Chapter 4 – A Lesson in Disguise
The sun was threatening to retire hours later as Dr. Jones and Dr. Tyrell stumbled through the vast prairie of grassy hills. They had escaped the badlands valley of Drumheller and we making their way northeast to anywhere with food, water and possible law enforcement.
"It must be 10:30pm by now and the sun is just now setting." Indiana shook his head in amazement.
He was calculating the latitude of the area in his mind when he began to sense a low humming in the wind. He looked to the west and stopped walking.
"Do you hear that?" Indiana frowned.
David tilted his ear to the sky. They both became quickly aware of the infinite black cloud, moving much too swiftly east to be the result of a brewing storm. The buzzing became almost thunderous as it neared with increasing momentum.
Unexpectedly, the two scientists were battered with large hissing and fluttering pellets. Arms flailing, they began to run at top speed forward.
"CRICKETS! IT IS AN SWARM!"
A persistent infestation of crop devouring crickets descended on the helpless pair as the fled for their lives. What was once a lush green farmer's future yield behind them quickly became a barren wasteland.
"We need to find a creek or ditch, FAST!" sputtered Indiana as he swatted the giant insects with one arm while protecting his eyes with the other.
"Over here, come quick!...hello there, over here, or you shall be eaten!"
The distant female voice was barely audible over the chaos above. Indiana and David heeded the saving call and dove into the tiny woodshed, which had been unnoticed until that very second.
"Help me with the door!" pleaded the frazzled young woman.
It took all hands to secure the door. After a moment to catch their wind again, Indiana and David slumped to the ground to restore their wits.
"We haven't seen a cricket infestation like this since the dirty thirties." The lady in the modestly pale blue frock spoke as she reached her hands behind her head to restore her chestnut bun.
"My apologies, I don't usually host visitors in such clutter." she joked as she sat down on a log.
"I am Rose Ecole. I am the school teacher for the surrounding farms and you are the fortunate souls to bear witness to my nightly routine."
Indiana and David invited further explanation with their bewildered expressions. They weren't sure whether it had been the near death experience or their shear exhaustion that had stunted their comprehension at this moment.
"The crickets should pass in a few minutes and we can move to the school house. You two look as though you haven't eaten in days." Rose said as she widened her pale green eyes.
"You can earn some of my famous deer stew if you haul an armful of wood on your way. I need extra wood for the stove tonight as the floors need mopping in the school before the children arrive in the morning."
Both scientists smiled warmly, half in admiration and half in the thought of a comforting meal. This small but spirited heroine most definitely radiated independence and determination.
After a few moments had passed, Indiana, David and Rose headed up the stoned lined path to the quaint one room school house. They piled the wood neatly in the back closet. Rose proceeded to erase the blackboard, empty the pail she had been using to clean the window sills, and finally close the damper on the woodstove.
"That's a day." Rose concluded to herself as she took one last reassuring survey of the shipshape learning haven.
"Let us head up the road, shall we?
Rose briefed the scientists on her home life as the trio hiked up the worn dirt road. She had been getting the sense that Indiana and David had assumed that she resided in the school building.
Being an inspired and dedicated student herself, it had always been Rose's childhood calling to become a teacher, just like her favorite Aunt Mavis. Rose began her role as community teacher at the age of seventeen and began molding the young minds in the small town of Red Deer. After her mother passed away from tuberculosis, Rose moved back home to the farming community of Three Hills to help her brothers care for their aging father.
"Allow me dash ahead to be sure that my father hasn't left the place a mess. My two brothers picked him up for a five day fishing trip on the Bow River this morning." Rose directed with a grin.
Indiana and David spotted the winding brook behind the quite modern but modest farm house and quicken their pace.
"What now, Dr. Jones?" David questioned as he wiped the excess water from his chin. David could not hide his need for reassurance after their narrow recent escapes.
As if he had always known the answer, Indiana confirmed "Now, we must locate the Muskwa knife and sheath before the Earl, that's what."
Indiana tilted his hat and stood up. David followed and his mentor to the back door of the farm house. The aroma of spices and wild game filled the large country kitchen.
"I gave you both an extra scoop." Rose smiled as she passed the seated guests their bowls of steaming stew.
Both scientists together pulled the wooden bench closer to the enormous pine table, complete with a centerpiece of wild roses.
Rose busied herself adjusting the porcelain canisters under the glass white washed cupboards in case the two guests cared to assess her organizational skills. As Rose reached for the freshly baked loaf cooling on the shelf beside the window her idle gaze was locked into place through the lace trimmed window.
"What is all this?" he voice displaying her confusion.
Indiana and David hurried to the window to spot a convoy of trucks, each crowned with the Atlas logo, snaking along the dirt road leading to the farmhouse.
Reading the panicked expression on the scientists' faces was confirmation enough that Indiana and David needed Rose to think fast.
"The cellar! Under the rug!" Rose whispered firmly as she spun around.
David swung the rug to the side so that it could be put back over the hatch when they were through the small square hole. Rose jumped down the ladder first and David followed. Indiana secured the hatch from below just as the first coal covered leather work boot hit the threshold.
"They didn't even knock! Those Atlas thugs think they are above the law." Rose griped in disgust as she lit a petit metal oil lamp.
"Follow me." she gestured.
The nimble teacher guided Indiana and David down narrow dirt tunnels and it was now Indiana's turn to brief Rose on his past adventurous hours. They eventually came to a wider dugout area.
"This tunnel was dug for the winter. My father was an engineer who wasn't very fond of our – 30C winters. We are under the barn but in won't conceal us for long." Rose finally spoke. She had listened to Indiana's recounts in silent revelation as they moved through the tunnels.
Indiana lifted the hatch slowly and David boosted him up to main floor of the barn. As he eased himself to a standing position, Indiana was startled by the soft snorting of several horses peering from their stalls.
"What is in this closet, Rose?" inquired Indiana as he searched for tools that may be used for protection.
Indiana stood motionless, his mouth agape as he held the closet doors wide open.
"The Royal Canadian Mounted Police." Indiana announced with self-assurance.
There before them, gleamed four poppy red jackets adorned with shiny brass buttons. Hung below were the accompanying trademark black trousers with excess curves in the hip area, tall stiff black riding boots, and tan colored felt hats complete with evidence of Royal approval in the form of a medallion pinned to the front above the brim.
"I come from long line of law enforcers." Rose stated proudly. "A grandfather, father, and now two brothers.
Feeling liberation surge through her every being, Rose grabbed the smallest uniform from the closet and announced, "We have an artifact to preserve, what are we waiting for!"
Indiana stifled a cough in disbelief. Recovering quickly, he began to get dressed in a larger uniform, concealing his whip and hat under the prestigious uniform. David's eyes widened as Rose speckled dirt around her upper lip and chin area.
"They must be searching the house. If we gain enough distance, they won't recognize us from afar." Indiana confirmed as he peered through the crack in the barn door.
"The R.C.M.P are still seen as enforcers of the peace, anyway needed, around here so the miners shouldn't follow us. They won't want to gain the attention of the federal police." Rose added.
"Where do we start?" Indiana interjected.
"We ride to Edmonton." Rose spoke in a gruff male impersonation.
The formally attired trio walked the horses from the barn and left for Edmonton in search of answers. Answers, which may be frozen in time.