“Guess we should’ve stopped sooner,” Jim said. “I plumb forgot that women and babies need to stop more often. I’ve been used to bein’ on my own for so long, reckon I don’t always think straight about some things.”
Mary smiled at him. “We be fine now. Cool water refreshing.”
Amanda watched as Thunder, the horses, and the mules took their share of water from the creek. Then she sat on the grassy bank and drew in a deep breath. It felt good to stop and rest awhile. Thankfully, since she wore her father’s trousers under her dress, she was able to ride like Jim and Mary rather than sidesaddle. She almost wished her clothing was made from animal skins, being so much softer than her own, but she’d have to make do.
Amanda turned her gaze from the water back to Jim. He was playing peekaboo with Little Joe and had the baby laughing at his funny antics. Mary sat nearby, watching with a smile. There was no doubt in Amanda’s mind—the baby had changed this couple’s lives. Jim had become gentler and much kinder since the birth of Little Joe, and Mary seemed more content and at peace with herself. Little Joe seemed to fill a special place in Jim’s heart, just as he did in Mary’s.
Amanda’s thoughts were interrupted when Jim touched Mary’s arm and announced, “We’d best be goin’ now.”
“Me feed Joseph first, then be ready to travel,” Mary said, taking the child from his father.
They set up camp that night near another gently flowing stream. Jim busied himself building a fire and putting up a small lean-to, while Mary and Amanda got supper started. The clearing where they’d made camp was surrounded by tall trees. The pine and fir were a deep, verdant green, and they gave off a woodsy scent that brought a heady sense of peace and tranquility. It was so pleasant that Jim found himself wishing they could build a new cabin and stay right there. A slight breeze blew through the pines, giving it a whispering, soothing sound. Crickets soon chimed in, making their camp seem one with nature.
Jim usually had no trouble sleeping during the night in the wilderness, and he hoped the womenfolk would adjust quickly, too. For him, all it took was a day of fresh clean air, and when he bedded down, he was asleep before he knew it. This time might be a little different, having the women and baby along. Although Jim needed the rest, he wouldn’t allow himself to fall into a deep sleep in case something unwelcome ventured into their camp. What was more, it was a comfort to have Thunder along, because Jim knew the dog would alert him to any danger that might be out there, lurking, because in the wilderness most anything could happen.
By the time they’d eaten their evening meal and were getting ready to retire for the night, a light rain had begun falling.
“No wonder everything is so green around here,” Jim said. “Hope it’s just a short summer shower and doesn’t last too long.” A gentle rain could turn torrential in a matter of minutes and change an easy-flowing stream into a raging river.
Morning came slowly, with a dull gray sky hanging over the area. Little light filtered through the thick cloud cover. There was still a steady drizzle of cool rain, and Jim was anxious to get started. They’d been lucky so far that the rain hadn’t turned heavy. He wished they didn’t have to travel in the rain, but not knowing how long it would last, he didn’t want to wait around the campsite any longer. So far, good fortune had been with them.
Jim was glad he’d brought his family along on this trip. He found himself enjoying Mary’s company more all the time. He even had visions of them having more children, raising them in the serenity of the mountains, and teaching them the ways of wilderness survival.
He wasn’t sure how, or even when it had happened, but Jim had allowed himself to fall in love with the Indian woman who had put up with his cantankerous ways and had given him a son. Not only did she cook and perform other household chores, she also did the tedious job of stretching and scraping the beaver and otter pelts he trapped. The young Indian woman was a hard worker, and Jim felt fortunate to have married her when he did. Though he didn’t love Mary the same way he’d loved Lois, she was a friend and companion for life, and he hoped they would have many good days together in the years to come. Maybe one day she would love him, too.
They traveled about fifteen miles that morning, and the rain continued. Very little was said as they rode along; their horses’ hooves plodding through the mud. Little Joe slept soundly in his cradleboard, lulled by the gentle sway of the horse’s gait and the sound of the rain.
Jim could tell his son would grow up to become a strong man. He thought about how Mary had chosen Little Joe’s Indian name, Little Wolf. The wolf symbolized strength and endurance, along with intelligence as part of its instinct. Jim would teach his son all these principles, and if he taught them well, Little Joe would grow to be an honorable man, respected by all who would come to know him.
Jim’s thinking shifted to the price he would get for his furs and pelts at the Rendezvous. The American Fur Company would be there, ready to pay good money for high quality furs and hides. He had a family to think of now and needed to provide for them in the best way possible.
Later that afternoon, Jim heaved a sigh of relief when the rain finally let up and the sun showed itself. The air was still humid, and a light fog drifted up the path, but it would make for easier traveling now that the rain had quit.
Jim thought about Mary again and hoped that she wouldn’t decide to run off if her family was at the Rendezvous. He had a hankering to tell his wife a few things that had been on his mind today, but she looked awful tired, so what he had to say could wait till tomorrow.
CHAPTER 27
The sun streamed into the makeshift tent Jim had erected, where the flap had been folded back to let in some fresh air. Pushing her lightweight blanket aside, Mary rose from her mat, being careful not to disturb her sleeping son. She noticed that Amanda was already up and stirring around their campsite. Jim was not in the tent, and she wondered where he could be when the sun had barely risen.
He’d probably taken a walk or gone to the river to wash up. She would help Amanda with breakfast, and by the time it was ready, Jim would no doubt be back, hungry and ready to eat.
“Have you been to Rendezvous before?” Amanda asked as she placed the coffeepot over the hot coals.
Joining her friend at the campfire, Mary nodded. “Went with family sometimes.”
“What’s it like?”
“Many trappers. Also Indians. Men. Women. Children. Everyone go.” Mary smiled, remembering the things she and her family had seen at the Rendezvous. “People sing, dance, tell lots of stories. Trappers trade and sell furs. Lots to look at. Lots to buy and sell. I like pretty beads.”
“It sounds like an interesting event,” Amanda said. “I’m looking forward to going.” She touched Mary’s arm. “But when I leave there, I shall miss you, my friend. It’s like you are family, and I have known you for a long time. I will miss our long talks, and the time we’ve spent reading the Bible. Now that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, our hearts are linked through the love of God.” She glanced over at the baby, sleeping in his cradleboard. “And I’ll miss Little Joe something awful.”
“You wish to have a baby of your own?” Mary asked, rubbing her hands close to the fire. Since they were working their way down to the Rendezvous site in the valley, it was a little warmer than mornings up in the mountains. Even so, it was a bit chilly, and the warmth of the fire felt good.
“Someday I would like to be a mother,” Amanda said, “but I’d have to find a good husband first, and I’m not really looking for one.”
“You wish to marry strong mountain man?”
Amanda laughed. “Not necessarily, but he would have to be a Christian.”
“Believe in God, like you?”
“Yes, he must be a believer, and someone I can trust.”
“Buck no good husband then,” Mary said, slowly shaking her head. “He not even want to hear about God.”
“I know.” Amanda’s shoulders slumped. “I had hoped to rea
ch him with the Gospel before I left Jim’s cabin, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I will pray that God will soften Buck’s heart. Who knows? Maybe someone else will come into Buck’s life, and they’ll be able to reach him.”
Jim had enjoyed a few minutes of solitude at the river as he washed up and spent some time alone with God. Last night Jim had seen Lois in a dream. She’d encouraged him to make peace with God, confess his sins, and acknowledge His Son, Jesus. Kneeling at the river, Jim had done just that this morning, and now he felt like a new man, ready to be the kind of father and husband God intended him to be.
Jim hadn’t told Mary yet, but he’d decided that before winter set in, making it difficult to travel, he would take her and Little Joe to see her family at their winter home along the Clearwater River in Oregon Territory. As soon as he got back to the camp, he was going to surprise her with the news. Maybe I’ll even agree to act as Amanda’s guide and take her to the Spalding Mission, he decided. From what I’ve been told, it’s not far from where the Nez Percé camp.
He dried his face on a piece of cloth, and was about to start back for camp, when a sudden chill went up his spine. He cocked his head to one side and listened. It was a dreaded noise that he’d hoped he’d never hear. The unmistakable vibration of a rattlesnake’s tail caused him to look down. He held very still, watching the coiled snake a few inches from his foot and wondering why he hadn’t seen it before. They weren’t up in the higher elevations anymore, and Jim scolded himself for not watching for this type of danger more common in the valleys.
As though it could sense the danger, Jim’s horse, hobbled several feet away, whinnied loudly. It was then Jim realized his gun was tied securely to one of the packs on the horse’s back. If he’d been carrying it, he could have shot and killed the rattler with no hesitation. That left him with only two choices. He could back away slowly from the snake and hope it didn’t strike before he reached his gun, or remain still and pray that the reptile would crawl away in the opposite direction.
His hands grew sweaty, and the muscles in his legs tightened as he contemplated what to do. After a moment’s hesitation, Jim chose to back away slowly, but not before he sent up a quick prayer.
The snake lunged forward. The bite came hard and fast against Jim’s ankle, and he winced in pain as the reptile’s fangs sank in. It was too late for caution. Jim turned and started for his horse, but not before the snake caught him again, on the other ankle.
Jim was wet with perspiration by the time he reached Wind Dancer, and his ankles were growing more painful with every passing moment. He grabbed the gun and prepared to fire, but the snake had slithered away and was out of sight. He had to get to Mary, for she would know just what to do.
Jim threw himself into the saddle, urging his horse into a full gallop. There was no time to waste. The double dose of poison would travel fast.
I should’ve taken my knife and bled the wounds, he thought. Well, Mary can tend to the bites with my knife and her healing herbs.
Mary had just taken a pan of trout Jim had caught yesterday off the open fire, when Jim rode quickly into their camp. One look at her husband’s ashen face told her immediately that something was wrong.
Jim dismounted and limped toward Mary. “What is it, Jim? Are ya hurt?” she asked, fear mounting in her chest.
“It was a rattler. He got me good!”
Amanda gasped.
“Did ya bleed wound?” Mary asked.
Jim shook his head. “Came right here. Ya need to tend it. The pain’s really bad, and I feel weak and woozy.”
“Lie down in tent,” she instructed. “I do what I can.”
Jim took off his moccasins and pulled up his right pant leg to expose the first snake bite, which was a little above the ankle. The area was severely swollen, and Jim was sweating profusely. Mary was afraid he might pass out, and she hoped she could keep him conscious.
“Mary,” he murmured, lying on one of the mats. “I’ve gotta tell ya somethin’.”
“No talk now,” she told him sternly, moving toward her satchel of provisions. “Lie still.”
“No! I need to say this now.” Jim sounded desperate, as he reached his hand out to her.
Mary knelt next to him. “Speak if ya must, Husband.” Maybe it would be better for him if he kept talking.
“I got right with God this morning, Mary. And I’m sorry for it now, but I’ve blamed God all these years for the death of my first wife.” Jim’s eyes glazed over as he looked at Amanda, who had knelt on the other side of him. “That’s why I wouldn’t let ya talk to me about the Bible at first.”
“I understand, but if you have made things right with God and confessed your sins, then you have nothing to worry about now,” Amanda said in a comforting tone.
Jim sucked in a ragged breath as he looked back at Mary. “I love ya, Mary, and if I live, then I’m gonna take you and Little Joe to see your family. I was anxious to tell ya that as soon as I got back, but wasn’t figurin’ on it goin’ like this.”
Mary swallowed around the lump in her throat. Jim’s words had touched her soul. “I love you, Jim, but now I must tend wound.”
With trembling hands and a heart full of mixed emotions, Mary heated Jim’s knife over the flames of the fire. She could hardly believe he actually loved her, or that he planned to take her to see her family. Why did this accident have to happen now, when things were finally going so well?
When Mary returned to Jim’s side, she noticed that the snake bite on his exposed leg was more red and swollen than when he’d first arrived back at their camp. She knew what must be done, and quickly made the incision. Then she proceeded to suck and spit out the poisonous venom. By the time she’d finished the unpleasant task, Jim’s eyes had rolled back in his head, and his body began to convulse. He was soaked in sweat, and pale—so very pale.
Mary hurried to her parfletch and got out some willow bark to make a tea that would hopefully ease the pain and inflammation on his leg. Next, she made a poultice from plantain, which she placed on the bite. She tried to get Jim to drink the tea, but his body trembled so badly, he nearly choked on the liquid.
I have done all the things I know to do, she told herself. Why isn’t he responding?
As Jim thrashed about, his other pant leg pulled up, and she discovered a second ugly wound. Quickly, she made another incision, sucked out the poison, and put a poultice on it. Once more she offered Jim some tea, while Amanda sat nearby, praying out loud.
Throughout the rest of the day and into the night, Mary tended to Jim, while Amanda continued to pray and take care of Little Joe. Thunder stayed close at hand, going to Jim and lying by his side.
Early the next morning, as the sun peeked over the horizon, Jim gasped his final breath.
“You cannot die!” Mary screamed. She placed her hand against his nose to feel for a breath. Nothing. She pressed her head against his chest and listened, but Jim’s heart was silent.
“No! No!” she cried, throwing herself across his prostrate body. Tears of despair coursed down Mary’s cheeks. Not now. This cannot be true!
She lay sobbing for a long time, until Amanda’s touch pulled her away. “You did everything you could for Jim. He’s in God’s hands now,” Amanda soothed, gently patting Mary’s back. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Mary realized that Amanda was trying to comfort her, but she didn’t want comfort. She wanted her husband—Little Joe’s father. Jim was gone, and with him, their hopes and dreams for a future together.
CHAPTER 28
Amanda felt sick. What had started out as such a happy time had ended in disaster. It seemed she’d faced nothing but one mishap after the other ever since she’d left home. Was this what she could expect, living in the wilderness—things turning so quickly and changing her life forever?
Amanda glanced at Mary, solemnly swiping at the tears running down her cheeks. What is to become of this young Indian woman and her son? she wondered. If only I could do someth
ing to ease her pain.
Little Joe began to cry, and Mary rushed to her son, sweeping him possessively into her arms. She took a seat in the far corner of their tent, cradled the babe in her arms, and rocked back and forth as though in a trance.
Heavenly Father, Amanda prayed, please give me the words to comfort Mary.
Mary continued to sit and rock, singing a chant-like song. Amanda knew her friend needed to grieve in her own way, so she took one of the blankets, covered Jim’s body, and moved away to sit near the fire.
After some time, Mary placed Little Joe, who had fallen asleep, back in the safety of his cradleboard. Then she turned to Amanda and said, “Need to bury Husband.”
Amanda nodded. “I’ll get a shovel from one of the packs.”
After the women dug the grave, Amanda watched while Mary went to Jim’s saddlebag and retrieved his favorite pipe. Then she walked over and tucked it in Jim’s hand. Mary looked at Amanda, but no words were needed.
They pulled Jim’s body to the site and placed it inside his permanent resting place, along with the pipe. When they’d scooped the last shovelful of dirt over the grave and topped it with several large stones, Amanda quoted a verse of scripture and said a prayer. Feeling that Mary needed a bit more time, she started singing:
“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
“Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
’Tis grace hath bro’t me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”
When Amanda finished the last stanza and started to move away from the gravesite, Mary tore her tunic at the neck and fell to her knees. Dredging up handfuls of dirt, she rubbed it onto her hair, face, and arms. Mary ended the ritual by cutting a piece of her hair.
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