"No, I think it will soon pass," he answered. "It's only a little rain and nothing to worry about."
"But, have you noticed how cold it has become...and suddenly?" she questioned as she waded toward the shoreline. "Maybe we should stay safe, as Eagle Heart suggested, and leave here to go back to the fort as quickly as possible."
"You mean that Injun from the fort? You're taking your knowledge of weather from him? Not me?"
"No. It's simply that there is a black cloud overhead now, and it's raining. It might get worse." She bent to dry her feet and pull on her boots.
Suddenly the rain became stronger and, without warning, water poured down out of the heavens upon them, causing Laylah to feel as though she stood beneath a waterfall. The strength of the rain even caused Thomas to rush up beside her, and, gathering his boots together, he quickly pushed his feet into them. As soon as it was done, he turned away from her to step toward their horses. Climbing up onto his mount, he led Laylah's horse to her and, dismounting, helped her up into her seat.
"Perhaps," he said, "you are right, and we should heed the warning signs of a rainstorm. I agree with you that it is now wise to return to the fort. Let's climb up out of this coulee before the way out becomes too slippery due to the rain."
She nodded.
"Follow me. I'll set our path."
"Yes, I will."
They were on the northern side of the gully because it was an easier way to ascend to the top of the chasm. Several cottonwood trees, as well as many juniper and cedar trees, took residence up close to the cliffs. And, there were large rocks as well as the roots from the trees which allowed better footholds for the horses.
A tiny spark of fear rushed over Laylah, but she dared not consider the danger of climbing out of the ravine. She tried to tell herself there was nothing to fear; they had made their way down into the gorge. They could climb out. But, she found she didn't quite believe it, though she didn't know why.
The rain was coming down much harder and faster now, and she felt as though the power of the rain had gone from being likened to a waterfall to that of tidal waves washing over her. The ominous black cloud had blown in with the wind and was now directly overhead. And, with the cloud came another temperature drop.
Suddenly, the furious gale caught at her skirt and whipped it into her face, as though it were trying to unseat her. Within moments, her fingers felt cold, too cold, as though they were slowly freezing. This affected her handhold on the reins, and her grip tightened.
"Careful, Laylah," cautioned Thomas as he led his own mount and the packhorse to the top of the coulee. "The dirt is a little slippery because the rain is beginning to freeze. Ease up on the reins and let your horse lead you to the top."
"Yes. All right," shouted Laylah. Thomas' warning rang true. She was holding the reins so tightly, she was pulling back on her pony and not allowing the mare to make her way back to the side of the ravine.
As soon as she changed her grip, Honey Sugar, her pony, responded favorably and picked her way over the rocks and roots. Indeed, Laylah was halfway to the top of the coulee when suddenly a flash of lightning struck one of the trees clinging to the side of the gully, blowing it apart. And, although the hit must have been a mile away, the noise of the strike and the blast of the explosion spooked her horse.
Honey Sugar reared, throwing Laylah from the saddle. So unexpected was her fall, she screamed all the way to the ground.
Worse, her pony lost its footing and slipped down the coulee, falling onto its flanks. She watched as Honey Sugar struggled and couldn't seem to right herself. Perhaps, thought Laylah, it was a lucky break that she had fallen free of her pony, for her injuries might have been worse had she kept her seat. Instead of being trapped by the weight of her pony, she had landed on a soft, wet spot of mud, and had done so without hitting her head. But, she had fallen onto her right arm and leg, both of them taking the brunt of her fall.
At first she seemed to be all right. However, as she tried to get up to her feet, pain suddenly streaked through her right leg, causing her to lay back. There was pain in her right arm also, and, worse, it wouldn't work properly. Indeed, when she tried to use it, spasms of agony streaked up and down it, as well as over her entire body.
"Are you hurt?" called Thomas.
She looked up and saw that Thomas had blazed his way to the top of the coulee and was looking down at her. She didn't answer right away as the breath seemed to have been knocked from her. But then, gathering her wits together, she answered in as loud a voice as possible, "I think so. I can't move my leg and can't put any weight on it. My right arm isn't working, either. I can't even raise myself up."
"I'll be right down."
"Yes, please."
The rain now contained ice and was coming down in sheets upon her. So furious was the icy rain, it was plastering her hair to her scalp and her dress to her body, causing her clothing to stick to her. Even worse, her fingers felt as though they were freezing. She tried to move them; it was difficult to do.
At last Thomas made his way to her and came down onto his knees beside her. He tried to pick her up by her right arm, but when she cried out, he let her go.
"I fell on my right leg and arm, and neither are working properly," she explained.
"I know. I saw it. Let me pick you up."
She nodded. He reached under her, but she screamed out in terror when a sudden pain streaked through her and swept down her spine, creating more pain than she'd ever experienced. As he continued to try to pick her up, she screamed again and again. She couldn't help it.
"Oh, Thomas, what am I to do? I can't move. It's too painful!"
"I'm sorry," he said, "but I have to do this. I have to gather you into my arms. There is no other way to get you back to the fort. And, I must take you back to the fort at once."
