Free Brides of Alaska by Tracie Peterson Page A

table. His arm was a bloody mangled mess, and Julie wasn’t sure that she could save it.
    She motioned George’s son to hold a cloth to his father’s arm. “Put pressure here while I prepare my instruments. Tanana, I’ll need some hot water. George, George, can you hear me?” Julie questioned as she leaned down.
    â€œI hear you,” George said between gritted teeth.
    â€œI’m going to clean your arm and see what’s what. I’m going to do a lot of stitching, and I’d just as soon you not have to be awake for it. I’ve got some chloroform, and I’m going to put you to sleep,” Julie said as she prepared a place for her instruments.
    â€œJulie,” George whispered weakly.
    He was losing a great deal of blood, and Julie knew she’d have to hurry. “What is it, George?”
    â€œYou gonna pray for me?”
    â€œOf course,” Julie said with a smile.
    â€œYour pa has talked to me before,” George paused and drew a deep breath before continuing, “about eternal life. I think I need to have that about now.”
    George was always good-natured, even when he was bleeding to death, Julie decided. Nevertheless, she continued as if George had nothing more complicated than a splinter. “John 3:16 says, ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ You must believe that God sent His Son to save your life. Do you believe that, George?” Julie asked as she washed her hands in carbolic acid before pouring a great amount into a bowl for her instruments.
    â€œI believe,” George whispered.
    â€œThen pray with me, George,” Julie said as she took fresh water from Tanana. “Dear Father, George knows he’s a sinner, and he wants Your forgiveness,” Julie paused to wave George’s son away and poured water over his father’s arm.
    George bit his lip but refused to cry out. “I’m a sinner, God. Forgive me,” he said and looked up at Julie.
    Julie nodded and continued, “George wants to accept Your Son, Jesus, so that he might have eternal life.”
    â€œI want eternal life,” George murmured. “I want Your Son, Jesus.”
    â€œAnd, Lord,” Julie said as she poured disinfectant over the mangled limb, “help me to mend George’s arm. Amen.”
    George nodded, too weak to speak. Julie poured a liberal amount of chloroform on a clean cloth. “I’m going to put you to sleep now, George.” She placed the cloth over George’s nose and mouth.
    Instantly, George was rendered unconscious, and Julie flew into action. She picked her way through the strips of flesh, cleaning each one thoroughly and moving on to the deep gashes.
    Tanana held a lantern to one side. Periodically, Julie felt for George’s pulse and respiration. He was doing well, and Julie felt confident that his relative good health and God’s direction would see her through the situation.
    After two hours, Julie stood back and assessed her work. Barring infection, George would retain full use of his arm. She decided to stay on in the village until she felt confident that the wounds were free from contamination.
    Dragging her weary body to bed, Julie thanked God for His direction. She fell asleep listening to George’s rhythmic breathing.

    With George well on the way to recovering and Christmas only three days away, Julie readied once again to return to Nome. She was determined to be home for Christmas, but she hadn’t managed to do any Christmas shopping yet.
    She was rechecking the dogs’ harness when Tanana approached her. “You have my gratitude for saving George’s life. I thanked your white God, too.”
    â€œHe can be your God as well, Tanana,” Julie said as she turned from the dogs.
    Tanana nodded and held out several packages. “I’ll think about