Mabry said, “I’ve just got a message from Maddock, who has to go to Charles Town to supervise a shipment of farm produce to the Bahamas and to buy supplies. He plans to meet us there, and we can accompany him to our settlement in Wrightsborough, either directly through Augusta or down to Savannah and back up the river. The choice will depend on whether we can make all the arrangements for our land with Georgia officials in Augusta or will be required to do this in Savannah.”

Ethan asked, “How far is it from Charles Town to Augusta direct and through Savannah?”

“According to Maddock, it’s about ten or twelve days for us by the more direct route and three days longer if we keep on along the coast.”

“How about the Indians? Do we have anything to fear as we move southward?”

“We believe not, so long as we stay on frequently traveled traces and near the coast. It’s only when a group turns westward, toward new lands, that the natives are likely to be hostile. Keeping together and showing our peaceful intentions is our best protection.” He smiled and added, “Letting them see our hunting rifles may also be of help.”

Late in September, the four families formed a caravan with their personal possessions, household furnishings, tools, food, and corn for horse feed lashed on or suspended from packsaddles on the backs of oxen and horses. Barrels or kegs were suspended on each side. A sturdy horse or ox carried from 150 to 250 pounds each, along paths sometimes only two or three feet wide. As many as a dozen animals were tethered together, each secured to the packsaddle ahead, with the lead animal controlled by a man or woman walking or riding. There was always a man leading the caravan and one following to keep an eye out for stragglers.

With some reluctance, the men had decided to sell their hogs, expecting to buy brood sows in Georgia, and they now formed one small herd of their best sheep and cattle. After a day or so of unpleasant experimenting, they identified the natural lead animals and put bells on them. Hickory hobbles minimized the chance of their wandering off while they grazed at night. The men, assisted by their dogs and sometimes other members of their families, rotated the duty of lead drover, each working for a day at a time to keep the herd moving along together. At least one watchman had to remain alert at night to keep the herd together. As the animals became accustomed to one another and to the daily routine, the drovers learned how to perform their tasks with minimal effort and maximum rest.