Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life.” –Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NLT)
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“I will not help you, Ranger,” declared Charlie Two-Face. “Even though they are Ute half-breeds, they are still Indian.”
Lifting the cup to my lips I finished the rest of my coffee, then replied, “Charlie, you say you want to help your people. If that is true, then help me arrest these two men who are enemies, not only to your people, but to all men. Evil knows no boundaries, it knows no friendships.”
He was pondering, then touched the bottom of the scar on his chin. “Go maybe two hours ride south towards the great rock. When you get to the Mancos River go upstream perhaps a mile. There are some ruins, that is where they are camped.”
I reached in my vest pocket for my coin pouch. Pulling out two double-eagles I handed them to Charlie. “For you to help others.”
He scowled, “I do not want your charity or payment of my knowledge!”
“Not for payment. You are helping those in need; I want to help you with that. Take them….for your work.”
Nodding, he reached out for the money. “We are brothers,” he said, putting his hand over his heart, “in here.” Then he got up, pulled on a woolen poncho and left the little cantina.
I sat there a few moments thinking. The weather was going to get bad. Should I continue, or go on back to Durango. The two men I was looking for were within a few miles, but then I remembered there was still an unknown assailant–the man on the palomino.
“Anything else I can get you?” asked the proprietor. I hadn’t heard him approach. He wasn’t a friendly sort, maybe it was because I had tried to trick him into selling me whiskey. There were several who sold liquor to the Indians which was definitely against federal law. Shaking my head, I placed a dollar on the table. I’m sure the chili and coffee was no more than two-bits, but it would ease his mind some.
Pulling on my coat I went outside. It was still, not even a breeze. Looking up the clouds looked as if they were ready to drop a heavy load of snow. Well, early spring was known for at least one heavy snow, I just hoped it held off until I could be back home. Picking up the reins, I mounted Hawk. “Let’s go boy, we’ve some miles to travel before dark.
There was a trail, not much of one, but it looked as if wagons had passed on it a few times. As Charlie had said, two hours later we arrived at the Mancos. It looked as if this side of the river would be easier to travel so I turned Hawk to go upriver. I could see that there had been horses on the dim trail. I didn’t cotton to sleeping outside with the threat of the weather but Charlie said the ruins were not far.
Hawk stepped easy. He was used to this type of travel. Hmmm, how many trips have we made together searching for bad men, or riding just to see what was on the other side of the hill. The river made a slight bend towards the north where I spotted some old, broken down adobe ruins. Hawk stopped, his ears straightening. Something, or someone was there. He sensed something and I learned a long time ago to trust him.
Dismounting, I left Hawk to munch on some brush by the river and I walked up towards the ruins. As I approached I heard a boisterous voice, “Amigo, tomorrow the snow comes, we should leave now…”