Creative Writing: The Long Walk To Norway House

The Long Walk to Norway House

Early in the fall, several families left York Factory to find food and shelter further inland to the south. Only a handful of trappers and their families chose to remain behind. Food was scarce and the weather uncooperative. All had predicted the weather would change; then, they would bring in plenty of furs to the traders at the fort. This was not to be. Day after day, the winter winds never seemed to stop. Tough times were ahead for the people along the Hudson Bay coast, and this brought fear and anxiety to every dwelling, including that of the Gores, whose friends and relatives already moved elsewhere. On one side of the wigwam, Charles Gore lay with his eyes closed. On the other side, his wife Sally held
If only you were older, it would have mafde things easier for your father and me. Now we are caught between life and death, and you are so helpless and innocent.” Trying to hold back her tears, Sally returned to reality. Nothing had changed around her. The winds continued to blow outside the lodge. Her husband started coughing, then sat up to check the fire. He poured himself a cup of tea and began to speak, “Tomorrow, we will leave for Norway House. I know the dogs won’t make it. They are too weak to travel far. But we have enough food to last is several days. Its going to be a long walk, and we must leave soon, or we will all die of hunger.” Understanding her husband’s fears, Sally agreed to go. His health was failing and the cough was worse. There was no choice. They had to leave. Later that evening, they packed the few things they owned. In the morning , they set out on the long journey. It was very cold, but Moses was comfortable inside the tikinakan, which had been lined with dry moss and securely fastened to his mother’s back. His head has been covered with rabbit fur an a piece of wool blanket to keep the cold winds away from his tiny face. A winding trail of frozen ice lay ahead on the river. If they followed it, they knew they would reach Norway House at some
Up to now, Charles had led the way and he was not there to help anymore. This trip had become a nightmare, a matter of life and death. She pondered her choices.
“Perhaps if I ran ahead, I might find someone to assist us. I have to find help or we’ll die.”
She held her child close. She felt his warm body. She could feel his breathing fall on her cheeks. Slowly, she realized what she had to do. She stood the tikinakan against a tree with Moses in it. She kissed him and then covered him with a blanket from the toboggan. She chopped off some spruce boughs and placed them over the blanket, and covered all with snow. Then, she left.
Keeping to the river, she stumbled along for a day and a night, her mind slowly leaving reality. When she finally sat down, she closed her eyes to think. There are no chance of finding anyone now. It was hopeless.
But somewhere nearby, an axe fell on a tree and laughter broke the silence of the river. Hearing the sounds, Sally rose to her feet to listen. Once again, she heard the chopping sound and more laughter. She looked into the direction from where it came. She turned and ran toward the noise. As she staggered through the snow, her thoughts