Ruth, p.16
Ruth, page 16
Sleep beckoned as he finished with one last request.
“Father, end this journey I’m on. Find me a place to settle.”
That day the cow-folks column passed the train, having not had to bury one of their own.
The cattle bawled as if mourning the dead child.
It seemed the two companies took turns passing each other. Some sojourners even switched on occasion.
The twenty-seventh day of July found the train on the banks of the Sweetwater River. Doctor Whitman, familiar with the territory, advised layover and a large hunting party be sent out, since from there on to Oregon, there would be no buffalo.
All agreed, as did Gantt. The train remained there three wonderful days, and the hunters procured lots of meat.
During the time of rest and the hunt, the other men busied themselves gradually getting all the wagons across the river and circled in the shadow of an amazing wonder of nature.
The doctor called it Independence Rock. Explained that William Sublette held an Independence Day celebration there on the Fourth of July, 1830, as he led the first wagon train to cross the new overland route.
Many carved their name or initials into the great rock with the date. Logan scratched his and Ruth’s deep. Nearby, young Doak engraved his and Star’s.
The journey resumed with the Rocky Mountains looming just ahead, a formidable sight, to be sure, and Doctor Whitman called them only the foothills.
On the fourteenth of August, the train arrived at Fort Bridger. Logan’s feet hurt, his legs ached, and he had to cut a new hole in his belt to keep his pants up. He needed a bath something fierce.
His daughter hardly smiled anymore, unless Doak was nearby. He’d done everything he could to keep Ruth in plenty of food and rest.
She hated riding inside the wagon, and both babies fussed if they didn’t get some time outside between naps. He’d rigged up slings for him and Ruth to carry the babes.
Bridger didn’t offer much in the way of trade goods, and the train didn’t stay but one extra night. In the next thirteen days, the company covered two hundred thirty miles to finally arrive at Fort Hall on the twenty-seventh of August.
Supplies for Doctor Whitman awaited him there. The Cayuse Indians had brought them from his mission in Wildpoo.
Soon enough, a big argument ensued.
“What do you think?”
“Well, I’m not certain.” Ruth didn’t know how to advise him. “I mean I’ve heard tell California is nice, a beautiful place, but I don’t think there’s any free land there; none that I’ve heard about. Where would we live?”
“We’ll find something.” Logan poked the cook fire then shook his head.
“Doc Whitman is convinced with this many men, we can get the wagons through—cut our own road where it’s needed. Governor Grant is equally convinced we can’t. He says we should abandon the wagons here and travel on with only pack animals.”
“That sounds dreadful, Logan.”
“Or he suggested we might turn and make our way to California with the wagons.” The man looked toward the wagon then sighed. “Star will hate it if we don’t go to Oregon.”
“Oh, she’ll understand. She and Doak can write to each other. It isn’t like they are of marrying age.”
He smiled. “You know how that tongue and tone of hers can grate on you if she’s riled.”
Didn’t Ruth know it, but the conversation didn’t warrant arguing right then.
“The girl cannot be our only concern. We’ve got Noah and Julia to think about. If the wagons have to be left in the mountains, and we have to pack everything on the oxen, the babies will be miserable.”
“I know.”
“Both of them get so fussy when they don’t get their naps out.”
“It could make it awful for us all.” He stared into the bit of coals for a long minute.
“The other day, when that poor boy fell under the wheels, it brought back horrible memories. Putting Francesca and our baby girl in the ground almost killed me. If not for Star, I don’t know what I would have done. But a son . . . I don’t know how a man stands burying his boy. It’s . . .”
She slipped out of her rocker, knelt beside him, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “The Lord both gives, and He takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
“That’s true.” He nodded. “Don’t I know?”
“We’ll do whatever you decide.” She wiped the tears off his cheeks.
“Oregon or California—even somewhere else along the way—it doesn’t matter as long as we’re together. The main thing for me is getting somewhere and getting married and—”
She didn’t add the words that filled her heart—how she’d decided she wanted to give him another son, especially since suspecting Noah might not be of his blood.
“And?”
“Oh, never mind. I just want to get wherever we’re going and settle down. I look so forward to starting my new life with you.”
He kissed her, broke away before she was ready, then stood and extended his hand, helping her up. “I’ve got the second watch tonight. I’ll pray about things. I’d love to hear a Word about what we should do. Will you pray for that?”
“I will. Stay safe and warm, my love. There’s a bit of chill in the air.”
“I’ve got my jacket and hat laid out by my long gun; I’ll be fine.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweet lady.” He grabbed his things and walked off into the night. She hated the second he disappeared into the darkness.
If the weather had been balmy, she would have read some, but fetching a blanket and taking a chance on waking one of the wee ones just wasn’t worth it. No never mind the lamp oil she’d burn.
Shortly after getting into her gown, Noah stirred, then took to fussing until she nursed him. He in turn woke Julia. The little sugars certainly enjoyed their nummies.
Once both were sated, she snuggled them between her and Star and remembered Logan’s request.
“Father God, Your word promises to direct our paths if we acknowledge You in all our ways. You know my heart, Lord, and You know Logan’s. If there be any of Your ways where we fail to acknowledge you, then show one of us, but I believe we do our best, knowing there’s nothing we can do or plan that will bring life outside of You. Guide him, Father. Show Him clearly.”
Her thoughts wandered from her prayers to Tom and that first time. Shame and condemnation flooded her soul. For a brief time, she wallowed in it agreeing that she was weak and evil.
Why would God ever help her?
But then, as though Holy Spirit shone His light bright on the devil’s lies, she recognized the source of those thoughts!
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus! Be gone from me, Satan! I resist you in the name of Jesus and God’s Word tells me you must leave, so be gone with your lies!”
How wonderful to be covered in the precious blood! She continued seeking the Lord about what direction they should take, but sleep came before any answer.
Sobs woke her. She rose up. “Star! What’s wrong, sugar?”
After two more heaves then several rapid sniffs, she must have found her voice.
“Miss Ruth! Hurry! Get Pa! I’m dying! I need to tell him how sorry I am. I know you two belong together! I’ve got to tell him before I go be with Mama!”
“Star, we don’t need your father. It was only a bad dream.”
“No, Miss Ruth. I’m dying; it wasn’t a dream at all.” The child raised a hand, palm forward and fingers spread. Something stained it, but she couldn’t tell what in the darkness.”
“What’s wrong? Why do you think that?” She turned to get the oil lamp lit.
“I’m . . . I’m . . . bleeding to death, and I don’t know why.” The tears started in earnest again, and the girl leaned over the babes and laid her head on Ruth’s shoulder. Turning back and wicking the lamp up, she saw the stains on her hand was blood indeed.
“Have you cut yourself, Star? Where’s it coming from?”
Without raising her head from her shoulder, the precious one held up her quilt, exposing a large stain. Oh, dear, it was her lady’s monthly. The poor child. She wrapped her arms around her as best she could.
“You aren’t dying, sugar. This is perfectly natural.” She pushed her back so the girl could look into her eyes and smiled. “You’ve just passed over into womanhood.”
“What? How?”
“Come on. Let’s be quiet and as calm as we can about it, but we’ll get you and all this cleaned up so you can get a good night’s rest. I’ll tell you all about it.”
Somehow, she and the girl got the soiled quilts removed and replaced without waking the babes. Ruth shared her monthly cloth rolled into pads with the girl and explained about how girls become women and that she could now have a baby.
Apologizing for not telling her ahead of time, she kissed the girl’s cheek.
“Did you mean what you said, Star?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know, about your father and I being meant for each other?”
“Yes, ma’am! I did. I do. I know it’s true, and I want you to be happy together. Will you forgive me again? God has sent you to be my mother, and I couldn’t have a better one than you!”
With burdens falling away like leaves in the autumn, Ruth wrapped the young woman in her arms and hugged her heartily.
Chapter Twenty
Only God could have wrought such a miracle.
It was answered prayer, and Ruth couldn’t be more thankful.
She busied herself that fine morning, seeing to chores and the babies. Star helped some, but mostly she encouraged the girl to sit and hold the warm iron wrapped in cloth on her poor tummy.
Old wives told the first cycle would prove the worst, but how could a body measure discomfort against the promise of being a mother?
It only took a look and a wink to silence Logan regarding his daughter not carrying her weight, but then the train remained at the fort another day while the men debated the future.
Midmorning, Doak showed up with a message. The governor requested Logan’s presence at the fort.
“Did Governor Grant say why?”
“No, sir. Pap come got me and sent me here to give you the message.”
Logan grabbed his hat then looked at the boy. “Shall we then?”
“Uh . . . Sir, if it’s permissible, I’d like to sit a spell and visit with Star.”
The man looked at his daughter then to Ruth.
“We’ll be fine. Go on now.”
“Yes, Pa. Do like Mama says.”
Ruth’s heart leapt. Had she heard right? The grin on Logan’s face confirmed her own hearing.
“All right then. You may stay, Mister McKenny, and I’ll be back as soon as possible. Hopefully, we will have more information to decide what we’re doing. We need to be about it.”
Ruth stayed close, but not too. Doak had proved himself to be such a gentleman with Star, but temptation was not something young people as a whole were good at resisting—at least in her own case.
The Father knew her own heart and how much she desired to be one with Logan, but He faithfully protected her from evil.
She wanted to be his wife, not his lover.
Except, the truth of it was she did, but she couldn’t have one without the other and remain in God’s good graces.
A hard lesson she’d learned.
Not that Mister Manchester was anything like Tom.
Noon approached. She put Doak to work fetching deadfall for the cook fire, got some dried buffalo meat to simmering, then while she rocked and nursed the babes, he fetched the fixings for Star to make cornbread.
Dinner came and went with neither hide nor hair of Logan.
“Doak, would you be so kind as to check on Mister Manchester? Tell him I saved him some victuals.”
“Certainly, ma’am.” He looked at Star then nodded at her. “I’ll have a looksee then be right back after I stop short at our camp to see if Ma needs anything.”
“Good man. Thank you kindly. And give my regards to your mother.”
The boy had barely been gone long enough for Ruth to get both the babies settled for their afternoon naps and was about to climb in with them when a lady she knew, but couldn’t exactly place or recall her name, walked over toward her. Ruth climbed down and stepped forward. The visitor smiled.
“Good afternoon. I’m Helen Parker.”
“It’s good to see you, ma’am.” She hoped for the lady to give her some clue as to where or how she knew her. “I’m Ruth Downum.”
Star stood. “Soon to be Manchester. She’s going to be my new mother.”
The lady smiled at the girl. “I’ve heard the very same. Will you and the mister be going on to Oregon?”
“We haven’t decided as yet. Logan is off now to a meeting, trying to learn more information.” Ruth extended a hand toward the rocker. “Please, sit a spell and visit with us. I’ll put some coffee on to boil.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t just now. I must get back to check on Henrietta Ferguson. I’m a midwife, you see, and she’s getting close. When I heard you and Logan were getting married . . .” She smiled.
“If we settle close in Oregon, I wanted to offer my services, let you know, in case I’m needed.”
The Lord indeed worked in mysterious ways.
“How peculiar that you should mention it. I was just thinking on that very topic the other day. Have you any experience with delivering babies with bigger than usual heads?”
“Why, yes. I’ve brought all sorts of newborns into the world, with all kinds of challenges. There’s all types of remedies for such troubles, things I know to do.”
“They had to cut my brother out of Miss Alice’s belly. He lived, but she did not. That’s how Miss Ruth came to be with us. It was then her and Pa fell in love.”
“I’ve heard that.” The midwife smiled. “You’re the girl Doak McKenny is sparking, right?”
Ruth’s cheeks warmed; the lady appeared a bit too bold for her liking. Perhaps she’d been wrong about knowing the lady.
“Well . . . I wouldn’t call it sparking. He and Star are friends who enjoy spending time together—always with a chaperone, of course. Courting might be more appropriate a word, Mis’ess Parker.”
“Of course, Ruth. I meant no offense. Suppose I best be getting back to Henrietta, so I’ll be off then. You two have a nice day.” She turned and started to go then stopped and looked back.
“If it might have any bearing on your decision, we’re taking Doc Whitman’s advice. We’ve decided to keep our wagon and journey on to Oregon.”
“I see. Well, that’s good to know. I’ll tell Logan.”
“I heard tell we’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“That soon? Well . . . It’s good to meet you, Helen.”
“You, too, dear. Have a nice day.”
“You as well.”
In a half an hour or so, Doak returned but could only report that Mister Manchester remained cloistered with Governor Grant in his office. The boy hiked both shoulders when pressed. “Lord knows what’s afoot, but He didn’t tell me. Nor anyone else I guess.”
“Do you know if there’s anyone else in the office with him and the governor?”
“No, ma’am. Not that anyone knows of.” He glanced at Star as if begging her to get him off the grill then looked back. “I asked around.”
“Could you hear anything that was being said?”
“No, ma’am, not a word. To me, the office seemed as quiet as a church mouse come Sunday.”
Curiosity might have killed the cat, Ruth couldn’t be certain about that, but she knew better than to interrupt men discussing business behind closed doors . . . or whatever her husband-to-be and Governor Grant chewed the fat over.
What could it be other than busines?
Before evening chores, he returned to camp, looking rather pleased with himself and holding his own counsel. He’d better have a good excuse for keeping her in the dark all day.
Humph!
If it couldn’t be said in front of Star, then she could wait that long, but the minute the young lady went to bed . . . she’d get it out of him, or he may just get hurt!
Relatively certain it wouldn’t come to that, she gave him the eye several times.
Kneeling beside the fire, he stirred the beans and grinned. “Do you remember Lieutenant Freemont?”
“Of course. He’s the one who joined up with the train four days out from Fort Hall, right? What about him?”
“Governor Grant said the topographical engineer mapping the region has convinced him the federal government is serious about Oregon and California. If Doctor Whitman is right, and he can blaze a wagon trail all the way to the Pacific Ocean, well . . . Fort Hall will need to expand, and the derelict wagons Grant has will be worth plenty.”
She stared at him for a moment, but he didn’t say more. Like a child with a treasured secret meant to savor, he held his tongue.
“Fine, Logan Manchester. Out with it. Tell me now and tell me true. What has that got to do with us, and why were you and Grant holed up in his office so long?’
The man laughed. “He’s a poor loser, but looks to me that—”
“What are you talking about? Losing? What did the governor lose at?” She put two and two together. “Is that what the two of you were doing all day? Playing games? Mercy, Logan. I thought something bad had happened. For gracious sake. What game were you playing?”
“Chess. The man loves to play as much as I do.”
“So, you’ve been playing chess all day?” Had she put enough disdain in her voice? She wasn’t his wife yet but had promised to marry him. “Was there any business at all discussed during this game of yours?”
Star showed up with a fussing Noah, ready to eat. Ruth pivoted and sat hard in the rocker, glaring at him.
Lollygagging over a stupid game didn’t sound like how a man on a two-thousand-mile journey should be spending his time.
“Grant called you there to play chess?”
