Page 36 of Caroline’s Compass

A distant shout came from the north.

Several people turned toward it.

Caroline opened the compass. “That is the creek bottom carrying voices. The rear wagons are south.”

Nathaniel studied the fog, then nodded. “Thomas, take two riders.”

Before they could leave, a faint wagon bell rang from the west. It was closer than before but moving away from the trail.

“They are circling,” Caroline said. “I can reach them faster with the Whitaker wagon. They will hear our wheel squeak.”

Rebecca objected. “I repaired that squeak.”

“Not well enough.”

“I will come.”

Nathaniel shook his head. “Keep the second wagon with the company. Caroline, take Thomas and Mr. Avery. Mark your line.”

They turned into the fog. Caroline kept the compass open on the seat and steered southwest over ground that softened beneath the wheels. Thomas rode ahead only far enough to test the soil. Avery followed, calling at intervals.

At last an answer came.

Mrs. Bell's wagon appeared first. Hall and Coleman were close behind, all three angled toward a shallow marsh. Mr. Daugherty had apparently heard their bell and shouted from the main line; the echo had drawn them farther from it.

“We knew we were near,” Mr. Hall said.

Caroline looked at the reeds ten yards ahead. “You were near something.”

Mrs. Bell leaned from her wagon. “I told them to wait.”

“You also told us the fog would lift before breakfast,” Coleman muttered.

“I am not responsible for weather.”

Caroline climbed onto Hall's wagon tongue and showed the men the compass. “The main company is northeast. We cannot turn here without sinking. Follow me west until the ground rises, then we will circle north.”

Thomas said nothing. He merely rode ahead and tested the line she chose.

The detour cost more than an hour. Caroline led the wagons across a strip of gravel hidden beneath wet grass, then turned them north. When the sun finally burned a hole through the fog, she found Nathaniel's wheel marks exactly where she expected.

They reached the noon camp to cheers.

Lucy ran beside the wagon. “Captain Caroline rescued three wagons!”

“Captain Caroline found three wagons that had ignored instructions.” Caroline shook her head at her sister.

Mrs. Bell called from behind, “A less inspiring version.”

Eleanor gripped Caroline's hand when she climbed down. Rebecca inspected the lead wagon for damage. Nathaniel nodded once, the acknowledgment of one captain to another.

Thomas did none of those things. He stood near the rear wheel, pale beneath the road dust, and waited until the sisters had crowded away.

“Behind the wagon,” he said quietly.

Caroline followed him into the narrow space between canvas and tall grass. “What is wrong?”

“You vanished.”