Postby AlexUSA » Sun Aug 09, 2015 5:29 pm
"We must move faster!" Robert Clay shouted out.
"Cross the river!" Joseph ordered, and the men followed as it now was raining heavily.
"We should be getting closer," Edward Clay muttered.
"The old Reed place is here. No one will find us there," Joseph shouted.
"You sure we shook then by turning north back there?" Jonathan asked.
"I am quite certain. Quick! Into the barn!"
The men rode their horses in and dismounted. They tied the horses up and removed their precious cargo. The men, girls, and horses were all dripping wet. The men brought the girls into the abandoned farmhouse. The girls were placed on the floor in a corner where they continued to struggle.
"No fires."
"The smoke?" Edward asked.
"No smoke."
"Enough food here," Robert observed.
"I planned this in advance."
"And you did fine."
"Can we open a can of vittles?" Jonathan asked impatiently.
"Hush up, boy!" Joseph snapped back.
"Fine, then," he said crouching down by the girls.
"Get away from them, or I will hang you!"
"I can control myself, old man."
"Listen to me," Joseph said grabbing Jonathan. "Remember, we have a long way to go. I can handle mistakes, but you are a fool. When we are where we are going, THEN you can behave as you please. Until then, you will listen to us."
"Yessir," Jonatan replied quietly.
"Now, girls," Joseph said removing the wet blindfolds.
"Mmmm!" they each said fearfully.
The girls were terrified. They were in an unknown place and kidnapped. They were cold and wet, their dresses and hair plastered to their bodies. The ropes dug into their skin where there was direct contact. These men could be planning anything: slavery, molestation, forced marriage, ransom, murder.
They tried but couldn't make any progress. The knots were unreachable. Faith had luck and was able to, thanks to the wetness, push her gag out. She tremored a little as she looked at the men who were unaware.
"E-e-e-excuse me...," she started fearfully.
"Yes, lass?" Joseph asked.
"Why did you do this to us? Why are you kidnapping us?"
"Girl, I cannot address this yet," he said kneeling next to her.
"Will you hurt us?" she asked tearfully.
"As long as I live, I will not allow any of you to be hurt."
"Where are you taking us?"
"Far from here."
"How long will you keep us like this?"
"Until we feel the danger is gone. I am sorry."
Joseph took the bandana and retied it in her mouth, securing it behind her head. Faith just sat there crying knowing there was nothing to do. Joseph looked at the men.
"We will bring as much food and supplies as we can as well as the girls. There is a wagon we will bring with us. The girls and goods will ride in there. Edward, you will ride in the wagon because if anyone follows us, you won't miss. Jonathan, I need you outside because of your tracking skills; you will find those lurking in the bushes. Robert, I need your wisdom as well. Load up! Two horses on the wagon and two for riding!"
The men loaded pans, food, and other supplies. They put the girls on the floor of the wagon. Here Robert Clay showed some ingenuity, fastening clasps and leg irons to the bottom to fasten the girls, meaning their legs at least could be untied. After sealing the wagon up most of the back, Edward Clay seatted himself near the hole there. For this stage, the girls arms were retied in front of them but still with chest and waist ropes. It was now night.
Edward looked up at the bound and gagged figures. He figured himself the luckiest man in the world at that point. The girls were relieved to be able to move their legs. That was their only relief, though. They were seated in a sea of metal.
As the wagon plodded along in the dark, the girls sat still, knowing they were surrounded by captors. Soon, their guard in Edward Clay fell asleep. The others said nothing as Ursula, the closest to Edward, slowly reached her fingers toward his gun. She had just touched it when she felt a hand slap her.
"Mmmm!" Ursula whimpered.
"Unh unh uhh! None of that!"
"Mmmm..."
"You're a cute little blonde. I think I'll choose you if Joseph lets me."
"Hmph!" she rebuffed.
"That's a nice 'un."
This was when the girls dozed off one by one. Only Eliza kept vigil. She was uncertain of where they were going. The future ahead was... uncertain. The... dangers... mainfold. In a sea of confusion, Eliza fell asleep.
=============================================
The next morning, Eliza awoke to the smell of coffee being brewed. The wagon was stopped, and Faith and Carrie were awake. Where were they?
Eliza began kicking up a storm and mmphing at the top of her lungs. She wanted to generate attention. The ropes and chains and gag made her sore. She had been bound and gagged for almost a full day. The sound brought Robert Clay over.
"You all want something? Let me get, Joseph. Joseph!"
"What, Robert?"
"The girls are clamoring for some air time!"
"There is no one near. Release them but keep their legs chained."
"Well, you're in luck!" he said unhitching them one at a time. He lifted each one out of the wagon unto the ground before removing their gags and untying them.
"Thank you, sir," Faith said.
"You're welcome, missy," he said smiling.
The girls walked around and stretched. The breakfast was just simple porridge, but the warmth soothed the aches and pains. They gazed down the mountains on which they sat, looking toward the east. Home was that way.
Would they ever see home again?
I rite on a tabblit, so speling errurs will hap pin free quintly.