Rose Four The Island

By Christopher Charles

Scared, she did not dare move. It was not feeling like a raccoon. It was much bigger and dangerous. She wished the lantern was working. She could hear it breathing. It was on the branch above her. If it jumped, it would land right on her.
Slowly she placed her left hand over the cooked fish protecting them. She heard the animal move on down the branch until he was part way in the boat beside her. She felt the boat tip sharply to her left. Yes, it was very large.
Suddenly she felt pain in her left arm. Sharp claws moved across her hand. It sent her screaming. Her fear came out in full force. She raised her hand quickly and struck something hard that had teeth in it. She kept screaming and swinging hard into the mass of fur and teeth. She felt another slash on her arm and screamed louder. Finally, the beast retreated up the branch.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Charles
• Release date: Dec 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781950901272

Book preview

Copyright 2/21/09

11527513771

Rose Chronicles

R 1 Witches Brew

R 2 Indian Curse

R 3 The Flood

R 4 The Island

R-5 The Spook

R-6 Passage

R 7 Gambler

R 8 St Louis

R 9 River Race

R 10 Going Home

R 11 School Experiment.

R 12 Slave Boat

R 13 Preparation

R 14 The Trail

R 15 Indian Boy

R 16-Rose Indian

4 The Island

By Christopher Charles

Prologue

The flood has isolated everyone at the schoolhouse, but Rose finds herself floating down river after she tries to rescue Midnight, Mrs. Stone’s horse.

1 Midnight

Rose woke with a start. At first, she was frightened. She was not at home in her familiar bed. She continued to lie in her blankets listening to the conversation going on around her until she realized she was at the schoolhouse, and they were surrounded by water. Doctor Richardson was talking at a whisper level to Mrs. Stone concerning Captain Bollinger’s infection and fever.

We've done about all we can do for him. It's up to him now.

It's probably best to keep the wound open at this point to allow the infection to drain, Mrs. Stone replied.

It’s going to leave a nasty scar when it does heal, Doctor Richardson said. I think the bullet took some lung tissue. See how his breathing labors.

That could be the infection settling in his lungs. He should sit up to keep them clear.

Good idea! Doctor Richardson said and proceeded to lift the Captain's head to place his pillow higher.

Rose opened her eyes and sat up. She was still tired from the night before. She looked around slowly. Everyone was asleep except Doctor Richardson and Mrs. Stone. The Doctor was still in his dress. Mrs. Stone had her blanket tucked up around her sitting next to Captain Bollinger. They had not noticed she was awake.

The room was full of bodies lying everywhere. She looked hard for her mother, but she could not find her. Mary Beth continued to sleep beside her. She had Satan tucked up under her arm. He was sleeping and purring softly.

Rose felt hot. It was probably why Satan moved off her. She kicked the blankets to one side and stretched her arms. Mrs. Stone and Doctor Richardson continued to talk.

Maybe another cup of your broth might help, Doctor Richardson said.

I forced a full cup down him an hour ago and doubled the dosage of my herb, she replied.

Then that should do it. I think we will have to wait for the infection to run its course. Turning, he noticed Rose was awake. Good morning, Dear.

Where's my mother? Rose asked in a quiet voice.

She's sleeping out in your wagon, Doctor Richardson said. She was very tired. She's been like a mother hen to everybody wearing herself out. I finally forced her out to the wagon with your father. I expect she's still asleep. It might be good to leave her be for a while.

Mrs. Stone crawled back to her spot on the floor and climbed deeper into her blanket. I know I am very tired. It might be good if you tried to sleep a bit longer, Dear.

How is Captain Bollinger doing?

As well as can be expected, Doctor Richardson said. He's taken a turn for the worse. I think he wore himself out riding all over the country yesterday. He should have stayed put with a chest wound like that and obeyed his doctor.

Has the rain stopped?

For now, it has, but I wouldn't count on it staying that way. The clouds are still here.

Rose threw the rest of her blankets off and stood.

And where do you think you're going? Doctor Richardson asked.

I thought I would get up.

No, you don't! These folks need their sleep.

But I can't just lay here. I'll go crazy. I never sleep in this late at home.

Then you will have to go outside unless it starts raining. I was looking forward to a few hours of sleep myself. I don't need someone moving about in here.

I know! I can go look for Mrs. Stone's horse."

He's probably with the other horses. You could just check, but don't you go disturbing them. They need their rest like everyone else.

You don't have to look for my horse, Rose, Mrs. Stone said from the floor. I am sure he is all right.

It’s okay, Rose said in a loud whisper. It will give me something to do. I can't stay lying here any longer. She turned and moved quickly across the floor of sleeping bodies. She found one of her old dresses behind the screen and changed. Slipping into her boots and wool coat, she was ready for the outside.

Doctor Richardson met her at the door. You stay on this side of any water. What with it rising by the hour, it could cut you off.

Yes sir, this side of the water. She glanced towards Mrs. Stone. She smiled weakly from beneath her blanket at the other end of the room.

Don't you go waking people in the wagons, Doctor Richardson continued.

No sir, Rose said backing away from him and slipping through the door. I'll be as quiet as a mouse.

Once outside, Rose walked quickly through the canvas hallway. She heard the door close behind her. The rain had temporarily stopped, but the canvas still had run off. The dark clouds continued to hide the sun leaving a cold mist in the air. She tightened her coat and moved faster.

Rose could hear the snoring on each side of her. Loud, she thought, And he thinks I might wake them.

Leaving the wagons, Rose walked quickly to the herd of horses standing under the trees. They noticed her coming, but they did not bother recognizing her. They preferred to continue eating the grass and keeping their behinds to the slight breeze blowing their hair forward.

Slowing, Rose walked around them looking for Mrs. Stone's black stallion. No, he's not here, she said to herself. Maybe he's wondered further away. She moved on down the road. She looked in the flooded forest on each side of her, but there was no sign of him. When the road started its slight decline towards her house, she met the water. It prevented her from going further.

Rose looked out over the flood. All she could see was water. Last night she could not see how extensive it was, but now she was awed. Her house was somewhere in front her under water, if it had not floated downstream.