On the back side of the hunting cabin is a little hill with a rock at
the top where I go to sit and think. I can see the cabin and the main
road from here and it is a nice place to get away from it all for a
while. There is a limestone rock at the top where I have even carved my
name saying "Danny wuz here". I come here to collect my thoughts and if
not thinking then just to rest. From this vantage point, I can see for
miles. It's a very inspirational place.
As always, I sit, but
today a cloud of dust arises on the horizon from the next ridge up near
the paved road. Chrome flake flashes dart from that same place in the
distance, reflecting mirrorlike sunlight sparks in my direction.
Finally I can make out the shiney metal bumper molding on three white
Ford Crown Victorias traveling at an exceedingly fast pace toward the
cabin below. As they progress down the winding gravel road and approach
more closely, I can make out the ensignia on the side of the cars which
reads "Texas Department of Public Safety". Oh Shit... the Rangers.
The deal that I had made with a local marijuana dealer, Hardy, was to
receive shipments of canabis at the ranch from Mexico and when they
arrived by truck over the border, store the shipments in a large shed
in the back of the cabin, and hold it for distribution later. The deal
had been struck and the local Bandileros were scheduled to deliver the
contraband by the ton in truckloads of pressed kilo bricks. Last week,
we had just received the first shipment. a Some rock musicians and
outlaws, including Grand Funk Railroad's manager, spent the day
drinking beer, smoking weed, and eating a deer that Hardy, a native
American indian, had shot, dressed, and roasted on a spit over an open
fire in front of the cabin. During the festivities, Hardy asked me to
take a Smith & Wesson 38 from him to "protect myself and shoot
anybody that comes around here that you don't know." I had smoked alot
of weed and had quite a few beers and on hearing this request got kind
of light in the head and weak in the knees so I kind of crouched down
so as not to loose my balance and told him that I appreciated the offer
but that I would just have to take my chances because I wasn't prepared
to shoot anyone.
Well, whoever tipped of the Texas Rangers did not have there facts
straight about when the shipment was to arrive and by the time they
showed up the shipment had come and gone. Luckily, we were clean and
dry.
As I watched from the rock on top of the hill, the shiney new Ranger
vehicles spun around into the front of the cabin. Two friends, Harry
and Tuck, were sill inside. With their sidearms drawn the Rangers hid
behind the doors of their cars and shouted out demands for the
surrender of whoever was inside of the cabin. Harry and Tuck exited
peacefully with their hands clasped behind their heads and the Rangers
swung into action, rounded them up and threw them into the backseats of
the patrol cars with in cuffs. The Texas Rangers were successful in
rounding up two more outlaws as I watched from the rock on top of the
hill behind the cabin. I figured it was time to get the hell out of
there.
At this point I make my escape by picking a direction and running as
fast as I can that way without looking back. Feet don't fail me now. I
had watched the big show for long enough and it was time to save my own
ass. I had slipped on a pair of sandals to visit the rock retreat and I
quickly slipped out of them. I was running in bare feet over rocky
ground trying to avoid impending incarceration. The sharp jagged gravel
cut as I pounded forward occasionally falling and getting skinned on my
knees and palms. I ran halfway and walked halfway, stumbling my way
across hill country near Austin through prickly pear and mesquite
bushes tripping over roots and rat faced armadillos. I thought how nice
it would be to have a sip of cold water. Lifting myself up off of the
ground again, I saw overhead a crookneck yellow beaked turkey vulture
with a four foot wingspan circling patiently. He circled slowly sensing
my distress and began to descend to within ten feet above. I close my
eyes in fear, terrified by his razorlike claws. Vultures can clean the
meat off of a deer in five minutes. I was scared. I sprang from my
hiding place under a lone mesquite bush and to my dismay the vulture
landed close enough to send chills up my spine. He stared at me with
little beady black eyes and as I ran I began to experience cramps but I
pushed forward and escaped from its reach. My heart was beating rapidly
as I approached a stream bed with substantially enough water in it to
submerge myself completely. I quickly slid down the embankment and
slipped into the cool water. I submerged my whole body in the deep
refreshing water. After drinking my fill, I waded down into the middle
of the stream and walked for about a half mile remembering from my
childhood how the bad guys got away in the Saturday morning cowboy
movies on TV. Now I wasn't so freaked out anymore. I continued to wade
downstream when I strayed upon a figure sitting on the bank.