LAND OF STARS: The Texas Wyllie Brothers (Wilderness Dawning Series Book 2) by Dorothy Wiley

Author:Dorothy Wiley [Wiley, Dorothy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-23T16:00:00+00:00

Steve returned to their campsite from town mid-afternoon. If he lived a century, he would never forget that ride into town with Rebecca, especially since he kept replaying it over and over in his mind. Every touch. Every word. Every thrilling moment.

Baldy and Adam returned soon afterward, looking worn-out. Their visit to the other displaced settlers from Pecan Point must have been difficult, he thought.

“We found Watson,” Baldy said.

“Where?” Samuel asked.

“Not far from here. He’s very ill,” Adam said. “So are several of his slaves, though they’re not as bad off as Watson.”

Steve glanced off to his right. Amos was playing with Caddo, throwing a huge pine cone like a ball to the dog. “How about Amos’ father?” Steve asked. “Did you see him?”

“And did you ask any of the slaves if they knew a little boy named Amos?” Abigail asked.

“I did,” Baldy said. “Amos will have to go with us next time. His father is there.”

The news left Steve with mixed feelings. He was happy for the child but also worried about the boy’s future. Returning to Watson would undoubtedly mean a lifetime of grueling bondage. Soon the child would start working the fields. Or he would be sold and become someone else’s slave.

“Watson will try to keep him,” Melly said, looking distraught.

“Watson can’t try to do anything right now. He’s barely alive,” Baldy said. “I’ve treated him with quinine and I suspect that since he’s young and strong that he will recover.”

“What about Amos?” Melly asked.

“The boy belongs with his father. We have no choice in the matter,” Father said.

“One of the slave women said the man whose foot was run over by a wagon is Amos’ father,” Baldy said. “Sadly, he’s burning up with fever. To save his life I may need to amputate his foot but I’d like to see if his fever will drop first. But if we can keep the foot from festering, then I might be able to save it.”

“Saving the man’s foot would mean a great deal to both Amos and his father’s future,” Samuel said. “A slave who can’t walk and can’t work will be of little value to Watson. No telling what he would do to the two when he recovers.”

“We gave him a tea made from devil’s walking stick bark and made a poultice for his wound from sphagnum moss,” Adam said. “We’ll change the moss out soon just like any other dressing. The slaves say the moss, which is common in these humid woods, fights a festering wound. I’ve learned a great deal about healing herbs from Indians. Now, I’ve learned even more from slaves.”

Steve nodded. “A Caddo Indian once told me that squaws use sphagnum moss on the bottom of their baby carriers. It protects the babies’ bottoms from their urine.”

“Yes, sphagnum is a natural antiseptic,” Baldy said.

“The poor man must be suffering,” Melly said.

“We also gave him laudanum mixed with whiskey for the pain. It helped, but he’s still hurting,” Baldy added. The doctor accepted the coffee Melly handed him and then sat down on a trunk.

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