2. A Lesson Learned
Dusk came quick to the Trail of Death, almost like a magician’s cape tossed over a glowing crystal ball. The rippling golden orb dissolved into the west with a bloody afterglow, and our heroes decided to make camp.
“Bed down the horses, Yap,” Cal said. “I’ll fetch us some wood for the fire.” He ambled off into the dark.
“What a way to end a rotten day,” Big Yap grumbled. “Not only do I almost die out in the heat, but my teeth are caked with a coat of dust so thick I’ll never be able to taste anything else, and that blasted Portuguese Indian done sold me bags of fake gold, and now I’ve got to bed down these two ignorant mules in the dark while Cal gets to go off gallivanting through the underbrush in search of his fame and fortune. Why can’t I be the one to fetch the firewood for once? Why’s it always got to be him?”
A twig snapped behind him.
“About time,” he muttered, turning. “You know, how come I never—?”
He blinked, both eyes wide and darting side to side. Nobody was there. He turned on his boot heel, swiveling slowly to pan the darkness as his hand went for the sawed-off shotgun sheathed at his shoulder. He started to whistle, real quiet-like, to steady his nerves.
Another snap—off to his left.
He drew the shotgun in a flash and cocked both barrels, facing the black night. His whistling came hoarsely now as he rested a finger against the trigger.
“That you, Cal?”
A short snarl burst forth from the darkness.
“Didn’t think so.” He pressed the trigger—
“Yap!”
He jumped at the sound of Cal’s voice, and his shot went wild, exploding into the night. Invisible paws scampered away at breakneck speed.
Cal grabbed his sidekick by the collar and hoisted him up off the ground. “What are you playing at?” he growled. Yap could only stammer. “You were going to shoot that coyote, weren’t you!”
“I, well… uh… Cal, I—”
Cal dropped him to the ground. “I told you when we first started riding together, Yap. You leave the coyotes alone.”
Yap nodded with genuine contrition. “I’m sorry, Cal. Really, I am. I don’t know what got into me. Guess I was a little spooked is all. But it won’t happen again. I promise you that.”
Cal nodded with a clenched jaw, staring into the night. He’d been raised by coyotes, and while it always seemed to be a story for another time, Yap had gathered enough to know he’d been in the wrong tonight. But they didn’t let the matter stand between them. The fire started easily, and soon they had some chow cooking, courtesy of Big Yap’s fine culinary skills.
“Tastes like puke,” Yap groaned, spitting out a mouthful of the gruel.
“I don’t mind it,” said Cal. He filled his gourd with a second helping. “Fills the belly.”
Yap spat to clear his mouth. “I’m turning in.” He fell onto his bedroll and started snoring.
Cal glanced at him, made sure he was sound asleep. Then he dumped his gourd-full into the fire. With a tin cup of coffee—something Yap managed to brew a far sight better—Cal rested against an outcropping of rock and regarded the star-studded sky with appreciation. The campfire flickered in his eyes, distorting his view of what lay on the other side: a ten-foot grizzly bear!
Be sure to tune in tomorrow for Episode 3!
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6 comments:
I'm trying to picture a Portuguese Indian. Oh there is so much color in your words. I had some fool's gold once. It sure is pretty.
Enjoying this a lot: very vivid detail and characters.
I didn't think I'd enjoy this tale, but it is good. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for reading, guys!
This is a great idea to promote the anthology,, Milo
Hope it leads to a few sales. I'm making 4%, after all. =]
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