The Long Journey Back

The darkness was so encompassing that they could not see where they were headed until a flash of light illuminated the mountains ahead of them. The driving rain quickly flooded the ravines and gulleys, washing debris down into the river, but still the deluge continued. The lightning struck nearby trees, causing Colleen to cry out. She felt as she had while under attack by the Yankees.

"Where are they taking us?" she yelled through the storm.

Steven held her tightly and shook his head. "Don't be afraid, my love. Whatever comes, we'll face it together." But Colleen knew by the way he gripped her arm that he was frightened as well.

The riders suddenly veered off the main road onto a trail leading into the trees at the base of a mountain. The small wagon barely fit along the narrow path, but the men never slowed their pace. Tree branches whipped past them, some striking their faces and arms. The closer they came to the mountain, the louder the sounds of the rushing river. Soon the path was filled with water, the horses slowing as they waded through.

Steven and Colleen could see the water rushing past as high as the hub of the wheels, causing the horse to strain harder to pull the wagon through the rushing torrent. Colleen felt truely afraid now. She clung desperately to Steven, fearing they would be swept away.

Suddenly, the trail began to rise, climbing up out of the rushing water. The path was rocky, the wagon lurching over large stones and rocks. The trees began to thin, giving way to a steep stony incline. Colleen and Steven realized they were on their way along a remote trail up the side of the mountain. The further they climbed, the further they were from the water. The trail, however, grew narrower, and the wheels of their wagon threatened to fall off the edge. To the left of them, the mountain rose high above and to the right, a precipitous drop of tangled boulders and trees.

Steven couldn't imagine where these men might be taking them. They seemed to be climbing higher up the mountain. They were following a definate path, but was it only to get above the water? For what purpose had these men brought them along on this mad dash for their lives? He only wished he still had his rifle, then perhaps he could have forced the men to let them go.

The rain continued to pelt them unmercifully and they were now thoroughly soaked to the skin, the water running over them as if they had stepped under a waterfall.

The riders had slowed their horses to a walk, each man following in single file, the trail seemingly more narrow and treacherous. It was difficult to see where they were going, but the men kept leading them on.

The right wheel of the wagon suddenly tottered and then fell off the edge, throwing Colleen and Steven nearly over the precipice. Colleen screamed, but managed to hold on to Steven who had grabbed the brake handle, keeping them from being vaulted off the seat. Colleen hung on to Steven and the seat for dear life, the wood slippery and jagged on her hand. She cried out for help, fearing she would be dashed to her death on the rocks below.

Several of the men dismounted quickly, two of them grabbing the horse that had begun to panic and rear, while the others pulled them to safety. The wagon was righted and put back on the trail while the young man who had been leading Molly calmed her down. He knew if the wagon had gone over, the horse would surely have perished as well.

Once Colleen was stainding back on the trail, she began to tremble uncontrollably. She was terrified, her arms and face were scratched and stinging and her heart was pounding madly from nearly going over the edge of the cliff.