Fortune's Journey by Bruce Coville Page A

if he hadn’t sounded as if he actually thought they were so inexperienced this might be the case.
    Finally he heaved a deep sigh. “Well, there’s nothing to do but go get what you need. You’re going to get scalped for it—the storekeepers here love to make a killing on last-minute items people suddenly realize they can’t live without. This may be more like a massacre. I’ll do the best I can for you.” He turned to Fortune. “How much money do you have?”
    The question was greeted by a frozen silence. The troupe’s finances were a strict secret between Walter and Fortune.
    â€œHow much do you have?” repeated Jamie.
    â€œNot much,” said Fortune tartly. “What’s really necessary here, anyway?”
    â€œFood, for one thing! What do you think we’re going to feed seven people for the next four or five months? You had no gun for hunting until I joined up with you. You have almost no staples; a few pounds of flour, a little sugar, and some coffee. That’s it. Who does the cooking for this outfit anyway?”
    Like children caught in a lie, they glanced at one another from the corners of their eyes. They all hated cooking.
    Jamie read the message. “Well, don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it while we’re on the road. What about tools?”
    â€œWe’ve got an ax!” said Mr. Patchett resentfully.
    â€œThat will be very helpful for digging you out of a mud hole,” said Jamie, trying to contain his scorn.
    â€œLook, we’re not going west to settle,” said Aaron. “Most of these people are going to build houses or start farms or search for gold. Of course they need tools. We’re just going to act. And we still have to replace the props and costumes we lost in that fire. We don’t need to spend money on a bunch of tools.”
    â€œIt’s true that you won’t need many tools once you get there,” agreed Jamie. “But you’ve still got to get there!”
    â€œAll right,” said Fortune, stepping into her position as leader of the troupe. “You’ve made your point. Make a list of the things you think we can’t live without, and we’ll see how many we can afford.”
    â€œThe only things on that list will be items you can’t afford to do without,” said Jamie sharply. It was clear he was getting angry at the troupe’s response to his attempts to help them.
    Walter brought Jamie a pencil and a scrap of paper. He spent the next hour working on his suggestions. When he brought the paper to Fortune, an uncomfortable silence fell over the group.
    She raised her eyebrows as she examined it. “Lariats, a spade, a tent, an extra wagon tongue…What are we going to do with all these things?”
    â€œThe real question is what you thought you were going to do without them. If you’ll give me the money, I’ll go get them for you.”
    Aaron laughed out loud. “You must think we’re really stupid. Do you expect we’re going to hand our money over to a stranger and let him walk out of town with it?”
    Jamie flushed with anger. “All right, go west your own way! I’ll see you in California —if you make it!”
    He turned and stalked away from the wagon.
    â€œWait!” cried Fortune. “Where are you going?”
    â€œTo see Abner Simpson. He offered me a scouting job last year. I imagine it’s still open. If not, there are at least two other wagons I’ve spotted where I know people who will let me come along. Thank you for the companionship. I enjoyed being in your play. Now I’ll get out of your hair!”
    His eyes were flashing, his cheeks red with anger. Fortune groped for something to say as he turned and started away again.
    â€œWait!” she called. “I’m…I’m sorry for what Aaron said. I…” She swallowed, then spoke words that came very hard for her: