Caleb mounted his horse, patted his brother on the back and pointed toward Levi. Levi Moore led two pack mules out of the bushed loaded with food and supplies.

"Which way?" Caleb asked when they reached Levi.

"One of the women said the call has gone out for all men to march south."

"You have come at last," Mary whispered, wrapping her arms around Caroline just inside Mahala's front door. "I have missed you so."

"Not nearly as much as I have missed you," said Caroline. "Are they still asleep?"

"Aye, it is not yet dawn, you know."

"Did you tell them?"

"I did not." Mary leaned down to hug little Matthew. "I did not want to excite their anticipation."

"Papa?" Caroline asked.

"He is quite well. He does not cry out in the night nearly as much as he did, and he will be so pleased to see you."

"And Mama?"

"She too is well. You will enjoy her. Her stories have grow quite farfetched."

"In your last express, you said Uriah and Caleb had not yet returned. Are they back?"

"They are not. They sent a rider to tell us John has been marched and they hope to discover where. We have had no word since. Yet you are here, this dread­fully cold winter has turned to spring and I am quite sure all of the Carson men are fine."