:23:01
We intend to leave in a matter of days.
:23:04
How many wagons?
:23:05
18.
:23:07
I've hired a pilot named josiah bell.
:23:09
He ran with Fitzpatrick,
trapping beaver, fighting Indians.
:23:13
He's been everywhere.
:23:14
He's got 2 scouts with him.
:23:16
Including the others, we have 22 armed men.
:23:19
Oh, yeah?
:23:21
Horses or oxen?
:23:22
Horses and mules.
:23:25
Think those wheels can handle the trail?
:23:29
I expect so.
:23:30
Iron tires, 2 and a half inches, bolted.
:23:32
Well, that's a substantial wagon.
:23:34
Conestoga, we call it.
:23:36
Well-seasoned wood, falling
tongues, well-steeled skeins.
:23:40
What about extra axles?
:23:41
Can't do without 'em.
:23:43
Tires buckle, wagon tongues
snap, front axles fail.
:23:47
The lower half of the wagon, Mr. Hoxie,
:23:48
that's where all your problems all.
:23:49
The running gear, we call it.
:23:50
We can sure use folks
like you on this journey.
:23:54
I got a part-time cooperSmith,
and a half-assed wainwright,
:24:00
but no wheelwright.
:24:02
Well, we sure would love to come,
:24:05
only we don't have $80.
:24:07
I'll loan you.
:24:08
Won't be indebted, either.
:24:10
Then what?
:24:17
Well, you pay for the extra axles,
:24:19
spokes, and tongues and heavy equipment.
:24:22
Me and jethro's labor for the journey
will come to about $80, I reckon.
:24:27
Don't you figure, jethro?
:24:29
Right about 80, brother.
:24:32
Yes, sir.
:24:41
And so, the Wheeler party
rolled out of independence,
:24:44
heading west, northwest on hoxie's train.
:24:47
Wagon-master hoxie was a
regular napoleon of the plains,
:24:50
wanted everybody to call him captain,
even though he'd never been near a uniform.
:24:54
His hired pilot was a frontiersman
by the name of josiah bell,
:24:58
and there were 2 scouts
named meeks and skate.