Read Online Belle of Batoche by Jacqueline Guest - Free Book Online Page B

voice. “Your papa is a smart man. He wouldn’t walk into the middle of a battle. I’m sure he and your mother are safe. They’re probably waiting for the troops to leave so he can come for you and Samuel.”
    Sarah thought about this for a minute and seemed to be satisfied. She was much calmer as she went back to sit with her unconscious brother.
    The hours dragged slowly by until finally Belle stretched and got up. “Mama, I think it’s time. I’m going to go now.” She tried to sound brave.
    â€œI wish there was another way, ma cherie, but there is none. Please, please be careful, Belle.”
    As Belle hugged her mother, she noticed her burnt hands had now curled up into claws and the skin was a strange color.
    â€œI won’t be long, Mama.” She made her voice light as she went to the old door. “Don’t go anywhere without me!”
    Belle slipped into the velvet darkness outside. The night was still and very quiet. She could hear the frogs croaking down by the river’s edge. Carefully, she inspected the root cellar door to make sure no light could be seen leaking out around the cracks. Satisfied no telltale clue would alert soldiers as to where they were, Belle stealthily started making her way back to her house.
    As she moved through the inky blackness, Belle was startled when she heard movement in the darkness ahead. She scurried away being careful to avoid getting any closer to where the sounds had come from. Pushing through the bushes, she could see campfires dotting the surrounding countryside. They must be government troops. The Metis would never be so foolish as to give their positions away by lighting fires.
    The tall grass felt cold on her legs as she made her way along the edge of theembankment. She kept low to the ground so her silhouette couldn’t be seen against the moonlit skyline. Belle was glad for all those days spent exploring every inch of this vast open area around Batoche. She knew every boulder and bush between her and her family’s cozy little house. At last, she could see her home not far ahead.
    Checking first to make sure no one had been alerted to her movements, she ran across the open ground to the back door.
    Her heart pounded as she pressed her body against the side of the house. Belle listened for any sound of soldiers. Satisfied that the house was empty, she crept inside.
    It was as black as pitch. In the dark, Belle moved through the familiar rooms gathering the items they would need.
    As quickly as possible, she found blankets, bannock and dried meat and piled them on the kitchen table. She would have to use the pump in the sink to fill the skin water bags. When she moved the cast iron handle up and down to draw the water, the pump screeched its annoyance.Belle cringed. She hoped no soldiers were passing close enough to hear.
    After filling the water bags, she grabbed her mother’s medicine pouch, which contained bandages, herbs and several of her mother’s favorite medicines. She reached into the bag and smiled as her fingers closed around the old glass jar with the special salve her mother had used when Belle had burnt her foot. She tucked the medicine pouch and all her other treasures into the carpetbag that her mother had been packing, added another lantern for good measure and slipped back out into the night.
    Soundlessly, she made her way back toward the root cellar. Just as she was going to make a dash to the hidden door, a mounted patrol rounded a small hill and headed straight for her. Belle dropped to the ground and lay flat, hoping the grass was tall enough to hide her. The sound of the horses’ hooves came closer and closer. Staying perfectly still, she held her breath as the two men passed. Still not daring to move, she watched them until theydisappeared around the next hill, then scrambling to her feet, she ran for the root cellar.
    When she reached the old door, she was careful to close it