Chapter 12 #2
“We haven’t coordinated what we’re going to do to help the displaced.
I’ll know better once Charlotte arrives.
Still, you might explain to anyone you see that the homeless appear to be gathering on the east bank of the river.
Tell them we will have food and shelter for them later tonight. Perhaps that will encourage them.”
“I’ll do exactly that.” Evan headed back to his horse, mounted, and gave a little wave before moving out.
“It’s hard to imagine all of this going up in flames,” Mother said, looking south. “The fire is moving ever closer. Do you think we’ll be safe here?”
“For now. We can always retreat to the shoreline.” Father tossed back his lemonade, then handed Mother the glass. “I’d better get back and see how Dr. Overton is doing.”
“Mother, the Chinese laundry has lots of boiled water and even old sheets that we can tear up for bandages,” Abby said as she and Meri returned with two buckets of steaming water.
“That’s wonderful news. Why don’t you fetch the sheets, and you can sit in the back of the wagon here and prepare them.”
“I’ll take the water. I know Father will be very grateful for it.” Evie took each of the buckets and winced as the handles dug into her flesh. The weight was more than she was used to managing, but she forced herself to move out.
When she rejoined her father, he quickly took up the buckets. “Thanks for bringing this. I take it the laundry was willing to help.”
“Yes, and they offered a donation of old sheets for bandages.”
“Tragedy tends to bring out the good in people.”
Dr. Overton reached out to take one of the buckets. “It’s true. I’ve seen men who were at each other’s throats come to peace over something like this and work side by side, even saving each other’s lives.”
“Let’s pray that everyone will come together and get this fire under control,” Father said, looking more than a little concerned.
Max and the other men did what they could to find a way to the river, but the fire was spreading much too fast. Just when they’d spot a possible means of escape, a wave of flames would spring to life and engulf their path.
The heat and smoke were enough to discourage the bravest man. Several of the men in Max’s little band were coughing and gasping so hard that he wasn’t even sure they would make it.
“We can’t get through, Mr. Garrison,” one of them said. “We’re going to die.”
“No, we aren’t. I’m not going to allow that,” Max said. He already felt responsible for having asked them to join him at the mill today. He wasn’t going to be the cause of their deaths.
“Look, the way over there seems clear. Let’s hurry.
” Max headed for the only place that seemed unaffected.
There was a small opening that led into one of the other lumberyards.
Max fought against the growing smoke to see where they might go next.
The wooden fence surrounding the yard offered no means of escape.
“I know this building,” one of the men shouted out. “There’s a door that opens up on the riverbank. If we can get through before the fire overtakes us, we can get to the water.”
“Good. You lead the way.” Max grabbed hold of the weakest two men and pulled them along.
The door was locked, but Max didn’t care. It would soon be nothing more than ashes. “Break it down.”
Two of the men kicked in the door, ripping part of the jamb away with the action. Max and the others hurried inside. The smoke was less intense here, and Max found it easier to breathe.
“Where’s the other door?” he asked as the men fought to get their bearings in the dimly lit warehouse.
“This way.”
Max nodded and pulled his companions along. They wound their way around stacks of lumber and machinery. Within a few minutes, his workman found the door and opened it. Max could hear the lapping of water against the bank. “We’re almost to safety, men.”
Behind him, Max heard a strange whooshing sound and then a crash. He turned as someone took hold of the man on Max’s right. Part of the roof had caved in. It had been burning, and Max hadn’t even realized it.
“Hurry. We need to get out of here.”
“Joe and Bohdi aren’t here.”
Max didn’t know who made the declaration, but he counted the men and realized two were missing. “I’ll find them. You get out of here. Get into the river if you can swim, find a boat if you can’t. There’s bound to be some tied up along the shore.”
He made his way back into the main area of the warehouse. “Joe! Bohdi! Where are you?”
He heard coughing and a man struggle to call out. It was muffled as the fire grew and billows of smoke rolled through the warehouse. Max dropped to the ground and listened. “I’m coming for you! Keep calling!”
“Here! We’re here!”
Another part of the roof fell in and still he pressed forward. The flames were consuming the lumber, lighting up the smokey air. It did very little to help his progress. At that moment, Max remembered something Dr. Turner had said when they were speaking at the family gathering on Friday.
“Prayer always changes things, Max.”
He considered it as he crawled. Prayer changes things, but I don’t know how to pray. I know Evan said to just talk to God like a friend, but is that really enough?
Max called out to the men once again. “Where are you?”
“Here!” The voice was much stronger. He was close.
God, if all I have to do is talk to You, then I’m talking. I’m begging for direction and help to get these men and myself to safety. God, please show me the way.
He crawled just a bit farther and heard one of the men coughing. It was just ahead of him. Max crawled forward and reached out. “Joe. Bodhi.” He felt a hand as it flailed in the air searching for help. He took hold of it. “I’m here.”