:19:05
Our journey from Virginia
to Independence took 3 years.
:19:09
Like most other folks in
the restless young America,
:19:11
we stopped and settled for a while,
:19:13
worked, then pushed on again.
:19:15
Houses were built then abandoned
before the trees came into berry.
:19:19
Fields were planted, then left
for others to reap the harvest.
:19:23
On the way, we had another
child, a boy, Jacob jr.
:19:27
Into the deep, blue clear
waters of the pacific ocean.
:19:33
Welcome, friends!
:19:34
Is it the golden coast you seek?
:19:36
The shangri-la of the west?
:19:39
Californ-eye-aye?
:19:41
Have you ever been there?
:19:42
No, no, can't say as I have.
:19:44
Well, I've been. I've seen.
:19:46
And what's your assessment?
:19:48
By comparison, everything
else is a dung heap.
:19:51
Well put!
:19:52
We're in agreement, sir!
:19:53
Welcome!
:19:54
We can use a man
:19:55
who's been down that trail.
:19:56
We have close to the
makings of a train here.
:19:58
Don't want too big a company.
:20:01
We wish to travel light and fast.
:20:04
And safe?
:20:05
Yes, sir!
:20:05
That's it, exactly.
:20:06
Sign up.
:20:07
Contract's there.
:20:08
List your members, your
intentions, equipment, skills.
:20:12
You accept free men of color?
:20:15
Where are you from, sir?
:20:16
Illinois.
:20:18
They love us as a race
there, but hate us as people.
:20:22
We're headin' west for acceptance.
:20:28
Join us.
:20:31
You joining this train, mister?
:20:34
I'm thinking on it.
:20:36
There's a lot of rules and
regulations here, mister.
:20:38
Hoxie's the name.
:20:40
Stephen hoxie.
:20:41
I'm providing wagons,
horses, cattle, stores,
:20:45
and doing that, I figure
to captain this train.
:20:48
Not to pilot, mind you.
:20:50
Not our guide.
:20:52
But the man in charge?
:20:53
Somebody's got to be.
:20:55
Might as well be the fellow
who can provide for all.
:20:57
A wagon train is like a passenger
ship on a lonely prairie ocean.