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worn for their four-day journey before packing them in a trunk.
    “Eli?”
    Eli turned toward Lillian. Her dark eyes were underlined with purple smudges of weariness.
    “Do you suppose Reinhardt will be able to get three rooms? The city is so crowded.”
    Eli let his eyes roam the busy street before facing her again. “If not at this inn, surely there will be one with three rooms available somewhere. There are several inns along the street.”
    The boys remained in the back of the wagon, as Reinhardt had instructed, but all three looked up and down the street, their eyes wide. Eli surmised they would enjoy the opportunity to explore. Hamburg, with its bustling streets, tall businesses crowded side by side, and noisy street vendors must incite curiosity after living their entire lives in the tiny village of Gnadenfeld. Obedience held them captive, however, and Eli sent Joseph an approving nod when their gazes met.
    Reinhardt strode from the building, his shoulders drooping. He rested his arms on the edge of the wagon and gave Lillian a weak smile. “We have three rooms. And the innkeeper said he would arrange baths for each of us, although it cost extra.”
    “It is worth paying extra.” Lillian wrinkled her nose. “We all smell so bad the ship captain might not let us board.”
    “If we have tickets, we can board.” Reinhardt turned to address Eli. “There is a livery stable on the next street. The innkeeper said the liveryman might be interested in purchasing your horses. Let us unload our trunks and get Lillian and the boys settled in the rooms, then we can go speak with him.”
    Eli nodded and swung down from his saddle. He tied the horse’s reins to a wagon wheel, and then he, Reinhardt, and the two older boys carried the trunks into the inn. The rooms were plain but clean, with plump feather mattresses on the beds. His aching body felt relieved already, knowing it would have the pleasure of a comfortable bed for one last night.
    Before leaving the room where the two older boys would sleep, Reinhardt pointed sternly in the boys’ direction. “You stay here until Eli and I return. Take your baths and change into clean clothes, and then you may visit your mother’s room. But do not leave the inn. Tonight we will all go to supper together, but I do not want you wandering the city.”
    Joseph and Henrik exchanged a quick look of disappointment, but they nodded.
    Eli followed Reinhardt to the wagon and untied the reins from the wheel. As he rode, he repeatedly patted the animal’s sleek neck. He had to sell the horses—they couldn’t go along, and he needed the money to help with expenses when they reached America. Yet he couldn’t deny wishing he didn’t have to part with his animals. They had been faithful servants as well as companions on his lonely farm. It pained him to leave them with strangers.
    After a thorough examination from teeth to tail, the liveryman made Eli a fair offer. With a weight in his chest, Eli accepted the payment. He stroked each beast’s nose one last time before turning his back and leaving the livery.
    As they moved down the busy street, Reinhardt gave Eli a clap on the back. “ Nä-jo , it is time for baths, supper, and a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we go.”
    Despite the difficulties of the past days and the challenges that waited ahead, Eli felt a small rush of anticipation. Tomorrow they would go. God, what do You have waiting for us in America?

4

    L illian tightly held Jakob’s hand and watched the porters carry her family’s trunks up the wooden plank to the ship. The men had promised to put the trunks beneath their assigned bunks, and she had little choice but to trust them.
    People waiting to board the ship jostled her. She pulled Jakob against her side to protect him. Catching Joseph’s eye, she admonished, “Stay close. We do not want to lose you, too.” The boy took one step closer to her shoulder.
    So much activity! Her heart pounded in apprehension as she