Bourke and the group depart Fort Laramie, Lydia waving and wearing a featherless bonnet. May rides up front with the teamster, Jimmy, who discusses the topography, and stops the wagon so Helen can shoot birds for specimens. The spring wildflowers and greenery raise May's spirits, as she imagines living with her babies on the banks of a creek, viewing this mission as an astonishing adventure.
Bourke insists the savages can only be civilized if they are subdued in battle by a superior force. Gretchen comments that they are about to see a superior force, at which they all laugh. Bourke wants May to read Shakespeare with him. May admits the "appearance of impropriety," is low on her list of concerns, and she is stirred.....
