August 27, 1869

Amiville.

This evening I walked through town and heard noise and cheering from the saloon. I walked past and discovered they were holding an auction for people to earn dates or cleaning services from women in the town. I shook my head, wanting to do nothing with such activity. It sounded like the whole town was involved but I found the whole activity rather demeaning and wished we lived in a society where women would be treated as equal. 

I decided to go for a walk out of town but out of nowhere, a bison came up behind me and attacked me. I hadn’t been looking where I was going and it would appear that I walked right into his path. I tried to fight him off but it wasn’t long before I was on the ground bleeding. I could feel the scratches on my chest through the clothing and held them in pain, crying out for help but it hurt too much to call loudly. 

Kitty ran over then and tied up ropes around my legs and carried me over to the clinic. She asked Rose to call for a doctor and then untied me from the ropes so I could lay in the bed. I lay there, trying to calm myself as Kitty walked out to find a doctor. 

After a while Karan came into the clinic and I snapped myself out of a half sleep. “Karan... you came...” I tried to sit up but felt the pain in my ribs and lay back down. 

“I am sorry it took so long. What on earth happened?” 

“I was trying to... get out of town. Wanted to get away from all this auction nonsense and I guess I wasn’t looking where I was going. I... ran right into the path of the bison. 

“The auction was fun!” Karan exclaimed and then said, “Oh goodness!” 

“He... he took me down... completely attacked me. Surprised it wasn’t that damn bear workin’ with him...” 

“Where are you hurt?” 

“I think he bit me in my...” I pointed to my ribs. 

“That bear is sweet and well-trained,” Karan objected. 

“Ha. That bear has already attacked me twice. Not as bad as the bison but...” 

“He is always looking for loving from me... I pet him and give me food.” 

“Then... Kitty found me and tied me up so she could drag me to the clinic...” I started to cry, remembering the feeling of being dragged through town. “I felt like I was being arrested for a crime I didn’t do, Karan.” 

Karan went to wash her hands and gathered up bottles and bandages. She set the basin of water on the floor and dipped a linen cloth in it. She pulled up my shirt and started to clean the marks on my side. I lay back so that she could work on me. 

“You have some nasty bruises here, but I don’t feel any broken bones, so you are lucky. I’m going to put some stuff on here that will ease the pain and then wrap them up, all right?” 

I nodded and said, “Oh Karan... It was awful. Being dragged through the town like that...” 

“At least it wasn’t a man dragging your heart through town after he stomped on it,” Karan said somewhat bitterly and I just stayed quiet as she opened the jar of laudanum salve and gently applied it to my side, taking care not to apply too much pressure to my side. 

“Bravo and I aren’t together anymore...” 

“I am sorry to hear that, Trin. Ya’ll seemed happy.” 

“It was too much, Karan... I needed to be independent... free to talk to other men for the paper, without being asked about it... He’s a nice man, don’t get me wrong. Someone will be lucky to have him I just... I can’t commit to a serious relationship right now.” 

“I understand. Relationships are hard.” 

“And I never thought it would be serious but... things happen I guess,” I sighed as Karan got the roll of linen and started to wrap it around my chest. “I wish I was the kind of girl who could be happy with just one man for a long time... That’s the good thing about Dutch. He’s in town, we get together and talk and it’s like no time has passed... Then he leaves and I can be on my own again, but I know he’ll always come back.” 

“Trin honey, I want you to rest, rest, rest!” Karan told me as she finished. “Those ribs are going to be sore as all get out.” 

“I won’t do any dancing for a few days... Can only imagine how that would feel.” 

“Make it slow dancing if you do!” Karan smiled at me. 

“If I lean up against a man he can support me from falling down at least...” I winked. “Am I okay to go?” 

“Sit up first and make sure you are not dizzy.” 

I sat up and tried to stabilize myself, taking a few deep breath. Karan took my hand and felt my pulse. “You are normal. Do you feel dizzy?” 

“I think I’m okay... Just a little shaken, but I think I can try to walk.” 

“Alright, give it a try.” 

I stood slowly, grabbing the edge of the bed for support, smiling as I didn’t sway too much. Karan recommended that whiskey would help with the pain and I headed for the saloon after thanking her for the help. 

In the saloon, I talked with Gramps and James about where the mines were and what had happened with the bison attack. I talked with some others in the saloon as they came in and then headed home.