men belonging to the train had
taken charge of my affairs and furnished a driver for the wagon I was
in. The women took care of Benton; and I lived, who would much rather
have died. Probably I should have died, but for the need I felt, when I
could think, of somebody to care for, support and educate my child. My
constitution was good; and that, with the anxiety about Benton, made it
possible for me to live."

"My dear friend," I exclaimed; "what a dreadful experience! I wonder
that you are alive and sit there talking to me, this moment."

"You will wonder more before I have done," she returned, with what might
be termed a superior sort of smile at my inexperience.

"But how did you get to Oregon?" I asked, interrupting her again.

"Our train was about at the place where the Oregon and California
emigrants parted company, when I recovered my reason and strength enough
to have any concern about where I was going. Some of those who had
started for Oregon had determined to go to California; and the most
particular friend Mr. Greyfield had in the train had decided to go to
Oregon instead of to California, as he first intended. Now, when my
husband was hopeless of his own recovery, he had given me in charge of
this man, with instructions to be governed by him in all my business
affairs; and I had no thought of resisting his will, though that bequest
was the cause of the worst sorrows of my life, by compelling me to go to
Oregon."

"Why cannot people be contented with ruling while living, without
subjecting others to the domination of an irrevocable will, when they
are no longer able to mold or govern circumstances. I beg your pardon.
Pray go on. But first let me inquire whether the person to whom you were
commanded to trust your affairs proved trustworthy?"

"As trustworthy as nearly absolute power on one side, and timid
inexperience on the other, is likely to make any one. When we arrived
finally in Portland, he took my wagons and cattle off my hands, and
returned me next to nothing for them. Yet, he was about like the average
administrator; it did not make much difference, I suppose, whether this
one man got my property, or a probate court."

"Poor child! I can see just how you were situated. Alone in a new
country, with a baby on your hands, and without means to make a home for
yourself. What _did_ you do? did you never think of going back to your
parents?"

"How could I get back? The tide of travel was not in tha