Rescue

The next morning started out as usual.  Jetta and Kathy tied on their tattered, filthy aprons and set to work to make the breakfast of bread and butter, salted pork, and warm milk straight  from their cow, Buttercup. After breakfast, the family loaded everything back into the wagon and hitched the horses. Then they resumed their search for “Canaan land”.

        As they proceeded over the grassy sea that morning, they read stories and told jokes. It was the happiest the family had been since the journey started, even Elizabeth was laughing. That morning Charles had apologized to his wife about not loving her the way he should and she forgave him. He promised to build her a very comfortable log cabin. So the family had finally found love, friendship, and happiness. 

         It was about mid afternoon on a sunny August day; the Thorne family was laughing over a joke Peter just told. All of the sudden painted men,  riding on  pinto horses came charging through the towering grass towards the wagon. Jetta’s heart skipped a beat. What did these Indians want? What were they going to do? At that moment arrows came flying in every direction;  Jetta hid between a flour barrel and a trunk of clothing. The wagon tipped over, but just as soon as they came; they went. Jetta could hear far-away cries from Peter and Katie. A cold chill ran down her spine as she crept from the upturned wagon. Her heart almost stopped when she saw Elizabeth and Charles; they were bleeding extremely badly.           “Pa! Ma!” Jetta cried running to them.

        

    “Jetta don’t worry we’re goi’n to see Jesus,” Charles said barley above a whisper.

     “Pa I have to worry what would I do if ma and you d-d…”Jetta could not say the dreadful word, ” don’t go,” she finally wailed,” I need you.”

    “With God’s h-help… all things ar-are possible, ma… has already… gone home. Sh- she even has a-a… smile on her face.” Jetta looked over at her pale, still, cold mother; was it true? Had her mother really died? Jetta shuttered at the thought, she buried her countenance in her father’s bosom and wept. It was true. A few minutes later Charles died also leaving Jetta all alone in the vast wilderness.

 

     Many hours had passed and Jetta still clung to her precious father. It was long after dark and Jetta still clung to him. She feared to let go lest someone should snatch her away. The next day Jetta set to work to dig a grave all the while weeping. She had not gotten very far when she heard someone ride up on a horse; she froze not knowing whom it was. She turned around slowly and saw an incredibly handsome young man about 19 or 20 years old. He had soft, affectionate brown eyes, and golden �"brown hair.” Hello, my name is James. What are you doing?” Jetta stared at them blankly she was so tired she could not think.

        “What are you doing?” He repeated.” Would I be of any help?”

     Then something happened, Jetta fainted! About that time, one of James pals noticed Jetta’s lifeless parents. Therefore, D.J (one of James friends) went back to town and obtained a wagon and the doctor, while James stayed with Jetta trying to wake her.