Go With Christ

Go With Christ

Cast:
Walter Graves: 40
Aiden: 5
Nicholi: 12
Moses: 65
Eve Christ: 20
Paul: 35


Narrator:
April 30, 1848
Here begins the journal of Walter Graves, formerly a teacher. Tomorrow we leave Independence behind to begin our journey west to Oregon City. We must still purchase the supplies that our small farmwagon will hold to sustain us during our long trek.

Entry:
I, Walter Graves, have accepted the word and praise of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I here reckon that me and my family are going to travel this here trail on nothin' but the prayers and faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. People have been praying to me all day, especially when I tell them of my plans. I reckon' when me and my family reach Oregon, no one will doubt the word of God ever again. I tell ya, there is no need for tools, food, or even water if you have enough faith in God. We will leave first thing tomorry.

- Walter Graves

Narrator:
May 1, 1848
Decided not to buy a package deal. I can do better on my own!
Purchased 2 oxen, 2 horses, 2 mules.
Saw a mountain lion not far from Blue River.
Decided to ford the river.

Entry:
These nonbelievers tried to beg us to take goods with us! I dun tell them to stay away from my family, lest God himself strike down and smite their family! They are unholy hol'ers!

- Walter Graves

P.S. I dun swear no more neither.

I decided to do like the Great Noah, and buy two of each animal necessary for travel. I feel holier than thou already!

- Walter Graves

I will prove, that with enough faith in God, he will part the waters...

- Walter Graves

Narrator:
May 2, 1848
We lost nothing when our wagon became swamped in the river.

Entry:
Darnit! I guess Moses didn't pray hard enough, I caned him infront of everybody to make an example out of him, to show what happens when you don't pray in my family!

- Walter

Well, looks like we didn't dun lose nothin' seein' as we brought nothin'. I ain't lose faith neither.

- Walter Graves

Narrator:
May 3, 1848
Enjoyed some good fiddle music today during our nooning near Westport.
From now on, no stopping until we are ready to drop in our tracks.
From now on, eight hours of travel per day.
We will be more frugal with our food.

Entry:
We had a little delay, and I apologize oh Lord! I dun did as you commanded, and made Aiden pray after a strict caning for his misdeeds, because he doesn't have as much faith in God as me.

- Walter Graves

No time to stop here, I say any stop will only anger God. I say eat the words of the Lord, that's what I've been doin'.

- Walter Graves


Narrator:
May 5, 1848
We are near starvation because we have no food. I've decided to continue.
Found a clean, well-formed ox skull a short ways from New Santa Fe; tempted to take it with me, but decided against it.
We will eat better from now on.
From now on, no stopping until we are ready to drop in our tracks.

Entry:
Oh tarnations! My whole family is turnin' out t' be a bunch of ungreatful sinners! I had to beat Nicholi for asking the other folk in this nice wagon train for their food! Who does he think he is? He's 12 years old, I dun have him chained up now in my wagon starin at a bible. Eve has that look of hunger in her eyes, but I say if she dun have as much faith as me, then I reckon she can go burn in hell with the rest of 'em.

- Walter Graves

Narrator:
May 6, 1848
Our food supplies are gone and we are near starvation. We'll have to continue.

Narrator:
May 7, 1848
We are near starvation because we have no food. I've decided to continue.
A very sad day, Moses has died of starvation. We will continue immediately.
Dreadful thunderstorm today. I figured it was best to continue as usual.
Mr. Tillman claims it's the Oregon Territory up ahead, but the guidebook says it's Lone Elm.

Entry:
Looks like Moses didn't have enough faith in God aft'all. I dun left him rotting in the dirt, like he dun be rotting in hell right now for doubting the word of the Lord. I say, this is the true testament of our faith in Jesus, if I don't make it, then I failed too, but I ain't hungry yet. I reckon' my faith in God is enough to pull me through good.

- Walter Graves

I watched Nicholi kick the corpse, and condemn it to hell. I dun raise my boy good! Almos' brings a tear to my eye.

- Walter Graves

Narrator:
May 8, 1848
A very sad day, Aiden has died of starvation. We will continue immediately.

Entry:
Today my youngest son died of starvation. Well I tell you, like I dun tell Eve, at least we didn't abort him.

- Walter Graves

Narrator:
May 9, 1848
We are near starvation because we have no food. I've decided to continue.

Entry:
'Nuff of this starvation bit, I reckon I feelin' great! I got this weird lump growin' on my stomach, but I reckon' that's the evil being cast out from my soul! I knew God'd hear my prayers!

- Walter Graves

Narrator:
May 10, 1848
We are near starvation because we have no food. I've decided to continue.
A very sad day, Nicholi has died of starvation. We will continue immediately.
A very sad day, Eve Christ has died of starvation. We will continue immediately.
Walter Graves died.

Entry:
They're all a bunch of sinners! Oh God, how could I have been so blind that my family dun didn't believe in you? I'll make it Lord, you know I wi....

- Walter Graves


The Graves family were left on the dirt trail as Walter had demanded had they not succeeded their voyage of faith.

The End