That night, they circled the wagons for the first time. It took Garrett, Gus and the Tuckers a bit of time and a lot of patience to help the travelers get it right. Sam felt he and Todd were more of a hindrance than a help, due to their inexperience, but in the end, the task was accomplished.
Garrett told Sam he was pleased with their progress. They had covered about six miles. He felt that was better than average for a first day. They had left the last of the homesteads behind and were heading out onto the open plains. They had traveled alongside a river that flowed into the Missouri. They would follow its route, then strike off north to find the Platte, and use that as a guide.
The only incident had come when the train passed close to an Indian village. Garrett informed the members of
