Page 49 of Wagon Train Hope
Several hours later, they stopped for the night. It wasn’t safe to travel after dark, even though it would have been cooler.
They built a fire to cook on. As darkness fell, a wind picked up, blowing white dust on everything. It stung the eyes and irritated the skin. The only protection against it was to wrap themselves in blankets and pray for morning.
Walt allowed himself only two hours of sleep, then took his turn guarding the oxen. They were content to rest, their bellies full of hay and adequate water.
He couldn’t imagine anyone would be a risk to them in this strange, uninviting land. He had almost allowed weariness to claim him when a screech brought him wide awake and on his feet.
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It was too warm to be under covers. But the alkali blowing into camp made it necessary to seek shelter, and Irene wrapped herself in a blanket, making sure her head was covered. Everyone did the same, though Hazel had retreated to the wagon with Petey. They would swelter under the canvas Hazel pulled tightly closed at each end, but she could keep the stinging dust off the baby.
Irene struggled to sleep, but every sound disturbed her. The oxen lowing, the wagons creaking, Ruby telling Angela to lie still, Bertie murmuring to his pets, Walt rising from his rest to go to the animals, and then?—
She jerked up at the sound shredding her eardrums.
Limpy barked.
Ma called out, “What was that?”
Cecil and Gabe were on their feet.
Walt. Where was Walt? Irene raced out to the oxen. “Walt, where are you?”
He caught her arm. “I’m here.”
Someone stirred the embers, and flames flared up.
“Where are your boots?” he asked.
“I was in a hurry.” To make sure you were all right.
“Go get them on. I’m going to check around and see what that was.”
“Wait for me.” But he hurried on before she pulled on footwear.
The barrel of his rifle glinting in the firelight, Gabe headed out to guard the animals.
Everyone was up, peering into the dark. Ruby clung to Ma on one side. Bertie, his cats cradled in his arms, pressed close to Ma’s other side.
Irene moved past the edge of the firelight and stared into the darkness. What if Walt had encountered something dangerous? Who was making sure he was safe?
Behind her, Ma murmured to her daughters. “Is someone in trouble? Maybe they got caught in some of that alkali.”
A shudder trailed across Irene’s shoulders to think of it.
No more screaming came. Walt’s shape appeared at the edge of the firelight, and then he stepped into view.
“I didn’t see anything. Must have been a wild animal.”
“What sort of animal makes that kind of sound?” Irene demanded.
Gabe joined them, leaving Cecil with the oxen. “Red foxes scream. I’ve heard them. That must have been what it was. Everyone, go back to sleep.”
Irene returned to her bedroll, but she wouldn’t sleep any time soon. Neither would the others. Gabe remained at the fire, feeding it enough wood to keep flames burning.
Her eyes stung with lack of sleep and the never-ending dust when light began to creep over the land. They were up and on their way before the sun peeked over the horizon. Between lack of sleep and the blowing alkali, everyone had red eyes.
Poor Petey fussed, and they all took turns carrying him and trying to soothe him.
