May We Make Them Proud Rewrite
Chapter 2
Charles and Caroline Ingalls were awoken to the sound of Bandit scratching at the door. When they woke up they could immediately tell something was wrong. "Charles do you smell that?" Caroline asked as she turned on the lamp. "It smells like something is burning." Bandit barked at the window. "What in the world has gotten into that dog?" Caroline asked. "I'll go check and see what's gotten him barking at this hour." Charles said. Charles walked into the kitchen and noticed Bandit was pacing at the door. "What's wrong boy?" Charles asked. Bandit barked at the door again. Charles noticed that the smell of something burning was a little stronger and stepped outside the house to look. He gasped at what he saw. Black smoke was coming from the direction of the Blind School and he could see the flames in the distance as well. Bandit took off running in the direction of the school. Charles quickly ran back into the house.
"Charles what it is?" Caroline asked as she walked into the kitchen. Laura climbed down the ladder to the loft to join them and Albert. Both children had been awoken by the barking. "I think the Blind School is on fire!" Charles replied. "Oh no!" Caroline and Laura said together. "Albert take one of the houses and go into town, tell the people there the Blind Schools on fire and fetch Doc Baker as well." "Got it Pa." Albert said and he ran out to the Barn with Charles following right behind him. "Where are you going Pa?" Laura asked. "I'm going to the school!" Said Charles. As soon as he said that Charles rushed to the barn and jumped onto his horse. Both Charles and Albert set off on the horses.
Outside the school the flames continued to roar and though only Hester-Sue could see size of it everyone knew it was big because the smell of burning wood was so strong. Mary had stopped crying and was stroking Adam Jr's face. She couldn't see her son but by stroking his face she could tell he was awake and smiling oblivious to what had happened. Adam and Hester-Sue were checking on the children but most of the other children didn't know that James and Alice had died. They had heard Alice calling for help but thankfully they couldn't see the flames overtake and burn Alice and one of their classmates.
Suddenly Mary thought that she heard a dog barking in the distance. It was hard to hear anything over the roaring flames but the barking grew louder and soon Mary felt something furry brush her hand and then whine. "Bandit." She called out and got a barked in reply. Adam Jr whimpered at the bark but settled when Mary lifted him up placing his tiny head on her shoulder and patted his back. "Mary, Adam." Charles Shouted as he rode down the hill. Recognizing her Fathers voice Mary called back "Over here Pa." The horse Charles was riding came to a stop and Charles darted over to his Daughter and Grandson and immediately embraced them. "Thank God you're both all right but where's Adam?" Charles asked. "I'm right here." Adam said as he walked up and hugged his father in-law. "Is everyone Okay?" Charles asked with concern. "Pa one of the students didn't make it out in time and um Mrs. Garvey didn't either." Mary stated as tear welled up in her blind eyes. Charles felt tears coming to his own eyes. "How bad is it Charles?" Adam asked as he wiped his own teary eyes with his sleeve. "It's bad I sent Albert into town to get help but I uh don't know how much good it will do." Charles said. As soon as he finish speaking they heard they sound of breaking wood and Charles saw the porch roof collapsed in flames.
Almanzo Wilder had returned to Walnut Grove very late from a trip and was unloading the materials he had picked up in the Feed and Seed when Albert road into town. Albert ran to the door of the Mercantile and began yelling of a fire at the Blind School. This commotion awoke The Oleson's and Doc Baker. Almazno quickly finished unloading the material and rushed over to the Mercantile where everyone had gathered. "We have to do something to stop the fire!" Mr. Oleson said. "But how by the time we get word to the rest of the town's people it will be too late to start a Bucket Brigade." Doc Baker replied. "Oh Nels do something save my school." Harriet cried dramatically. "Not know Harriet I'm thinking." Nels said to his wife. "That's it I've got it!"Nels said a few seconds later before explaining his idea to the others. "We had a Massive water tank with a hose set up for the picnic today and we stored it at Joe Kagans place until we have to send it back to Mankato it should be able to put out the fire." "Good Thinking Mr. Oleson." Almanzo said. "Let's Go and Hope we aren't too late." Doc Baker said. He and Mr. Oleson quickly threw on coats and riding boots, hitched up their horses and set off with Almanzo and Albert to retrieve the water tank from Joe's farm.
Meanwhile back at the school the fire had caused the porch to collapse and the roof was beginning to cave in. Charles and Hester-Sue stood had quickly moved the children farther back in case the fire was to catch the ground and light it on fire as well. The sound of a wagon drew Charles attention. Jonathan Garvey and his son Andy were travelling down the hill at high speed. The Wagon came to a halt and Jonathan ran over to Charles. "We saw the fire when we came over the hill is everyone ok where is Alice?" "Jonathan I uh." Charles was at loss for words. "Jonathan Alice she uh she didn't make it count." Hester-Sue said as tears formed in her eyes. "Oh please no Alice." "Alice." Jonathan cried as he began to sob. Charles hugged his sobbing friend and look over Jonathan shoulder to see Adam comforting Andy. He heard the sound of houses and saw four horses coming down the mountain with two more horses pulling a wagon. Albert had gotten help but Charles knew it was too late for the damage had already been done.
