The area she travelled through was parched and brown.
Her eyes scanned the land for any signs of water. She had shared
the last of her canteen with her horse that morning, now both were hot
tired and very thirsty. She walked slowly, the horse following head hanging
low. she walked more and more to save the horse's strength.
She thought more and more about trying another direction to look for water.
She couldn't go back as she knew there was nothing behind her. Victoria
stopped,to try to decide what to do. A large tree and the shade it offered
beckoned her. The large branches drooped low to the ground from the
lack of rain, but it was shade. A respite from the brutal sun that
beat down on her from a cloudless sky. Both horse and rider rested as the
heat continued. Without realizing she drifted off. And with
sleep came the dream. The old woman spoke to her as if she had been
able to read her thoughts.
"Do not stray from the path you follow.
Home and love are waiting for you."
The face of the old woman was replaced by the young
woman and for the first time she spoke.
"Come home. We are here for you."
The voice low and almost melodic to Victoria's ears
as the thoughts filled her head. She woke with a start and noticed the
sun was lower and the temperature was just a bit cooler.
She stretched and stood for a long moment beforemaking
the decision to continue following the road she was on. Within the hour
she came upon a pond. Although just slightly more than a large mud
hole it was water. She rigged her bandana around the moth of her
canteen before plunging it into the brackish water. Mosquitoes that
hovered around the water tormented her and her horse. The horse shied
away from the water when Victoria tried to get her to drink. She thought
it was because of the mosquitoes and poured some of the water into her
hat. She was puzzled that the horse continued to back away with a
shake of her head. After several attempts, Victoria gave up, puzzled as
to why her horse wouldn't drink when she knew she was thirsty. She lifted
the canteen to drink when the horse nudged her arm causing her to spill
the water down the fron of her shirt. She tried again. Another
bump which angered her.
"Look just because you don't want to drink doesn't
mean I don't now stop it"
With that she took a large mouthful, only to spit
it right back out.
"God that tastes awful" She started to pour the
water out, but decided tat any water, no matter how bad it tastes
was better than no water and took another mouthful, swallowing quickly.
"This will have to do until we can find better water.
Mounting her horse they continued on until she found
a suitable spot to camp for the night. The small river she camped
by ran slow, but clear and tasted sweet. She dumped the contents of her
canteen far from the river rinsing the canteen several times. Her
horse drank her fill without any hesitation. She cooked her meager supper
and turned in.
Cassie stood on the porch to watch the sun come up.
Even at this early hour, the day was oppresively hot. Not even the
birds were singing. Granny sat in her rocking chair next to Cassie
shaking her grey head.
"It's started" She said quietly.
"What's started Granny?" Cassie asked.
"The sickness" So ominous was her answer, that Cassie
felt a chill despite the heat.
Cassie