Chivalry on the Trail
The Oregon Trail was not a journey to be taken lightly; hardship
was the common fare. Boys will be boys however; practical jokes and
monkeyshines were not uncommon.
We were soon joined by a band of youngsters from another comp, all on
horseback. They bantered me to join them, but I pleaded I was on foot and
could not join them, a young fellow knowing my timidity and awkwardness
told me to take his horse, I accepted and started with them.
I soon found myself along side of a fine,
jovial young lady, as we road slowly
along, soon found ourselves far
ahead of the wagons, but behind
our own company, suddenly a
hoodlum came galloping up
behind us, and as he passed the
young lady's horse struck him with
a whip. Her horse jumped, broke the
saddle girth, and a young lady saddle and
all were lying in the dust and sand near
knee deep, but as she was laughing I knew
she was not seriously hurt.
I jumped down, picked her up, caught her horse,
tied up the old girth and was ready to proceed, but
how will she get aboard? The girl was quite large
and heavy, and not a tree, rock or stump within
miles of us. I finally got down on my hands and
knees, she stepped on my back and as I arose, she
lit on her horse, and we were off...
John Johnson
July 25, 1851
