May 15, 1854
It has been a very tedious journey. My family has been through a lot this trip. Jacob and Anna both came down with dysentery which is an infection. My poor children are sick with diarrhea. I keep giving them extra water so they don't die. Hopefully, this water is potable. Is it the water that made them sick? My mind is running in circles with reasons for the dysentery. They need water because they are unable to eat. Only David, John and I eat from the provisions. The choice was tough, beef jerky and hot, mushy soup when we camped. I feel some relief because my master has excused me from making meals since Jacob and Anna are so ill and also because I am recovering from severe burns on my hands. I fell into a fire. I have written in journal because of this. It has been terribly painful but nothing like the pain of another wagon train member suffer from snake bite.
Tonight, David and I will sleep outside with howling winds with Jacob and Anna since they are so sick. We will be up taking them to the latrine. I pray each moment for them to survive this perilous infection.
I must write about something happy. Today, there was a ride through a beautiful sight of long flowing grass covered with colorful wild flowers. I was told it is called a prairie. This is a new word for me. Big, black birds with large wing spans drifted on the powerful winds. Dust blew up in our eyes as the wagon moved along the worn trail.
My writing was just interrupted with David announcing the wagon master has decided that tomorrow we will head for the Cheyenne River Trail instead of taking a shorter route through the Burial Grounds Trail. David explains the wagon master and the men have decided it is better to take the safer route than to cross a Indian burial ground. There has been word that other wagon trains have been attacked for crossing the burial grounds. Nate Page has decided to leave the wagon train and to take the other route.
Overall, I am exhausted and I now face another night with little sleep. I am terrified that Jacob and Anna may die if the infection does not clear up. The beautiful sights of the prairie gave me hope that it is all going to work out. I pray this is true.
Hi Ruby Bryant, it's Juan Hernandez. I hope your children get better. This trail sure is exhausting. The trail that we're going on will be much safer than the one Nate Page is going on.
ReplyDeleteHowdy Ruby Bryant, it's Dr.Dan. I hope that your children are getting better. If you need anything just ask me. We are on a very save trail, other than the snakes. So hopefully your children will have time to get better, and not have to worry about any dangers in their path.
ReplyDeletehi there Ruby! I am so sorry to hear that your children are so sick! Dr. Dan and I can help you if you need extra help around the campground. Do not worry about our shortage of water since we are taking the cheyyene trail unlike Nate Page and his son. They are crazy.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruby, its Nate. I hope your kids feel better soon. I don't see any beautiful sights on the burial ground trail its so dry and humid. The Native Americans attacked us once and almost burnt our wagon.
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