Journey of Hope by Victoria Murata

Author:Victoria Murata [Murata, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 147523144X
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2012-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

The Loss

Chapter Eighteen

A little more than an hour later, James’ wagons were lined up and ready to go. Thomas Benson and Sam were there to help him, as well as his hand Slim, Michael and Conor Flannigan, and a few other men. They had just watched a cart and two mules get turned upside down while fording the last part of the river. Then the mules got entangled in the harness, and they would have drowned except for the desperate struggle of their owner and some of the other men. Some Indians were watching also. They were the pilots who could be hired for a fee to help with the crossings. James clenched his jaw and muttered under his breath. He knew this wouldn’t be easy, but he was beginning to think it might be impossible.

James and Slim led the first team down the steep embankment. It wasn’t as slippery as it had been the day before, but they still had a hard time. Thomas, Sam, Michael, and two other men pulled against ropes tied to the back of the wagon to keep it from running over the team.

“Easy. Don’t pull on the ropes. Keep a steady pressure,” Michael cautioned from his position. Finally, the team and wagon were at the river’s edge.

“Sam and Conor, you all go up and help Slim hold the team while we bring the second one down,” James called.

Again, with Thomas and the two other men straining against ropes to ease the wagon slowly downhill, the second team was soon at the river’s edge. Now came the tricky part.

“Let’s tie these ropes around the necks of the oxen and lead them into the river,” James said. He and Michael waded in up to their chests and the current pushed against them. They got a good lead, and then they pulled on the ropes while Thomas, Slim, and the other men prodded the oxen from behind. The oxen bellowed loudly and fought against the ropes, but eventually they started across. Two of the men helped to stabilize the back of the wagon while it floated precariously against the current. They made it to the first island and took a short rest before starting for the second.

Rebecca and Brenna watched nervously from the top of the embankment.

“I wish James had hired the Indian pilots,” Rebecca said nervously.

Brenna squeezed her arm. “I’m sure they’ll make it across.”

Other men and women were watching the wagon and the men trying to keep it stable while fighting the push of the current against them. They had made it to the second island and were starting across the widest part of the river. A half mile of rushing water lay between them and the far shore. Rebecca realized she had been holding her breath and she let it out in a rush. This was the same spot where the mules and the cart had tipped over.

“It looks like they’re having a hard time balancing the wagon!” Rebecca exclaimed.

The wagon began to pitch in the turbulent water.

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