CHAPTER XVI
OVER THE MOUNTAINS
One Friday early in May, Edith Clayton suddenly became ill. Esther,returning from school, found Mrs. Clayton deeply distressed.
"Oh," she said, "if Mr. Clayton or the boys were only here to takeEdith to Carlisle, to see Dr. Brown!"
"How soon will they return?"
"Two days. I'm afraid to drive myself, and Edith sick."
"Does she know the way there, Mrs. Clayton?" Esther seemed weighingthe matter.
"Yes; she has gone with her father several times."
"Then if she is able to ride, and you are not afraid to trust me, I'lltake her. It is Friday, and still early."
"But, my dear, it is fifteen miles away, a long fatiguing journey overrough mountain roads. You'll have to ford a river, and stay all nightat a ranch beyond the ford. Besides, it is a perilous drive. Oh, dear!I am so worried!" Here she broke down completely.
"Don't let us waste any time, Mrs. Clayton. If you think Edith canendure the journey, I am willing to run the risk. I'll take hermyself."
"I believe Edith could go all right,--but--"
"Never mind anything else. Give us the safe team, and we'll start."
A spirited team was soon at the door, and they were placing wraps,cushions and luncheon in the carriage. Then Esther and Edith started.
For a few miles, they repeatedly crossed bridges over the Gila, thentheir road followed the foothills for some distance. The hills werestill yellow with the silky California poppies. Green alfalfa fields,in the valley below, looked like bits of Eden let down into the grimlymajestic scene. Higher the travelers rode, and higher. At a suddenturn, they came upon the narrow and perilous canyon road, where theydrove slowly, drinking in the grandeur of it all.
The tinkling of a cowbell warned them that they were approaching ahuman habitation. As they rounded a sharp jag, they came upon apicturesque bridge, near the farther end of which they caught aglimpse of a pine-slab cabin, half hidden by tremulous aspens. Alittle Mexican child stood near the door, helping himself to the pinkand white blossoms of the wild sweet pea. Near by, a white cow, withher clanking bell, browsed on the green turf that bordered that sideof the stream.
On and up the mountain, the travelers rode, into the heart of theRockies.
"Just look at that rose-colored sandstone," said Esther. "Howexquisitely veined! See the gigantic, overhanging mass of rock beyond!And oh, the cactus blossoms! How glorious! The large scarlet blossoms!See?"
"Yes. Exquisite, aren't they? But look at those cliffs over in thatdirection, Miss Bright," said Edith, pointing to her left, as shespoke. "Do you see anything unusual?"
"Yes. Quaint figures. Indian art, isn't it? I do wish I could see itnearer by."
And so they traveled on, reveling in the beauty everywhere about them.
"Does it ever occur to you," asked Edith, "that God is nearer to ushere, in the mountains, than anywhere else?"
"Yes. Does God seem nearer to you here?"
"Much nearer. When we went home to England the last time, I missedsomething. It seemed to me it was God. We went to the churches andheard great preachers, but they did not make me feel the presence ofGod as the mountains do. When I come out into the open, as you callit, and see the mountains, it seems to me I could reach my hand outand find God."
"The mountains do great things for us," said Esther, looking up at thejagged cliffs.
Suddenly there was a whir of wings. An enormous eagle roused from hisperch on the rocks, made a bold swoop, and soared grandly above theirheads.
"Look, look!" cried Esther, in excitement. "An eagle, isn't it? Oh,you splendid creature! How magnificently free!" Her cheeks flushed.
"Did you never see one before?"
"Yes, stuffed; but this bird is alive and free." She looked at Edith.
"You look pale, Edith," she said, with sudden alarm. "Are you feelingworse?"
"No. Only tired. We'll soon reach the clearing, and just beyond that,the ford; and just beyond that, the house. So I can soon rest."
Esther drew a deep breath, and said:
"I feel as though the spirit of the eagle had entered into me."
But darkness was coming on apace. To their relief they soon enteredthe clearing, and reached the bank of the stream, where they halted afew minutes. The horses pricked up their ears.
"Do you think the ford is dangerous now, Edith?"
"It is usually quite safe at this season, unless there has been acloudburst. The horses know the ford, and are used to crossing. Papagives them the rein, and they have always brought him safely through.We had better place our luggage on the seat," she said, "and keep ourfeet up. Tuck your skirts up, or you'll get a drenching."
Then she leaned forward, and called each horse by name.
In a moment they were in the river, with the water up to the horses'shoulders. They felt the carriage swing with the current, and felt theteam struggling with the force of the waters. Then Esther called tothe horses, in tones that showed no fear, "Well done, Rocket! On,Star, on!"
It seemed hours to her before the faithful animals were once more onthe shore, and safe.
"Were you frightened, Miss Bright?" asked Edith.
"Just a little. I never forded a stream before. But how nobly thehorses behaved!"
"Yes. It must be a hard struggle for them, though."
In about five minutes, they stopped before a house, tied their team,and knocked at the door. A refined-looking young woman received them.
"Why, Esther Bright!" she exclaimed, with a little shriek, claspingEsther in her arms.
"Why, Grace Gale! Bless your heart! Where in the world did you comefrom? Grace, this is my friend, Miss Edith Clayton. She is ill, and Iam taking her to see Dr. Brown in Carlisle. We are seeking thehospitality of this house overnight."
Before she was through speaking, Grace Gale was half carrying Edithinto the house.
"Come right in, come right in!" she said. "I'm delighted! Tickled todeath to see some one I know!"
She ushered them into a room guiltless of carpet, meagerly furnished,but immaculately clean. Then she excused herself to send some one toattend to the horses, and to tell her landlady she would entertain twoguests over night. She soon returned.
"But how did _you_ happen to come so far from civilization, Esther?"she questioned.
"Oh, a combination of circumstances; but chiefly through Mrs. Clayton,whom I met in England. What brought you out here?"
"I came for restoration of health," she answered, laughing merrily, asthough it were all a joke.
"I don't look very sickly now, do I? I had had double pneumonia, andmy physician ordered me to leave Boston, and go to a dry climate. So Icame to Arizona. I happened to meet the superintendent of education.He needed teachers. So I came here, just for the fun of the thing."
"And has it been fun?", asked Esther, joining in her friend'slaughter.
"Fun? There have been so many funny things I have laughed myself intostitches. For example, my landlady refuses to let me have any extrabedding for to-night."
"Never mind. We have our cushions and lap-robe to help out. Who wouldhave dreamed, Grace, when we were at Wellesley, that we should meetway out here in the wilds of Arizona? Oh, I'm _so_ glad to see you!"
"So am I, to see you. Now tell me all you know about the girls of ourclass, Esther."
They were in the midst of a vivacious conversation, when a sleek,tow-headed woman appeared at the door, and was presented to them. Thenshe announced supper, and disappeared.
"Don't be frightened," whispered the merry hostess to her guests."She's tame, and won't bite, and the food is clean."
The landlady entered the kitchen, and after serving them, left theroom.
The hours sped merrily. The sick girl lay on the little bed, listeningto college reminiscences, and joining occasionally in the conversationand laughter.
"Esther," said Miss Gale, "let's give the Wellesley yell for Edith."
"Well! Here goes!" said Esth
er, joining her friend. Suddenly, thetow-head appeared at the door.
"Be ye sick?" inquired the surprised hostess.
"No," answered Miss Gale, "only giving our college yell."
"Ye don't say! Is them the kind er doin's ye has where ye goes terschool?"
"A yell is a safety-valve, don't you see, Mrs. Svenson?"
But Mrs. Svenson left the room mumbling to herself.
At a late hour, Grace Gale made a shake down of one blanket, forEsther and herself. Then Esther proposed they use Mrs. Clayton'scushions, and shawls, and robe, to complete the preparations. Edithslept in the bed.
After a while, the hostess asked:
"Are your bones coming through, Esther?"
"No, but I am sorry to put you to such inconvenience. I hope you won'ttake cold. There is a chill in the air to-night."
"No more o' that, honey. I'm just glad to see you. This is thebiggest lark I have had since I came to Arizona."
The visitors laughed with her.
"My! It is eleven o'clock, and I must not keep this sick child awakeany longer. Good night, Esther."
"Good night, Grace."
"Good night, Edith."
"Good night."
A long pause.
"Esther," softly, "are you asleep?"
"No."
"I am so glad you came. I was almost dead from homesickness."
"Were you, Grace? I'm so sorry I didn't know you were so near."
On the following morning, the vivacious hostess said:
"I can't let you go. I'm so lonely." And to her surprise, tears rolleddown her cheeks.
"You dear girl!" said Esther, slipping her arm about her.
"Get your hat, and go with us on our visit to Dr. Brown. We haveenough luncheon to last us a week. Come right along."
So off the three drove.
It was a perfect May day, the kind found only in Arizona. The air wascrystal clear, and the sky a deep blue. All along, there were thicketsof sweet briar, and sweet peas; and cactuses, just beginning to bloom,made the way one of continual splendor. The air was exhilarating; sowas the sunshine; so was Grace Gale.
"Oh, you're just as good as a tonic, Miss Gale," said Edith. All threeseemed to see the funny side of everything, and laughed even whenthere was no excuse for laughing. The gladness of the day wascontagious.
The physician looked grave when he saw the unnatural pallor of Edith'sface, and noted her heart action.
"It is well Miss Bright brought you to me at once, Edith," he said."You need immediate medical attention. I wish you could remain with usa few days."
But she insisted upon returning with her teacher.
After a due amount of rest and refreshment, they started homeward,leaving Miss Gale at her boarding place. Then the two approached theford again. The stream was higher than on the preceding day, and thewaters raging.
Once more the spirited team dashed forward. Once more the carriageswung with the current; only, now, it was swifter and stronger than onthe day before.
"Oh, this is terrible!" said Edith, grasping her companion's arm.
"Keep up courage, Edith," said Esther. "I think we'll make it."
But she noted the deathly whiteness of the girl's face.
"Steady, Rocket! Steady, Star!" said the teacher. Her own face grewtense and white.
She felt the carriage swing with a sudden lurch, and it began to dawnupon her that the horses might lose in the struggle. She lifted thereins, and called out above the roar of the waters:
"On, Rocket! On, Star! Once more, my beauties! Bravo! Oh, God, givethem strength! On!"
She rose in her excitement, and swung the reins.
The noble animals struggled madly. Could they gain the opposite bank?She was filled with sickening fear.
"On, Rocket! On, Star!" she urged again.
At that moment, the exhausted animals gained the mastery, sprang upthe embankment, and stopped suddenly on the level beyond, quiveringfrom their terrific struggle.
Esther gave the reins to Edith, and springing from the carriage, shestepped to the horses' heads, patting and stroking them. Her voicetrembled as she said:
"Rocket, my brave, Star, my beauty, we owe our lives to you."
They whinnied as if they understood.
She put her cheek to their noses, she laughed, she cried.
"I believe they understand," she said.
"I feel sure they do," answered Edith.
When Esther climbed back into the carriage, she found Edith hadfainted. She waited till her patient regained consciousness, and thenthey started homeward.
"Do you know," said Edith, after they had gone some distance, "we havehad a very narrow escape? A little more, and we'd have been swept downthe river."
"I didn't realize the full danger until we were in the midst of thetorrent," said Esther. "There was no choice but to go on. I thank Godthat your life is safe, dear," she added, drawing the girlaffectionately to her. "I hope our troubles are over now, and thatyou'll feel no ill effects from the fright."
They had covered miles of the return journey, and had reached thecanyon road leading directly to Gila. Here, for a short distance, thecanyon stream spreads wide, flowing over a pebbly bottom. The watersparkled in the sunlight like a stream of diamonds. In the shallows,the bed of the stream seemed jeweled with rubies and emeralds, opalsand amethysts, as the pebbles below the crystal water shimmered in thelate sunshine.
They were within a mile of Gila when they heard the sharp, shrill cryof wolves. Esther tightened the reins, and the horses fairly flew.
"Have we a gun with us, Miss Bright? We ought to have one. I alwaysfeel safer when I have a gun. You never know what you may meet onthese mountain roads."
"Can you shoot?" asked Esther.
"Oh, yes; father trained me to shoot. Oh, those terrible wolves!" shesaid, as the shrill, mournful cries came nearer.
"On, Rocket! On, Star!" urged Esther, again.
The animals made a sudden lunge, and sped onward like mad. Aroundjagged turns they flew, as if inviting death; near precipitous cliffsthey swung, till the driver was filled with sickening terror. On theyraced, the wolves in hot pursuit.
"Oh, dear!" said Edith, looking back. "One large wolf is far inadvance, and close upon us."
Quick as a flash, she stooped, took a great haunch of venison Dr.Brown had sent to her father, and flung it behind them. Then shewatched in intense excitement.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, striking her hands together, "the wolf hasdiscovered the venison, and has stopped!"
With that, she took the whip, and gave the already excited animals astinging blow. They leaped and plunged madly forward. Esther doubledthe reins around her hands, and called in low, insistent tones:
"Steady, Rocket! Steady, Star!"
They had gained upon their pursuers, and the horses were running atfurious speed.
"The she-wolf," said Edith, looking back, "is again following; but thesmaller wolves are snarling over the venison."
"Ow-ee-ow," came the wolf-cry, shriller, sharper, nearer. Esthershuddered. She urged the horses on. Edith grasped her arm in terror.
"The wolf is just behind us!" she said.
Suddenly there was the report of a gun. Esther glanced back, and sawthe wolf fall in the road. She glanced ahead, and, at first, she sawno one. Then, out from the shade of a group of pines, rode KennethHastings.
"Whoa! Whoa!" he called, as he leaped from his own horse, and caughtRocket by the bits. With a sudden lurch, the team came to astandstill.
"Whoa, Rocket! Whoa, Star!" he called soothingly, as he held andquieted the team.
"Oh, thank you, thank you, Mr. Hastings!" said Esther. "When did youreach Gila?"
"We're _so_ glad to see you!" said both, as he stepped to the carriageand extended a hand to each.
"But how did you happen to be here?" asked Esther.
"I came in this morning. Mrs. Clayton told me you had gone toCarlisle, and would be back about this time. I have felt anxious aboutyou e
ver since I heard you had undertaken this journey."
Again both repeated their gratitude for his timely assistance. Hecould see they were trembling.
"Your horses were running away," he said. "They are nervous creatures,and are still frightened."
After a while, he suggested that they drive on slowly, while he keptguard, in case wolves should pursue them farther. Then he mounted hishorse, and rode beside their carriage.
So they covered the remaining distance, talking of many things thathad happened during the weeks of his absence.
As they approached the Clayton residence, Mrs. Clayton and Carla cameout to welcome them.
"How are you, Edith?" questioned the anxious mother.
"I hardly know," answered the girl. "I've been frightened nearly todeath. I guess the fright cured me."
"I think she is better," added Esther. "Dr. Brown's medicine hashelped her."
"But what frightened you?" asked the mother.
Then Edith told of the peril of the ford, and of the pursuit of thewolves, dwelling on Kenneth's opportune assistance.
"We owe a great deal to you, Kenneth," said Mrs. Clayton, her eyesfilling with tears.
"Oh, that was only a trifle, Mrs. Clayton," he said, carelessly.
"Come dine with us to-night, Kenneth, won't you?" asked his friend.
After thanking her, he mounted his horse, lifted his cap, and went onhis way to headquarters.
And Esther Bright! What was in her heart? We shall see.
The Angel of the Gila: A Tale of Arizona Page 16
