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| Mama's Cooking courtesy free clip art |
Morgan was thrilled about
being home, his mother's attention, her good cooking and his own bed.
His father asked questions
more of a personal nature, and actually seemed disappointed that Morgan hadn't
been a little more on the wild side. His
mother was satisfied asking if he met any nice girls to which he answered not
really, not anyone I would like to bring home to you. His mom was both pleased, and concerned by his
answer.
After a few days of peace and
quiet Morgan began to get restless for he was used to some sort of continual
action. In his mind he retraced his
entire voyage experience from start to finish. The men he had met and their different
characteristics, the Captain in particular. The women were all unpredictable as they were a
puzzle to him.
From one day to the next they
could be different. This was very noticeable because of having to be of service
to them, and the length of the journey.
He was glad to see the last
of some of them. During the voyage
Morgan encountered almost no children and his dealings were with adults with
contrasting natures which provoked the question; “How can people be so
different?”
As the days went by Morgan's
restlessness became too much, and he made plans to visit the west again only
this time he would travel by land.
He packed only the things he
felt necessary, said goodbye to his parents and headed for St. Louis St. Louis
Morgan
enquired if he could join him and asked what the requirements were. He laid it out in simple terms, a horse,
someone who would let him stow his goods in their wagon and food for the trip
and of course the fee for coming along. There were several outfitters available
and Morgan talked to all of them to make sure they didn't sell him things he
wouldn't need.
His plans were to travel as
light as possible and not carry stuff he couldn't use.
Morgan went to a livery barn
where many people kept their horses and inquired if there was some good stock
available for sale. He didn't know much
about horses but he wanted a good blooded steed who was a fast runner.
The barn had several for sale
but the price was very high. Morgan had
just about settled on one fine looking animal when a gruffy looking individual sidled
up to him and said; “Don't buy that horse, in fact don't buy any of those.”
When Morgan asked “Why,”
because they looked like fine stock to him; the man answered, “These animals
have been pampered all their life and have never known what it was like to cross
the desert. Besides they have never been
run except a few miles at a time, and they would break down on the trip you are
planning to take.”
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| Frisky Colt courtesy Photobucket.com |
At that Morgan said; “What do
you mean almost broke?” The man said; “I mean once you get on him, and ride him
he settles down but he is a little frisky in the morning and forgets his
manners.” The man whose name was Virgil said; “You don't want a horse that is
docile, you need one who has some life in him.”
What he was saying made sense
to Morgan but he asked; “Where did you get him?” Virgil replied, “I traded some Indians out of
him when he was just a young colt and finished raising him myself.”
Morgan still had many
questions to ask Virgil for he seemed to know a lot about the trip he was going
to take. One last question he had to ask was, “Why he would sell him for it was
obvious he cared a lot for the horse.”
His answer to that was a sad story.
To be Continued
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