It is October 1, 1838. John Ross, the Chief of the great Cherokee Nation, is looking at his home for the last time. All around him, people are loading covered wagons. Soon the last bundle is packed and the last horse is hitched. John Ross and the group of Cherokee people he is leading are ready to begin the long march west. The Cherokee people do not want to leave the land they love. But they don’t have a chance. Today is their first day on the Trail of Tears.