human
Are you staying with us?
gpt
No. I reckon we'll winter at Snedeker's.
human
The noises you'll hear at Laramie will be hearts breaking, Dunbar assured him.
gpt
Going on to Oregon when the weather breaks?
human
That's right.
gpt
I've a notion to do that myself. My time is up in June. You know, I used to dream of going back to Boston and spend my time smoking a pipe and wearing slippers when I got a pension. Now I know I'd be lost in Boston.
human
Why don't you come to Oregon? I hear it's a big country.
gpt
Sure, Dunbar smiled.
human
I'll stake a claim near you and spend all my time playing with these kids.
gpt
The kids wouldn't mind.
human
Neither would I, Dunbar said earnestly.
gpt
Wish I could see my way clear. When are you leaving?
human
Tomorrow morning, I reckon.
gpt
You won't have any trouble. A patrol went down yesterday and broke a track. I'd ride with you myself if I wasn't expecting a load of freight.
human
Then you do get freight in winter?
gpt
Oh sure. But it's three times as hard to get it here in winter as it is in summer. Three times as expensive, too. The summer rate per pound between here and Independence is a little short of ten cents. The winter rate is almost thirty-two cents.
human
Whew! And I need supplies!
gpt
Laramie's the place to stock up, Dunbar assured him.
human
You'll buy anything here at just what it would cost you in Independence plus freight, and you'll get summer freight rates on what's here now. That's a lot better than it was. I've seen the time when coffee and sugar were $2 a pound at Laramie, and flour sold for $40 a hundred. It still does at some of the trading posts. The mountain men who run them know how to get an emigrant's last nickel. That's why it's better to stock up here.
gpt
Suppose an emigrant without any money comes through?
human
Plenty of them don't have any, or at least they say they don't. They get enough to see them through. One purpose of this fort is to help emigrants, and letting them starve isn't helping them.
gpt
You run away now, Daddy, little Emma directed.
human
We must get our fort built.
gpt
Orders from a superior officer, Dunbar grinned.
human
I'd better report for duty.
gpt
I found out about this Gearey. He seems to be no good.
human
Thank you, Joe.
gpt
We'd best keep Bobby away from him, don't you think?
human
There isn't any need to worry.
gpt
I thought I'd better tell you before I go down to the stables. I'll be back in an hour or so.
human
All right, dear.