“I have to, Pa. To tell him I’m sorry.”
Mac thought a moment. He didn’t want this son to run away like Will had done. Jenny would come undone. “I’ll tell you what, Cal. If you write Will a letter, I will make sure he gets it before we head home. And I will assure him you want him to return. Will that do? You must stay here to care for the rest of the family.”
Cal sniffled. “All right, Pa. I’ll write him tonight.”
Chapter 53: The New Pass
After crossing Warner’s Valley via the same route they’d taken in August, the expedition took a new path that ascended the western rim of the valley. “Hope we’re saving some miles,” Joel said, as their horses trudged slowly up the steep mountain grade toward the summit. “This ain’t as easy as the route we took before.”
Will felt his lead mule lag behind Shanty and gave the beast’s rope a tug. “Without the emigrant wagons, we can make it.”
“Maybe,” Joel said. He looked back over his shoulder and nodded toward the quartermaster’s wagon. “But the sergeant’s wagon is purty heavy. Hope his mules can pull it.”
“As long as he don’t offload any goods from the wagon onto our mules,” Jonah muttered. “I’m draggin’ these beasts up the mountain already.”
They continued through the day, through pine forests and open scrub. The lava fields were behind them now, and the earth beneath the animals’ hooves was smooth. By evening, they reached the eastern foothills of the Sierras and camped at the head of Honey Creek.
October 5, 1864. The country sure is pretty. Tall mountains and fresh water. Drew still won’t talk to me.
The next morning, the expedition climbed higher into the Sierras. The route ascended through forest glades, a steep but pleasant passage for the mules and even for the quartermaster’s team. The path was wide, grass-covered, and surrounded by timber, with abundant water along the way. That night, their camp was still on the eastern slopes of the Sierras, but they appeared to be near the summit.
After the long climb, they rested in that camp on October 7. Drew sent out an advance party to scout the summit and find a route down the west side of the pass. “Next valley is Goose Lake Valley,” the report came back. “We saw the lake from the heights. Once we reach Goose Lake, the way to Klamath is clear.”
On October 8, the reconnaissance force resumed its journey, following the scouts’ lead, until they crossed the summit and reached the western slopes of the Sierras. The pass they traversed was at least a half-mile wide, burgeoning with timber, grass, and water.
“Well, I suppose that is a shorter route,” Joel commented as they started their descent into Goose Valley. “And easier because it’s wide, even if it’s steeper.”
As the men made camp, Drew confirmed Joel’s impressions. “Only forty miles from Warner’s Valley to Goose Lake Valley,” he told his men. “Convenient camps along the way, with good grass and water. Finding this route is another accomplishment of our expedition.”
Cheers arose from the soldiers and packers, and the cheers increased when Drew announced, “A ration of whiskey from the quartermaster for each man.”
Drew’s enthusiasm was contagious, and the mood of the entire expedition lightened. Will was glad the reconnaissance endeavor had succeeded. Even Jonah quit his grousing.
Soon we’ll be back in Klamath, Will thought. Then what will I do?
That evening, Drew called Will to his tent. “I have a fair amount to write this evening,” the colonel said, then paused to light a cigar. “Will you take my notes?”
“Yes, sir,” Will said, trying not to show surprise. He sat at the table, picked up a quill, and dipped it into the inkwell. Would Drew berate him again about joining the expedition without his parents’ consent? It seemed not, as Drew immediately launched into a summary of their journey, as if nothing had happened.
“We have accomplished our mission through the country between Fort Klamath and the Owyhee region,” Drew dictated. “Our contributions to the nation are the following: First, we have explored this part of the country, of which little was previously known. Second—Are you keeping up with me?”
“Yes, sir,” Will said, writing furiously.
“Second, we have maintained peaceful relations between the Indians and the white citizens of the land. The hostile chief Paulina was unsuccessful in his plans to attack us.” Drew paused with a frown, then continued, “Third, we have discovered many hiding places of the Snake and Paiute tribes, which will enable us to thwart their advances in the future. Fourth, although not part of our original mission, we provided for the safe conduct of several wagon trains that had been attacked by Indians.” He pointed his cigar at Will. “You still with me?”
“Yes, sir.” He thought Drew had overstated their accomplishments in discovering Indian locations, but he didn’t want to get crosswise with the colonel again.
“Fifth, we have found a new route from Northern California and from Southern and Middle Oregon to the Owhyee and Boise regions. This route shaves fully two hundred miles off the Humboldt trail and affords better grass and water with more regular camps than any path previously used. Sixth, this route opens a line for direct communications between Fort Klamath and Fort Boise and shortens the old Southern Oregon Emigrant Road by several hundred miles.”
Drew had Will read back the transcription. The colonel made a few corrections, then sent Will away without any mention of his transgressions.
The next day, the militia unit continued its descent into Goose Lake Valley. As they traveled, Will thought again about his return home. First, of course, he and Jonah would have to get themselves from Fort Klamath to Oregon City. If Jonah even wanted to go home.
“Jonah,” he asked his friend, “are you staying with Joel when we get back to Klamath, or are you ready to go home?”
“I ain’t done any prospectin’ yet,” Jonah said. “I’d like to stay.”
“What’s Joel say?” Will asked. He didn’t relish the idea of traveling north on the Applegate Trail by himself. After these months with the Army, he knew he could do it, but two weeks alone didn’t sound appealing. If he’d learned anything on this expedition, it was that men needed each other for support in the wilderness.
Joel had overheard Jonah’s answer, and he responded to Will’s question. “You’re goin’ home, boy,” Joel said to Jonah. “Maybe I’ll even go with you. I might have a hankerin’ for Esther’s cookin’.”
Chapter 54: Traveling to Klamath
Jenny helped Mac search the attic for blankets, camp utensils, and other necessities he hadn’t used since camping with William and Caleb a few years earlier. He hadn’t traveled in the wilderness in a long time.
On the morning of October 6, when Daniel arrived at their door ready to depart, she kissed her husband goodbye. “You’ll reach Eugene tonight, won’t you? And stay in a hotel?” She snugged Mac’s coat around his neck as if he were no older than Nate.
