Woman of Courage by Wanda E. Brunstetter Read Free Book Online

secured the pack mules to her father’s horse, mounted her own mare, and rode on.

    Sometime later, Amanda came upon a small clearing where she set up camp and built a fire. At least she knew how to do that much. After her recent ordeal, Amanda really had no appetite for food, but if she was going to keep up her strength, she needed to eat. She would change out of her wet clothes and cook supper. Maybe then she could think more clearly and decide what to do.
    Once the fire had died down some, Amanda set a kettle of water on the burning coals to cook some dried rabbit she’d found in Harvey’s pack. It wasn’t much of a supper, but it would have to do. She’d already watered the horses and mules and tied them out to graze on some tall grass, as she’d seen Harvey do whenever they stopped for the night. But what about all the things she didn’t know how to do? She’d never handled a gun or dressed wild game.
    Amanda wasn’t sure how long her supply of dried meat, beans, and grain would hold out. They’d finished their fresh vegetables a couple of weeks back. And even though she was feeding only one person now, eventually she’d need to find a food supply or she’d run out of things to eat.
    Amanda’s thoughts turned from food to travel. She could either stay put, hoping someone would come along and escort her to the Spaldings’ mission, or she could make an attempt to get there herself.
Maybe by morning I’ll know what to do
, she decided.
Perhaps God will speak to me during the night and give some direction
.
    Bedding down on her mat was pure torture. The night sounds and pitch-black sky created an eerie, nerve-racking scene, and Amanda felt the cold chill of fear sweep through her. She’d never spent a night by herself, much less in the wilderness, where all kinds of dangers posed any number of threats.
    Earlier, the clouds had parted, and now, gazing up from her bedroll, Amanda felt small in comparison to the vastness of the star-filled sky. In her exhaustion, she didn’t bother to put up the tarp cover, hoping there would be no more rain. When she’d first slept on the Plains, she’d felt so confident about her decision to go West. Now, staring at the stars, she questioned her intentions. Instead of making a snap decision to leave New York, she should have prayed about it more, seeking God’s will. Well, it was too late for that. She was here by herself, and Papa and Harvey were gone. Nothing could change that, no matter how much she wished for it.
    Amanda sighed and tried to relax as she huddled under her blanket. She’d put a few extra logs on the fire before lying down on her sleeping mat, remembering that Harvey had said once that a good fire would keep wolves and other animals away from the campsite. But what if some not-so-friendly Indians happened upon her? Other than Harvey’s gun, Amanda had no protection.
    As Amanda lay awake, listening to the night sounds, she had the strange feeling that someone was watching her. Whether it was her imagination or the truth, Amanda prayed that whoever was watching would remain simply curious and leave her alone, unharmed.
    The fire felt good as its warmth spread toward her. She clutched her blanket closer, watching as sparks floated higher into the darkness. The wood snapped and popped as it burned steadily, and Amanda’s eyes grew heavy. Just before falling asleep, she reached inside her valise and pulled out the Bible, which she knew offered words of wisdom and comfort. “Thy Word will protect me, Lord,” Amanda whispered, clutching the Bible tightly to her chest. “I must have the faith to believe that. Oh Lord, help Thou my unbelief.”

C HAPTER 6
    A manda sat up with a start, unsure of what had awakened her. Had she heard a noise? Had she been dreaming? Could it have been God’s voice?
    She propped herself up on one elbow and glanced cautiously around. As far as she could tell, she was alone, just as she had been the night before, and the night