Powder River Examiner -

In the previous installment of Horseback Librarian, Lanette found herself in an unfortunate situation. She concluded as she wrote to her cousin, Maisie Dodd, that she was lost in the Appalachian Mountains. This happened after a recent snowstorm, which threw Lanette off schedule and obscured the landmarks she had depended on to guide her way through the mountains. Will Lanette find her way back to Miracle?

Chapter Seven

November 5, 1934

Dear Maisie,

The night spent under the tree was definitely cold. There was no doubt I shivered quite a deal. The fire I’d made provided some heat and I reckon the banks of snow acted as insulation. Lying there on the ground in some warm clothes with one blanket was not enough. I tried not to eye the horse and mules, for they looked warm huddled up close to each other. It almost made me wish I was a four legged animal, so I could fit in beside them. I did pile the saddlebags around me to give another form of protection against the wind. Let me just say I pray I never find myself in that position again, and it made me remember how harsh snow can be. It may look beautiful in the daytime, but it is certainly dangerous for a human.

Besides the cold, I worried about the noises I heard all night. There was plenty of howling and I couldn’t tell whether it was from wolves or coyotes. I reckon that is something I should know for the future, trailing through the mountains by myself. Do you suppose anyone can tell the difference in what they sound like? Coyotes wouldn’t harm me and that is why I would like to be reassured that that is what I was hearing. Otherwise, there isn’t a lot around in the winter for wolves to eat…Enough on that sidenote.

I barely slept last night and so I was awake before the sun came out, which is harder to tell up here in the mountains. It was about that time I couldn’t stand lying on the cold ground any longer. So I decided to saddle the horse and pack up all my belongings. I started by backtracking, which is not easy for me, considering this is all still really new to me. Obviously, because I am convinced I’m lost.

Well, when I started to backtrack it occurred to me that in the times that I had fallen asleep, it must have snowed. Therefore, the tracks I would have looked for were layered over with more snow. Perhaps there was a sign I missed that most trackers would notice right away, but I didn’t see anything of the kind. Finding my way back to the Colton place seemed nearly impossible. There was only one thing I could depend on. The sun was to the east, which told me which way was north. I had no idea if any place I was familiar with was in the north, but at the time it seemed like the most logical direction to go.

I probably led my team for four hours before I came across a color other than green and white. Would you believe it? I found a man bundled in furs pointing a rifle at a turkey squatting in a tree. Unfortunately, the horse, mules, and I must have startled the turkey, for it flew away upon our emergence from over a hill. The hunter shot his rifle as the turkey flapped its wings and took off. The man grunted in frustration because he missed by mere inches. Either he hadn’t eaten in several days, or was simply mad that he did not hit the target. Nevertheless, he was so invested in his business that he didn’t realize I was watching from behind.

The man finally turned around when my horse whinnied. At last I could see his facial features and they were not what I had expected. Instead of a beard his face was clean shaven. The hat and scarf covering his head made it difficult to determine the length of his hair. He looked to be in his thirties. Apparently, he was not the type of mountain man I had read about in history classes. After all, we were in the Appalachian Mountains and not the Rockies, which were famous for mountain men that were trappers.

His first words were: “So you’re the librarian.”

I was taken aback. For the miles between everyone in the area, news still traveled fast. At least he was aware of the project.

My response was: “Yes, and you are?”

I learned that his name was Nathan Fordwick and that he lived only a mile north from where we were located. Being cooped up inside during the snowstorm had made him antsy. So as soon as the storm let up he was outside hunting while there was daylight. Perhaps yesterday had not been productive, for he was back at it again today and I had ruined his chance.

“Did you make it through the storm okay?” Nathan asked.

“Mostly. Although, I seem to have lost my way back to Miracle.”

He immediately presumed to point west. “About six to ten miles that way.”

“Goodness. I really did get off track.”

“Would you like me to guide you there?”

“I wouldn’t want to interrupt…”

“It wouldn’t be any problem.”

“Well…I could really use the help if you don’t mind?”

“Not at all. Let’s just stop at my place to get some supplies and then we will be on our way.”

And as it happens, as soon as we made it to his place it started snowing again. Enough so that Nathan decided it would not be wise to travel. Before long we watched another blizzard set in. I’m so lucky, Maisie. If I hadn’t crossed paths with Nathan I might be stuck out there in this storm. It’s amazing how events play out. Just be reassured that I’m safe now, in a warm place, and where there is food. I will tell you more later.

Sincerely,

Lanette