The next day was spent relaxing. Sam could see the travelers had needed the break. Aside from tending the animals and fixing meals, everyone took advantage of the time away from the march by just sitting, or taking long naps beneath their wagons. The soldiers had stopped looking for whiskey and were now avoiding the train. This was mostly as a result of Reverend Rayburn’s repeated calls to repentance and salvation, which rang out whenever one of the soldiers ventured near.
That night Todd and Sam were on night watch. As they rode slowly around the circumference of the grazing herd, they talked quietly.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever been happier,” Todd was saying. “I got three good men to love me and love back. I feel like I’m doin’ somethin’ important helpin’ these folks get to their new ho
