Page 25 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“That seems dangerous near oxen.”

She looked at him.

He grinned.

Eleanor decided wagon masters should be forbidden from enjoying themselves.

Chapter Five

April 5, 1854

Kansas River Crossing

Before sunset, the operator agreed to take one final wagon across with supplies for the far bank. Nathaniel watched from shore. The platform moved into the current.

Halfway across, the cable snapped.

The sound was sharp enough to silence the entire camp.

The ferry swung downstream.

“Ropes!” Nathaniel shouted. “Everyone to the ropes!”

People ran.

Nathaniel looked once toward Eleanor. She was already moving.

The ferry twisted in the current while men on both banks shouted instructions no one could hear.

Eleanor ran toward the rope nearest the landing. Nathaniel was ahead of her, pulling off his coat as he went.

“Keep everyone back from the edge!” he called.

Eleanor caught the arm of a woman trying to rush toward the water. “Who is on the ferry?”

“My husband and my brother.”

“They need room to work. Stay here.”

“I have to help them!”

“You will help by not becoming another person they must rescue.”

The woman stared at her, then nodded through her tears.

Eleanor directed Caroline and Charlotte to keep the children and families away from the landing. Rebecca and Lydia carried ropes to the men, who formed a line along the bank. Martha stayed with Grace and Lucy near the wagons.

Nathaniel tied one rope around his waist.

“What are you doing?” Eleanor demanded.

“The ferry is swinging toward the shallows. If we can get a second line downstream, we can hold it off the rocks.”

“You cannot swim that current.”

“I do not intend to.”

He pointed to a narrow section of flooded bank where he could wade before throwing the line. The water was already above the knees of the men standing there.