Chapters 9 through 14 Summary

The first chapter in part two is "Will No One Help Me?" In this chapter, the group leaves the steamboat at Stillwater. The town is some thirty miles from their destination of Taylor Falls. The steamboat captain warns them not to stay in the area because there has been cholera. Evidence of the disease is seen in the form of empty houses all along the river. The captain had promised to help them locate assistance for the last leg of the journey, but he falls ill and is unable to provide that aid. Robert and Karl go into the town while the rest of the group remains at the riverside with their baggage. Robert has practiced asking for help but everyone they meet seems in a tremendous hurry and no one will stop to listen to them, a fact they find...