Land of Goshen, Part Twelve

30 November 1905

PORTIONS OF THE DAMAGED DIARY OF JOANNA WOZNIAK, AS RECOVERED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF ERIE, PA, ON THE EVENING OF MAY 28, 1974.

Brandon and Marilyn came last night to bring food and check on Abe and I. Marilyn expressed concern about the community back home, says the river is getting worse and tensions are rising. Fishermen haven't caught anything edible in days. The Reverend compared it to the plague of blood in the Nile, Marilyn fears men will come looking for us. She had me sore afraid, but I told her there was nowhere else for Abe in his condition. I told them how he seemed to do better when I could bring him to the creek out back, but it was a small comfort and I can't do it anymore. They were staying the night, so Brandon offered to carry Abe to-day so we could travel to the Monongahela and see if that works better. Abe seemed hopeful.

We set out at first light in their carriage. Brandon carried him down into the water, and I went along to comfort Abe while Marilyn tended the lunch and towels. When we entered the river, two lumps of water formed and stood upright and greeted us! Brandon dropped Abe and fell backward toward the shore, then ran to Marilyn. I was terrified, but took courage and tried to hold Abe while introducing ourselves. They knew him, called him Aaboukingon, said he was their brother from the next leg of the river. They saw me trying to hold Abe's head above water and stated that his nature as a spirit will not let him drown. I stayed cautious all the same.

The water circled round Abe and I, it felt like it was trying to squeeze us, but it never hurt. Abe regained all his color and strength and stood on top of the water itself. I heard Brandon and Marilyn muttering on shore. The river spirits and Abe spoke for a time in a language I could not understand--Abe told me at home it was the tongue of his people, I did not ask whether he meant spirits or the Indians--before addressing me again. The spirits told me that Abe and his river would be okay for a time, but he needs to return or he will die. They then left.

We had a quiet lunch on shore. It was a lovely day for a picnic. Marilyn and I talked while the men tended to the horses, and she expressed concern about Abe really being a pagan spirit. She encouraged me to let him return to his river, as it seemed best for both of us. After we returned home and they left, with one more urging from Marilyn for me to let Abe go and come home, Abe determined to stay with me and assured that the spirits were overeager. He believes he will be fine if we visit the river frequently.

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