by Leah Banicki
She found the bag a few minutes later. She headed toward the direction she thought the wagons were located when her lantern flickered, her heart nearly stopped as she watched it flicker again. Had Reggie filled the lantern with more oil since yesterday? She gently shook it and heard no fluid. It was going to be very dark, very soon.
Her heart played its own little fearful jig as she thought about running. The small flame gave her very little light in front of her and within two long minutes she tripped twice. Her second landing caused the flame to go out completely.
Alone in the dark Angela took a moment to do what any healthy young girl would do at this moment... cry.
She sniffled a minute later and took a look at the sky. No moon was visible and even the stars seemed to be hiding behind some night clouds. She knew her night vision would be of little use to her because of the rocky and sparse terrain. She realized she was in trouble. She stood up slowly and spread her arms out wide in front of her. Her left arm was protesting but she tried to ignore it as she moved a few small steps forward, reminding herself to take slow, easy breaths and think about where she was walking and not be distracted by the animal noises she heard. The buzzing of the insects around her was also distracting but she plodded on. She reached an edge; possibly a large boulder and she squinted to see if she could tell where to go next. She moved to the right and found a large briar bush; she backed away as if it was hot. She didn’t want to get stuck in that all night. She turned to her left and used the large rock for guidance. Her feet stumbled on some clutter on the ground, tree roots, or rocks, Angela couldn’t tell. A hissing sound broke her concentration. It was nearby. It could be anything, a snake, or a rodent. She forced herself not to panic. She took two more uneasy steps and her ankle wobbled on another sharp edged rock. This was terrible terrain to be stumbling around in the dark. The hiss came again and this time it was closer. She jumped a little and her right arm lost its hold of the boulder. She swung her right arm wide to find it again and lost her balance. She lunged forward about four steps when the world turned on Angela. Her left foot stepped out and found nothing to land on. Her right ankle rolled on the uneven surface and her body lost all control. Within a split second she was moving fast down, down, down. Something sharp pierced her shoulder, she held her arms over her head but they got knocked askew as she bounded downhill. Her right leg hit a rock and pain like she had never known forced her to yell out. Within a moment her body caught the edge of something and she slowed to a stop. She cried out for help, her body a ball of pain and helpless to move.
Chapter Sixteen
May 2 1848
Corinne sat at the fire with her foot tapping and she glanced at her watch. It was one a.m. and there was no sign of Angela. She talked her throat hoarse when Andrew sent her friend away. Corinne was still fighting off a cold from the rainy week and needed her rest but Angela out in the dark was too much for Corinne. Her emotions were out of her own control. She had no say, no opinion that mattered. It's difficult to be around someone who believes you have no worth. In a way she and Angela were the same in his eyes. Worthless females bent on making his life difficult, is what he would say. Andrew was in his tent sleeping peacefully.
Reggie tried a few times to fall asleep but ended up next to Corinne at the fire or pacing around the edge of the wagons looking into the darkness. Reggie was feeling guilty for not going with her. He had tried to get Andrew to allow it but all he got was a lantern to hand to her. He went to fill it with oil before he took it but Andrew stopped him.
"It still has enough oil. Take it as is." Andrew's word was final. Hours later his fear for Angela grew into a ball of dread in his stomach. Where was she?
A dog barked nearby causing Corinne and Reggie to jump. The night was quiet but for the crackling fires. Corinne heard someone stirring on the far edge of camp, muffled voices and a few more barking dogs. Corinne held her breath a minute to listen closer. Some men on horseback were riding by. They stopped when they saw Reggie and Corinne were still up and the three men on horseback looked anxious.
"There is a female yelling in the distance. Is there anyone missing from your camp?" The man asked.
"Ye-es." Corinne faltered, her heart was pounding so hard she could barely breathe to keep up. "Angela Fahey was sent out hours ago. We don't know why she hasn't returned." Corinne looked over at Reggie and saw him holding his hands over his face.
The camp was awakened by the noise and Andrew joined the men on horseback. They were discussing strategy. Jimmy and Joe were up and the Grants headed over as well. Corinne sat on her stool and sobbed. Her mind played a terrible game of what-kind-of-catastrophe has happened to her friend.
Chelsea was at Corinne's side stroking her back and trying to calm her. After a few minutes Corinne was calm but wearing her grief on her face. She overheard one of the men asking 'What would make a young girl go out on a moonless night this dark?' Corinne turned to see all the men looking to Andrew for answers.
He actually smiled and said, "Girls do many silly things don't they?"
Blood pounded in Corinne's ear and she reacted like a cat and was in his face within moments. She tried to smack him but he had that gift that all boys have of holding a girl’s hands prisoner.
"You sent her out to kill her! You sent her!" Corinne yelled and sobbed. "You don't care for anyone! You don't care if SHE DIES!" Chelsea and her husband were standing behind Corinne trying to calm her as she continued her railing at Andrew.
"I begged you Andrew! I said it is dark. Reggie begged you!" Corinne got her hand free and smacked Andrew across the cheek. He responded quickly by pulling back a free hand of his own. It never found its mark for Clive was there and had a firm hold to stop any violence or abuse. Russell and Lucas pulled Corinne away as she was muttering.
"She is just a sweet girl and you hated her. Just like you hate me, too." Corinne was crying again and being carried away by Russell, Chelsea followed behind.
Chelsea gave a glance back to Andrew and made eye contact. Andrew's look was smug; he still thinks he had won. Chelsea realized how dangerous that man could be.
Lucas and Clive packed up with lanterns and extra blankets and get on their mounts. They joined the party of men that was quickly forming. They rode out with a plan a few minutes later.
It was two hours of waiting. Corinne sat with Chelsea and sipped some tea. It helped to stop her from crying but her fear was still hanging over her. She knew in her heart it was bad. Her thoughts were choppy and cut short in her head, she didn’t even have words for prayer. Angela was like a sister to her and now she was in danger. Corinne focused on breathing slowly and keeping her mind quiet. It was all she could do.
* * * * *
In the distance there were gunshots. Corinne perked up at the sound but without knowing the reason for them she had to calm her heart. It was an eternity later when she heard horses coming closer. The whole search group was there and one of the scouts was carrying a large lump covered in a blanket. Lucas rode up to Corinne to prepare her.
"She is hurt pretty bad, Cori." Corinne felt lost for a moment then gathered herself together and started telling people what she needed. They pulled out a sleeping mat near the fire. They laid her out gently. She had her eyes closed and she moaned when she was moved. Corinne removed the blanket and saw the damage.
Her face was covered with dirt and blood. Her left arm she held close against her chest and a tear of her dress revealed a deep gash several inches long from her arm connecting to her shoulder. As Corinne peaked at the rest of her she saw her ankle was swollen three times its normal size and she was missing a shoe on the other foot. Nearly every part of her had scratches and bruises. Chelsea and Corinne chased the men away and began to painstakingly undressed and washed Angela's wounds. Angela was awake through the entire process but didn’t respond well to questions. It was as if she had gone into a safe quiet place within herself and only came out when the pain forced her too. Chelsea pointed out a terrible bruise f
orming on Angela's left thigh. Corinne assumed she had fallen and a rock was the culprit. Corinne washed out the gaping wound on her shoulder and made a bandage with her grandma's recipe to fight infection. Chelsea and Corinne prayed and cried as they went about their work. After everything was bandaged and she was dressed in a very loose gown Corinne got her own brush and began to brush Angela's hair. That simple gesture brought Angela out of her stupor and she began to weep. Chelsea and Corinne held her lovingly and they shared some tears, words weren't necessary.
Chapter Seventeen
May 3 1848
After one day of rest the train moved forward. Corinne rode with Angela and cared for her tenderly.
Andrew attempted to talk to Corinne about the inappropriateness of the situation but the glare he received from Corinne silenced him, for once. He stayed away from the wagon outfit with the scouts for the majority of the day. No one respected him after the incident. His crew still obeyed his orders but the glances from his men spoke volumes about how they found his leadership abilities lacking.
Angela was miserable; every jostle of the wagon and necessary move she had to make was pure agony. After careful examination Corinne was certain her arm was broken, her ankle severely sprained or broken and her leg had a deep tissue bruise. The gash on her shoulder was red and raw around the edges and Corinne seriously feared that infection was setting in. Chelsea and Corinne made the painful decision that the wound would have to be thoroughly cleaned out again. After fifteen miles of being bounced around a wagon box Angela mentally prepared herself for a wound bath.
Clive brought a bottle of whiskey and with her permission, joined the women for the scrubbing procedure. After a medicinal dose of whiskey Angela shed a few tears and then gave them the sign to move ahead. Angela lay on her stomach and held Clive's hand for the next twenty minutes. The soaking and scrubbing revealed a few thorns and dirt pieces were still present in the wound. Clive proclaimed over and over how brave she was, but Angela concentrated hard trying not to scream. She held her breath a little too long and got dizzy, nearly passing out a few times.
Corinne and Chelsea worked well together and kept their composure most of the time. At one point, Corinne silently sobbed and held her mouth to keep Angela from hearing her. She knew what she had to do but hated doing it. Corinne had a recollection of her own mother being worn out from taking care of someone and Corinne had an overwhelming longing for her mother's presence. She didn’t want to be this person causing her friend such horrifying pain and yet she knew she had to be strong. She had the ability; she would get it over with and help Angela survive.
Corinne applied a clean bandage and Angela's nightgown was tied back in place. She looked pale and worn out. Corinne forced her to drink some water and then tucked her into her own bed. The worn out women joined Clive outside the tent.
"I never want to do that again in my life!" Clive said, seriously. Corinne smiled at him weakly and saw Chelsea next to her lose all her composure and she began to weep uncontrollably. Corinne was crying too but suddenly the emotional toll overwhelmed her and she ran to the nearest bush and gave up her dinner. It wasn’t about the blood or touching the wound but simply the pain she had caused someone. It was brutal, but necessary. Corinne wished with every part of her, there was a way to numb the pain.
Cookie created a hearty dinner of fried fish and potatoes for everyone. Corinne pushed her food around for a while then the hunger kicked in and she ate her meal. Russell and Lucas kept the conversation light and that suited everyone. Lucas was a good storyteller when he wanted to be. Brody sat on the ground and played a made up game with rocks in the dirt. His little comments he made to no one at all, amused everyone greatly.
The wagon boss came by to remind them that tomorrow they would reach the fort. 'Have their supply lists ready tonight if possible.' Since Andrew was gone with the scouts Cookie gave his list to Corinne.
Angela woke up an hour after they had eaten and needed help. Her body was getting weak from the struggle. She took care of her body's basic needs and then gratefully went back to sleep.
* * * * *
Everyone was very excited the next morning, the rain, and the mud did little to dampen their spirits. Fort Kearney was near and the few miles were traveled quickly despite the mud. Andrew got the list from Corinne and headed toward the buildings with the other men. The women took the chance to clean out the wagons and then socialize. Corinne stayed with Angela and read her a book from her trunk. Angela's fever was low but her bruises and broken bones etched pain across her face. Corinne was at a loss on how to help her.
* * * * *
Andrew and his crew came back with revisions and instructions. "Corinne, I need you to gather Angela's things. We are going to be moving out in the morning and we need Angela to be ready tonight." Andrew tapped on the side of the wagon as his cue to hurry up.
Corinne jumped out and instantly lashed out at him. "Just what are you talking about? Why do I need to pack for Angie?" Fear of his next statement showed on her face and she knew the words he was about to say before he spoke them.
"We are leaving her here. Before you get yourself all tied up in knots and hit me again, I have found someone here to care for her. Angela is too injured to continue. We would take her with us if there were no other choice, but there is. The Captain’s wife is more than willing to help Angela recover. I have paid her handsomely to care for Angela and they have a comfortable home with an extra room for her. Does that satisfy you, wife?" He said everything nicely except for wife. He was still harboring mixed feelings about their relationship since Angela was hurt following his bad decision.
Corinne knew he was right about Angela’s chances on the trail though. Injury on the trail was very dangerous. Unclean conditions and the jostling of the wagon could finish you if you weren't cautious. "I will make sure she is ready to go. I hope you understand I will have to assume some of her duties, unless of course you want to do the laundry scrubbing?" Corinne knew she shouldn't talk to him like that but she felt a little bold just then. She was losing her dearest friend and he was probably going to gloat for days.
"I will back down on my rules for now. Just don't take advantage, child. I am not the monster you think I am. Maybe I just know best about how to behave." Andrew turned away and left. How did he always manage to say the thing that would infuriate her the most? She peeked in on Angela and was rewarded with a weak smile.
"I will recover my dear Cori. I will stay here and heal. I will see you next year, in the fall." Angela was earnestly looking forward to a bed that didn’t shake, along with a comfortable roof over her head.
After packing up all of Angela's things, Reggie, Jimmy and Joe made a makeshift bed and began the trip to town with Angela. The rain stopped and that made the trip quick and comfortable.
Andrew was right about the Captain's wife. Her name was Edith she was a pleasant soul. Corinne was instantly taken with her and this mothering creature embraced her several times that night. Corinne enjoyed the mothering more than a little. Edith and Corinne tucked Angela into a soft bed and she had all the amenities of a nice home on the prairie. The Captain Henry Sparks was a fun loving guy with a gigantic mustache and a smile to match. Corinne stayed the evening and enjoyed the stories and practical jokes. Angela would have a pleasant stay. Corinne made sure they had enough money for room and board for the next year for her dear friend. Edith pushed away any attempts Corinne made to offer more money but did accept a bottle of lavender oil for she knew its benefits. Edith declared she would treasure it. Corinne made a mental note to write down Edith's name in her journal. Someday she would send more lavender to her. Corinne fussed and patted Angela and eventually said her tearful goodbyes. Angela shed a few tears of her own and promised to write and send letters with the pony express that had just come to the fort.
As Corinne was leaving Clive and Chelsea came by with presents for Angela. Reggie, Cookie and the Blake boys left parting gifts for her, too. Corinne walked back
to the wagon alone to deal with her emotions. So much had changed since that day she left Boston. She had learned so much. She wondered at how much farther they had to go. This was just the beginning. The Great Plains were ahead, many miles, many dangers. She spent some time that night praying for strength for herself and healing for her friend.
Chapter Eighteen
May 10 1848
The wagon train traveled alongside the Platte River for several days. Fort Kearney gave everyone a second wind and the warm weather spread the scent of spring and the fresh growth was inspirational. The beginnings of spring flowers popped up their heads through the landscape. A few rain showers had made the land green with tall grass and clumps of trees displayed buds and young leaves. Several times a day the wagons stopped to clear rocks or saplings from the way but mostly the wagons rolled along spread out across the wide flat expanse that was in front of them.
The routine of the trail had become second nature to the travelers. Early mornings, they packed up quickly then on they rolled, they stopped for a biscuit and cheese for lunch then moved out again. The evenings were the only time to get things done, the washing, the cleaning and a large dinner. The animals were tended to and the chores would be done. People bathed in the creeks when one was available nearby. They enjoyed being clean for the brief time it lasted.
