Alive in Alaska by T. A. Martin Read Free Book Online

she was fortunately downwind from the beast and on the other side of the stream.   The only weapon she had was a knife.   Her mind raced as she physically remained as still as possible.   The bladder was now full, but she held it still in the water so as not to move.   The lion turned away, and Danielle pulled the bladder out of the water with only a slight noise.   The lion looked back her way but did not turn.   He sniffed the air.   Could have been a fish flop he seemed to think.   He turned away again starting a slow, deliberate walk along the bank.   The lion knelt down and lapped water out of the stream. Danielle's muscles were screaming.   Please don't cramp she thought.   It was a good ten minutes before the mountain lion finish his visit to the stream and disappeared into the trees.   Danielle collapsed on the ground.   Water started to splash out, but she jammed the stopper into the bladder before it spilled too much.   Danielle began vigorously rubbing her legs to get feeling back.   Knowing she needed to get as far along the trail she had come, she struggled to her feet.   One foot before the other she picked the quietest steps.   If walking sounds were too loud, it might be enough to alert the lion.   Getting back to the group was the best thing that she could do at this point.   Her first steps along the trail were agonizing, even for a very fit Danielle.
    She was gone much longer than she should have been.   She did not, of course, know that the EMT had started out in the direction she had left.   The density of the tree growth blocked seeing very far into the distance.   The bladder she was carrying was holding a gallon of water, so the bladder was now quite a load.   Footsteps… paw-steps… she wasn't sure.   She looked moving her head to try seeing around the trees.   It was getting to be a little nerve racking.
    “Danielle,” The EMT called.
    A few steps more and they saw each other a few trees away.
    "Boy, am I glad to see you," She called back.
    "We were getting concerned."
    “You may find this hard to believe, but I ran into a mountain lion coming down to drink at the stream.”
    “Mountain lions don’t usually roam this area of Alaska.”
    "I know, but it was a mountain lion; fortunately I had not been moving around much I was downwind and was hidden a bit by a bush.   I just froze until he left.   I was very lucky."
    “I would say you were.   Can I help you back?   Let me take the water.”
    “Thanks.”
    Everyone cheered when they got to camp.   The fire was going very well, and everyone was set up for going to sleep.   But, they sat around the fire for a little while as Danielle told her story about getting the water.
    ~~~
    The morning dawn light woke Danielle, and she sat up to see the smoldering fire site giving up the last of its life.   She stood up still a little sore from the adventure yesterday and walked over to the fire to put more sticks on to get the fire going again for coffee.   Yesterday the survivors had made it to the bottom of the mountain where they had decided to rest and wait for the land rescue team.   As it turned out, that was a good thing.
    Danielle picked up the phone to call.
    “This is Danielle, what is the status this morning for the rescue team?”
    “We’re getting a Small Unit Support Ambulance to come after you.   They are currently on their way back from the Navajo crash site with debris and as soon as they offload here and we clean up the vehicle they will be on their way to get you.   It is the only asset we have now to come to you.”
    “Roger that.   Thank you.”
    The coffee was ready when she put the phone down, and some of the others were now awake and gathered to have a cup.
    It was only an hour later when the phone sounded, and Danielle picked up and talked to the field headquarters.   She turned to the group.
      "They're finally on their way!"   Danielle said still holding the satellite phone to her ear.