This strained condition of nerves, combined with the trail hardships, produced the physical irritation which is inevitable in all amateur pioneer work.

Confusions, discordances, arising over the most trifling circumstances, grew into petulance, incivility, wrangling and intrigue, as happened in so many other earlier caravans.

In the Babel-like excitement of the morning catch-up, amid the bellowing and running of the cattle evading the yoke, more selfishness, less friendly accommodation now appeared, and men met without speaking, even this early on the road.
The idea of four parallel columns had long since been discarded.

They broke formation, and at times the long caravan, covering the depressions and eminences of the prairie, wound along in mile-long detachments, each of which hourly grew more surly and more independent.

Overdriven oxen now began to drop.