The Fox children were quiet and well-behaved, and Mrs. Fox kept them—even the boy—with her during the journey.
“I’ll be so relieved when we arrive in St. Joseph,” she murmured one evening over the campfire. “How much longer will it be, Captain?”
“About another week, ma’am.” They’d already been on the road for seven days. Normally it wouldn’t have taken them more than three days if they’d pushed the mules, but Steve insisted on an easy walk that didn’t tire the mules or upset Mrs. Fox’s delicate constitution, although they still had to make frequent stops while she was indisposed in the bushes at the side of the road.
Fox, on the other hand, almost danced with impatience every step of the way.
Finally, Steve took him aside. “As soon as we get to St. Joe, I’ll find another wagon master o
