The text in Mr. Johnson’s book that immediately follows the excerpt in yesterday’s post are “Over the left.” And then he indicates that something was wrong with his wagon but never says what that is. I’m guessing there’s some text missing here, but regardless, he’s still in Kelton and his horse and cow are still in the couple’s barn, and it appears to be the same day.

“‘Landlord, where shall I find a blacksmith to repair my carriage?’ ‘I will go with you and introduce you to the blacksmith.’ We went to the blacksmith’s shop, the landlord saying, ‘Jack, this man wants some work done on his carriage. He has come a long distance; in fact he is the man we read of in the papers who is traveling from California to Massachusetts. His horse and cow are now in my barn. What you do for him remember to do it well and cheap.’ ‘Yes, I will remember. Where is your carriage?’ ‘Over at the stable; let us go and look at it.’ We went back to the stable and the blacksmith examined the carriage and found that a bolt would make all right, so he went back and got a bolt and put it in its place. When the job was done I asked him, ‘How much shall I pay you?’ The blacksmith answered, ‘I have done as John wished me. I have put in a good bolt, it is well done, and for cheapness I will charge you nothing. A man traveling as you are should be kept in good running condition.’ ‘Thank you, sir; I will remember you in my last will and testament.’ ‘You have a good-looking horse, and I think she is as good as she looks. The cow is a beauty; it is wonderful that she has stood the journey so well. I should suppose that she would have worn out her feet several times.’ ‘You see she travels on iron.’ ‘Oh, I see, she has on shoes made of iron. You are all right.'”