The Great Escape

How much longer is he going to stand there looking at my face, is he gloating, or does he have an inkling of my plan to escape. The longer he stays, the more difficult this becomes, the leather thongs are shrinking tighter, I'm so glad to have had time in a hot tub to absorb extra moisture in my skin, wearing long pants and boots to help keep it in.

Well at least he's keeping the crows at bay, never mind it'll be getting dark soon, and he won't want to be around here then, it makes me want to laugh, knowing the one most afraid of evil spirits, is a medicine man. I'm hoping he can see the smile in my eye, because it's not possible for me to utter a single word, through the mask of death I wear, but it's quite a sight from up here, I can see the moon, shining brightly as the sun begins to set.

The arrogant chump bids me farewell, if only he knew I wasn't planning on taking the journey he had in mind. Finally, I sense the motion as he climbs down from the burial platform to scuttle home. To my surprise he's not alone, he stops to chat with a group of Braves, oh dear that wasn't part of my plan, but my fear's short-lived, they're only here to help him mount his pony, and to my relief, they canter off.

With great difficulty, I slip a razor from the waistband of my pants and carefully use it to free my hands, from the ever-tightening grip of the leather thongs, cautiously removing the tattered leather wraps, not causing any obvious damage, for I'd not done with them yet.

The pins and needles, fierce and painful, cause me to tumble from the platform, landing with a bump on the sandy ground. Looking up from the ground I'm overwhelmed by the black figure of a snarling Jaguar. I've been close to death many times and thought this was mine and instinctively shut my eyes in anticipation of the final bite. But the closest I was to death was from the embarrassment, as two men began to laugh, Jasper and Jujube, sent to help me by Rue.

I'm soon able to stand and dust myself down and appreciate the sorry sight that made them laugh, bare-chested in my pants and boots. There's no time to slack, there are lots to do, and my first task is to get Enso's desiccated carcass from the cave. I can't afford to drag it across the ground, leaving Injun tracker's messages, so I sling the rancid thing onto my shoulder and hump it to the platform alone, a little help would have been nice, but none was offered.

In the dark, it was a challenge to get the body all bound, gagged and neatly wrapped in crisping leather. What I did next wasn't pleasant, but nothing his miserable life didn't deserve. I gauged out his eyes, cut my hand and drizzled blood around his eye sockets.

I went back to the cave and returned carrying a saddle and water bags, across my shoulders, in my hand, I held a leather pouch, it contained a letter and a sack of the finest gold nuggets, in this form they're worth more than any known currency.

I gave Jujube and Jasper, specific instructions to make sure this got to Rue, or they should fear for their lives, no matter what spell they be in. In return, they provided me with a rather wretched looking donkey, my clothes and a glowing stone from Rue, which she said, would become the light that shows you my way. Knowing what we know, this was the most precious of gifts for which any man could ask.

I mounted the donkey, gave thanks for the help and bade them so long. I set off into the dark toward the forbidden wilds, the location of my secret log cabin, from where I would begin my journey to New Orleans.

Tell Rue, she knows how I'll keep in touch, but remember from now on, 'Red Rock Bill' must remain dead.