Wednesday, August 2.
We had a very cold night; there was ice a quarter of an inch thick
this morning. Several head of Hardinbrooke’s and Walker’s cattle were
missing this morning; the men have been hunting them all day, they
were found this evening in a cañon four miles from camp; there were
the tracks of two horses, with shoes, that had driven them there. The
Indians do not shoe their horses, so there must be thieves besides
Indians in this country. And here we are another whole day’s drive
behind the other half of our train. Oh, I wonder if it will be possible
to overtake them now, before our roads separate entirely. They must be
at least two days ahead of us, if they have not been delayed.
* * * * *
Thursday, August 3.
The mountains in this region are very barren, composed of sand and
rock, principally. It comes nearer being desert than anywhere on the
road. We have traveled all day, and have come only thirteen miles. The
road has been very rough indeed. I rode in the wagon the greater part
of the day, so I could take care of little Annie Hardinbrooke; her
mother is very sick. I have thought so much about Neelie, whenever the
wheels would strike a rock, or jolt down into a rut; how she must have
suffered, if in pain or fever; how hard it must have been for her.
Lyde says Dr. Fletcher is very impatient and cross, because of the
delay; he threatened to take a horse and go horseback yesterday, when
he found the train would not move. She thinks he is very anxious about
Neelie, and very much in love.
* * * * *
Friday, August 4.
The wolves howled around our camp all last night and kept Cæsar--our
watch-dog--barking; so we could not sleep. Have made only a short
drive, and are camping at Rock Springs, where the road forks. The
men are not agreed as to which road to take; the upper--or right-hand
road--is the shortest, but the lower is best supplied with pasture and
water. If we take the upper road we cannot hope to see our friends
again, so Dr. Fletcher and I want to take the lower road, for we still
hope that we may overtake them.
Mrs. Hardinbrooke is very sick; I fear we are going to have another
case of serious sickness in our camp. I have taken care of Annie again
to-day, which seems to be the most efficient service I can render,
as Lyde and Mrs. Joe Walker take care of Mrs. Hardinbrooke when her
husband cannot be with her. He takes all the care of her at night, and
a most excellent nurse he seems to be. Sim is quite well, only pale and
weak.
* * * * *
Saturday, August 5.
The decision was made in favor of the lower road. As the train was
rolling out I had just mounted my pony, when Dr. Fletcher came and
asked me to ride with him. He has never seemed to care for my company,
nor I for his until since we have been so anxious about Neelie. Our
anxiety has been a bond of sympathy, and we have rather enjoyed each
other’s society. We had gone a short distance ahead of the train when
we saw someone coming horseback. I soon saw that it was Frank. We
hurried on to meet him. He shook hands without speaking. I asked, “How
is Neelie?”
“She is very low. I came after you, doctor. Our camp is about four
miles from here; we have waited two days for you, and thought you would
certainly come yesterday. When you did not come, we thought you must
have gone the upper road, and I was going back as far as the first
station to inquire if you had passed. I am glad, indeed, to meet you,
but greatly fear you will not be in time to save Neelie.”
The doctor asked two or three questions, excused himself and rode
away at a gallop, leaving Frank and I to follow, while I plied him
with questions, which he answered patiently. He then said, “Neelie was
much better for a day or two after we left you; we all thought she was
getting well; she spoke of you every time I saw her, and wondered why
you did not come. Since the fever came back I have not talked to her at
all. Part of the time she has been delirious, and when conscious she
was too weak to talk.”
Oh, dear. I do so want to see her and help take care of her.