Brides of the West-Part One

by Hestand, Rita

"The River?"

  "No, the springs where we get our water. The River moves too quickly and carries itself out to the seas. But the springs can become stagnant. With more and more settlers, it is not a surprise."

  "Can we fill our barrels up at the River then?"

  "Si, we can, and we should, but they will have to last us until we hit the Barlow Road. Perhaps Ft. Hall can help some, but that would be my last guess. And unless we are extremely frugal we will run out of fresh water before we ever get to the Columbia."

  "You don't think Ft. Hall has been hit too?"

  "Si…I do…I think they are the cause of it, myself. They've more than likely built their waste too close to their springs and contaminated them. I only say that because they have more people there, and many trains come through there. But men do not usually think of such things."

  "Then you don't think stopping at Ft. Hall would help much at this point."

  Perez studied the ground for a moment before answering. "No…we must go there, and get what supplies we can, as it will be our last chance for a while. But we should not stay. We should move out as soon as possible."

  Cole nodded. "Alright, thanks…"

  "Si…it is not good news though."

  "Better we know what we got to face, than not know," Cole said.

  "Aye yi yi." Perez walked off shaking his head.

  "Something wrong?" Emily asked when she saw Cole standing there staring at the ground so long.

  "Yeah…" He hesitated to tell her. He wasn't sure how she'd take the news. "It's cholera."

  Emily's eyes widened. "Oh my God, what can we do?"

  "Prepare the people…"

  She nodded. "Of course."

  That night Cole gathered everyone around in a large circle. He had stared at the ground for a long moment before he spoke, trying to figure out just how he was going to tell these brave people that they had yet another problem in their way.

  "Folks, we've had a relatively good trip except for the Indian skirmish and a few major breakdowns. But I'm afraid I have some rather bad news. So I want you to listen up close because our lives will depend on the way we all conduct ourselves. We are on the last stretch of the trip. This part of the journey used to be the hardest before others had come through and built trails through the mountains. We can also rest easy from the Indians as they usually only want to trade and be friends. But…."

  He stopped to form his next words as they would shock most of the people.

  "We've got a problem."

  "What?" Someone shouted. "Spit it out, man."

  "Alright," he glanced around at their faces poised for the bad news. "It's cholera. Most of the springs are contaminated. This is a real problem. What we'll have to do is fill our barrels, all the barrels we can get our hands on with River water, as it could be the last fresh water we get until we hit the Valley. So we'll need to ration it. And since we have to rely on the honor system, my men will distribute the water to you daily."

  Now the murmurings went up. None of them liked that news.

  "It's for the sake of all. Everyone will get the same amount of water each day. But my men will give it to you. You won't be allowed to take it yourself. Not that I don't trust you, but that it is the only way to be fair to all. And to keep accusations down. So gather all the barrels you can find or empty. The animals will get the same ration as the people so as not to harm them. Does everyone understand?"

  "Why can't we get our own water?" someone shouted.

  "Because I'm the law here, and I say it will be fairly rationed to everyone, every day. If you get your own, and your neighbor thinks you got too much…Then there is a fight and I have to break it up. I don't have time for that. We are coming to the most difficult part of our trip, crossing the rivers. We can't get to Oregon unless we do so. And it's going to take every ounce of strength to get us there, without losing lives." Cole frowned at them. "And I don't plan on losing any. We've come this far, and it's been a good trip, with a little caution it can be a great journey."

  Murmurings went up around the camp.

  No one liked this news.

  "I want the Townsend wagon moved up the line to the third position. They have a new baby and I don't want it exposed to Cholera before it's even had a chance to live much. Besides, babies have less chance of survival so I want it protected as much as possible."

  Perez nodded and got busy seeing to it.

  Cole didn't expect they would like the news, but they had to be told, and the water had to be rationed.

  When he came in for the evening, Emily handed him a cup of coffee.

  "You can only wash dishes once a day, Em. And clothes once every two weeks." He explained. "But don't worry, we are on the last leg of our trip."

  She nodded in silence.

  "Has anyone come down with cholera yet?" She asked.

  "No…just the cow we used to test the waters with. But they will when they don't think they are getting enough water." Cole assured her. "They'll take from the streams, that's when the trouble will really start."

  She stared at him. "Why do you do this…year after year? Knowing the problems you'll face every time…why?"

  He looked at her in surprise. "It's my job."

  "It doesn't have to be…"

  He smiled, letting the tired wash over him. "No, I guess it doesn't. But right now…it is."

  To change the subject, he glanced at her. "Have you seen our friend lurking about?"

  "Robert?" She questioned.

  "Yeah…Robert." He digested the name like a bad taste in his mouth.

  "No…but I have a feeling he's out there, somewhere. He won't give up."

  "If he shows his face, tell him about the cholera," Cole said.

  "You really want me to tell him?"

  "He'll come down with it if you don't."

  She winced and nodded slowly. "I guess you are right. I don't want to be responsible for that."

  That night Cole came into her wagon unexpectedly. "Can I hold you a while?" He asked quietly.

  "You can stay if you want…" she encouraged.

  He looked at her with a smile. "I can't stay honey, but just for a bit…"

  He took her into his arms and cuddled her against him as he leaned against the wagon's sideboard. "How do you manage to smell so sweet all the time…"

  She smiled, "It's actually cinnamon and rose water."

  "I've dreamed about that smell…" He sighed, his lips caressing the side of her neck.

  "What's going to happen when we get to Oregon?" She asked.

  "Don't worry about that," he whispered at her ear. "Just worry about us getting there. I can't think that far ahead. I have too many worries. I just want a soft pillow to lay my head, and a few sweet kisses on my brow."

  "You'll get us there…I know you will." Her breath hitched when his lips caressed her lobe.

  He smiled against her skin and she shivered.

  He knew if he kissed her again that his control might slip away, so he didn't kiss her, he just held her and laid his head on her breast.

  But when her fingers slid through his hair, and the urge for more made him want to take her into his arms, he finally backed away. It was the right move to make at the wrong time, but he had to do it. Things would get too complicated and he just didn't have the time to worry about it right now. She was a real distraction, and he had to be strong.

  "You're leaving?" She asked suddenly cold from his moving away.

  He stared down at her, saw the tear lodged in the corner of her eye, and he almost caved in. He wanted her, and he wanted her in the most basic way, but he wanted her to know how he felt about her first. And this wasn't the time to discuss it. He couldn't lose his concentration on the train and getting it through some of the roughest part of the country.

  He didn't want to think about wagons, trips, and problems, but he had a mountain of them building right now and he had to keep his wits about him. He couldn't relax, not now!

  He shook his head "I h
ave to Em. Right now, I want you more than life itself. I want to touch you…Hold you…be with you. But…not here, not in some wagon. And before it happens we've got some talking to do. This isn't the time Em. But that time will come…I promise you that…"

  "You're not touching me because you are leaving me in Oregon, aren't you?" She asked point blank.

  "I didn't say that…" His face took a new twist, his smile faded. Didn't she trust him? Didn't she know his guts were tied in knots from wanting to make her his? Didn't women have some built-in knowledge when a man was crazy about her?

  "You didn't say anything. That speaks volumes. Alright, we made a bargain, and we'll stick to it. But…don't kiss me like….that again."

  "Like what?" his voice went hoarse.

  "Like you mean it."

  "Alright…if it will make it easier, I won't." He turned to look at her, and the hurt on his face made her falter. "Em…ah hell…" He held onto the canvas curtain for a moment, trying to control his rioting emotions.

  "It will!" She affirmed.

  "We still have some talking to do." He said.

  "Save your breath. Your actions speak louder than words." She said and pushed the curtain closed as he slowly backed out of the wagon.

  He saw the tears, he'd made her cry, but short of a full admission, he couldn't change things for now. And he wouldn't. He had work to be done, and it had to come first.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The wagons were being prepared, Cole order a caulking. The camp was busy and there was no time for intimate talks. But Emily was mad at him. For the first time since he'd met her, she wasn't speaking to him in private any longer. She distanced herself from him. Even knowing the problems he carried, she wouldn't give in. He had practically made love to her, and now he was pulling away, when she needed him most. When she needed his reassurance that they could make a life together.

  Did Cole want a life with her?

  All he thought about, day and night was the train.

  She'd let his kisses go to her head. She hadn't been using her head at all. Just because a man could kiss her didn't mean she had to fall for him.

  But now her future looked bleaker than it ever had.

  She was going to a new country, to start a new life, and she didn't have any idea how to begin. Would she be starting alone?

  Still, she'd have to continue to pull her weight in the camp and do the cooking without complaint, he could still kick her off he was of a mind to.

  ~*~

  Cole had other problems right now. He couldn't worry over Em. She'd understand in time. When the right time came, he'd tell her everything and ask her forgiveness.

  But Cole was aware that Robert was lurking just behind them. He even tried to hail him a time or two to tell him of the Cholera. But the man kept his distance.

  As the barrels of water were loaded, each of his men took their places beside them on the wagons.

  Day and night, the men were there to ration it out to the people. As time went on, people began to resent it more and more.

  Even though everyone got their fair share, no one seemed to appreciate the message Cole was sending by having them guard the water.

  He knew it looked as though he didn't trust them, and in truth, he didn't. But despite the rationing by his men, they still managed to get into fights between families.

  Cole would break them up, warn them and go wearily back to the chuck wagon to face Emily's cold-eyed stares.

  "Something wrong between you and Emily?" Sam asked one evening when she barely spoke to him.

  "You could say that." Cole barked.

  "Sorry boss. You got enough troubles without that." Sam shook his head. "Doesn't she know that?"

  Cole turned a hard, glaring glance on his friend. "She's a woman Sam. She thinks like a female, not a wagon master."

  "Yeah…you're right. I guess sometimes we are so busy, we forget there is a softer side to it all."

  Hawk came riding into camp that same evening. His brow was furrowed with more bad news, Cole feared. "There's someone following the train."

  Cole glanced at him. "Indians?"

  "Nope, white fella…some kind of dude with a crazy hat."

  "Oh yeah. I know about him, Hawk."

  "Want me to run him off?" Hawk smiled mischievously.

  "No…but you could do me a favor." Cole stopped long enough to think about it for a minute. Even though he had no regard for the man, he knew that if he got Cholera, it would be that much closer to attacking his train.

  "Sure…" Hawk leaned on his saddle horn, relaxing.

  "Tell him about the Cholera. It isn't fair for him not to know." Cole determined. "And it might prevent the spread of it. Not that I care what happens to him, I just don't want him spreading it."

  "Alright. Want me to invite him into the camp?" Hawk questioned.

  "No. But…tell him not to drink the spring water."

  Hawk nodded and rode off.

  Cole stared at him. He wondered what he thought he was going to do? The warrant had no jurisdiction out here in the territory. But the man persisted. Perhaps he wanted to see what Emily would do.

  When Hawk approached him, the man drew his gun. "What do you want?"

  Hawk eyed him carefully, then looked at the gun. "No need for that friend. You are following the train…"

  "That's right."

  "I've been instructed to tell you? I'm the scout, one of them."

  "Tell me what?"

  "Look, I'm supposed to tell you…the springs are contaminated. It's Cholera. The River water is okay, but not the springs." Hawk informed him.

  "Cholera? I don't believe it. He's just trying to run me off. Well, I won't be run off. And I won't be scared off. Tell him it didn't work. And I don't believe that for a minute. He wants me to drink the wrong water…that's all."

  "Who?"

  "Your wagon master, that's who."

  "Suit yourself, he's the one that told me to tell you."

  "You said your peace, now leave me alone. I'll do as I please, you tell him that."

  "Mister, I wouldn't scoff if I were you. Cholera can kill…In less than a day,….you understand that? Don't be drinking the spring water."

  "I don't believe there is any Cholera. Now leave me alone. I've been drinking it all along, and there is nothing wrong with me."

  "Sure…but I'd take this serious if I were you." Hawk rode off with a disgusted look on his face.

  "You won't scare me…and I'll drink any water I please." Robert hollered. "Now go back to your train and tell him that."

  When Hawk reported the incident to Cole, Cole rode to the last wagon and watched as Robert followed behind them. The man didn't give up. He kept following them, and he made it clear he didn't believe what Hawk said.

  Cholera wasn't an easy death most times and Cole wanted to reach out to the man once more to warn him, but he knew it would do no good.

  "I did everything I could to convince him. He just didn't believe it."

  "He's a fool." He mumbled to himself and rode away.

  He checked on the Townsend wagon, just to be sure the baby was alright.

  "He's doing fine, thanks to your wife," Gloria informed him.

  "Good. Just checking. If you need anything let us know."

  "Oh…yes…if I could impose."

  "Of course, what do you need."

  The woman blushed. "I don't seem to have enough milk for the baby. Could you bring me some cow milk?"

  "Of course, I'll see to that right away."

  "Thank you so much…"

  Cole told Sam and Sam tended to that personally. He took the milk right to the wagon.

  "I appreciate it so much. I don't mean to be a bother."

  "No bother at all, ma'am."

  She nodded and closed the flap on the wagon for some privacy.

  No one kept a regular eye on Robert, so when he keeled over on the trial and fell from his horse, it was a while before he was discovered.

  Whe
n there was no sign of him, Cole sent Hawk to look for him.

  But Perez had found him in the meantime and laid him across his saddle. He rode into camp with him slung over his saddle.

  He brought him to Cole.

  Cole hollered for someone to get the doctor. The doc came after a bit and examined him.

  "He's got the Cholera. We'll need to isolate him as quickly as possible." The doc said.

  "You're going to let him stay on the train. He ain't part of this train. Why don't you run him off?" One of the men from a wagon in the back asked.

  "Because he's a human being. I wouldn't let anyone just die out on the road. And I don't think you would either."

  "Look at him, how far would he run if I turned him lose. He's more of a menace back there alone, than he would be in an isolated wagon." Cole stared at the people.

  "But we'll all come down with it."

  "I'm sorry, he stays folks in the last wagon. Away from the others. You all know where he'll be, so stay away from him."

  Cole nodded and frowned. They were building a ferry to get the wagons across the river and he was too busy to have to tend the man.

  He looked at Perez. "Empty the supply wagon into my wagon and the chuck wagon. Put a blanket down for him and keep well behind everyone else." Cole ordered.

  "I'll tend him." Emily came forward.

  "We got to give him our water?" Someone shouted angrily.

  "Yes, I'm afraid so." Cole shook his head then looked at Emily. "And no you won't, Emily."

  "But I'm the reason he's here in the first place," she whispered.

  "It doesn't matter."

  "Don't worry, Cole, I'll stay with him." The doc promised.

  "Alright…then that's settled."

  "Why can't I tend him?" Emily burst out.

  Cole pulled her aside. "Because you cook for the men if you infect them they'll all be sick. Anyone handling food doesn't need to be around him." Cole explained. "I'm sorry, it's just a precaution."

  She nodded with wide eyes and went back to the wagon.

  Sam and Perez emptied the supply wagon and finally lifted Robert off the horse and into the empty wagon.

  The doc brought his lamp and blankets.

  Robert was quarantined in the wagon and the doc tried a few remedies on him, but nothing seemed to be working, he was dehydrating faster than the doctor could help.