops now-a-days)

All bread is to be made without yeast, as this will not survive on the trial. Bicarbonate may be used.

•30 pounds of hardtack or crackers

•25-75 pounds of bacon (this could consist of any pig meat)

•15 lbs of ground corn

•Half a bushel of cornmeal

•10-50 pounds of rice

•2 pounds of Saleratus (an early form of baking soda)

•10 pounds of salt

•25 pounds of sugar

•5-15 pounds of coffee

•2 pounds of Tea

•Half-two bushels of dried beans

•Vinegar, butter (preserved in tin canisters), salt, pepper, spices, lemon extract.

•Dried fruit & pressed vegetables.

•Corn, ground into a rough flour

•At least one large water keg

•Tobacco (this is good to trade with the Indians)

•Whisky and Brandy (medicinal) and as many medicines as possible

Firearms

One of the following:

•Muzzle loading long guns

•Muskets

•Rifles

•Cartridges

Tools

•Many boots will be required as you will have nearly 3000 miles to walk.

•Soap

•Books, quills & ink

•Scissors, needles & cotton

•A Dutch oven, a reflector oven, coffee pots, cast iron skillet or spider.

•Axe, fishing pole, fire starting matches, and a sickle, to cut grass if you have any horses.

•Some Wagons may carry tents to sleep outside during the night.

"We must leave Independence by the third week in April next year. To avoid being caught in the snow over the blue mountains. Our journey will be in two stages. From Philadelphia to Independence is about 900 miles. Then Independence to Oregon is 2000 miles. We will leave here in July. We must be out of the Cumberland pass by December, or we may get snowed in. Most settlers travel through the Wilderness Road during the winter, as they hope to avoid the Shawnees. As we will have over five hundred of the best Indian fighters with us, I doubt if they will cause us any problems.

When we arrive in Independence, it will be wise to purchase fresh animals if required. Try to get a few spares. Also, you can also buy more food. Remember you will be drawing from your food supplies on our journey to Independence. One warning. I am not saying that the tradesmen of the town are thieves, but some may want to take advantage of you. Make sure that you thoroughly check your food and any animals you buy. It will also be a good opportunity to have your wagon wheels checked, and your animals reshod. Remember, after we leave the town, there will be nothing but seemingly endless wilderness. You now have a couple of months to prepare for our journey. Make the most of your time. Sell your furniture and anything that you can’t carry with you - the money can be used to spend in Independence."

We were approached by two very concerned women.

April, June, why do you look so worried? I asked.

June and I are responsible for 600 horses. One for each ranger, plus some spare. If we are going to cross prairies, where grass suitable for our horses doesn’t grow. Then how will we feed them? Shouted April. Katie then joined the conversation.

You are responsible for 600 of the best horses I have ever seen. I’m afraid this problem is yours to solve - you will need to figure out how you can provide grass for them. Not to mention that every Indian for miles around will be trying to steal them. I want the two of you to go away and plan how you are going to get them all safely to Oregon.

I then offered another problem. The horses will have to swim across a few rivers, how will you get 600 horses across safely?

They were both standing in silence. Looking after the horses here in Pennsylvania there were few problems. They were soon to face 3000 miles of problems, I had not even reminded them about the prairie storms, with hail the size of snowballs. Katie did take pity on them.

Break your plan into sections. From here to the start of the Wilderness Road. Then to the end of the Cumberland Gap. Next, the journey to Independence. There you can rest them, feed them well. Get their shoes reshod. That’s a thousand miles gone. Then you can plan for the next 2000 miles. Both the women thanked Katie uneasily, they still had problems, but at least they looked easier to deal with when they were broken down.

We know that the grass will be growing in July when we leave. We should be in Independence by the end of September. We will rest there during the winter and depart for Oregon at the end of April, as soon as the grass is long enough. I told them.

We had been informed of the biggest killers that we would encounter during our journey. Accidents, exhaustion and disease. Crossing rivers was probably the most dangerous thing we would encounter. Swollen rivers could tip over a wagon, drowning the people and the animals. Also, animals could panic while wading through deep water. Sometimes adults or children could slip while jumping from the wagon and slide under a wheel. Diseases such as cholera, smallpox, flu, measles, mumps, tuberculosis could spread quickly through the entire wagon camp. Dr Rachel Greenhill had the hardest job on the train. One mistake and everyone would be dead. Luckily, she has put together a talented team. Four wagons had been assigned to the medical team.

We are unlikely to be attacked by the Native Americans. If we were, we had 500 of the best Indian fighters ready to drive them away. The only problem that we could have from them, would be attempts to steal the horses.

Apart from all this, there is little else to cause us problems.

Hi Pastor Pastor James Ludlow had not seen our wagon master for some time.

Ward! It’s been a long time since we last met up. How are things going?

Ward Bond, our wagon master, was looking a bit depressed. Maybe I am getting old. I have recently had a long chat with Dafydd and Katie, about the fact that I am the wagon master. They have to stand back and leave me to give the orders, but they continue to take the lead and give out instructions to the settlers.

Paster Ludlow smiled and put his arm around Ward’s shoulders. It is simple, my friend. You have to show that you are in charge. Organise some meetings with the settlers. Put together a steering group to plan the journey. Give jobs to various members of the group, making sure that Katie and Dafydd are given their own responsibilities

Ward nodded. The problem is that Katie and Dafydd have already put together a steering group.

The Pastor was smiling again. Ignore their choices. You are the boss, you should set up the steering group, and don’t forget to tell them what their jobs are.

It was now Ward’s turn to smile. Thanks James, I feel a lot more invigorated now. He then walked away muttering ‘now what jobs can I give them?’

As time drew closer to start their journey and their new lives, the detective agency became redundant. The ladies who worked there had little work to do and were concentrating on their packing. One morning as they were having their morning cup of tea, the office door opened and in walked Edward Jenkins.

Good morning, ladies. Was his opening statement. How are you Jen? I know that you promised that we would meet up at some point on the trail, but I have a business offer, for you ladies. Will you listen to my offer? Jen, Val and Madge, looked at each other before nodding in agreement.

Ok go ahead, what’s the offer? Asked Jen.

The journey ahead will be arduous, challenging, and dangerous. I am well aware that the three of you are more than capable of looking after yourselves, but when your wagon is being dragged up hills, or lowered down cliffs. I can offer some muscle when needed. I don’t have a lot of luggage, but I have not found space in a wagon yet. I am asking you ladies, if I can travel with you. I promise to behave and protect your modesty.

Val was the first to respond. "If you are going to behave and protect our modesty, then we don’t