by Ken Busato
In the morning, although still weak, I could feel strength returning to my limbs. I tried to get up too fast, and had to lie back down almost straight away because of dizziness.
It did not take long for everyone to wake up. Little Calum started with a small cry, and before long both Mrs. Docherty and Mama were up. Water was boiling on the fire, and Calum was greedily nursing at Mama’s breast.
“Molly,” Mrs. Docherty said seeing I was awake. “How are you feeling today?”
“Much better, I think? I get dizzy when I stand up though.”
“It’s to be expected darling,” Mrs. Docherty replied. “You’ve had little to eat lately, and your body is trying to recover. You should still rest up a while and not even think about leaving this cabin even if God almighty himself ordered you out.”
“Always so dramatic Arwen,” my mother said jokingly. “I swear Arwen, I think I would be going out of my right mind if not for the way you see the world.”
“Fiona, Molly,” whispered Mrs. Docherty. “Remember who I am married to. Robert is very opinionated. Just remember, many of those opinions come from me.” With a wink and a smile Mrs. Docherty quietly went back to work getting breakfast ready.
Soon everyone was up and the cabin started to come to life. Dr. Edwards made a return visit to see how I was doing.
“I’m happy to find out you have improved during the night Molly. The lemon powder you drank has things in it you can’t get with your diet in this place. I’m going to give your mother another pouch, and I want you to drink it again today. Stay warm and rest as much as you can.”
“Thank you so much for helping my daughter,” Papa said to Dr. Edwards. “Just a question if I may.”
“Yes, John, what is it I can do for you?”
“Well, from what I figure, this sickness, this scurvy is something we all have to worry about.”
“Quite right,” responded the doctor. “If your diet continues without eating the correct foods, you will end up just as sick as Molly.”
“That’s my point Doctor. We were all wondering if you had more of this powder to spare? It makes sense if we could get this medicine, than the sickness might not make its way through the rest of us.”
“I understand what you are asking for John. You are not the first healthy person to ask for crystallized salts of lemon. Unfortunately, we do not have a lot of it here. Governor Cook did not expect so many settlers, so not many provisions were considered necessary.”
“I don’t quite understand,” interrupted Mr. Docherty who was very interested in this conversation. “If we do not have enough medicine to help us last through the winter, how does Mr. MacDonell, and Lord Selkirk for that matter, expect us to survive?”
“Now, now Robert,” replied Dr. Edwards. “There is something that can be done, from what I am told. There is a remedy that can keep all of us safe and healthy through the long winter. It is not my place to talk to you about it, since I also am new to this region and am facing the challenges of living here for the first time. Governor MacDonell knows people are concerned, and he will visit all cabins soon to talk about what can be done.”
Uncle Willie angrily interrupted, “I wager you’re talking about native tree juice?”
This was news to me. I could see that the Doctor was clearly getting upset. “ Willie,” the doctor started, “I would hope you could wait to hear from Governor MacDonell directly. He does have a plan, and he will let all of you know it as soon as possible. It’s not for me to talk about things I have no knowledge of. I am here to help your niece. Thankfully, from what I can see, she will make a full recovery and be up on her feet in a couple of days. Please, young man, for the sake of everyone’s health, quiet your anger until you know for certain what plan is being made. No matter what your feelings may be on the matter, the Governor is entrusted with your overall preservation. He wants to ensure the safety and health of everyone.”
Willie looked worried. There are some things a man like Willie can fight, but against the sickness, there is nothing he can do. The disease can affect anyone, old or young, man or woman. We are only in December, with the most difficult months of winter still ahead. I just hope I do not have to suffer from this again.