At the beginning of the story Coop and John Cain are brought into Cain's hometown, both very seriously wounded, and with Cain's wife vowing to make sure Coop lives so he can suffer. It all started when Chris had to decide whether to take the route through the mountains where snow might catch them or through the desert where there might be no water sources. He sends Duke to check the mountain route while Coop checks the desert route. When Coop finds Cain, dehydrated, delirious, and near death, he tries to save Cain but nearly kills himself due to a lack of water and a runaway horse. While they recuperate Cain offers to sell shares in the goldmine he's discovered to all others on the wagon train. But after he recovers, he takes back his offer, and Coop, angry for all the disappointed people, goes after him resulting in disaster for the two of them.
—rbecker28