In the High Bitterroots by Will DuRey

Author:Will DuRey [DuRey, Will]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

‘I’m concerned for Mrs Fetterman,’ Anne Hames reported to Dan Hathaway and Rory Blades. ‘My father needs to see her as soon as possible.’

‘If the snow holds off we ought to have her back in Wicker tomorrow night,’ said Rory Blades.

‘Mrs Fetterman has double vision. I’m worried that she has a fractured skull,’ explained Anne. ‘Walking and horse riding won’t improve her situation.’

‘Not much we can do about that. She can’t stay here,’ said Rory.

‘I know,’ said Anne. ‘That’s why I’m concerned.’

‘Perhaps another night’s rest will help,’ said Dan.

‘I was thinking I’d like to start back with her immediately,’ said Anne. ‘If we can get down to the cave at Two Horse Pass by nightfall we can make an early start from there in the morning.’

‘The horses worked hard getting us up here,’ said Rory. ‘It won’t be any easier for them going down.’

‘That’s true,’ said Dan Hathaway, ‘but at least it’ll be warmer for them in the cave overnight than being exposed on the mountain. Those beasts that have come from Butte will be pleased to be active again.’

‘Do you think we can make it down to the cave by nightfall?’ Rory asked Dan.

‘There’s been no snow to cover our tracks. That should make it easier. If we can avoid arguments among ourselves that’ll help, too. And I dare say these people are eager to reach the hospitality that Wicker has to offer.’

So, decision made, they set about organizing the evacuation of the camp. The men secured the wagons, dismantled the shelters and lashed down the contents in the hope of recovering everything when the snows had gone. The women packed small bags of clothing and treasured items that they chose to take with them. Those horses that had been used to pull the wagons from Butte weren’t equipped with proper riding harness so the saddles were strapped to the backs of those animals which would carry the women and youngsters whilst the men folk would manage as best they were able with adapted dray harnesses.

Preparations were almost complete when Jess Clarke came across Anne Hames as she checked the medical bag before attaching it to the saddle of her horse. ‘Ready to go?’ he asked.

Without turning to face him she nodded her head.

‘You OK, Anne?’

Again she nodded but with little enthusiasm. Jess walked around the other side of her horse so that he could see her across its back. Swaddled in her clothes again, prepared for the journey ahead, there was little to see of her face. Her brown eyes looked up at him, held his for a moment then looked down at the straps she was tying around the handles of the black bag.

‘What is it?’ he inquired.

‘I shouldn’t be here,’ she said. ‘I’m a fraud.’ Jess said nothing, waited for an explanation. ‘The minor injuries were taken care of by the families themselves and Mr Brewster fixed the broken arm.’

‘That doesn’t make you a fraud. Those same things would have been done if your father had been able to ride with us.

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