Part 1 The Forty-Niner, pgs. 54-109 Summary

St. Louis is infested with cholera, as the fourth chapter opens. They board a smaller, dirtier, crowded Missouri packet for the trip to Westport / Independence. Flashy outfits himself like a "scourge of the plains." Col. Owens, the merchant who outfits them, assures them that it will be a "glorified picnic." Susie negotiates for premium drivers and guards, needed because Indian "depredations" have been on the rise, but the prairies are currently tranquil. The two best guides are unavailable, but Susie deems Flashy able to command. Flashy is happy that "Uncle Dick" Wootton agrees, after testing Flashy to lead the wagon train while letting Flashy have the official title. They set out with no idea of what "going West" 2,000 empty miles means, "gullible asses" taking all that Susie considers wise to start out properly. The girls...