Why might settlers gather their covered wagons into a big circle at night?

A. to move more easily from one wagon to the next

B. to fit more people into each wagon for sleeping

C. to ensure a safe place to eat, and sleep

D. to block the wind so they could start a fire

1 answer

C. to ensure a safe place to eat and sleep.

Gathering the covered wagons into a big circle at night provided a makeshift fortification or barrier for protection. This arrangement allowed settlers to create a central area within the circle for cooking, eating, and sleeping. The circle of wagons acted as a defensive formation against potential threats such as wildlife, Native American attacks, or bandits. Additionally, positioning the wagons in a circle would make it more difficult for predators or intruders to enter the camp unnoticed.