A dog named Scout

A dog named Scout

Page 1.

     Mary Frances O'Brien was an ambitious High School senior with a bright future and a desire to succeed. She was beautiful, intelligent and popular in school with a passion for science and mathematics. With a 4.5 grade point average she had already been accepted by a number of prestigious universities making her family extremely proud. She worked part-time as an assistant manager at a nearby pharmacy after school and used the money to pay for her first car. It was a 1965 Red Volkswagen Bug recently restored as an Auto Shop project at her school. Mary downplayed her position at the pharmacy pointing out to her parents that she and the owner were the only employees as well as the owner being a close family friend.  Life in Mary's eye's was a gift from God in her world and she cherished her family and friends never allowing the sometimes harsh negative realities of the world to overtake her loving spirit. She was an old fashion girl of sorts for a young woman not yet eighteen and her mother often commented that Mary was an old soul at heart. This relationship often brought mother and daughter closer together when life’s many challenges meant the most. Mary was an only child, however; her two dearest friend's a horse named “Cinder” and a golden retriever named “Scout” made up for that. At almost 10 years old Scout still had the spirit of a puppy and shared all of Mary's deepest secrets, losses and greatest triumphs.

Scout just wasn't a family pet but a loved and adored member of the O'Brien family. He was Mary's best friend and the center of her life through thick and thin. They grew up together with pictures of their adventures hanging in just about every room of their home. There was one of Scout when he was six months old surly not enjoying one of his first visits to the Veterinarian for something more than vaccinations. On this occasion he received four sutures just above his left eyebrow after an encounter with a neighbors pig who refused to play ball? And there was another when Scout brought an uninjured baby skunk into the kitchen and dropped it into his water bowl and immediately returned with another. But the best was two summers ago when on one particular Sunday afternoon Scout drug a fallen tree branch into the living room with a large hornets nest attached to it. Mary's Dad was attacked and stung by several angry hornets during his favorite football game. To make matters worse he was accidentally sprayed in the face with hornet spray when Mary's Mom came to the rescue on full auto? 

Cinder on the other hand was Mary's anchor to nature and a horse she and her father rescued from Nevada almost 9 years ago. Cinder was one of those “Chestnut Mare Beware” type of horses but Mary knew different and so did Cinder. Cinder was fearless but did have her moments but she bonded to Mary and accepted Scout as one of her own.  Everyday after school and before work both Mary and Scout cared for Cinder on the families fifty acre ranch just a mile south of town. Often the trio rode the property together with Cinder at times allowing Scout a ride on her back while sitting right in front of Mary. Sometimes Scout would run ahead of them chasing ground squirrels which he could never catch but he did alert Cinder of their hazardous leg breaking mounds and dens. Together on some lazy summer days they watched the slow moving clouds drift across a pale blue sky or spend many a late evening under a silvery moon lit night eating S'mores cooked over a camp fire and watching the stars. They were more than just a girl with a horse and a dog, they were what was good about life in this world.

Animal Crackers page 3

Animal Crackers

Page 3.

Tim zipped up the front of his green jump suit and slipped the five dollar bill into his pocket and met Will who appeared nervous standing in the hallway. Just then a bell began to ring rather loudly as Will turned the Tim and said, “ we can’t be late or else, we’ve got to hurry. Will darted down the hallway and entered through a set of double doors  marked mess hall with Tim right behind him. Twenty boy’s about Tim’s age where all seated at a large oak table very similar to a picnic table with Sergeant Collins standing in the corner of the room smoking a cigarette and watching intently. Before the two had a chance to sit down Sergeant Collins yelled out, “ Jones and the new kid, come here”.  Will looked frightened as he glanced at Tim as they both came to attention in front of Sergeant Collins. “You know the rules Jones”, barked Sergeant Collins as he deliberately blew cigarette smoke into Will’s face causing him to cough.  “As you know Jones”, he continued, “ tomorrow just happens to be Friday, and that’s clean up day at Crittenden Zoo”. 

Sergeant Collins instructed the two boys to return to the table but it wasn’t before he walked over to Will’s plate and grabbed the boiled hot dog and slice of white bread and gave it a rather large young man named Opus. As Sergeant Collins lit another cigarette and left the mess hall in a trail of smoke Opus swallowed the hot dog in one bite and just a quickly asked Tim if he had any money.  Opus was tall for his age and suffered with a lazy eye and a missing front tooth that added to his thug appearance and mentality. He again asked Tim if he had any money which caused Will to tell him to leave Tim alone. Opus picked up Will’s plate and licked the remaining portion of white corn and apple sauce off the plate with his tongue and pointed at Tim and said, “if I find out you got money boy, your ass if mine”. Tim was just about to give Opus his five dollar bill when Sergeant Collins returned to the mess hall and said to Tim, “I do hope you and Opus are getting along because tomorrow you’ll have the opportunity to work together at the zoo, we leave a 5 am and you don‘t want to hold me up.”.

After dinner both boys returned to their room and after a bed check and head count by Sergeant Collins Will told Tim all about the clean up day at Crittenden Zoo. “Listen Tim, Collins has got some sort of arrangement with some official at Crittenden and basically we’re being used a free labor and Collins pockets the money. Tim laid in his bed somewhat stunned as Will continued on, “ Opus is Collins muscle and I’ve seen him beat up kids for Collins who get out of line”.  Will warned Tim to never let Opus know he was holding any money or anything of value if he doesn’t want it stolen. Tim couldn’t sleep all night thinking about his Father a murderer on death row and his Mother a addict and  missing and his present situation. Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door as Sergeant Collins appeared blowing his brass whistle until both boys jumped from their beds at attention. “ You’ve go ten minutes you two, just ten minutes until the van leaves so get ready”.

Animal Crackers page 2

Animal Crackers

Page 2.

Miss Herbert seemed oblivious to Sergeant Collins behavior as he stared defiantly at Tim for the apparent interruption and walked toward them from around his desk with a slight limp. Miss Herbert turned away and said, “ Tim’s here for an extended stay, would you see to it he’s checked in and assigned a room”. Tim watched the slender middle aged woman briskly walk down the dark hallway of the building and disappear into a office and lock the door behind her. It was at that moment he found himself face to face with Sergeant Collins who reeked of cigarette smoke and cheap after shave. Sergeant Collins was a balding man with a deep scar under his left eye and a permanent bump on his forehead the size of a quail egg, he suddenly snapped to attention placing his nose just a inch from Tim’s. “I have one rule and one rule only here at Madison’s kid and that is you step out of line just once and that will be the last time you do”. Tim remained silent even though his heart was nearly beating out of his chest but he wasn’t a stranger to intimidation by others with or without any authority.

Sergeant Collins continued, “ I know all about you kid, I read your file and I know your old man is going to fry for what he did and I hope it’s soon”. Tim could barely contained himself from breaking down to either tears or escape when suddenly Sergeant Collins blew a brass colored whistle that hung around his neck. From down the hall came the sound of running footsteps and a red faced boy about Tim’s age quickly stopped at the front desk and immediately came to attention. “Look forward”, shouted Sergeant Collins, “ and why is my ashtray full again, Jones”.  The young man didn’t blink as he emptied the ashtray in a nearby waste paper basket and returned to the desk. “Don’t let it happen again, Jones or you will suffer the consequences”. The young boy with the red face again came to attention as Sergeant Collins directed him to take Tim to his room and change into the Madison uniform for dinner.

Tim followed the red face boy down the darken hallway and up a flight of stairs to the second floor where they stopped at room number ten. Inside were to beds and a writing desk with a small closet and a large picture window half covered with cobwebs. “Don’t minds those”, said the red faced boy who introduced himself as Wilfred Jones but people around here just call me Will. Tim walked across the room and sat down on one of the beds, and it was then that he spoke for the first time. “My names Tim Rogers and I never though I’d find myself in a place like this”.  Will turned to Tim and said, “don’t let Sergeant Collins scare you Tim, he’s more of a prisoner then we are you know”. Tim nodded his head and replied, “ prisoners, is this what this place is a prison of kid‘s ?’ Will stopped for a moment but didn’t answer as he handed Tim a light green jumpsuit from the closet. “I hope this fit’s you”, he said, “ now why don’t you try it on while I wait outside, it’s almost time for dinner”.

Animal Crackers

 Animal Crackers

By 

Larry J. Dellinges

Timothy J. Rogers sat quietly and stared ahead watching the courtroom clock reach 4 pm. while his court appointed attorney huddled across the bench with Judge Jones who raised his eyebrows and then nodded his head in agreement. Timothy, age 14 was a shy and quiet young man with good grades in school and never in trouble with the law but now that his father was convicted of murder and presently sat on death row and his drug addicted mother was nowhere to be found. With no family or friends to take young Tim in his fate was now up to family court and it appeared his new found status would be that as a ward of the state. It was now just a few minutes after four when Judge Jones recommended Tim would spend the next four years in Madison Juvenile Home until his eightieth birthday. Judge Jones quickly left the court room and just as quickly Tim found himself sitting in a Sheriffs van at the gates of Madison a state run facility for orphans. It was remarkable that Tim ever reached this point in his short life left with only memories of mental and physical abuse from both his mother and father but Tim had a forgiving soul and his spirit was his life line to the future.

The iron gates to Madison slowly closed behind him as if Tim was being swallowed up by a fire breathing dragon and with just the clothes on his back and a five dollar bill in his pocket at tall leggy woman with grey streaked hair fashioned in a bun met him at the front steps of Madison. “Timothy I assume”, asked the woman who reached out and touched the shoulder. Tim could only shake his head finding it difficult to speak as the reality of the situation began to take hold. “I’m Miss Herbert”, the woman in her mid-fifties said, “ and I’m the director of Madison’s home of wayward children”. Tim tired to appear he was listening but he stood frozen while he gazed at the many faces that now peered at him through the windows of the three story building. “So, your impressed with this old building”, Miss Herbert continued, “it was built in 1881 by some of the same people who built our railroad back in the day”.  Miss Herbert continued with her history lesson and mentioned the building was originally a bank and then the counties first firehouse and then a  jail before its conversion to a youth home. 

Something deep inside Tim felt uneasy about Madison as well as Miss Herbert and it was more than just his current situation. Tim closed his eyes and tired to black out all the sights and sounds around him but it was useless and before he had a chance to clear his thoughts Miss Herbert grabbed his arm tightly and pulled him through the dark wooden front doors of Madison and said in a hurried tone, “ lets get you settled in”.  As they stepped inside Tim noticed a elderly man wearing a sheriffs uniform sitting at a dimly lit desk with his face buried in a newspaper. As Miss Herbert directed Tim toward the deputy Tim read the name plate on the desk as Sergeant Collins. At first Sergeant Collins was unaware that anyone had even entered the building as he continued to read with only cigarette smoke to greet them. Miss Herbert cleared her throat as Sergeant Collins slammed his newspaper down in anger and took a final drag from his cigarette before putting it out in a ashtray overflowing with butts.

The Halloween get together

 Page 2. 

The Halloween get together was just an hour away as Penny's mother braided strands of gold and silver thread into her daughters hair putting the finishing touches on a beautiful Prairie Princess. Nelly watched intently while laying across Penny's bed and wondered if she would be next in line for the hair treatment? At last they were done giving Penny the first real opportunity to take one last look at herself in the mirror before leaving. Penny closed her eye's for a second and then quickly opened them as if awaking from a dream. Her reflection from the mirror was radiant from this child's point of view wearing a loose fitting shirt with matching pants that seemed to flow and swirl like prairie grass in the wind each time she made the slightest movements. Her shirt was the color of the darkening night sky and her pants were a deep forest green giving her the appearance of a sunset especially after her mother draped a silver silk cape across her shoulders. Penny's parents smiled at one another as Penny, Mark and Nelly piled into the families truck and headed out to a Halloween party that would be like no other!

Well, the High School gym was packed with demons, goblins, and witches not to mention every super hero on the planet including Mars and the Moon? One parent was Freddy and three others were Micheal Meyers and one person wore a presidential mask and he spend the entire evening in the back of the Sheriffs patrol car just for his own safety? Anyway, the older kids had a water balloon fight in the parking lot until Mark decided throwing an egg at the mayor was funny and he ended up in the back of the Sheriffs patrol car with the president for the rest of the night. While inside the gym spooky music drowned out the laughter as well as screams of terror mostly from the little ones who weren't really sure why they had to be frightened just for a piece of candy? Most the treats and the candies were home made with some store bought stuff but one rancher brought several gallons of what he called clear water that only the adults could drink?

Penny's costume was the talk of the town but not for the reasons you might think. Some folks took offense still believing in the curse of the dead oak tree while others asked Penny's parents to leave. Fear and superstition is a powerful emotion causing the weakest of human beings to make the worst choices and it was for that very reason the old oak tree still stood. There was however one thing our fear stricken town folk didn't know and that was the fact that the dead oak tree sat directly on the far east corner of James property. Penny's father had seen and heard enough and it wasn't the first time the thought had crossed his mind of cutting down the dead tree once and for all. Like any good rancher worth his sand he never left home without his trusty rifle and chainsaw and tonight he would change a few minds and perhaps put an end to a hundred years or so of bad thinking?

The Ghost Child of Dead Oak Creek page 1

 The Ghost Child of Dead Oak Creek

A Halloween Story

Page 1.

With the holidays just around the corner and Halloween less than a week away ten year old Penny James still hadn't decided on her costume just yet and she flatly refused for the third time to go as a chicken suggested by her older brother Mark. Living on a cattle ranch in Montana Penny's nearest neighbors were miles away meaning holidays like Halloween were held in town at the High School gym. With a population of less than a thousand and most of those were ranchers, cowboys and God loving folks there wasn't anything anyone didn't know about you even before it even happened. Penny still got teased about last years costume after Mark dressed her up as a two headed woodchuck convincing her she could carry two trick or treat bags meaning twice the candy? Mark continued to poke fun at his sister suggesting a three headed porcupine would be more appealing this year if she didn't want to be a chicken? Penny had heard enough taking refuge in her room and spoke to Nelly the families five year old Golden Retriever who always listened quietly and never interrupted because she was always polite.

Penny made a frown at Marks picture on her dresser telling herself she would never allow her brother anywhere near the costume of her choosing. I'm old enough to decide for myself she thought while still feeling the embarrassment from last year's costume. Nelly seemed to understand and remembered the two headed woodchuck from last year even-though it frightened her a little at first but she always knew it was Penny behind of those two heads. So what would it be this time Nelly girl, a Ghost, a Zombie, a Wicket Witch or the Montana Prairie Princess? That evening after dinner Penny asked her mother if she would help her with her costume prompting Mark to immediately offer to help with a huge grim across his face. Penny couldn't recall seeing anyone at last years Halloween party dressed as the Prairie Princess and Nelly could go as her trusted steed on a leash of course. Mark was the first to say, “No way”, reminding Penny of their towns early history and the legend of Dead Oak Creek. When Montana was still a territory only the brave and the fearless dared to settle where the town now stood but the story of a missing gold miners daughter and the tragic death of her father still had the locals talking to this day. In those early times children were a blessing with so many succumbing to disease and other hardships of everyday life and living on the trail. Jacob Davis was a miner from California who moved to Montana just after the gold ran out in the golden state. He traveled with his wife and their adventurous daughter Jenny but somewhere between here and there life got worse for Jacob Davis.  His wife of twelve years and mother of his child stopped loving and caring about anything that meant something good.

Just before winter set in she ran off with a fancy Buffalo soldier on one very cold and lonely night leaving them both he and Jenny to fend for themselves? They nearly starved to death until Davis discovered gold in a nearby creek with some nuggets the size of pigeon eggs making him instantly rich. Davis kept the find a secret and never told anyone especially Jenny fearing it would only bring them real trouble as if they hadn't had enough. Even as the gold piled up Davis kept it hidden and continued to live in the same old shack he started from even when the town began to grow all around them. Children back then enjoyed Halloween just as much as they do today but without all the extra sugar, chips and sodas? Back then apples were prized as well as nuts and even books if you could read. What few kids were around painted their faces with white grease paint and mud, made hats out of twigs and tree bark and even wore long braided wigs and beards woven from wild prairie flowers of all shapes and sizes.  Just at sunset on that Halloween night it became deadly cold in the hills of Montana having snowed six inches when Jenny stepped out into that dark October night. With a flour sack across her shoulder to hold any treats and a face smeared with red clay and blue flowers stuck to it she declared herself Montana's first Lady Prairie Princess and disappeared into the darkness. Sadly the few children in town were kept indoors that night leaving Jenny on her own on this night of all saints eve. Hours past and Jenny was no were to be found having never returned to her fathers rickety sack. The whole town formed a search party and discovered just one set to footprints leading to an old oak tree just outside of town. It was Jenny's footprints for sure and they stopped directly in front of the tree that had been dead for years as it towered over the banks of a rocky creek below. It was almost at the exact spot where Davis had made his discovery and it was that fact that may have haunted him to death?. Jenny had never been found along with most of her fathers hidden gold as wild rumors told of ther second disappearance of Jacob Davis who became mad with grief over the loss of his daughter. He too had ever been found causing most of the town folk to fear the towering oak adding to the mystery?

Both Enapay and Kangee turned toward each other

 Page 6.

Both Enapay and Kangee turned toward each other and hugged one another as tears ran down both their faces never having experienced a true life threatening event in their young lives. They both hadn’t realized that the White Spirit was now gone and only the bodies of the dead wolves remained. It was then the sound of hoof beats broke the silence as their Indian ponies galloped toward them and stopped. But their ponies weren’t alone and they were followed by a pair of chestnut stallions with two mares and their colts. As Enapay and Kangee rode out of the hidden canyon with their prized herd in tow the White Spirit bid them farewell from a high mountain top never to be seen again.

The End

Enapay and Kangee climbed a sloping hill

 Page 5.

Enapay and Kangee climbed a sloping hill that partially hid them from the watchful eye’s of the White Spirit or so they thought and crawled on their bellies blending into the tall grass that surrounded them. Enapay counted fifty in the herd while several foals chased each other across a flat meadow while their mothers grazed nearby. Suddenly the White Spirit lifted his head pointing his nose in their direction and began to snort and whinny tapping his front hoof as two young chestnut stallions raced toward him. Almost instantly they joined the White Spirit who galloped full speed toward the hidden pair circling their two ponies forcing them into the grazing herd. Enapay and Kangee dare not move as they watched the two chestnut stallions nip at their ponies hindquarters while the rest of the herd ran to inspect the herds two new members. The White Spirit stood motionless almost taunting the two to show themselves and he screamed and flattened his ears and shook his head in disapproval. Kangee suddenly stood up and faced the White Spirit from her hiding place while the mighty white horse didn’t move almost insisting that Enapay show himself also.

Now it was Enapay’s turn so he quickly stood up from the tall green grass and slowly walked toward his sister wondering if these would be their last moments on earth. As if on trial the two stood silent facing a legend they had heard about their entire lives when suddenly from nowhere a pack of grey timber wolves appeared and began to circle the White Spirit. Kangee ran to the bottom of the small hill and quickly picked up Enapay’s spear but as she reached for her brothers bow and arrows she was knocked off her feet by a black colored wolf. The black wolf spun around her it’s hackles glistening in the fading sunlight with it’s white fangs snapping wildly just missing her arms and  legs. Enapay ran to his sisters aid drawing his knife and charging the black wolf now joined by another but before he could reach her the shadow of the White Spirit blocked out the sun momentarily. The white stallion jumped completely over the young Indian brave and landed instantly on the back of one the wolves making a loud crackling sound. Enapay grabbed his sisters hand and helped her up and at the same time drew back his bow and arrow.

One wolf lay dead while the others began to close in on the White Spirit who placed himself between the young Indians and the attacking wolves. Enapay fired his bow striking a gray wolf in the hind leg causing the animal to turn tail and run but there were still four left. The White Spirit again turned and the faced a charging wolf while another buried it’s fangs into the white stallion’s back leg only to receive a kick to the chest killing it instantly. Kangee threw her brothers spear at one of the three remaining wolves but missed her mark causing the largest of the wolves to refocus it’s attention on her. But the White Spirit grabbed the large wolf by the tail and flung it aside like a leaf in a wind storm. The wolves now having lost two of their own and one injured had enough of the fight on this day and just as quickly as they had appeared the ran off into the timber with all three howling in defeat.

The sun was beginning to set

 Page 4.

The sun was beginning to set as Enapay prepared a rabbit he shot with his bow near a stand of dogwood trees while Kangee tied down their ponies who happily grazed on some sweet grass nearby. It was now almost a full day that they had become separated from the hunting party and it appeared that no help from the men would be coming. As the rabbit roasted over a opened fire Kangee told Enapay she believed it wouldn’t be long before they caught up with the White Spirit and his herd. As the two shared dinner a lone wolf howled far off into the distance and it wasn’t much longer before another one answered. The wolves know were here Kangee told her brother and they will kill us if we interfere with their hunt. After the meal Enapay searched for the straightest dogwood limb he could find with just moments of the remaining sunlight and sharpened one end to a needle point. Kangee made her own but it was shorter and looked more like a club then a spear and she swung it over her head and yelled out with the vengeance of a war chief.

The two took turns that night guarding their horses and Kangee already used her new club across Enapay’s backside after she discovered him sleeping on his first watch. But now it was morning and the two set out into the early morning sunrise and followed the tracks of the White Spirits herd. They were nearing the base of the blue mountains and some of the highest peaks where still snow capped. Stands of timber dotted the mountain side but the path of the herd lead deep into a small narrow gorge that almost disappeared into a hillside. The two continued stopping only to rest their horses along the way but the horses began to sense something that made them uneasy and Kangee felt it too. Once again a lone wolf howled far off from a distance mountain and Kangee pointed skyward to her brother at a dozen or some vultures circling just ahead of them. As they made their way deeper into the gorge they came across the body of grey timber wolf. His skull had be crushed and all around his body where large hoof prints made by a single horse.

Enapay knew the wolf pack would take revenge on the killer of one of their pack but there was no turning back now and besides he had a sister to protect. They left the body of the wolf to he vultures and moved on further into the narrow gorge that in some places only allowed them single file. And hour of daylight had passed until the narrow gorge opened up into a magnificent vastness of rolling hills and tree lined meadows. Elk bugled  across the valley as Enapay and Kangee sat motionless atop their horses not expecting  the beauty that lay before them. And then he appeared like a flash of lightning across the sky it was the White Spirit and he bolted across the valley floor with his head held high and his tail ripping in the wind like a royal flag. He hadn’t seen the two young Indians who watched him join his herd bowing his head up and down as if giving orders and commands but it wouldn’t be long before the two would be discovered because they where being watched.

As the sun from the following morning

 Page 3.

As the sun from the following morning began to rise a group of the tribes finest horsemen assembled near the edge of the village. The women and children gathered and together they gave blessings for a successful hunt and a safe return and they all were silent for it was bad luck to boast or make predications especially when wild horses were concerned. Enapay watched from the entrance of the village lodge as the men rode passed him in single file until the last rider stopped and handed him the reins of a painted pony. Within a instant he was aboard and with a gentle nudge from his heels they joined the party and headed toward the river. Hours passed as the group worked their way through a rocky gorge stopping only to water and rest their horses while others walked the area searching for any tracks that may have been left by the White Spirit and his herd. A lone eagle soared overhead which indicated a good sign in the eyes of the Sioux people making many on the trip less fearful. Enapay lead his pony to opened meadow and watched a dragon fly hover over a bed of yellow wildflowers and then chased away by a angry prairie dog.

All the men mounted their horses and met at the meadow where Enapay and his painted pony stood which was a vast stretch of endless miles of green grass and yellow flowers. By now it was noon and Trinapa the leader of the group told everyone to spread about a mile apart and move north toward a range of  low rolling blue green mountains. It was a cloudless sky overhead as Enapay worked his way across the meadow when he suddenly stopped his pony and looked down at the body of a dead horse. The animal was young and tracks that circled the half eaten carcass where that of wolves. The wolf tracks lead away from the body and Enapay followed them straight to the tracks of the White Spirits herd. Enapay rode as fast as he could to tell the others but they were gone, nowhere to be found and the sun was beginning to shine hotter with each step he and his pony made. Enapay climbed off his pony and walked northward toward the mountains hoping to pick up the groups tracks but he found nothing.

He began to become desperate and wondered if he misunderstood what directions the others had gone when he noticed a mounted figure rapidly moving toward him. As the figure grew nearer Enapay could hardly believe his eyes because it as Kangee his sister and she brought food and water. Enapay hugged his sister and then scolded her for leaving the village and she looked away knowing a woman’s place was not to search for horses with the men. Together they sat and ate while their horses grazed and Enapay told Kangee that he though they were lost. They both knew that the entire village would be out looking for them if they didn’t return but Enapay could never live down the though of becoming lost on his first hunt for wild horses. Enapay told Kangee about the dead horse he found the wolf tracks and most importantly the direction the wild herd was going. Kangee sat and listened and climb on top of her pony and with a swat of the reins she galloped off heading north toward the blue green mountains and the wolf tracks as Enapay rode quickly behind her.

The playful voices of the tribal children

Page 2

The playful voices of the tribal children playing near the waters edge echoed throughout a narrow canyon that lead to a slow moving river. Enapay watched as some of the woman constructed a drying rack made from long birch branches and then ran to help his sister fill their basket with a very large fish.  A large glistening salmon flopped back and forth and nearly out of the basket until it reached the cleaning station and then Kangee ran for another while Enapay scanned the horizon for any signs of wild horses. The entire day was very successful for the tribe with racks of fresh salmon drying in the sun and Enapay volunteered to guard their prized catch from any predators overnight looking for a quick meal. As the sun began to set the young brave started a fire and listened to the slow moving river while salmon fed on insects that floated passed deep holes of still water. The light of Enapay’s fire danced across the surface of the river making strange faces and shadows changing only when Enapay placed more wood on the fire. Coyote’s began to serenade the night skies as they readied for an evening hunt causing Enapay to count his arrows just in case of trouble.

Enapay rested his back against a large rounded rock now heated by his fire and drifted off into sleep dreaming of the White Spirit until he felt someone touch his shoulder. It was Kangee who brought some dried buffalo and cooked salmon and stayed with him until morning. Enapay stretched while he opened his eyes the following day as the woman had begun to set up for that days catch while several men placed their fish traps further down the river. Kangee was already knee deep in the water struggling with another salmon when suddenly the thundering sound of hoof beats roared across the canyon. Enapay looked up just in time to see a flash of brilliant white and then a scream from a white horse who appeared angry with it’s nostrils flared and its ears flattened back. Was it the White Spirit, Enapay thought to himself as the entire group stopped and watched as the white horse lead a herd of fifty horses to the rivers edge for water. A huge cloud of reddish dust drifted across most of the herd but when it settled down out emerged the White Spirit and he whinnied to the herd to drink.

He was more magnificent when Enapay had ever imagined and he stood as a guardian over the herd full aware of the tribes present. It’s as if he knows he’s invincible Enapay said out loud will the others stood spellbound. Some of the younger horses kicked and splashed in the water until the White Spirit snorted no and then they were off just as quickly as they had arrived and everyone present just watched as the herd disappeared deep into a endless canyon with only a line veil of dust trailing behind them. That evening all the elder members of the tribe gathered and the village pulsed with excitement over the sighting of the White Spirit. The men planned to pursue the herd the following morning in hopes of catching much needed horses but they also knew the dangers that they would face and every man prepared himself for that moment. Enapay wondered if he would be chosen to go on the great round up but so far no word had come. a slow moving river. Enapay watched as some of the woman constructed a drying rack made from long birch branches and then ran to help his sister fill their basket with a very large fish.  A large glistening salmon flopped back and forth and nearly out of the basket until it reached the cleaning station and then Kangee ran for another while Enapay scanned the horizon for any signs of wild horses. The entire day was very successful for the tribe with racks of fresh salmon drying in the sun and Enapay volunteered to guard their prized catch from any predators overnight looking for a quick meal. As the sun began to set the young brave started a fire and listened to the slow moving river while salmon fed on insects that floated passed deep holes of still water. The light of Enapay’s fire danced across the surface of the river making strange faces and shadows changing only when Enapay placed more wood on the fire. Coyote’s began to serenade the night skies as they readied for an evening hunt causing Enapay to count his arrows just in case of trouble.

Enapay rested his back against a large rounded rock now heated by his fire and drifted off into sleep dreaming of the White Spirit until he felt someone touch his shoulder. It was Kangee who brought some dried buffalo and cooked salmon and stayed with him until morning. Enapay stretched while he opened his eyes the following day as the woman had begun to set up for that days catch while several men placed their fish traps further down the river. Kangee was already knee deep in the water struggling with another salmon when suddenly the thundering sound of hoof beats roared across the canyon. Enapay looked up just in time to see a flash of brilliant white and then a scream from a white horse who appeared angry with it’s nostrils flared and its ears flattened back. Was it the White Spirit, Enapay thought to himself as the entire group stopped and watched as the white horse lead a herd of fifty horses to the rivers edge for water. A huge cloud of reddish dust drifted across most of the herd but when it settled down out emerged the White Spirit and he whinnied to the herd to drink.

He was more magnificent when Enapay had ever imagined and he stood as a guardian over the herd full aware of the tribes present. It’s as if he knows he’s invincible Enapay said out loud will the others stood spellbound. Some of the younger horses kicked and splashed in the water until the White Spirit snorted no and then they were off just as quickly as they had arrived and everyone present just watched as the herd disappeared deep into a endless canyon with only a line veil of dust trailing behind them. That evening all the elder members of the tribe gathered and the village pulsed with excitement over the sighting of the White Spirit. The men planned to pursue the herd the following morning in hopes of catching much needed horses but they also knew the dangers that they would face and every man prepared himself for that moment. Enapay wondered if he would be chosen to go on the great round up but so far no word had come.

A Wild Horse

A Wild Horse

By Larry J. Dellinges

     Long before the white man brought his wagons across the plains of the Dakota’s and his armies to protect them in search for the yellow gold in the sacred black hills there lived a horse like no other horse that ever lived before. His name was Wanageesha the Lakota Sioux name for White Spirit or the one who gallops to the stars. He stood tall for a stallion with eye’s black as coal and he was the color of the clouds a brilliant white and it was even said he could fly across the skies when he wished to. Many tried to capture this horse who was often seen standing alone overlooking a mountainous mesa or from the skyline of a towering plateau. It seemed those foolish enough to try quickly gave up while others died in their quest but the White Spirit would never be caught or broken. Skirmish’s broke out between neighboring tribes over who was brave enough to capture such a animal and stories of those who did are sometimes told even today but the white horse of the chaparral was a free spirit who feared nothing especially man.

Stories about the white horse were repeated over and over until some facts mixed with myths  became legends and the thought of being the one who captured the White Spirit never left the mind of a young Sioux boy named Enapay meaning The Brave one. Enapay grew up listening to the stories told by the elders about Wanageesha and he dreamed of bringing honor to himself and his people if he were to be the one who rode the White Spirit into battle. As Enapay grew into a young brave the stories of the White Spirit continued and there was always someone from a visiting tribe with new tales about the white stallion. One brave spoke of seeing the white horse kill a grizzly bear with one kick after it attempted to attack a mare and her young foal while a pack of hungry wolves watched from a stand of timber.

Another old woman told a group of young Sioux girls that Wanageesha was the spirit of their ancestors and just to look into his eyes would ensure a good husband and many children. The young girls laughed at these stories told by the old woman who claimed she looked into the eye’s of Wanageesha as a young girl resulting in several husbands over her lifetime but they all secretly believed the stories were true. But now the seasons were changing and with the beginning of spring the Sioux people had moved to the river to fish and hunt. This also meant the men would be out capturing wild horses to sell and to trade something that Enapay wasn’t now old enough until now but that was up to his father. But now armed with his bow and quiver full of arrows he walked with his younger sister Kangee meaning raven named for her cries as an infant that sounded like a angry bird. Kangee carried a large woven basket wedged against her hip and together she and Enapay made their way to the river while the elders were already checking their fish traps.

The Princess now trapped

 Page 6.

The Princess now trapped gripped one of the withered branches from inside her oak tree dungeon and watched Dazerack parade around her claiming another victory. “O, yes he will come”, he called out, but surly he will first sent out scouts to test the strength of my powers and the true dangers it possesses”. Dazerack continued on, “ your fathers love for his daughter is stronger than life itself, but enough idle talk of kings and daughters and forgotten kingdoms for I am needed elsewhere”. Dazerack stood back from the black oak tree and directed the still swirling mass of his army of black winged creatures back into their hidden lair of the base of the dead tree. He glance toward the Princess and without saying a word his disappeared into the forest without making a sound. A thick smokey fog drifted quietly through a large opened field of small gray stones and soft brown earth. Overhead a bright orange sun painted the sky a faded blue and all around was very still. Reaching toward the sky around the perimeter of the field stood a boundary line of waist high nettles, their thorny fingers ever ready to grasp anything within reach.

The distant song of a nightingale could faintly be heard from deep within a far off valley. Suddenly a narrow section of earth began to move as some small rocks rolled a few inches from the movement. Peering out of the half moon shaped hole blinked two deep blue eyes. “Is it clear?’, a voice spoke as the blue eyes blinked again and raised themselves a little further from the opening. “Be still”, the blue eyes whispered, “ we have to be sure”. Cautiously the blue eyed figure raised itself chin high and gazed across the rocky field. “ Is it clear”, a second voice nervously whispered from behind, “ or is that keeper of Fir Wood Row merely playing his clever game of hide and death?”. “Quite, my Prince”, the blue eyed voice spoke softly, “ we must be sure no one is watching as our kingdom and freedom are in our hands. The blue eyed voice continued, “ we must not fail or allow ourselves to be plucked from the ground and flow off to some distant cliff and be picked apart by that black hearted watchman of the skies the raven of Fir Wood Row.

Quietly the other elf began to stir and his light green eyes sparkled like flashing minnows in a deep clear pond. Pulling himself out of their darken cave Sir Maxwell stood motionless and took a deep breath as his keen eyes once more canvassed their surroundings. “ Here take my hand”, said Sir Maxwell as he reached down for Prince Bowman who sat in though with a single tear running down his face. We must hurry whispered the blue eyed elf pulling Prince Bowman to the surface and patting his back in a comforting way for he knew his dear friends sorrow. Sir Maxwell spoke in a reassuring tone and looked directly into the eyes of the young Prince. “Take heed my Prince of the Golden Silver Wings”, he said, “ our quest if is one of life and the life after and unless we stop the evils of Dazerack and clip the wings of his black raven army we will never restore our forest and kingdom to it’s once beauty and everlasting peace.

Suddenly black and silver winged creatures

 Page 5.

Suddenly black and silver winged creatures erupted from a fallen oak and began to spiral skyward twisting like whirlwinds in pursuit of the fleeing Princess. Screeching cries filled the darkening skies like a tremendous thunderstorm and the spiraling bird like creatures gathered together in a huge black mass of killing chaos. Princess Adeeras spoke softly to her silken guardian who readied itself for the fast approaching danger. “Fly my black hearted ravens and fly with your brothers of hate and death”, shouted Dazerack who stood watching patiently as his black winged army drew closer to the Princess and the silken cape. Heading toward that beckoning star homeward the darkness from the forest below began to fade but sharp beaks and ear piercing screeches engulfed the Princess like a whirlpool. The Princess and her guardian robe began to funnel downward directly back into the heart of Dazerack’s black forest. As if trapped within a space with no direction or time the Princess was pulled into a whirling black funnel cloud assembled with screaming black birds and snapping beaks but the cloak that encased the Princess took on a new shape.

Whirling like a tornado it erupted with all it’s strength within inches of the outstretched arms of Dazerack but it was to late as the branches of one of the withered black oaks shot out like a spiders web trapping the Princess and her protective cloak in a inescapable prison on entangled branches. Dazerack laughed as the iron like branches ensnared Princess Adeeras as if being swallowed by a hungry serpent. The guardian cloak glowed red with anger as the Princess whispered a command, “Fly my dearest friend and return to Fir Wood Row and alert our King of this evil place”. The cloak draped itself over the Princess sensing its power weakening as the seconds passed. Turning a deeper shade of red as if bidding a reluctant farewell to its master the silken cloak touched the cheek of the Princess and instantly slid through the oak tree prison as if it wasn’t there. Dazerack screamed out to his black winged army that continued to whirled around them believing their job was done. “Stop that Fir Wood floor mat and bring it to me”, he shouted out as his eyes sparkled  and flashed green with hatred and death.

Suddenly the glowing cloak tightly spun itself into a long narrow shaft resembling a sleek ebony spear and instantly rocketed itself into the darkened sky. Dazerack and his winged henchmen could only watch as the silken cloak disappeared into the heavens above them and blended into the surrounding universe of sparkling stars. “But you remain my caged little sparrow”, laughed Dazerack shifting his attention to the Princess Adeeras. “Bring help you charred blackened rag”, spoke Dazerack, “ actually that’s what I wanted you fool of fools”. Anyone foolish enough to come to your rescue will join your fate in my prison of black death. You are my bait my Princess of the Golden Silver Wings now let your Father decide who will join you here for I and my army will be patient and wait. Princess Adeeras looked out into the darkening forest that lay before her and called out to Dazerack who remained looking skyward. “Do you think my Father would fall into your trap you cowardly wizard of deceit”.

If only Prince Bowman had known later

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If only Prince Bowman had known later that evening his sister had followed those faint cries for help that beckoned her unknowingly entering the lands of Dazerack’s domain while lost in the darkness. She now stood almost defenseless at the mercy of this unknown opponent. “Now that my sword is gone and I am helpless these lands reek of death”, spoke the Princess. Her eyes remained fixed on the hooded figure who pointed his sworn directly at her heart. “ This forest is mine and always will be”, replied the figure in a tone of defiance that echoed with evil. “I knew the goodness in you would answer my worried cries for help like a lost lamb to it’s mother but instead it’s a hungry wolf you have found”, spoke the eerie figure. “Long before your father drove me from this paradise of darkness I ruled with a iron hand”, continued the hooded man. “ You have made this an evil place Dazerack”, spoke the golden haired Princess who now knew her attacker, “ even the sun has refused to shine it’s light in this forbidden forest which once lived but now has long since died”.

Dazerack lifted the hood from his blackened face and yelled out, “ enough of your meaningless preaching my royal trapped sparrow, here in my forest your words as well as your powers are worthless”. Dazerack continued, “ your father has taught you well my young Princess but will now know the terrible grief of a loss love ”, as he inched forward tightening his gloved hands tighter around his golden sword. “But now I must leave you here to wither like the trees around you and die like the rest of the creatures who lived in this forest long ago”.  Raising his sword above his head he lashed out like a striking serpent but suddenly the silken robe that lay at the feet of the Princess instantly covered it’s master like a stone fortress. The striking sword struck the robe and shattered like a crystal challis as sparkling fragments slowly sprinkled to the ground. The sparkling fragments resembled shooting stars fell to earth but quickly smothered and extinguished in the soft blacked moss the covered the dark forest floor.

The silken robe now embrace the Princess like a babe in it’s mothers arms and spread it’s woven fabric outright and lifted off the forest floor.  The two became one and now soared above the darkness below and headed toward a flickering star that seemed to beckon them back to the safety of Fir Wood Row. Dazerack cursed loudly as the Princess looked down from the wings of her silken falcon at the evil below her. “Your father has once again saved your worthless existence”, barked Dazerack as he watched the escaping Princess soar higher and higher sailing further away. Dazerack again began to scream, “ do you believe your fathers toys have saved your life young Princess of the Golden Silver Wings, you will not escape my power so easily for it lives and breathes within my forest of darkness”. Dazerack would not allow a mere cloth woven from the silk of Fir Wood Row to flutter away like a bird from it’s cage. He quickly turned toward a large withered oak with its branches twisted and turned upright but long since dead. Lifting his arms above his head he called out in a commanding voice, “ birds of my forest awaken and rise now pluck this prey from my darkest skies”.

King Avar was a handsome and courageous elf

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King Avar was a handsome and courageous elf and in the time of the forgotten days during the black winged sharp tailed spider wars he risked his own life to save his kingdom from certain annihilation saving his people from the venomous fangs and sticky webbed coffins with a grip of death. Queen Amber was a beautiful royal elfin maiden with fierier red hair and alluring brown eyes she was a princess in her own family and often wore a tiara woven from threads of gold and silver. Blood red rubies also adorned her royal tiara and at certain times it glowed like the rings of Saturn. Her wit was quick but her tongue was sharper and nothing escaped her will. No one dared to deceive Queen Amber when it came to certain matters within Fir Wood Row and when teamed with her lifelong  friend empress Lady Nicole these two royal elves where invincible. King Avar often took refuge and isolation from the two royal lady elves who spoke for hours over a myriad of subjects and very often shared the same opinions.

These strong traits where passed on to Queen Ambers children and they built everlasting respect and character in her children. The royal elfin family where honored and cherished throughout the Row and known for their kindness and love for all. Their word was their bond and they were a decisive people when action or force became necessary. It was a heavenly place if there ever could be such a place but the lands outside of Fir Wood Row did not always share the same beauty or the love. In those forbidding lands lived creatures that preferred death to life and enjoyed inflicting pain and sorrow to anyone and anything outside of their own kind. One such evil monster lived and thrived in this land of senseless cruelty and even produced a offspring to continue his tradition of hatred and a legacy of destruction. His name was Dazerack and his son was Razzis and together they ruled the darkness and the lands within their borders.

Dazerack was not always an instrument of hatred and death and he once ruled a land very similar to that of Fir Wood Row. Known as the Kingdom of the Silver Cliff Caverns this mountainous terrain formed a natural boundary between the two kingdoms where they both lived together in harmony. This was all to come to a terrible end when the birth of Razzis took his mothers life then the Princess Sabrina. Before her death Dazerack had summoned help from his neighboring Kingdom and King Avar quickly sent his physicians to help but they arrived to late and Princess Sabrina was dead. Sickened with grief and agony Dazerack blamed King Avar and accused him of sending help to slowly even as his own physicians could do nothing to save the princess. Now enraged with the loss of his beloved wife he threatened to have King Avar’s physicians put to death, instead he resorted to the darker side of his elvin powers and transformed the assisting physicians to slow moving tortoises. Dazerack cried out in a quivering voice, “ Now my useless doctors of death return to your lands of the Fir Wood Row just as quickly as you have arrived”.

The Raven of Fir Wood Row

 The Raven of Fir Wood Row

By

Larry J. Dellinges

A very long time ago in a far off distant land was a place known to all living creatures as the Kingdom of Fir Wood Row. Nestled deep within the heart and soul of a hidden redwood forest was a castle known to the elves who lived and sometimes died there as the Fir Wood Row. Hollowed out from the middle of a giant redwood tree centuries old it towered a hundred feet above the ground providing a panoramic view of the lands below as well as providing safety for the elves that lived there. The surrounding redwoods acted as a natural camouflage protecting the towering castle but elven eyes were very watchful and nothing was left unseen or unguarded. Elves were the masters of this domain but they were givers of joy and happiness and ruled by the law of love and kindness. They were also great warriors and defenders of their people and lands and they possessed magical powers and used powerful spells and potions.

These elves exercised their magical powers when called upon while patrolling and hunting the hills and forests as well as the skies above them. Green rolling valleys dotted with stands of redwoods, golden oaks and silver pines were endless. Fields of golden poppies their favorite flower and flowers of all varieties filled the air with enchanting fragrances and beauty. Opened vista’s and deep gorges, rocky deserts with gigantic boulders and bottomless canyons all added their own diversity and beauty to this land. Rivers, lakes and streams ran sparkling waters of life giving nourishment in every direction and the sound of babbling brooks and skyline waterfalls were said to be that of the lands own pulsing heart beating strongly from within. A spectacular lake hidden in the blue mountains near a elfin shrine called Shawnee Byrd Pass had waters the color of shimmering emeralds and was often called their sacred pilgrimage by the elves of Fir Wood Row.

To the north snow capped mountains reached up toward the heavens and they went on as far as your eyes could see. Light blue and green clouds streaked across the skies as if painted by giants with a sun surrounded by a hue of reddish gold. Over one thousand elves of all shapes and sizes claimed this place their home and many families and clans worked the same lands for hundreds of years because it was said that these elves lived forever. The wild creatures that inhabited the lands were honored and revered by the elves and they tented to their needs and could understand their thoughts and moods. Fir Wood Row was ruled and governed by King Avar and guarded by a small force of Royal Elvin soldiers. The Elvin King shared his throne with his beautiful wife Queen Amber and their two children Princess Adeeras and the young Prince Bowman. Both heirs to the throne of the Golden Silver Wings they where accomplished warriors in their own right mastering the sword, bow and dagger, but the most valuable and dangerous weapon in any elves arsenal was the power of their own mind.

It wasn’t long before the island was secured

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It wasn’t long before the island was secured by our troops and the gold in the cave was returned to it’s rightful owners but it took a surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor and four more years of death and destruction in Europe and Africa before it was all over but I’m getting ahead of myself. For me it ended when the Marines landed and before I knew it I was walking the streets of Scotland again but this time Smokey, Brian and Mr. Roberts were by my side as I lead them to the Grey House and they ordered four pints of the houses finest dark ale and for me a kidney pie with bacon all to myself. Mr. McCain could barely contain himself when he rang up the Jameson farm and invited the family to a reunion of sorts telling John there was someone here he needed to see. And when they arrived the tears and the joy and the wonder of it all was retold by those brave men not forgetting the ones who lost their lives on my journey that all started on that faithful day while searching for my best friend.

The end

We had no way of knowing

 Page 13.

We had no way of knowing that Brian’s radio message had been intercepted by that passing ship we had seen earlier and they forwarded the transmission on to our Military forces in the area. United States Marines had already landed just outside of our view in a hidden cove just below us and were making their way to our location at this very moment. Miguel raised the binoculars to his eye’s for a closing look of our surroundings when suddenly a shot ran out striking him up above his left shoulder.  The force of the rifle shot spun him around and passed through his body and that same bullet nearly struck Smokey who stood just behind him. We immediately took cover back inside the cave as a barrage of gunfire bursts peppered all around us causing bullets to ricochet deep into the blackened cave.  I could hear a large number of Japanese soldiers climbing the face of the mountain and knew it would be only minutes before they would be on top of us. Mr. Roberts crouched down beside me and scribbled a note down on from his pad and tied it under my collar with a strip of clothe.

Smokey held two sticks of dynamite in each hand while Brian inserted the fuses until several sticks were ready. Mr. Roberts looked me in the eye’s and said, “ Maxwell, lives depend on this message getting through to our men”. The Japanese continued to fire on us in volley’s and my ears rang like it did when our ship exploded. I watched Smokey holding a bandage to Miguel’s shoulder wound as he winced in pain while Mr. Roberts threw a lit stick of dynamite deep into the jungle below us. Trees shook when the dynamite exploded and screams from the Japanese soldier indicated a direct hit. It was then I took my final look at the men I learned to love and instantly I bolted from the cave just as the shooting started up again. Bullets whistle and snapped over my head while others struck the ground all around me but I twisted and turned and bounded from sharp boulders to steep run offs. I finally made it to a sheer cliffside that overlooked the hidden lagoon were the Marines had landed and that’s when I felt a sharp pain in my side.

I looked over the ledge and saw at least thirty Marines crawling toward me as two more sticks of dynamite exploded near the mouth of the cave. Somewhat light headed I took a deep breath and sprang forward losing my balance and sliding down a gravel slope until caught in the arms by three Marines. “He’s be hit” yelled out one of the Marines who’s hands were now covered in my blood while other called out for a medic. One of the men quickly removed the note from my collar and I was carried back to the beach and treated. The fight continued until noon when the shooting stopped completely and I could hear several Marines cheering as they saw their comrades in arms entered the mouth of the cave. Before I know it Mr. Roberts was the first to rush by my side just after a large bandage was wrapped around my body but it was hard for me to stand. Tears filled his eye’s as Smokey, Brian and Miguel surrounded me and all together we boarded and small boat and transferred to a larger vessel. I was just fine with the care I received from the Marines but Mr. Roberts had a top notch military veterinarian patch me up as good as new. I heard some of the men say the war was over for a dog like me and that I was going home.

Brian continue to work with the radio

 Page 11.

Brian continue to work with the radio until nightfall but there was nothing but buzzing and static until a voice clearly said, “ Surrender Yankee or die, we know where you are”. Brian quickly turned off the radio as Miguel grabbed his backpack and rushed to Mr. Roberts. “We’ve been found and we must leave immediately”, he said as I scanned the darkness and listened but saw or heard nothing. Smokey began to gather up our equipment while Miguel told Mr. Roberts their only chance would have to be reaching the highest mountain on the island. “If we leave now we could be there by morning”, he said as Mr. Roberts signaled the men and we were ready to leave within seconds. Miguel told us there were many caves at the top of the mountain but the journey would be dangerous with narrow ledges and sheer drop off’s and  rocky cliffs almost at every step. Again I followed Miguel who seemed to see as well in the dark as I could but this time we stayed closer together should anyone need help along the way. The night creature’s were out and large flying foxes littered our path with half eaten fruit as we passed a grove of wild fig trees. 

The mosquitoes were feeding also and the men could barely contain themselves from the swatting and slapping and under the breath swearing as Smokey’s face looked like a pin cushion. A family of wild pigs ran passed us nearly causing Brian to slip over a ledge but Smokey pulled him forward while still holding on to the stretcher. The piglets squealed as they ran in formation directly behind their mother and for a second I wanted to catch one for a meal but just as quickly they disappeared never really giving me the opportunity. We trekked forward inching our way skyward into the darkness until it gave way to the welcoming sound of the jungle fowl announcing a new day. We finally reached the top of the mountain but not without some minor injuries of blistered feet, insect bites and sheer exhaustion but we were alive and still together for the moment. As the sun began to light up the morning sky the view from our mountain top was more magnificent then the first and as Miguel glassed the area with his binoculars he caught sight of a ship far off in the distance. 

But was it one of ours and if so could we contact it by radio but it was so far away from the island. Miguel passed the binoculars to Mr. Roberts and he watched the ship slowly moving further out to sea and then he suddenly stopped and pointed down toward our first mountain top. At least twenty Japanese soldiers crawled over the plateau like army ants as more soldiers joined them with swords shimmering in the sun. Mr. Roberts checked his compass and began to write down in his note book and called out to Brian.  “We’ll have to chance it with the radio, do you think you can contact that ship?”. Brian began to crank the handle on the radio and called out our located given by Mr. Roberts but there was no response and now the ship had disappeared over the horizon as our hopes of a rescue sadly disappeared with it. Once again we quickly gathered our things as Miguel lead us into one of the many caves the honeycomb the mountain top but it was black as pitch and even I had trouble with my footing. Brian lit the cave from the light of his trusty lighter but the darkness seemed to continue on forever.

It was then that I could now clearly hear footsteps

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It was then that I could now clearly hear footsteps moving toward us but they were direct and who ever made then wasn’t trying to hide their approach as Smokey and Mr. Robert also drew their weapons. I stood next to Mr. Roberts and bared my teeth as a thin man with black hair wearing a backpack and a pair of binoculars around his neck cleared the tall yellowish grass and rolled a severed head of a Japanese soldier toward us. “He’s been following you since you left the cave”, he said, “they found your boat and your buried dead on the beach and they sent him to kill you”. By now Brian had joined us as the strange man sat down and lit a cigarette while offering one to Mr. Roberts who refused. The man introduced himself as Miguel a native of the island and said he was a freedom fighter and hated the Japanese as much as we did. He stood up and held out his hand in friendship and I felt he was a truthful man as I watched him toss the severed head now covered with black flies into the tall yellowish grass. “Please excuse my calling card”, he said, “ I’ve seemed to have lost my wallet”. 

Miguel told us he was just one of many Filipino’s on the island who were defending themselves from the Japanese who have been occupying the island over the last several months. He reported the Japanese want control of the all the Philippines and have killed and captured many of his people. “I saw your ship destroyed and sink while I watched from up there but I didn‘t think anyone one made it especially a dog”, he said pointing to the same mountain top we were heading to. Mr. Roberts patted my head and replied”, his name is Maxwell and we wouldn’t have made it if it hadn’t been for him my friend”. Miguel bowed his head toward me in respect and said the Japanese soldier he killed had tracked us to their supply cave and had been waiting outside to cut us all down that morning but he found him first. Miguel agreed to take us to the top of the mountain where we might be able to use the field radio and Brian was sure he could operate it from that vantage point. “We must move quickly“, said Miguel, “ it won’t be long before they send more men now that one of their own and a radio and supplies are missing.

Miguel was very agile for his size and even I had difficultly keeping up with him and at times I lost him completely . Mr. Roberts trailed just a few paces behind me with Smokey and Brian hauling our makeshift stretcher in last place but it wasn’t long before we all stood at the top of the mountain and we were exhausted except for Miguel. A slight cool breeze blew across us as we viewed the island from the eye’s of a eagle and I watched as sea birds sailed across a cloudless sky in the hundreds seemingly without a care and my mind began again to think of home and my family so far away. The beauty of the island was enchanting making it difficult to separate the beauty it held from the terror of war but nobody spoke as we all seem to appreciate a few brief moments of a rare tranquil peace. Miguel suggested me set up camp as we moved into a thick cover of brush that outlined the mountain top and I sat next to Brian who began to monkey with the radio by turning this knob and winding that lever as red and green lights started to blink and he kept constantly repeating hello, hello, hello.

The sun was now directly above us

 Page 8.

The sun was now directly above us was we plowed forward leaving the Japanese patrol and the nesting sea birds behind us. We followed the stream as it snaked its way deeper and deeper into the jungle putting some distance between us and the Japanese.  Mr. Roberts appeared to be doing better after Smokey made a crutch from a straight tree branch with a bend in it allowing Mr. Roberts to support his weight as we traveled. With fresh water now available and our rations nearly depleted we needed food and I desperately needed meat. As we neared a second waterfall the scent of chicken filled my nostrils and I began to drool with the sense of excitement and the memory of home. I could smell them everywhere and then I heard them cackling nervously but they hadn’t seen me yet. Mr. Roberts stopped the men and watched as my nose followed the fresh scent of jungle fowl and wild pigs until I stopped and stood perfectly still. I never had to kill my own food before and didn’t need to until now and it wasn’t just for me but for the other’s too. Suddenly a brightly colored rooster flushed from behind a greenish blue flowering plant and landed high in the towering trees above me.

But it wasn’t him I was after as two hens attempted to run pass me as I quickly killed one and held the other in my mouth to the delight of Smokey. I felt intoxicated over the  taste of warm blood and the killing felt natural to me while watching Smokey clean the birds after Mr. Roberts agreed to a small fire near the base of a fallen tree. As the birds roasted and we gathered together and give thanks for the first real food since the sinking of our ship. It was now late afternoon and Mr. Roberts believed it would take at least two more days to reach our destination and  pointed to what appeared to be a clearing on one of the second highest mountains on the island. Brian buried what remained of our meal leaving no trace of our temporary camp and we marched onward stopping only for Mr. Roberts to rest and write some notes in a small journal he kept in his shirt pocket. The jungle now seemed to give way from thick lust vegetation to chest high yellowish grass and deep rocky canyons but the waterfalls seemed to climb with us cascading across the face of the mountains like a watery ladder. 

The sun was beginning to fall but not without highlighting some dark menacing clouds heading toward us rather quickly. Smokey was the first one to say, “ looks like a storms about to hit us Mr. Roberts”, and no sooner had the words left his mouth when sheets of heavy rain began to fall followed by the boom of thunder and blinding lightning. We quickly took cover near a outcropping of stone cliffs that kept the rain from hitting us head on but we needed shelter badly just as another bolt of lightning struck nearby. I never liked when it stormed and this was the worse I had ever experienced and the booming of the thunder brought me aboard the ship just as the first torpedo struck. Suddenly Brian called out as he edged his way along the Cliffside ,” over there, I’ve found a cave”. We all gathered next to Brian who held out his hand and thumbed a silver and gold lighter a gift from his wife Kimberly and followed the radio man through a narrow slit in a wall of granite just wide enough for one person but we weren’t the first to make this place their home.

It was a jet black night

 Page 6.

It was a jet black night with the exception of the stars above us that were free of the death and destruction that just occurred the day before and we slowly drifted toward the island but the light no longer was shining as we approached the morning dawn. Two more men died overnight in the lifeboat we shared leaving just Smokey the ships cook, Brian Sharp a radio operator, Mr. Roberts and myself. We were unarmed and without any food or water not to mention the injuries to Mr. Roberts but we were alive for the present and our focus was to land on the island unnoticed. Our lifeboat started to scrap bottom as we silently skimmed over a bed of bright white coral speckled with greens and blues and then we stopped resting on a isolated beach of white sand and coconut palms. My feet hit the warn sands with a whoosh and it cleared my mind momentarily as Smokey and Brian helped Mr. Roberts from the boat. Together we pulled the craft into the thick vegetation hiding the boat the best we could and removed the bodies of our fallen comrades and buried them in a shallow grave. After some words and a moment of silence we huddled together to plan our next more.

The sun was beginning to rise and already the hot muggy air was thick making it difficult to catch your breath but we needed to find out where we were. Mr. Roberts told us our mission was secret and no rescue party would be coming. That we carried was fuel for our planes to be used in searching the islands for any involvement of the Japanese who considered the Philippines and perfect location for numerous air bases should they enter the war. Our situation appeared dire but first we needed to remain undetected if we were going to provide any help to our allies. The lifeboat carried a small amount dried rations with some water but only for a few days at best but we did discover a Colt model 1911 a knife, a compass and fifty rounds of 45 caliber ammunition and a first aid kit. Off in the distance I could hear voices and the cropping and clearing of trees and brush. However it was a language I had never heard before but more importantly I could hear them before they could hear us. Mr. Robert knew I was on to something and stepped along side me and said, “what is it Max, do you hear something?”. 

Together we disappeared into the lush tropical jungle silently inching our way forward toward the highest point on the island. I took lead with Mr. Roberts at my side followed by Smokey who handled the knife and Brian who held back several paces but was armed with the Colt. As we made our way through the jungle hundreds of nesting sea birds watched us from their lofty perches above our heads and some squawked loudly in disapproval of our presence. Some took to the air possibility alerting who was ever on the island our location which greatly concerned Mr. Roberts who immediately stopped our process choosing to wait until nightfall to travel.  We were all drenched in sweat as the sun began to fall and in less than eight hours all of our water was gone and just about half our rations. Mr. Roberts gave his portion of rations and most of his water to me and mentioned to the men that we were very lucky to have my eyes and ears under these circumstances and all agreed that I also lifted there spirits. But I feared for Mr. Roberts who seemed to be weakening at every step but it was dark now and we needed to move.

The mood on the ship shifted dramatically

 Page 4.

The mood on the ship shifted dramatically as word spread of our new assignment but the men and supplies we carried on the ship was now disparately needed by our forces on several small islands surrounding the Philippines. The voyage would take approximately three weeks of zigzagging across the Pacific if an effort to avoid any detention from German U-boats or the Japanese who were suspected of entering the war and throwing in with the Germans. Some of the men was solemn after orders were given our mission was classified preventing them from notifying their families regarding why we wouldn’t be docking in New York. Over the next few days I searched ever inch of the ship for any trace of John but Commander Wilson was correct there wasn’t any evidence he ever boarded the vessel at all. I followed Mr. Roberts everywhere like a lost puppy but he knew I wasn’t myself and he caught me looking down into a empty hatchway. He knelt down on one knee and brushed my shoulder and said, “ couldn’t find him boy, you know sometimes I feel a lot like you do when someone I love is missing or can‘t be found”. 

“How’s he doing? Mr. Roberts asked Commander Wilson who stopped momentary while walking the deck alone. “ He’s still a little lost Sir, but he’s a strong willed dog and he wasn’t given up on searching for his master”. Commander Wilson replied, “ take care Mr. Roberts, if we survive this war I promise you we will bring him home when this is all over. “ His name is Maxwell Sir, I found it written under his collar and a local of that town. “What’s a fine name for him”, replied Commander Wilson and as he continue his stroll he said. “ Mr. Roberts and first mate Maxwell, carry on”. I guess I found myself in something I could have never imagined and I deeply missed my family and the farm and I knew they must be worried sick but the men aboard the ship never allowed me to waste away and become depressed. There was a thing called a baseball I loved to chase and bring back to the men who threw it over and over again and there was the galley where a cook named Smokey never ran out to meat scraps for me. I even tasted homemade beer and spirits which the men asked me never tell or show Mr. Roberts or especially Commander Wilson where it was kept. 

The journey at sea as long and never seem to end and the men were always on guard especially when constant sightings of German U-boats were reported in the area. At times I found myself longing for home wondering if I would ever see my family again or the people of my land called Scotland. Mr. Roberts brought me to the upper deck and together we scanned the horizon on a day of calm sea’s and clear blue skies when suddenly he pointed to a tiny dot so far off into the distance I could barely see it. “Look , Maxwell, look there, it’s just one of the many island’s off the coast of the Philippines  and our journey is almost over”. Mr. Roberts wasn’t the only one to notice the islands and not knowing complete chaos was just about to happen. In a instant a sailor rushed toward us and requested me leave the deck immediately and to report to our emergency station aboard the ship. “It’s a U-boat Mr. Roberts, it’s been tailing us for the last hour”, reported the sailor. Mr. Roberts and I ran to his cabin and I watched as he readied himself with a lifejacket and helmet. Before I knew it he fashioned one of the lifejackets over my body and said, “ It’s another time to be brave Maxwell, now I want you to stay in my cabin until I return.

I knew John was just here at this very spot

 Page 3.

I knew John was just here at this very spot I was standing and I could still smell a bag of sugar cookies straight from our kitchen and he was with others I didn’t know. There wasn’t time to think as I watched the ship move further away and I couldn’t let him leave without me so I jumped into the water and started to swim after it. The water was frigid  but not cold enough to stop me as I pushed my way through a large wake left behind by the cargo ship but the vessel began to look smaller and smaller and my journey from the farm just to get here was taking it‘s toll. Suddenly a low pitched siren wailed from the departing ship followed by several bells ringing and then a man’s voice blasted the surrounding harbor, “ Deck to Commander, Deck to Commander, this is the Bridge, we are being followed by a dog, Sir”.  Commander Wilson ran from the wheelhouse and scanned the water with a pair of binoculars scanning the Scottish port and noticed a golden body swimming desperately after them.

“Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle”, replied the Commander who immediately ordered a boat in the water and shouted, “ get to him quick men, he’s starting to fade”. Suddenly a longboat with men dressed in blue quickly pulled up beside me and a tall man with long arms reached over and grabbed me by my leather collar.  Another man lifted my hindquarters from the water as the tall man wrapped me in a warm blanket. “Good catch Mr. Roberts”, shouted the men, as Mr. Roberts sat down and held me while we returned to the ship. “What do you thing he’s was doing out there, Mr. Roberts”, asked one of the men. “My guess is he wasn’t about to have his owner leave him behind?” replied Mr. Roberts. The men all agreed that my owner was more likely a stowaway aboard their ship and I was going to be the one to find him. Just as quickly we were all aboard and almost instantly a large group of sailors gathered all around me. “You’re a very lucky fellow”, said one of the men as he offered me some fresh water and biscuit.

Suddenly all the men stepped away from me and came to attention as Commander Wilson stood looking down at me while still holding his binoculars. “I’ve seen some sights on the seven seas and in this world but none so very pure and true as the actions of man’s best friend”. Commander Wilson knelt down and began to stroke my forehead and looked up toward Mr. Roberts the Naval Ensign aboard the ship. “Mr. Roberts” said the Commander, “I want you to take care of our ships first civilian passenger and see to it he’s made comfortable. “It would be an honor to serve such a brave fellow”, replied Mr. Roberts. As I stood near Mr. Roberts I overheard one of the men updating Commander Wilson of the possibility of a stowaway. Commander Wilson replied that prior to leaving port the ship was thoroughly searched and no unauthorized personal was discovered. How could that be I thought to myself, he must be wrong, John has to be aboard this ship. “Mr. Roberts”, spoke Commander Wilson”, our orders have changed, we are not going to New York instead we have be assigned to the South Pacific so make way for the Philippines”.

The following week went on as usual

 Page 2.

The following week went on as usual as I continued to guard the vegetable garden from our nonstop eating goats but John remained quiet and subdued until the weeks ends when my fears of him leaving were realized. It was Saturday and every Saturday Alice prepared a morning breakfast before John and I rounded up the cows for milking. Kate fussed in her highchair spilling her milk while Charles laced up his boots for another long day of chords. Alice looked at me like she always did on Saturdays to wake John from his bed so I ran upstairs to his room but the door was locked. I scratched at the door and then barked loudly but I knew something was wrong. I heard no movement no footsteps no breathing, nothing but the sound of emptiness. By now Charles was standing behind me and he knock on the door and called out Johns name but we were both met with nothing but silence.

Charles tried the door but it was locked but almost instantly he forced the it open like a charging bull. John was gone and his bed was still made but there on the dresser was a letter addressed to the family, Charles quickly opened it and began to read. Dear Mother and Father, I know your deeply disappointment in my decision to leave for America but this is something I must do on my own. Please kiss dear Kate for me and hold my loyal Maxwell near to you. Love always, John.  By now Alice stood next to him and she began to cry, I laid down near the bed and watched as they stood weeping together but I knew where John had gone and I was determined to find him. I bolted from the room and sprung out the front door and at a full run I headed for the harbor just a five mile stretch of the legs from our farm. It was just a half an hour later when I passed the Grey House and as I raced through town as Mr. McKay had just pulled up in his rusty old car. “Slow down boy”, shouted the pub owner but there was no slowing in this race as others turned and watched my dust.

John stood hidden behind some large wooden cargo boxes marked USA and waited as a soldier left the gangplank leaving an opening to enter the ship unseen. Suddenly a large hand from behind grabbed John from the collar and spun him around like a top. There stood the Town’s constable Officer D. Hanley who was flanked by two armed US soldiers. “You wouldn’t be thinking of stowing away on that fine ship now would you”, asked the constable who knew John from birth. Officer Hanley continue, “ I"ll  just bet your parent's are worried sick by now lad so what do you say we go see them. John stood shocked as well as speechless as the two burly soldiers assisted the constable in securing John to the backseat of his car and together they all sped off to the Jameson’s farm. The US cargo ship now prepared to make it’s way to depart and as the last of the ropes were cast off and a small tug boat pushed the ship toward as she slowly moved out of the harbor. Maxwell finally reached the harbor tired and exhausted and watched the ship as it began to power out of the tidy Scottish fishing port.

The adventures of Maxwell the Golden Retriever

The adventures of  Maxwell the Golden Retriever

My name is Maxwell and I was just one of a litter of nine puppies born in Glasgow Scotland in 1940 on a  dairy farm where I lived with a family that cherished me as well as I cherished them. They were the Jameson’s and dairy farming was in their blood and it was all they knew and some would say all they wanted to know. There was Charles the head of the clan and his wife Alice and John their teenage son who was almost a man and baby Kate still in diapers. John longed to leave the farm for the United States of America but World War 11 had just begun and was raging after Brittan and France declared war on Germany just a year earlier and Charles would have none of it. John was needed on the farm and I had my spare of duties as well and with thirty cows to be milked twice a day  everyone on the farm needed to pull their own weight. But John’s thoughts were elsewhere and with daydreams of America and becoming a war hero he often butted heads with his father who told John never to discuss the issue again. On this morning John and I rode into town with our only wagon for weekly supplies and as usual a stop on the return trip at the Gray House for a pint of dark ale and perhaps some table scraps for me. Mr. McKay the owner of the Gray House was in another one of his heated arguments with several men who sat at the pub drinking and smoking their pipes.

“They should have never run off like they did, leaving their poor mother alone”, said Mr. McCain the owner of one of the largest farm’s in the county. “And I paid them boys good wages to haul the spread that manure over my land from sun up to sunset just six days a week and only a half day on Sunday those ungrateful louts”. John sat quietly as Mr. McKay tossed me other scrap of kidney pie with bacon before I rested near the fireplace which danced with a  crackling fire. “Where do you suppose they went too”, asked McKay as he served other customer a pint of dark ale to a already wobbling patron. “Their mother said those fools told her they were headed for America to fight in the war the states haven’t even declared yet but I don’t believe it”, replied McKay in a tone of disgust. I could see from where I was lying that John’s ear’s perked up and his face grew more intent when the words of America and war were spoken. A man at the end of the pub who works at the docks spoke up, “ there’s been two cargo ships sitting in port for the last week taking on provisions for the States and one just left yesterday’. Mr. McCain wiped his hands on his apron and said, “ I wonder if those two are on it”. “If they are I hope never to see them again”, replied Mr. McCain, “and if I do they’d better not come crawling back to me for work or I’ll have them both whipped and turn the dogs on them”.

John got up and quickly downed the rest of his ale but before we left he asked the dockworker when the remaining American ship would be leaving for the states and the man replied, “ within the week son, but don’t try and board her because there’s a real problem with stowaways and the ships under armed guard. The man continued to say that the yanks have orders to search the ship before leaving port and any stowaways are arrested and turned over to the Scottish Police. While on the long ride home I didn’t like the feelings I was getting from John and wondered would he really try and board that ship for America and leave us all behind. I sat curled at his feet but the feelings got stronger but how could I stop him or even tell the others. We arrived back at the farm safely and John and his Father unloaded the wagon while I brought the sheep and three of our milking cows back into the main pasture. I couldn’t shake the feeling of sadness that loomed over me while I ran back to the house and licked Kate’s face clean over the last remnants of honey and sugar from some fresh baked Scottish cookies. Word of the missing boys hadn’t reached our family yet and it appeared it would remain so if John had his way.

Finley pushed a large piece of driftwood

 Page 10. 

Finley pushed a large piece of driftwood into the fire causing the flames to illuminate the cliff side, he then pulled out his knife and shouted as he held the blade to the quiet one’s throat, ’ come down here you two and bring my hand or I’ll slit her throat from ear to ear”. Juan and Jade climbed down from the cliffs and ran toward the quite one who suffered deep talon marks across her breasts and shoulders. Scratch jumped at Finley who buried his claw hand into the chest of the three legged dog and flung the small animal into the surf. He quickly turned and ordered Juan to drop his gun while still holding the knife at the quiet one’s throat. Finley motioned to Jade to throw him his ivory hand and in an instant he’d discarded the talons and raised the ivory hand above his head in victory. Finley commanded Jade and Juan to come forward and threw aside his knife and picked up Juan’s revolver while pulling back the hammer. Finley pointed the gun at Juan and told Jade to step toward him readying his hand to deal a final death blow.

“You’ve cost me my ship, my crew and my life you worthless whore and now I’ll send you to hell where you belong”, screamed out Finley his eye’s burnt almost red with fire. Suddenly from the cliff sides above a rifle shot rang out and Finley clutched his chest and moaned. Then another shot followed by another and Finley dropped the pistol and dropped to his knees. There standing side by side was Father Mendez and Madre Maria with Reina at their side. The chestnut mare had returned to the mission alerting the Vaquero’s and Father Mendez. Madre Maria ran to Jade and the quiet one’s room and discovered the note that appeared to have been written in blood. With both Father Mendez and Madre Maria on her back Reina race back to the beach and now they stood at the cliff side just in time to put and end to the likes of Finley. Before Finley drew his last breath he turned toward the quiet one and attempted to rake her body with his lethal hand of ivory  but nothing is overlooked by Madre Maria who fire one last round from a Spanish musket striking the hand dead center. It exploded into a shower of sparkling reds and greens and yellows with dazzling whites and as Finley lay dead the gem stone’s sprinkled like rain on his body with diamonds and emeralds and ruby’s exposing the secret of the ivory hand. Jade quickly cut down the quiet one from the wooden cross as Madre Maria caught her in her arms while all the Vaquero’s from the mission arrived on horse back and by wagon.

Jade ran toward Scratch who lay wounded in the surf and cradled the little hero in her arms and wept uncontrollably as Juan silently held them both. Father Mendez and Vaquero’s collected all the stones from around and on top of Finley’s body while the Pedro pushed the corpse into a now roaring bonfire and threw on more wood. It appeared the ivory hand was more when just a weapon all along and it held more riches than one man could spend in several lifetimes. The Sakla-n warriors loss their faith in Finley after the word of Blue face’s death as told by the warriors who ran on that day at the mission and Finley was banned from their village forever. It was lust and greed that ended Finley’s life and how a well placed shot from a mission nun exposed the real truth behind the ivory hand. Scratch once again recovered from his wounds with more of a cat with nine lives than any else and as for the quiet one well just ask Pedro who fell in love with her and she never stopped taking? Juan and Jade left the mission shortly after but not before getting married at the mission by Father Mendez with Scratch as the best man or dog. But before they left they shared the precious stones with Father Mendez, Madre Maria and the three remaining girls from the Topaz ensuring the Mission would continue to grow and prosper forever. They left for San Francisco and built a huge mansion where it still stands today I’m told, so the next time you see a three legged dog anywhere or anyplace place please don’t forget about Scratch and that evil Captain Finley but hold dear to your heart the memory of a young girl sold into slavery and her story of  Jade and the Ivory hand.

The end

Nothing escapes the watchful eye’s

 Page 9.

Nothing escapes the watchful eye’s of Madre Maria but she knew when the seeds of real love were planted by God and his angels, she approved of the flowers that were beginning to grow in the garden of life between these two. As most of the people of the mission now slept Father Mendez knelt in front of the alter at the missions church and gave thanks for the safety of the mission and prayed no further harm would come to it’s people. Candles flickered near the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary who stood looking down at the priest as he prayed while Madre Maria silently knelt in a pew next to him and recited the rosary to herself. Scratch remained with Jade that evening as Juan walked her back to her room that she shared with the quiet one and after one more kiss good night Juan departed. Jade turned the door handle as her heart still glowed with that evenings events but as she and Scratch entered her room something was wrong. The quiet one was nowhere to be found except for a note left on her bed that  note read, “ My hand or she dies, tell no one and come alone to the beach near the Topaz at midnight tonight”. 

Jade stood stunned and dropped the note to the ground but quickly regained herself choosing strength over fear. It was that same strength that sustained her as well as the other girls that survived their torturous journey aboard the Topaz. But now there was no time to waste over the past and it was her and her alone that would once again face Finley and this time it would have to be their last. Jade scooped up Scratch into her arms and nuzzled the three legged champion with her nose and cheeks as a tears ran down her face disappearing into Scratch‘s shiny coat. She laid him gently down on her bed and quietly closed the heavy wooded door to her behind and secretly left the mission unnoticed under the cover of darkness. Jade walked swiftly passed the corn field, orchards and the vineyard and managed to locate the spot near the creek where she buried the ivory hand. She searched and searched for the turtle shaped stone at times crawling in the dark with only some help from a half lit moon.

A great horned owl hooted nearby as Jade finally discovered the stone and now held the ivory hand still wrapped in a cloth. Jade now made her way west toward the sea and it was almost two hours before she began to smell the thick salt air and then hear the crashing of waves as she neared the cliffs that overlooked the beach. Screams and jeers with whistles and laughter echoed from the beach as Jade fell to her belly and inched her way closer to the edge of a sandy cliff and looked over. There stripped naked and tied to a wood cross was the quiet one, her head lowered and her face bloodied she wept as Finley waved a fiery torch near her body and laughed. Jade watched as Finley stoked a large fire that whirled near the quiet one as true hatred began to pulse throughout her soul. Suddenly two dark shadows appeared beside her and she turned like a lioness with tooth and claw and her eye's flashed like lightning , but it was Juan and Scratch who laid down beside her as Reina stood in the shadows a safe distance away

Whales