A Book of Ruth Read Free Page A

that.”
     
    Just then the sound of Joe, drunk as usual, was screaming Julia’s name.
     
    “Julia, dag blasted kid, get over here.  Where you at?  I’ll tan your hide!”  Then Joe fell out right in the middle of the road.  Dropped right there.  Some folks from the saloon came and picked him up and carried him on back to his place.  Julia and Boaz froze in place as they witnessed the men drag him down the alley and to his back door, just a few feet below from where they stood
     

Thirst
     
    “These mountains, these endless mountains,” Naomi thought as they drove on.  She had seen them in the distance but Peter had not said anything about them except how beautiful they were.  She sure hoped after the last range, they would not see any others.  However, there were more.  The poor beasts, she thought.  Few roads and long climbs.  It seemed they didn’t make much more headway than the stagecoaches they saw along the route.  The only difference for them was they camped out under the stars and decided not to stay right inside the towns along the way.  Peter had told her this morning that Savannah was the next town they would get to.  He was excited because they were well on their way.  They had not saw one Indian, which seemed to make Peter nervous.  He said they were sneaky savages.  If you don’t see them, that means they are staying hidden, and that could mean they are more dangerous, was his thought.  He attempted to stay near stagecoaches and along their routes on the way.  For the safety of the roads, and the comfort of knowing someone else was not too far away should some trouble with Indians arise.  Naomi had tasted dirt for almost a month now.  Certainly the town of Savannah would offer some refreshment.  Peter had a friend there, who knew his great grandfather.  He would be accompanying them on the way to the plantation.  He said he would like to help Peter find the place. 
     
    Peter decided to pull up to the stream they had been traveling along for a rest, “for man, woman and beast,” he said with a weary smile.
     
    As he pulled up near the stream, Naomi could feel her thirst surge.  They had plenty of water that they carried, but oh, the freshness of the cool streams.  She jumped down the opposite side of the wagon, not waiting for Peter and heard the sound of the rattler before she hit the ground.  Fear gripped her, but thank God, Peter heard it too.  She didn’t move a muscle.  Peter climbed back in the wagon and crept over her side.  “Boom,” came the shot from behind her. 
     
    “Can you believe I got that with one shot?” he whooped with delight as Naomi fainted in spirit.  She was so scared she hadn’t realized how shaky she was.  “Come on Naomi, let’s get in this stream.  You need a bath, girl.” 
     
    “Peter! I cannot believe you expect me to get in that water after a snake right there.  Right there right next to me. There is no way I am getting in that water.  No way!” she was exasperated.
    Peter stripped his clothes right down to his knickers and jumped off the huge rock on the bank.  “Come on!” he yelled while splashing in the water, laughing at her fears.
     
    “I will not.”
    “Suit yourself, the water is great.  I’ve already checked.  Not a snake in sight.  Come on Naomi,” he teased throwing water at her from the stream.
     
    But moving in the early evening shadows was someone who was not a snake by name, but was definitely trying to move like one today.  He moved quietly, and carefully, attempting not to make a noise in the woods.  Slowly he made his way around the wagon.  Noting that the rifle was far away from the young white man and his wife, he saw what he wanted and had every intention of taking it.  Quick as lightning he grabbed for it, but quicker than that, the whip struck him in the back.  Over and over and over again, the lash came down. Screaming and hollering came the young man’s voice.  Naomi was so