Angel Train by Gilbert Morris

Canreen demanded.
    “He’s the only one of us who can speak Latin. We might run into some educated redskins.”
    “When’s all this going to happen, Casey?” Frenchy Doucett asked.
    “May not happen at all. The girl has to go back and convince her friends. I know all you fellows are men of prayer, so you’d better start praying she does, or otherwise we’ll all probably rot in here.” His voice was cynical, and he shook his head. “Don’t count on it. I stopped believing in Santa Claus some time ago, and that’s about what this amounts to. That woman has to convince the psalm singers to trust their lives to a bunch of jailbirds.”
    He hesitated. “I don’t believe in miracles, fellas, but maybe this is my only chance out of here so I’m going to have to believe something and this is it.”

Chapter Six
    ON HER JOURNEY HOME Charity felt oppressed by the enormous decision she had to place before the members of the Pilgrim Way. However unlikely, the circumstances seemed to have been arranged by the Lord, yet the closer she drew to home, the more she was aware that no one but she had ever thought of such a thing. Many people had doubts about making a trip to Oregon under any conditions, and now to put themselves in the hands of a group of criminals seemed like a nightmare.
    All the way home, she prayed that God would give her a word. She had determined to fast and pray until God gave her a sense of rightness. She had always been able to find the mind of God concerning decisions. The decision not to marry Charles Campbell had been so clearly outlined from God and placed in her mind that there was never any doubt, but this was entirely different.
    She reached home and was greeted with enthusiasm by the entire family who wanted a report on their uncle and aunt.
    “They’re both fine, and they send you their love,” she said to them. She hugged her father and said, “He especially wanted me to give you a hug for him.”
    “He’s a good man, Paul Bryce. He’s like your mother. They were very close, those two.”
    She went to bed that night and slept little. She had not eaten anything, for she believed fasting was one of God’s commandments, especially when there was a decision to be made. All night long she struggled. She thought of Jacob wrestling with the angel and remembered that during that encounter he sustained an injury and limped for the rest of his life.
    O God, she prayed, show me the way. I know there will be opposition, but I pray even now that You would touch hearts and minds and grant favor and lead us as You led Abraham to a promised land. Prove Yourself, O God, to Your servant and to Your people.
    For the next day she managed to avoid eating, and all day long she sought privacy by walking along the river. That evening, when she was on her way home, she felt weary and drained.
    I prayed every prayer I know how to pray, Lord, and now I leave it in Your hands. You’ve told us to wait on You and to be patient, and that’s all I can do. She felt physically exhausted, and the lack of food, no doubt, had something to do with that, but she had discovered long ago that intense spiritual warfare was a debilitating affair and weakened the body.
    She had nearly reached home when suddenly she stopped. The spring had come and March was nearly over, but she was unaware of the greenery and the golden leaves coming out in tiny buds. It was as if someone called her name from a far distance, and there on the road she simply bowed her head. Time passed, but Charity didn’t notice. Finally, a verse of Scripture came into her mind. This was not unusual. She knew the Bible so well that Scripture would often come. This time, however,there was a startling clarity. It was a verse that spoke to one of the pilgrims of the Bible. Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount. That was the essence. She recognized the verse but could not place it in context. Hurrying home, she went up to her room, pulled out her Bible, and began