{No Turning Back-part XXI}
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| Three Island Crossing |
September 1st, 1847 Kanaka Rapids
Made it to Kananka Rapids. Andy caught fresh fish with the help of some indians.
Joel's fever is worse. I made him some of the willow bark tea and it helped some. I feel bad because I can't put a cold rag on his forehead since he's on his stomach. I lay it on his neck instead. Pa looked at his back today and said it looked bad. He said if it don't look better soon, we'll have to burn the infection out. It we don't, gangrene'll set in, and Joel could die.
September 2nd, 1847
Passed Upper Salmon Falls.
Joel ain't no better. His fever keeps climbing.
September 3rd, 1847
Today we had to burn out the infection in Joel's back. It had started turning green on the edges of the wounds.
Pa had me heat up his hunting knife and pour iodine on it, to clean it. Then he had me and Clint hold Joel down, while he pierced the wounds with his hot knife. Over and over he did it. There was pus and blood coming out, and the smell of the infection and burning flesh was near unbearable.
Joel took it kinda well. He only yelled in pain a couple of times. But every time Pa touched the knife to his back, Joel's whole body tensed, and he would groan. After burning the infection out, Pa took a needle and stitched up the cuts with some horsehair from Paint's tail. He says this'll help the skin grow back together.
Thankfully the cut on the back of Joel's head had almost completely healed. At least they didn't have to burn his head too. I gave him the rest of the willow bark tea, and that seemed to help. Now while the rest of us sit around the fire, Joel's asleep in the wagon.
Later
I've been sitting up most of the night watching Joel, and he just now opened his eyes for a little and smiled at me, then went back to sleep. I think the worst is past.
Praise the Lord!
September 4th, 1847
Today we came to Three Island Crossing. We crossed the Snake River, which we've been following, and are heading north-west to Fort Boise. That's where we'll rejoin the Snake.
Joel's fever is gone, and he ate a little today.
September 6th, 1847
Carved our names in another rock today, all except Joel. His wounds seem to be healing good, no sign of infection.
Made it to Kananka Rapids. Andy caught fresh fish with the help of some indians.
Joel's fever is worse. I made him some of the willow bark tea and it helped some. I feel bad because I can't put a cold rag on his forehead since he's on his stomach. I lay it on his neck instead. Pa looked at his back today and said it looked bad. He said if it don't look better soon, we'll have to burn the infection out. It we don't, gangrene'll set in, and Joel could die.
September 2nd, 1847
Passed Upper Salmon Falls.
Joel ain't no better. His fever keeps climbing.
September 3rd, 1847
Today we had to burn out the infection in Joel's back. It had started turning green on the edges of the wounds.
Pa had me heat up his hunting knife and pour iodine on it, to clean it. Then he had me and Clint hold Joel down, while he pierced the wounds with his hot knife. Over and over he did it. There was pus and blood coming out, and the smell of the infection and burning flesh was near unbearable.
Joel took it kinda well. He only yelled in pain a couple of times. But every time Pa touched the knife to his back, Joel's whole body tensed, and he would groan. After burning the infection out, Pa took a needle and stitched up the cuts with some horsehair from Paint's tail. He says this'll help the skin grow back together.
Thankfully the cut on the back of Joel's head had almost completely healed. At least they didn't have to burn his head too. I gave him the rest of the willow bark tea, and that seemed to help. Now while the rest of us sit around the fire, Joel's asleep in the wagon.
Later
I've been sitting up most of the night watching Joel, and he just now opened his eyes for a little and smiled at me, then went back to sleep. I think the worst is past.
Praise the Lord!
September 4th, 1847
Today we came to Three Island Crossing. We crossed the Snake River, which we've been following, and are heading north-west to Fort Boise. That's where we'll rejoin the Snake.
Joel's fever is gone, and he ate a little today.
September 6th, 1847
Carved our names in another rock today, all except Joel. His wounds seem to be healing good, no sign of infection.
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