Taking her plate we went to the pot and scooped out a portion, but not too much, then returned it to her. "Enough?" He asked.

He took up his own plate and went back to the fire and the pan to dish up some more of the stew, which would about finish it off. "Hard to say about the river. Could be up, that's for sure, if so, I'll ride the bank and find a good spot to cross. Don't you worry none about that, we'll get across." He smiled at her and winked.

"Them biscuits sound might good an' easy too, both for breakfast an' on the trail. If the river don't present much of a problem we could make good time tomarra. Can't ever make up fer lost time, like some tend to think, but we'll get home precisely when we get there. I'll not be draggin' tail, lollygagging on the trail, the plan is to get to Kalispell as quick as we can, within reason, that is."

"Yes, that's fine, thank you."  Emeline took her plate, watching as Barnabas looked out at the river, then started back in on supper.  "I'm with you, no lollygagging!  And I suppose you're right, we can't get there until we get there..." she grinned, "unless we do!"

It felt to her like the closer they got, the farther it was!  But he was right, they could just do their best to get home without taking unnecessary risks. 

Finished with her meal, she hopped down from the wagon and started to gather the dishes.  The river in question would be ideal for cleaning them up, and she could use the sand to scrub the pot.  "So, Mr. Pike, are you still an expert dish washer?" she teased, "or has wealth spoiled you?"

"Yes'um, plumb spoiled, but I reckon I could lend a hand here." He said and knelt down to help. "River don't look all that bad an' this just might be a natural crossin', then again, looks can be deceiving."

It would be one of those situations where he would need to test the bottom before he would bring the wagon across. He was thinking about that crossing and his pregnant wife.

"How do you feel about driving the wagon, I sortta think I'd better drive it, but then you on a saddle horse if say the current is too strong. I know you can handle yourself either way, I want you to be comfortable whichever way we do this. I'll cross over and test the bottom first which could make the decision for us, an' get a feel for the current, could be swift but not show it on the surface."

"Let's find out first what we're facing," Emeline commented, looking the river over again as she rinsed the dishes.  "I don't mind driving the wagon if it's not too deep."  Either way, crossing was unavoidable, and they would have to do what was necessary if they wanted to get home.

"It doesn't look too bad from here."  Standing, she gathered the clean dishes in her apron.  "We can dry these over by the wagon so I can just put them away.  "Isn't it funny how quickly the weather can change?  Last night it was pouring rain and we were huddled in the wagon, and tonight it's beautiful."

"Life on the range love. So, that's just what we'll do. I'll check the dept, current, and the bottom for rocks. A firm bottom will make the trip across better. I figger if you drive, I can be alongside, able to grip the harness to led 'em across if need be." He grinned, "Didn't have this situation when we left Montana did we?"

River crossings were all part of traveling in this primitive world they lived in, unlike the cities with cobblestone or brick streets, and bridges over rivers, not out there, it was blazing a trail where there was none and crossing whatever obstacle that was in your way. Life on the frontier.

"So?" He asked, "How's that sound?" they were a team, it was making their way together, and money, it was of no use where they were. One counter on the other.

"We crossed some big rivers coming out from Illinois," she commented, "the Missouri, the Platte, but those were established crossings, there were ferries, or men paid to guide the crossing."  Even so, she'd been wary and worried.  Nothing untoward had happened, besides her imagination!

"I can drive," she confirmed with a nod, "and I'll do just fine, especially with you at my side!"  It wouldn't be the first time she'd done something she wasn't certain about, but that wasn't going to make her shy away.  Heck, she'd picked up and started her own business, she'd even taken on bank robbers who dared try to hurt the love of her life!  She could do this, she would do this, with her husband at her side!

"I can drive," she confirmed with a nod, "and I'll do just fine, especially with you at my side!"

Barnabas smiled, "Yes Ma'am, But I don't rise up offa my duff and mount up we'll never get across this blamed river." He was ready, and he was all but sure they would be able to cross right where they were. If not he'd find a safe place to make the crossing. But whatever happened, they would be together in it.

He swung into the saddle, leaned down, and kissed her, then trotted off to the edge of the river, he surveyed the river for a moment and then he and the horse stepped into the river.

The water was running, but not all that fast, almost slowly, not quite. The bottom felt solid enough, which was good. It would reach the hubs maybe a bit higher so that too was good. Then he walked his mount out of the river on the other side and turned and waved. It was going to be a good crossing.

He re-entered the water and zig-zagged his way back across to be sure of the depth and the bottom, all was good. "Well love, here we go."

Emeline watched as Barnabas crossed the river, then returned.  "Looks easy easy enough," she declared with a smile, "and we'll be across in no time!"

Gathering the lines, she gave her husband a nod, then clicked to the horses to move forward.  The folded blanket she was sitting on helped to cushion her bun from the impact as the wagon lurched ahead.  The horses pushed into the harness, and in a few paces they were entering the water.  There was no hesitation, and Emeline just kept a sharp eye that they were not going to cause any trouble.

She stiffened a little as the wagon started to rise and float just a little, but there was nothing to be worried about, especially with Barnabas at her side.  The current caused a bit of drifting, but that was to be expected, and halfway across, everything was going well, and Emeline was gaining confidence.

Some will say there's nothing to cross a river, others will say it is a dangerous undertaking, under any circumstances, and some others will tell you, it is there to be done, so you cross as best you can.

The river must have a name, they all did, this one would be no exception, but for Barnabas Pike, it was an obstacle to getting home, a job that had to be done so they would do what was needed and get on their way. He had come back to the wagon and rode alongside until they were in the river then moved up to the team in the event he need to help pull them forward, but the draft horses made their way across without complaint.

He held back until the wagon was three or four yards from the river then said, "You are a teamster, Missus Pike!" He sat his saddle next to her on the seat with a big grin. "Reckon we can make some time til we stop fer dinner, looks to be easy goin' at least for a spell."

"Teamster?"  Emeline grinned widely, proud of her accomplishment, and glad that was past them now, at least until the next one!  "Does that mean I'm going to have to learn to chew tobacco and spit like Addy does?"  She laughed and shook her head.  Addy wasn't that bad, just a bit crude around the edges, but with a heart of gold.

"I won't complain if the rest of the trip is uneventful, we've plenty of good memories to last us a lifetime, and there's no need for more!"  

Come what may, they could handle it together, and be the stronger for it!