Adventure on the Oregon Trail

Chapter 14

Sarah's fever grew worse through the night and her mother took turns with Jill and her mother, keeping her skin cool with wet cloths. Her father paced endlessly before finally succumbing to his exhaustion and sleeping for a few hours.

Many of the families didn't know the reason they were staying camped for so long, but there was water nearby and it appeared to be a good area for hunting, so they were thankful for the rest. The few people who knew why Mr. Walker had ridden out so suddenly and in such a hurry, were nervously awaiting his return, hoping he made it back in time.

"How is she?" Mrs. Willard returned from checking on her husband and young son. Jill had fallen asleep against the back wheel of the Taylor's wagon.

"The same." Mrs. Taylor said. She was tired too, but refused to stop bathing her daughter's skin with the wet cloths. "Do you suppose he made it to town yet?"

"Mr. Walker?" Mrs. Willard asked.

Mrs. Taylor nodded.

"Probably. In fact, he's probably already on his way back."

"I keep telling her he likes her, but she refuses to believe me."

"Likes her?" Mrs. Willard laughed. Then she sighed. "That man is in love with your daughter. No doubt about it."

"Do you think he'll make it back in time?"

"Yes. I do." Mrs. Willard replied. "She got a little worse just after he left, but she's been the same since. I think the redness around the wound in her ankle is a little less red and swollen now too, so that's good. She's strong. She'll hold on until he gets back."

"Thank you," Mrs. Taylor whispered.

*     *     *

Kyle had reached the clinic in the nearest town and had found someone to fetch the doctor even though it was late in the evening. He paid for two vials of penicillin and asked him how to administer it. The doctor gave him two syringes and showed him how to fill them, and how and where to give her the shot.

"If she doesn't start improving within two days, you should bring her in, immediately," the man said as Kyle climbed back into the saddle. "Give her one shot each day for the next five days."

"Thank you."

"Good luck!"

Having tucked the vials and syringes into the inside pocket of his vest where they'd be safe, Kyle turned his horse and rode out of town.

"Hey, is that Mr. Walker?" someone said.

"Looks like his horse," another came over to look.

"You don't suppose he fell off, do you?" a third asked.

A small group had formed just outside the wagon circle when Mr. Taylor walked over. "What's going on?"

"Can't tell if that's Mr. Walker coming, or just his horse," someone said.

Mr. Taylor looked out over the terrain and immediately started running towards the horse. Mr. Walker was still in the saddle, but he was so exhausted that he had all but fallen asleep and was hunched over the saddle horn.

"I got you," Mr. Taylor took the horse by the reins and led them back to camp before helping him out of the saddle.

Mr. Walker reached into his vest and pulled out the paper bag holding the medicine. "I'll come show you how to give it to her," he said, his head nearly lolling to one side as exhaustion almost overtook him.

Mr. Taylor helped him to his feet and kept him standing until they reached his own wagon. "She's here." he said.

Kyle sank to his knees beside her and clumsily pulled the items out of the bag. He opened a syringe and filled it as the doctor had instructed him. Sarah's mother pulled her sleeve up to her shoulder and Mr. Walker winced, but stuck the needle into her skin and pushed the plunger down until all the fluid was injected.