Marshal Forrest has finally gathered evidence against Amos Martin and is furiously tracking him before he can get to the ranch where Javier and Agatha are living and working. In the midst of tracking Martin, Miles is attacked by a puma and now has come across a horde of buzzards. What is behind those rocks where the buzzards are feasting? Come with me for another adventure in the Saga of Miles Forrest and join him as he scouts to find what the buzzards are feeding upon.
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At first glance I saw the remnants of a fire, then saw the swarm of buzzards gathered around a body. Picking up a stick I threw it at them, but only one paid attention. Drawing my pistol I fired into the air, then again. The second shot drove them away, into the air, but a few gave me hungry looks.
The body, or what was left of it, was that of a man. His face was nearly eaten away, and he had been partially skinned. My stomach turned over and I thought I was going to be sick. I hadn’t seen such mutilation since I was in the Texas Rangers many years ago fighting El Diablo. I was pretty sure it was Martin. A renegade bunch of Jicarilla had gotten to him, and now the buzzards were finishing the dismembering.
Evil was in the world, and perhaps I could give this over to the fact that this bunch were a pagan lot, but no matter…it was gruesome. I got closer to make sure it was Amos Martin. Was this some kind of retribution to what he caused in Durango? Perhaps… I wasn’t about to take his body back with me, and I didn’t have a shovel to dig a grave. Looking around, I saw where I may be able to topple some rocks down to cover his body; it would at least keep it from the predators and those awful birds. I say awful, but they just give that appearance for they serve a definite purpose.
I searched the body for anything that may be on it, papers, money, a watch, and the like, then drug what was remaining over to a large rock where several rocks were sitting on top. I covered the body with rocks from the ground then climbed to shove off those rocks onto the grave. It took some time and effort, but a man, no matter how evil he was, deserves a burial. I know he had already met his Maker, but it was still the right thing to do.
His horse was gone, either to be used by the band of renegades or eaten. However, his saddlebags were there, untouched. Rifle, pistol, and anything else that may be of use to the Jicarilla was gone. I looked up to see the buzzards flying around and a couple of the birds settled on the boulder next to where I buried Martin.
All the while I was working, I was keenly aware of my surroundings. I didn’t reckon those Indians would be back, but it doesn’t pay to get lax. If I did I may be the next meal for those scavengers.
At least Agatha and Javier didn’t have to worry about Martin interfering with their marriage and life. When I got back to Durango I’d send a letter to them informing them of what had happened in a more genteel manner, and also that they needed to decide about the store. As far as I knew Agatha was the only family that Martin had. His wife died of the fever a few years back.
I went back to Star after my work was done. I wasn’t about to stay there that night, not with the renegades prowling in the vicinity and the sickening reminder of the grave and what had taken place. I felt like I needed a bath, not only a physical one, but a good spiritual washing as well. In my job, I had seen a lot of mayhem and evil, and I knew what it was to get dirtied spiritually. If it wasn’t taken care of it could take a toll on a person’s soul.
Mounting Star, I rode away not looking back. We would ride until dark, that would put me just under a day’s ride back to home. I chuckled, causing Star to look back at me. I still had some of the food that Molly had packed for me. It wouldn’t do me any good to go back with excess food as next time she might decide to cut back on the fixings.
That night I slept lightly and restlessly. I didn’t think the renegades would be around, but one never knew. Their days were numbered, and I could understand their anger at losing their land, whatever that was, and their livelihood. People have to live, but all need the Lord, whether American or Indian or any other people. I’d pray that the Lord would send a proper missionary to the Apaches. One that had a heart of compassion, not of assertion.
The next day I allowed Star to run when he wanted. The road was good and we came across only a few freighters and traders. Besides the ordeal, it was good to get out in God’s great cathedral. The was the blessed quietness with only the sound of the winds and the thudding of Star’s hooves. I could see by the sage that rain was coming soon; I hoped we’d get some in Durango.
Topping the last rise before moving down to the town, I stopped Star. A quick trip, not satisfying in what I found. I wished I could have brought Amos back alive, but it wasn’t to be…Providence had a different notion. Looking down at Durango it was time for me to get back to normal, whatever that was. I was missing Molly, and hoped that she had the coffee on and maybe a piece of pie in the kitchen.