Papa and the other
men wouldn't look back.
Uncle Hiram sat down real quick and handed the reins to his
wife.
"Mattie, make these mules move! When we get to the corner,
cut over to that other road! They never seen us on account o'
this thick fog risin' outta Rocky Head Bottom!"
Uncle Hiram grabbed out his pocket knife. I couldn't imagine
what he was fixing to do. He slit his britches leg, clear up
above his knee! Then he snatched off his wooden leg and tied his
pocket handkerchief to it! Next, he caught hold of his wife's
shoulder, jumped up on the wagon seat, and started waving his peg
leg in the air!
"Hey! Hey, there! We've got her, y'all! She's all right!
She's all right!"
When Papa finally got me home, he toted me straight to Mama.
She grabbed me into her arms and held me tight, a long time. And,
for the rest of the day, she let me sit in her lap.
And Mierd let me hold her best doll in my lap. And Wiley gave
me his blue marble, for keeps.
Mama said it would take her a solid week to brush the leaves
and matted tangles out of my hair.
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