PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#44
Bruce remembered drinking water, but not how he got it. He noticed the fire was still burning, but didn't remember putting wood on the fire. He did remember screaming, when the pain got intense, and then he assumed that he passed out. Just before a fresh wave of breath stealing pain erupted through his body, Bruce wondered if he would ever see Tricia again and he tried to send her love thoughts.
Chuck and the mare and colt walked East, the pace slow going and frustrating. For the lack of being able to see in the smoky air, he fussed at the mare for problems out of her control. "If I could just find a hill to climb, maybe we could see how close the fire is and if we are going to burn to a crisp, or make it out alive."
The mare never answered, but kept on walking, turning her head constantly to see where her colt was. Every time the colt attempted to nurse, the mare stopped and firmly refused to walk, until he was done.
"You're sure a troublesome woman," Chuck scolded as he was startled by a small herd of deer that ran in front of them, in a panic run away from the approaching fire.
"Come on sweetie, lets step up the pace, that's not a good sign. I wonder if you could trot with me on your back. I think right about now is a good time to test that theory," and Chuck heaved himself up and across the back of Moss. Setting the broad back of the work horse was uncomfortable, and the mare wasn't happy, but responded with the slowest trot Chuck had ever seen. "Moss is a good name for you, you run like a dry hydrant," Chuck complained as the wind blew a gust of fresh air at them.
In the instant clearing of the heavy smoke, Chuck could see the fire about a quarter mile away and to his upper left. "Ok sweetie, like it or not, trot!" he commanded, as the smoke rolled back in to obscure his sight. Chuck started praying, he needed all the help he could get.
Mark and the set of wagons went thundering across the open prairie in a desperate race to avoid the fire. The heavy stinging smoke clogged noses and set eyes to watering so bad, it was difficult to see. They stumbled onto the small lake almost by accident, and bogged the heavy wagons down in the marshy stretch along the banks.
The wind swirled and eddied, sending showers of sparks and burning grass leaves floating down on the wooden wagons. "Throw water on the wagons," the shouts went up and down the mired wagon line, "don't let them burn." The men threw water on the horses also.
Andy looked around, feeling spooky vibrations run up and down his back. The wind was pushing the tall grass in circling patterns, a tiger could be hiding in the natural cover and he wouldn't be the wiser. Depending on his horse to alert him if the sworn predator was close, Andy had his rifle cocked and ready to fire.
The smoke was getting thicker and Andy had the sinking feeling that he was probably going to be the tiger's lunch. There was no tracking the cat with the wind blowing the grass in ripples across the ground. Andy made the decision to find a hill and see if he could spot the fire.
Donny and the couple trotted hard to the East, trying to outrun the choking smoke, feeling the scared terror of not knowing where the fire was. The horses ran in a panic, bouncing and nearly throwing Chester off the wagon seat. "Stay down and hang on," he yelled at Donna.
Donna was hanging on, her fingers bloodlessly white in the strength she was gripping the back of the wagon seat.
"Pray," Chester shouted again, "this is gonna be real bad."
Bruce remembered drinking water, but not how he got it. He noticed the fire was still burning, but didn't remember putting wood on the fire. He did remember screaming, when the pain got intense, and then he assumed that he passed out. Just before a fresh wave of breath stealing pain erupted through his body, Bruce wondered if he would ever see Tricia again and he tried to send her love thoughts.
Chuck and the mare and colt walked East, the pace slow going and frustrating. For the lack of being able to see in the smoky air, he fussed at the mare for problems out of her control. "If I could just find a hill to climb, maybe we could see how close the fire is and if we are going to burn to a crisp, or make it out alive."
The mare never answered, but kept on walking, turning her head constantly to see where her colt was. Every time the colt attempted to nurse, the mare stopped and firmly refused to walk, until he was done.
"You're sure a troublesome woman," Chuck scolded as he was startled by a small herd of deer that ran in front of them, in a panic run away from the approaching fire.
"Come on sweetie, lets step up the pace, that's not a good sign. I wonder if you could trot with me on your back. I think right about now is a good time to test that theory," and Chuck heaved himself up and across the back of Moss. Setting the broad back of the work horse was uncomfortable, and the mare wasn't happy, but responded with the slowest trot Chuck had ever seen. "Moss is a good name for you, you run like a dry hydrant," Chuck complained as the wind blew a gust of fresh air at them.
In the instant clearing of the heavy smoke, Chuck could see the fire about a quarter mile away and to his upper left. "Ok sweetie, like it or not, trot!" he commanded, as the smoke rolled back in to obscure his sight. Chuck started praying, he needed all the help he could get.
Mark and the set of wagons went thundering across the open prairie in a desperate race to avoid the fire. The heavy stinging smoke clogged noses and set eyes to watering so bad, it was difficult to see. They stumbled onto the small lake almost by accident, and bogged the heavy wagons down in the marshy stretch along the banks.
The wind swirled and eddied, sending showers of sparks and burning grass leaves floating down on the wooden wagons. "Throw water on the wagons," the shouts went up and down the mired wagon line, "don't let them burn." The men threw water on the horses also.
Andy looked around, feeling spooky vibrations run up and down his back. The wind was pushing the tall grass in circling patterns, a tiger could be hiding in the natural cover and he wouldn't be the wiser. Depending on his horse to alert him if the sworn predator was close, Andy had his rifle cocked and ready to fire.
The smoke was getting thicker and Andy had the sinking feeling that he was probably going to be the tiger's lunch. There was no tracking the cat with the wind blowing the grass in ripples across the ground. Andy made the decision to find a hill and see if he could spot the fire.
Donny and the couple trotted hard to the East, trying to outrun the choking smoke, feeling the scared terror of not knowing where the fire was. The horses ran in a panic, bouncing and nearly throwing Chester off the wagon seat. "Stay down and hang on," he yelled at Donna.
Donna was hanging on, her fingers bloodlessly white in the strength she was gripping the back of the wagon seat.
"Pray," Chester shouted again, "this is gonna be real bad."