Page 25 of Wagon Train Dreams
After that, he did not look back. Instead, he focused all his attention on getting everyone to safety.
Hazel held Petey in one arm, Dobie in the other, steadying them against the bouncing and banging of the racing wagon. Louise drove the oxen, yelling at them to go faster while Cecil rode beside them, urging them onward.
Through the plate-shaped opening in the back, Hazel watched smoke darken the sky. The air held an orange hue. It could be from the sun, which had been that color all day. Or it might be?—
She couldn’t see anything but the sky from her position and didn’t want to rise for a better glimpse. Instead, she held the little boys tight to her sides.
“Auntie Hazel, are we going to burn?” Dobie’s quivering voice revealed his fear.
The thought had crossed her mind, but she wouldn’t allow it to roost. “Why don’t we ask God to protect us?” She closed her eyes and prayed aloud. “Dear Father in heaven, please help us get to safety. Keep us all safe. We trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.” Inside, she repeated the words again and again.
“Everyone all right?” Joe’s voice rose over the thundering hooves and rattling wagon and tin pots.
“We’re fine,” she called, her answer echoed by Louise and Cecil.
Smoke tainted the air, tickling her throat. Did she detect a flicker of orange against the gray canvas?Please, God, don’t let it catch us.
How far did they have to go to outrun the fire?
Was there a place of safety? After what she’d seen over the past hours, doubt assailed her. A verse she’d memorized from Psalms 18 flooded her thoughts and calmed her heart.The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge.He was her refuge. Her deliverer.Myrefuge.Mydeliverer. She silently repeated the words over and over.
“Auntie Hazel.” Dobie’s tight words jerked her eyes open. “What’s that?” He pointed to the back of the wagon.
The entire opening glowed orange. Her heart clawed up her throat. “Stay here. Keep Petey with you.” She put Petey next to Dobie and crawled forward. She rose enough to peer out the back. Then she gulped down air to still rising panic.
The flames were closing in on them, driven by the fierce wind. Ash blew in the opening, and she brushed it away.
Joe.
Then as if he heard her silent call, he came into view.
“Joe?” She whispered, not wanting to frighten the boys.
Understanding her unspoken question, he nodded.
“Can we outrun it?”
“We’re sure gonna try. Hang on. And pray.” He was gone. His voice carried back as he hollered at the oxen. Shouted instructions to Cecil. Then, his voice faded away. No doubt he’d gone to urge the other teams to a faster pace.
But how much faster could they go? Oxen were made for pulling heavy loads, not for running races.
How would they escape?
God is my refuge and my deliverer.She whispered the words over and over.
“Auntie Hazel?” Dobie was old enough, aware enough, to realize the danger.
Hazel couldn’t tear herself away from the terror racing toward them to hold the boys. All she could offer were words of courage. “God will provide a way.”
A sharp cracking jerked her gaze from the fire. What was that? It sounded like something breaking. An axle? A wheel? If the wagon broke down, they’d have to race to climb in another. It would cost them time. Time they didn’t have.
But the wagon raced onward. Bouncing hard enough to toss her sideways.
She crawled toward the front, pausing to hug Petey and reassure both boys. Then she looked out past Louise’s shoulder as she cracked the reins and yelled at the oxen. Cecil rode to the right of the animals, slapping them and yelling. Ahead of them rattled Gabe’s wagon. She couldn’t see Ma, but she’d be in the wagon. Had Bertie climbed in with them? She hadn’t noticed.
How had Angela and Ruby ended up leading? It wasn’t their customary position. Irene and Walt must be riding beside the lead oxen, urging them faster.
Hazel squinted into the distance, trying to see through the dust and smoke. Hoping, praying for escape.
