Old Number Roads of the Illinoy and Yowa

Map of Old Number Roads of the Illinoy and Yowa, parchment reproduction by Raskesh Halfsilver from pre-Bust papermap

Two: The Handcar

The handcar’s axle was made from strong hickory. Its rims were made from bent splits of white oak and cased in strips of iron that Pa had flattened at his forge. . . .

Three: The Great Towers

Pa hacked aside the overgrowth. Then he clanged the flat iron surface beneath with the blunt side of his hatchet. It was an old Merican signpost. . . .

Four: Restrant

Night after night, they camped hidden among the trees. Pa pulled the handcar off the old number road, into the cover of the woods. Then, they would find a clearing where they would make camp . . . .

Six: A Fine Watchdog

Laura’s eyes were full of tears. They couldn’t leave him, she pleaded. They just couldn’t . . . .

Seven: Showtales

One night, Laura and her family made camp by a lake. They had been following a road called the Ten Road. Or maybe it was called the Ninety-Four Road. Or else it had no name . . . .

Nine: Iron Boxes

Pa left the handcar down by the riverbank. Then he climbed up to join them beside the earthen mound surrounded by birch trees where Ma had chosen to wait. . . .

Ten: Yowa Country

The days that followed were warm. Laura didn’t need to wear her mittens or her wool cap any more. A few days later, when they stopped for a midday rest on a bluff overlooking a densely forested river valley, Ma let Laura unlace her traveling cloak. . . .

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Twelve: Happy Valley Orchards Restup and Reptilsoo

By the time Laura opened her eyes, morning had crept into the room. She sat up and worked her fingers through her hair. There, towards the back of her skull, she could feel a bump. It felt sore but only when Laura touched it. . . .