Adventure on the Oregon Trail

Chapter 7

Sarah brushed clean water up over her arm again. The blood that had dried on her skin wasn't so easy to get off and she rubbed at it with her hand. Streams of red dripped into the water and she watched as it disappeared into the water.

The way her shoulder was feeling at that moment, she wondered if she would ever be able to use that arm again. It was stiff and so sore that she could barely raise it more than a few inches.

It wasn't long before Jill returned with a fresh dress and she helped Sarah over to a small hidden area downstream where she helped her out of the dress and into the water to wash off. Getting the new dress on was a bit more difficult, but they finally managed and Jill helped her put her shoes back on.

Just as they were about to walk back to the wagons, Jill caught sight of Mr. Walker and they met him at the edge of the water.

"I suppose you'll be wanting to walk her back," Jill said.

"I do," he said. "But I don't think her mother would be too  happy to see me right now. I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright."

"It hurts," Sarah said, suddenly aware that it really was causing her a lot of pain, "but I'll be alright."

He nodded. "Okay."

"I'm sorry if I ruined your clothes." She said, noticing that he was covered from chest to knees in blood and was holding a clean pair of pants and a shirt.

"They just need a good washing, that's all." He said. "Get some rest. You'll probably need to ride with your ma for a few days until you get your strength back,"

"Just what I wanted to hear," she sighed.

When they reached the wagon, Sarah was relieved to find that her mother had calmed down.

"I'm sorry if I sounded angry," she said. She dashed away tears. "We could have lost you,"

"I'm alright, Ma," Sarah said as Jill excused herself.

"I don't want you riding out there again, do you hear me? Who knows what might have happened if Mr. Walker hadn't gone after you. That poor man. I'm afraid I spoke very harshly to him."

"I think he understands, Ma." She sank down into the grass. "But he wasn't trying to get me drunk."

"I know. I've never understood the need for alcohol to dull pain, but I suppose it worked."

"A bit. I guess. I threw most of it up."

"Oh dear. I guess you've had quite a day."

"Not one I'd like to experience again."

"Well, Pa says we're heading out in a little while. I'll help you up onto the wagon when we leave."

"Thanks, Ma."

"I don't understand why we can't just go now. It looks like everyone is ready."

"Mr. Walker's down at the river washing up." Sarah said.

"Oh. Yes, of course." She said, walking towards the front of the wagon. Then she stopped. "How do you know he's washing up at the river?"

"Because we passed him on our way back, Ma. Would you stop assuming there's something questionable going on?"

"I never said I thought something questionable was going on!"

"I could tell by the look on your face. At no point did we see each other in any state of undress."

"Well, so long as we keep it that way,"

"Ma!"

It wasn't long before the wagons started moving again and her father lifted her up onto the seat of the wagon. "Time to get going," he said.