The second day out from crossing the Missouri, Mary Ann and James saw a bridge over a creek. The sign said "Big Papillion Creek". The Indian standing with his arms crossed over his chest in the middle of the bridge entry said nothing until they came close. Then he told them they must pay fifty cents to cross the bridge. James dug in his pocket and brought out his coins, kept in a small rawhide pouch.
"Well I hope there are not too many toll bridges ahead!" cried Mary Ann.
"Not many toll bridges," replied James. "The Barlow road, which is our cut-off to the Willamette Valley, is where we'll have to pay a few hefty tolls. Those toll gates are not run by Indians, but by white men."
"Why do they think they can charge all of us a toll?" asked Mary Ann.
"I suppose because they did the road work, removing boulders and trees, making the roadway safer. Your father went over the problems we'll face on this trip with me before we left. He's a wise man, your father, to have gone to Oregon and back the year before our trip, and discovering what we need to do to get ready. He told me there are several toll gates coming down from Mt Hood, and all of them are costly."
"Would it be just as costly to go down the Columbia River to Portland, then turn south to our land claim?"
"More costly than the Barlow Road, Mary Ann, and also more dangerous. Richard looked into both routes on his trip in '51. Many of the published guides to Oregon are written by people who expect to profit from new settlers. They exaggerate the benefits and skip over the perils. That is why Richard felt it was important to see for himself, before risking his family on this adventure. He wanted to see the land, and know if it was worth the effort to get there."
"If we just get to our land in Oregon safely I shall be very grateful," she replied.
James reassured her, "Richard added up the cost of toll bridges, ferries, and the Barlow Road toll gates, so we know what it will cost us, and we all have money set aside. We can't avoid the dangers, like the risk of swimming the cattle across the rivers, but thanks to your father, we are prepared for what is ahead."
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