Read Wagon Trail for Free Online Page B

very stuck-up boy named Gabriel, who thinks men conquered the West all by themselves. He considers himself an expert on everything from wagon driving to sheepherding, but I wonder how much he really knows. It should be fun to see how well he does with his job of assistant trail boss.
    Stevie reread her words and smiled. This was better. This was more like the real Gabriel. She added a few paragraphs about their wagon and the campfire; then she was done for the evening. She stuffed her journal back into her bag, blew out the lamp, and curled into her sleeping bag. In an instant she was asleep.
    I T WAS A little past midnight when Deborah shook Carole and Lisa awake. “Girls, there’s an emergency phone call for me at the lodge. You sit tight and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
    “Okay,” Lisa mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
    By the time Deborah had climbed over the sleeping bags and out of the wagon, all three girls were wide awake.
    “What do you think it could be?” Carole asked as she watched Deborah and Jeremy hurry toward the lodge.
    “I hope nothing’s wrong with Maxi,” said Stevie.
    “Or Max,” added Lisa.
    For what seemed like forever, they huddled in the dark wagon, wondering what could have gone wrong. Finally Deborah reappeared.
    “Okay, girls, here’s the deal. My father was in a car accident this evening. He’s in a hospital right now, and though it looks like he’s going to be okay, my mom’s really upset. Since I’m an only child, I have to be therefor both of them. I hope you won’t be too disappointed, but I’m afraid we’ll have to leave right away.”
    “Sure, Deborah. We understand. We would want to be there if any of our parents were hurt,” said Carole, trying to hide her disappointment.
    “Jeremy’s making our flight arrangements, so I guess the best thing for us to do is to pack our stuff up and go back to the lodge. I’m really sorry this had to happen.”
    “Don’t worry about it, Deborah,” said Lisa. “This would have been a great trip, but we can do it some other time.”
    “Thanks. I appreciate your understanding.” Deborah gave a tired sigh.
    They had just begun to roll up their sleeping bags when Jeremy appeared at the back of the wagon.
    “Hey, Deborah, I was thinking. I watched these girls all day today and I think they’re all extremely capable, mature young ladies. It would be a shame to have them come this far and then have to leave. Why don’t you let me take them under my personal wing for the rest of the trip? That is, if it’s okay with you.”
    Deborah blinked. “Well, it’s okay with me if it’s okay with them. And, of course, with their parents.”
    “It’s okay with us,” Stevie assured her.
    “Well, let’s go call everybody in Virginia and explain the situation.”
    An hour later, the girls stood with Deborah in the lobby of the lodge. They had all gotten permission from their parents to remain on the trip, and they were waiting with Deborah for the cab that was to take her back to the airport.
    “It’s too bad I’m not going to be able to write that article,” Deborah said as she leaned against a long leather sofa. “That was the whole reason we came out here in the first place.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about that, Deborah,” Carole said. “Lisa and Stevie and I can do all the research you could possibly want. Stevie’s even keeping a journal.”
    “That’s right,” said Stevie. “We can help you write the article when we get back.”
    Lisa gave Deborah a hug. “It’s the least we can do.”
    “Well, thanks, girls,” Deborah said, hugging each of them. “I appreciate your good intentions.”
    “No, really,” insisted Stevie. “We can be a big help. I know we can.”
    Just then the cab pulled up.
    “I’ve got to go,” said Deborah, grabbing her backpack. “You girls be careful and do what Jeremy tells you. I’ll see you in about a week!”
    The Saddle Club waved as the cab pulled away from the lodge, leaving them