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

 Page 10.

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

 

Small Mammal

 

Scenery

 

Reptiles

 

Rabbits

 

Plants and Flowers and Trees