15 May 1845: One More Day Left

    One more day until we are on our way. Papa and Uncle Luke have been busy securing our things in the wagon and making sure that the canvas is well-tied and the wheels greased and repaired. Mama and I finished packing up the salt-pork and smoked meat we have prepared. 

    It rained last night and Annabelle has been playing in the mud and being a nuisance. Mama says it is all my fault because I should have watched her more closely. Now I have to bathe her and the water will become too disgusting to bathe myself. Mama says I can go to the river and bathe, but the river is as black as Annabelle. Uncle Luke says that is why they call it The Big Muddy.