Patrick: Adventures Along the Oregon Trail

Patrick: Adventures Along the Oregon Trail is a historical fiction work for young readers. Patrick is an adventuresome, quick-witted ten-year-old who likes to carve targets in trees and throw stones at them. He has a strong arm and a good aim. One day his parents decide that they should leave their small farm in Missouri, and join a wagon train heading to Oregon. From his father’s statements, Patrick calculates the trip will be over 2,000 miles. His father sells their horse, builds a prairie schooner wagon, and the adventures begins. Patrick is bored with walking by the wagon and ventures out into the ever-changing landscape. His strong arm and good aim even provide dinner one night. All is well until the wagon train enters Indian country. The Arapahos attack the wagon train, but the travelers resist them with sharp shooting. Once again, Patrick’s arm comes through. But as he subsequently was exploring away from the wagons, a war party of Arapahos abduct him and take him to their chief, Chief Black Coal. The chief tests Patrick in different ways. With each test, his life hangs in the balance. His values, such as honesty, throwing skills, and strong legs are put to the test. The question is: Will he ever see his family again?