Scotland and Helena; Gros Ventre Summary

Angus McCaskill and Rob Barclay are boarding a ship in preparation for the crossing of the Atlantic bound for America from their homeland of Scotland. There's a dead horse at the dock and Angus questions whether that is a bad omen. Rob predicts that the two men will be safe "as long as we don't let them hitch a cart to us." Angus and Rob have left their childhood homes in the Scottish town of Nethermuir, crossed the country to the ocean, and are now boarding the ship. It's immediately clear that Angus is going to be uncomfortable in his bunk, which is too small and which Angus describes as being like a coffin.

During an early phase of the voyage, Angus recalls the Rascal Fairs held in their hometown. The Rascal Fair is an...