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Chapter Eight
The Hunting Party
1837, Southwest of Three Forks, in what would later become the State of Montana.
"With my soul have I [Emma] desired Thee [God] in the night; yea, with my spirit
within me will I seek Thee early: for when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants
of the world will learn righteousness."
~ Isaiah 26:9 ~
 fter
a long day's work on his bearskin coat, Josiah fell asleep while Emma was hearing
Mary's bedtime prayer. Josiah didn't know how much time passed until he awoke, but
when his eyes opened, the cabin was silent. Turning his head slightly, Josiah found
Emma sleeping beside him on the buffalo robes. Ready to go back to sleep, Josiah
heard a soft, faint sound coming from the other side of the fireplace. His eyes focused
on a small child, tiptoeing toward the door in her moccasins. Josiah frowned. Was
Mary trying to leave? Emma wouldn't like it if she left.
Before Josiah had a chance to move, the child stopped beside the bucket he had hollowed
out for her to use as a chamber pot. Relaxing, Josiah waited to see if Mary would
finally use it. It had sat untouched for two whole nights, and every morning, Emma
had been urgently awakened for a trip out to the latrine.
Josiah saw Mary cautiously peek over her shoulder to make sure he was truly asleep.
Shutting his eyes, Josiah let himself drift off into slumber. At least the girl was
using the bucket. Finally. In his half-awake consciousness, Josiah could see Emma,
hugging him for doing such a thoughtful gesture for Mary. Then a dull thud broke
through Emma's praise, and Josiah was awake again.
Scanning the room, Josiah found Mary on the ground by the door, her bare bottom in
the dirt. Beside her was an overturned bucket. Josiah felt the strong urge to laugh,
for she had obviously fallen off.
Stunned, Mary looked up to see him wide awake and staring at her. Her bottom lip
began to quiver and Josiah was suddenly afraid the girl was going to start crying.
"Emma," Josiah nudged his wife.
Groggily, Emma turned in bed, but remained fast asleep.
Shaking Emma's shoulder, Josiah lowered his gaze to keep Mary from bursting into
humiliated tears. "Yer needed, Emma. Mary's had a spill."
By now, Mary had picked herself up, and was desperately trying to clean up the mess
the overturned bucket had made.
With an understanding nod to Josiah, Emma quietly went to the girl. Without a word,
Emma helped Mary scoop up the soiled dirt in a shovel, and then dispose of it outside.
All the while, Mary looked on the brink of tears, but Emma's understanding smiles
and soothing hugs kept them at bay.
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