Free Belle of Batoche by Jacqueline Guest Page A

because when he was a baby he had the croup and it left him weak. I should have sent for the doctor this morning. Maybe the smoke wouldn’t have made him so sick.”
    â€œSarah,” Belle said softly, “even if the doctor had come in the morning, the smoke would still have made Samuel much worse.”
    â€œI suppose you’re right, Belle. It’s just that I feel so helpless.” Sarah sniffed loudly.
    â€œMe too, Sarah. But we can’t fight bullets with our bare hands.” Belle smiled. “I’m sure Samuel knows you’re taking good care of him.”
    As the day wore on, Belle’s mother kept checking on the little boy’s condition. When afternoon came, she laid her head gently on Samuel’s chest and listened to his breathing. She shook her head. “I’m afraid he may be developing pneumonia. We must keep him warm.”
    They had been using only one lantern turned very low to save the fuel, but now Belle lit the second lantern and turned both up as high as she safely could. She moved the lanterns closer to Samuel and took Sarah’s blanket and wrapped it around the small figure.
    Belle had thought Sarah would protest, but she handed the blanket over without a word.
    â€œWith only my blanket for the two of us, you and I are going to be blanket buddies,” Belle said, hoping to cheer Sarah up. She could see that Sarah was still afraid for her brother. She thought of her papa andPatrice and swallowed the fear that made her throat feel so tight. As evening drew in, Belle decided she should change her moth-er’s bandages again before they turned in for the night.
    Sarah was huddled in the corner, not saying a word as she tossed small stones across the cellar, trying to hit an old bucket that was leaning against the wall.
    â€œSarah, come and help me, please.” Belle needed more light to work on her mother’s burns.
    â€œI don’t know anything about fixing burnt up hands,” Sarah said as she tossed another rock.
    â€œThen that makes two of us. Your job will be to hold the lantern, so I can see what I’m doing, and hand me the salve and bandages when I need them.” Belle eased off the soaked bandages and listened as her mother told her what to do to dress the burns.
    â€œI think I may faint!” Sarah said in a whispery voice, staring wide-eyed at the raw wounds.
    Belle looked at her. “I need your help,Sarah.” Her voice was calm although her own stomach was feeling queasy.
    â€œI’m proud of you girls being such wonderful young nurses,” Belle’s mother said, smiling, but Belle heard the strain in her voice. “I know this is very hard for you both.”
    They had just finished the bandaging when they heard a low rumbling. It began far away, then became louder and louder. Finally, the pounding was directly over their heads. The ground shook and dust rained down on them. Belle was afraid the roof was going to cave in.
    â€œIt’s horses, lots of them.” Belle’s mother looked up at the ceiling of the root cellar. “And they are right on top of us.”
    â€œMaybe it’s our families looking for us!” Sarah clapped her hands, her eyes wild with hope.
    â€œMaybe, but I don’t think so.” Belle turned the lanterns down and went to the door, opening it a small crack. She listened, then closed it again. “It’s a group of redcoats and they’re setting up camp for the night. We must be very quiet!” she whispered.
    Even in the dim light, Belle could see Sarah’s face grow pale.
    â€œIt’s late and we were going to sleep anyway,” she said reassuringly. “As long as they don’t keep us awake, we’ll have no trouble with them.” Belle offered Sarah her blanket. “Why don’t you sleep beside Samuel? I’m sure he’ll feel better with you near.”
    Sarah took the blanket and went over to her brother.
    Belle