Wolf Den Hollow by Donna Murray

Author:Donna Murray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press
Published: 2020-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 36

In mid-November, an early blizzard arrived, dumping five feet of snow with below-zero temperatures. It was the worst storm in years, leaving the farming community paralyzed and without electricity.

Sila and I were in the kitchen when Willy pounded on the door. He entered, bringing a swirl of snow carried by the wind. We could see that he was upset, and we offered him breakfast and hot coffee.

Rubbing his hands together for warmth and with his teeth chattering, he told us, “Cattle are freezin’ ta . . . ta death. I . . . I found a couple lyin’ in the snow, stiff as a board.”

“How many do you think we’ve lost?” I asked.

“Hard ta tell; can’t see nuthin’ out there.”

I thought for a moment. “We need to get them to an enclosed space where they can huddle for warmth. Do you think they would all fit in the corral next to the barn? The barn siding would give them protection, and moving them would get their circulation going.”

“I reckon they could,” Willy answered, scratching his head.

I went to the bedroom to put on my heaviest clothing, and Sila followed. She began doing the same. “Where do you think you’re going?” I asked.

“Going to help.”

“You can’t go out in this whiteout in your condition, Sila; you’re now with child. It’s too dangerous.”

“I won’t stay long, and you and Willy can’t do it alone!”

I knew there was no use arguing—and, with child or not, she was right.

“Birdie, you need to be a good little helper,” she said, wrapping a wool scarf around her face. “Keep your sister and brother on the quilt, and do not go near the candles.” With a promise from the children, we went out the kitchen door into the blinding blizzard with Wolf at our side.

Walking against the forceful headwind, we could hardly stay on our feet. Even Wolf was struggling. We pushed the large gate open that led to the fenced pasture, not seeing the near-frozen animals until we could almost touch them.

“This is hopeless,” I yelled. “We need to head back to the house.”

“No! Charley, we can’t let them die this way. Get behind them and push,” she shouted.

The biting wind was burning our lungs, nostrils, and throats. We could barely take a breath. As much as we pushed and shoved, the cattle would not budge. To our surprise, Wolf had the instinct to begin nipping at their numbed legs, causing them to bellow and take a step or two. With Wolf’s persistence, they finally began moving. I had no idea where Willy was and could not see Sila, but I knew she was close by. Suddenly, I was surrounded. I held on to one Hereford as another pinned me in between the two, their heavy weight pressing against me. A wave of fear swept over me—had the herd surrounded Sila too, or Willy? If any of us lost our footing, we could be trampled and not heard.

Once the cattle were through the large gate, they slowed their pace, and I had enough room to free myself.

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