I caught up with Wray and grabbed him by his shoulder just as he was stepping aboard the train. Jerking him off the step, it took all my fortitude not to club him over the head. Pinning him against the car I spoke very softly yet distinctly to him. “Didn’t work! I’m fine, Molly is fine, my friends are fine.”
He tried to get away from me, but I held him firm. “One day, I’ll have the evidence, and when I do, I’ll be lookin’ for you, and you won’t be able to hide from me.”
“You’re crazy Forrest! Let me go!”
I released him, but kept my gaze on him. “Get on that train Wray, you disgust me! But heed my words!”
I turned from him and started to walk away. “It’s not over yet, Forrest. No, not by a long shot.”
Turning back toward him; his eyes widened and he hurried inside the car. I followed him aboard and down the aisle. I wasn’t really after him, but I wanted to see if Ferguson was aboard as well. Wray moved into a seat along with another person. I reckon he figured that I wouldn’t bother him there. I was through with him for the time being, but I did stop and stare for a moment and then went on out the other entry.
It took a few minutes for me to walk on up to the place where the shack once stood. There was some pastureland where we kept Hawk, Star, and Two-Bits. I wanted to check Hawk’s head. Since the bullet grazed him he had seemed all right. This trip, however, I decided to ride Star. He needed some work, and Hawk had been through enough.
With a foot on the fence there stood a man–Trenton. “Been waiting for you.” I didn’t say anything. He sort of ducked his head, then adjusted his eye-patch. “Want to thank you for not giving up on me.”
“Wray’s on the train, headin’ for Denver,” I said.
His one eye widened. He put his hand on my shoulder and hurried on down the hill. Guess he had a train to catch.
After stopping by to see Molly and get some provisions for a couple of days, Star and I headed out leading a couple of old pack mules. I only had a few days, for there was a trip for me to take to Silverton over the weekend. Hopefully I would find a herd of deer or elk close by.
It was still cold at night, so I made sure I had plenty of wood to keep the fire stoked. There was a big boulder behind me so I was able to snuggle down between it and the fire. That way the heat was reflected and I was warm on both sides. I’d spent plenty of nights where I was hot on one side and freezing on the other and the night was spent tossing and turning.
I felt Him more than I heard Him approach. “Still awake, Miles?” came the voice.
As I rolled over to look at Him the flame rose hiding His face. “Here, I poured this for you,” and He handed me a cup of coffee.
Reaching down to take the cup I could see what looked like a scar on His wrist. “You’ve had a rough time,” He said and then paused. I took a sip of the hot coffee. “Life isn’t over, so don’t let the Pale Rider upset you. Miles, justice is one thing, vengeance is another. Be careful you don’t get them mixed up. Man is an instrument of justice, and you are one of those men. However, vengeance is mine alone.”
He stood and I watched, still hoping for a glimpse of His face. “Have a good hunt.”
Month: March 2017
Echoes from the Campfire
He loved the stillness, the coolness, the smell of greasewood and cedar.”
–Louis L’Amour (A Man Called Noon)
“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
–Luke 1:78-79 (NLT)
Coffee Percs
He thought of the coming night, and was conscious of the faintest sounds, of the smells of coffee, of bacon frying, of burning cedar, and of sagebrush.”
–Louis L’Amour
Good coffee this morning, pard. I’ll pour you a cup. Bones are aching a mite this mornin’. I used to hear tell that a person could tell the change in the whether by the feelin’ in his bones. I don’t know that they were right. This drizzlin’ weather sure do make mine ache. Was gonna give the lawn a haircut, but guess that’ll wait ’til next week.
Sure hope you had a good week. Mine was busy, and at points interestin’, but I won’t go into that now. Been ponderin’ some about those that whine and complain about the road they’re a-travelin’. Two things about that that they, in fact, we all should be rememberin’. The Lord knows where we’re travelin’, which road and the obstacles on it. Hopefully He put us on that road, but we might have made a wrong turn somewhere. No matter, He is there. Number two, now get this one for it can ease a wearisome mind. For every bad road you travel, just come to the realization that there’s two miles of ditch that you’ve stayed out of. Sure does shine a different light on the situation.
Ahhh, that is, good coffee. Time for another cup? Yessiree, good all the way down to the gullet. Didn’t watch much news this week, and know what didn’t miss it, nor did I wonder what was goin’ on. Did hear of that day of the woman. Now, if that isn’t foolishness, I don’t know what is. Now, I may be an ol’ fence post, but I figure anyone in their right senses knows that man can’t get ‘long without a woman. She’s to be there by his side, walking the road with her man and takin’ the bumps along the way. Most often I don’t do a good job of it, but I try to let my missus know I appreciate her. I get sorta of a kick out of the hoodoo of those special sweetheart days. I ain’t a-braggin’, well maybe a little, but I try to bring her flowers right often. Makes the gizzard sorta giggle when I give them to her and she smiles.
Well, ‘nough of this palaver. Let’s finish the coffee and get on with the day.
It’s a little mucky out there, you be sure’n check that cinch.
Echoes from the Campfire
The mountains do not mind the storms. There have been many storms upon these rocks.”
–Louis L’Amour (Brionne)
“People from many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’ For the LORD’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.”
–Micah 4:2 (NLT)