The Devil Went Down to Sonora
Twilight crept in not so silently upon the town...in the distance could be heard the strains of gypsy violins, tambourines and guitars and singing upon the sage scented
evening breeze.
Emmeline had assisted Carlos and Jose' in packing up his stall and dismantling it with several swift maneuvers which were aided by loosening afew nuts which allowed the joints of the wooden posts to fold in upon themselves and pack neatly together into a more or less box-fashion for easy storage. The remaining few instruments he hadn't sold were carefully arranged upon soft pillowy insulation in boxes and
set into slotted shelving along the carts' high end.
'We will take these two violins to Xandor. He is the chief of this band. Also, this lute, I believe...I know someone who might find it enticing. All seems ready! Are you, Emmelina?'
Emmeline smiled and nodded, more than ready. She felt the music calling to her and feared they had missed too much already. 'What of Esperanza and Elena?'she asked.
'They are there ahead of us, I'm sure...up you go!' And Carlos helped Emmeline up onto the long drivers' seat, Jose' who was driving, took her hand to aid her, and seated her next to him, with Carlos following. 'Ayyy-up!' Jose' shook the reins and their big benita mulas bent to their work, heading out of town and toward the gathering in the vale where smoke rose from the campfires ahead.
Nearing at last, in the gloaming Em could make out a ring of round-topped wooden gypsy wagons,gay with painted colorful decorations lining the edges. Within the ring one large bonfire burned;widdershins: men and women were dancing, weaving about each other in intricate, sinuous motion while the band played passionate and alluring music that welcomed the night, the rising of the moon, the silver star-streams...Emmeline felt wrapped in a warm black velvet cloak ,as if upon a Hallow's Eve of her childhood. Enraptured, she accepted Carlos's hand as he aided her from the wagon and almost in a trance, she drifted toward the music and the dance.
As Emmeline strolled around the circle of people gathered about the dancers, she breathed in the perfumed smell of woodsmoke, cookfires with aromatic spices, and some enchanting perfume in the air like a frangipani or patchouli scent which she would ever associate with the gypsies and longed to have some token of herself,to carry with her, always. Almost a sweet yet peppery scent, like a spicey flower...she noted the gypsy children running chasing one another in their colorful dress, ribbons and bandanas streaming, followed by barking dogs also in bandanas and beaded collars of their own. As she wandered along, she noted other smaller campfires before wagons with signage, in Spanish and Portugese, which she could decode somewhat, with the aid of ideograms like an eye in the middle of an upraised palm denoting the fortune-teller, an anatomy chart in another for the healer, the heart with a fat Cupid and his bow and arrow...surely the purveyor of love-potions. Em hastened past this wagon and smiled to think she nearly felt like warding off the evil eye as she did so. Wuf! But she'd dodged a close bullet, or arrow, rather... The last thing she needed was being dogged by that darned cherub, armed to the teeth, the little bugger...Em trudged determindly back to the music.
As she neared the brightness of the big fire, she noted, silhoutted against the glow, a tall figure of a man leaning with a violin against a wagon, his face hidden 'neath a wide hatbrim. Something about him struck Em as familiar, and yet
also made her anxious. As soon as she tried to view him closer, it was as if he'd noticed her scrutiny, she thought she discerned a flick of his eye before he turned and melted away off into the shadows.
'There you are!' Elena and Esperanza appeared at Emmeline's side from out of the dusk and startled her from her musings. Esperanza smiled and glanced at Elena, happy to have made Em jump. They looked in the glow of firelight like two
schoolgirls pleased to be out playing hooky
'At last! I've missed you of late! How did your sales go?' The two women took Em's arms, flanking her, as they strolled together back to the dance and regaled her with tales of their
merchandise flying from the stall. 'We sold all we brought, and indeed, have orders to fill at later dates! A very productive market day.'The women had saved a space on one of the wooden benches at the back of the crowd. 'So. How are you liking your first gypsy dance, eh?' Esperanza squeezed her arm, gazing at the twirling dancers before them, their striped skirts spinning about them like tops.
'It's wonderful...'Emmeline breathed, as she leaned forward, hand on her chin to gaze, enraptured. And it was. Something about the stirring, minor-key music;old-world and sounding slightly Slavic yet also Spanish and Oriental as well, or Middle-Eastern perhaps. 'The music is so...all-encompassing. It draws one in, completely. I cannot figure out what kind of music it is. It seems to be the music of the entire world...'
'Gypsies are a wandering band...'Elena nodded her head in time to the music,'Surely they've picked up abit of everything from everywhere and made it their own.'
The dance ended and everyone applauded and tossed coins to the dancers who held their skirts open to catch them as they bowed around the circle. The area was cleared then and as the musicians stuck up the next tune, couples from the audience then took the floor. Em was surprised to find someone rushing up behind her. 'May I have this dance?' It was Jose', the little diablo. 'Of course, gracias!'
Em arose, taking Jose's hand, as he led her into the dance. 'You'll definately have to lead, Jose'--I'm not sure I'm familiar with this dance!'
'I will teach you. It's easy, see?' And he led her slowly through the steps, sortof a fast waltz with a few quick steps here and there. Em had a good sense of rhythm at least, and reassured herself that at least she didn't weigh much now, if she did tread upon a toe here and there...eventually she caught onto the steps and was twirling about in time with the others, having fun, she realized, something she hadn't felt free to do in a long while.
She noticed Carlos and Elena then dancing beside them, also tripping the bonfire fantastic as it were, and then, later, Carlos and Esperanza. Old Carlos gets around, it seems, Em noted, pleased. After her first dance, Em found herself in demand by the men of the town, finding fresh blood in her
novelty. Jose' bowed out politely and eagerly pounced upon other single senoritas more than willing to partner with him.
Soon Em was learning more new steps and new Spanish with her new partners and having a time, indeed. And. resplendent against the purple of her bright new blouse,Em's long red hair
then came undone in the spin of the dance and streamed out behind her,like a flaming flag.
While in the shadows, leaning against a wagon, a tall figure
watched with glittering eyes beneath a black wide-brimmed hat,
armed with a violin and bow. he had the hood of his long cloak tossed back, and seemed covered from head to his heavy booted feet. His eyes were all one could discern in the gloom, he'd a dark kerchief about his neck which hid the lower part of his face. If Em could have seen even this much of him, however, she might have recognized him. With some alarm.
. . . .
Twilight came to Pankhurst as well, and settled about Crowley House, Aleister, Jack and their two fair guests, who were gathered about the fire in the parlor, having supped and washed up and were now relaxing with glasses of port and coffee.
'I wouldn't feel so badly, Jack,'Diana assured him, 'Aside from Homer's hound, and the poor bear, of course, certainly more trouble was avoided than caused in all of this affair.' She paused, sipping daintily from her small glass. 'If the bear had come into town, things might have gone down altogether differently.'
'True, Jack, true!' Aleister agreed. 'It had to be done.'
'Yes, perhaps...' Jack leaned forward, elbows on knees, studying the fire, '...I just wish something could be done about the bloody Bush brigade...they cause more trouble than they're ever worth, that's for sure.' He glowered into the flames.
Al just sighed. Sugar spoke then. '...those boys have always been hell-raisers, Jack. Woody has had no end of trouble from them all. '
'Why can't anyone do anything?' Jack stood and strode over to the fireplace, running a hand through his hair, now cut a bit shorter, just below his collar.
'Money talks.' Sugar was succinct.
'We're becomming a nation beholden to robber barons,'Diana noted with disgust.
Al and Jack exchanged a glance. If only they knew, it said.
'The innocent become jailed more and more, while the guilty roam free to conduct 'business as usual'...'Diana's color rose as she warmed to her subject, and the port.
Jack nodded, resting an elbow on the mantle, while he stroked his chin, unused to the absence of whiskers as yet. 'Still...there are ways...'
Aleister shot him a dark glance and changed the subject, 'More libations, ladies? The night is young as yet!'
'None for me, thank you,'Sugar finished off her coffee.' I must be off to the late shift at Woody's soon...'
'...and I have school in the morning.'Diana added, draining her cup as well. 'But thank you gentlemen for a fine evening! I didn't know cooking was among your accomplishments, doctor!' she added, rising.
Jack looked at Al with an enquiring eyebrow raised, thinking he certainly didn't know it either.
'Not at all, ladies! Our pleasure! We must do this again soon, yes?' Aleister and Jack shepherded the women to the door and helped them with their coats, then saw them to their wagon in the early evening's waning light.
'A pleasure indeed, to make your acquaintance, Diana,'Jack took her hand and bent over it, before handing her to Al, who helped her into the driver's seat and spoke low to her, and she to him awhile.
'And Sugar. I'm so glad we had time to get to know one another better,' Jack took her hand and kissed her fingers softly. 'I must admit, at the races, when you gave Marco a pie and a kiss, I thought perhaps...'
'Oh, Jack...Marco is like a brother to me!' She smiled sweetly at him. 'I thought that you and Emmeline were certainly a couple...'
'I thought we were, too,' Jack said abit sadly.
'I see. And now she's gone.' Jack nodded. Sugar stood on tiptoe and gave him a kiss on the cheek. 'Anytime you want to talk, to
dance, to have a drink together, look me up, hear?' And with a wink, Sugar allowed Jack to help her into the seat next to Diana.
'You all need to get a watch dog!'Sugar called, as they turned around for home.
'You got that right!' Jack called back. 'Goodnight, ladies!'
'Farewell, gentlemen!' And off the ladies went into that good night.
'Loan me Trots for a moment, will you, Jack? I wish to ride
escort.'Al regarded him.
'Good man.'Jack nodded and while Al rounded up Trots with a carrot, Jack got his saddle and bridle ready. Al was up and off in a flash, galloping after his new galpals.
Jack watched him go, a small smile at the corners of his lips.
A fine soft evening it had turned out to be, indeed. Whistling, he headed back to the house. Yes, maybe things aren't as bad as he'd thought.
. . . .
Emmeline was becomming quite dizzy. She begged off dancing for awhile and decided to sit things out and catch her breath. She
wandered over to where apple cider was being dispensed with abandon and was given a mugful with a wink and smile from the
cider monger, gratis. Expressing her sincere thanks, she quaffed the delicious cold cider, and noticed that when the men, and some women, got their cider, the cider man slipped a little something extra into it from a demijohn he kept under the barrel. Hm.
Em had no need of strong spirits. Her head was still swimming from the twists and turns of the dance. She noted that the dancers were breaking up now, and Carlos was entering the ring along with a large, formidable man with a commanding presence whom Em believed could only be Xandor, the gypsy king. He was dressed royally, with colorful silk scarves, jewels glittering on his ears, his hands and about his neck and belt, and wore an intricately woven vest which looked like Carlos's work to Em's more experienced eye now. She also noted he held the violin that Carlos had saved for him especially. Carlos, too, had his own well-worn but sweet-sounding violin with him, as they took the stand, Xandor nodded to him, and they began to play.
All was hushed about the camp as the two violin virtuosos put on a performance fit for a sultan, a king, a president, a pasha. They played together seamlessly and then they dueled: first one, then the other, would take the lead and create a landscape of sound, conjuring mighty winds of music, a stormy sea of crashing waves of cadence, euphony of extasy in resonant tintinnabulations, a battlefield giving voice to victories and exultations...and quiet after the storm and soft sobbing strains of loves lost, of deaths and endings like winter's cold nights...and then like spring come again, like a maiden's song on a bright morning and dew on the wet grasses and birds in flight and star-struck lovers dancing together on into eternal moon bathed nights...on and on the two men became the music, each sweating and straining to keep up with the notes that demanded their playing... At last, Xandor smiled at Carlos and
they resonated into a crescendo together, ending with a triumphant roar and finish that wrung the crowd into an exhausted frenzy of cheering and applause, calling, 'Bravo! Bravo! Xandor, El Rey!' 'Carlos! Carlos El Maestro!'
Emmeline was beside herself. She had never experienced such a
delight in her life. Tears streamed down her face as she beamed and applauded, calling her 'bravos!' To think that this man, her old Carlos, was such a virtuoso! She'd no idea. This was the greatest musical sensation she had ever dreamed.
She then found Jose' smiling at her side. He nodded. 'Now you know Carlos,' he simply said. Em was speechless a moment. 'Jose'...I truly had no idea.' Jose' just smiled and kept nodding, gazing at his mentor, and hers.
Xandor was wiping the sweat from his brow, and beaming, slapping Carlos on the back and calling for his cup like Old King Cole. He spoke forcefully but with a wide grin to Carlos,
stroking his new violin and even kissed it lovingly. Carlos was well pleased. The men accepted a full cup each and toasted one another to more cheers from the crowd. Finally, they strode from the ring and melted into the loving arms of the gypsy people gathered about them.
Em took her seat again, rather shakily. What a performance! Why, no one in the so-called 'civilized' world could touch these men in skill or feeling...she simply had not the words to describe their playing. She felt blessed by the gods.
She then noticed Jose' handing her another cup of cider. 'It wears you out, all that,'he said, nodding to the violinists.
Em agreed. She felt ravaged. Imagine how the men themselves must feel! Like they'd ran a marathon, she thought. Jose' sat beside her a moment. 'Carlos used to play, in Mexico City, you know.' Em didn't know. 'He was famous.'
'I can certainly understand why!' Em agreed. 'He...gave it up?'
Jose' nodded. 'He did. He came here, to retire from the city. To live alone in the mountains, and make his instruments and live a quiet life. He said...he said that his muse was a demanding lover, who was beginning to wear him down.' Jose' looked at Em. 'You might understand why now. Imagine having to out-do yourself, night after night, and the pressure is intense; not only to impress others who expect you to live up to your reputation, but the emotional and physical strain of such an intense performance...I don't think I could do it.' He shook his head. 'I would not wish to.'
Indeed. Em began to see a whole other Carlos before her than the one she thought she'd known.
Esperanza and Elena joined them on the bench. 'Need some cooling down after all that, ay-eee!' Esperanza said, fanning herself. They then turned their attention back to the ring where the former band of musicians again took the stand and began a slow minor-key, sensuous song announcing the arrival of a lone dancer who twirled into the ring, veiled from head to toe, who accompanied herself with castanets. As she danced, swooping low and leaping high, she slowly spun her veils about her in imitation of a bird in flight, of waves upon the ocean, of a snake's slow slither...at last she unveiled her face and smiled with her strong white teeth and with the clatter of her heels and snap of her castanets introduced a fandango while the guitarist circled about her playing in time to her rhythm. The pair circled about one another, as the crowd shouted 'Ole's!'
and they seemed to spar with music, to advance and retreat, to tease and to reject, and tease again. Ah, how Emmeline loved the Latin rhythms! Full of fire and passion...As the dance escalated in intensity, the crowd clapped faster and faster in time and with a last 'Ole!' the girl dropped gracefully at the guitarists' feet, one arm raised above her, head tossed back displaying a long curling black mane of shining ringlets. Em thought her magnificent. The guitar player slung his instrument behind him, and grasped her arm, pulling her to him. They smiled, then turned and bowed to the audience, who sighed collectively, and applauded with cheers and whistles. What a show! Em thought, clapping with gusto. What a night!
'Oh, isn't she amazing!?' Em enthused to her companions.
'Si,' answered Esperanza. 'She is the king's daughter, Josephina.'
Ah, thought Em. She seems like the daughter of a gypsy king.
'Who else could follow his act, eh?' asked her mentor, nudging her with an elbow and a knowing smile.
Em agreed. 'I would love to meet her...'
'Would you?' Esperanza rose. 'Come, then.' She took Em's hand and off they went through the crowd. Em followed nervously. Surely it was the cider talking when she spoke. What would she say...to a king's daughter?
When they approached Josephina, she was drinking cider herself and cooling off away from the fire. She'd spotted them. 'Esperanza, how good to see you!' She flung her arms about the older woman in a gentle hug.
'You, as well. How are you, my dear girl?' Esperanza kissed the gypsy girl on both cheeks. 'I would like you to meet my new apprentice, Emmeline, this is Josephina.'
'How do you do, Josephina,' Em dropped a curtsy.
Josephina smiled, taking Emmeline's hand and drawing her into a hug as well. 'I am well. You are apprentice to this old bruja, eh?'She grinned at winked at Esperanza.
'Ah, I, ah, si! I am apprenticed to Carlos, as well. I hope to learn the mandolin.'Em felt flushed with embarrasment and excitement. The king's daughter hugged her! Em noted she smelled of the spicy scent she'd detected throughout the camp.
'Is veridad?' Josephina looked impressed. Esperanza nodded. 'Ah! So! I, too, am learning the lute, the mandolina as you call it! Carlos brought a new one for me. Would you care to see it?'
'Very much!' Em answered, not believing her good fortune. Josephina, the king's beauteous gypsy daughter, seemed like such a nice girl. Em was enraptured.
'Come,' Josephina winked, taking Em's hand. 'I'm borrowing your apprentice. I shall return her, no worse for wear!' She called, as they skipped off, hand in hand away from the crowd.
Esperanza waved, and returned to the bonfire and her friends there.
'So,' Josephina slipped her arm through Emmeline's as she guided them through the camp. 'What do you think of gypsy life, eh?'
'Oh, Josephina...it's glorious...!' Em enthused.
The gypsy princess tossed her head back and laughed heartily. 'Ah, Em...may I call you that?' Em nodded. The girl could call her Fred for all she cared. 'You see only the glamour of tonight's performance, for you can be assured, a performance it is! A gypsy's life is a rough one...always on the go, traveling and enduring all weather and storms and heat and cold, being driven off by mean dogs and meaner townsfolk...dodging bullets sometimes...' the girl sighed. 'It is not all silk scarves and flamenco guitars.'
Em knew. She'd had enough of the bandita life and being a refugee and outcast herself. Rocks in my pockets, devil on my back. 'I'm sure it isn't, Josephina. I've been...on the go much myself of late. I came with friends to Esperanza's village in a fever , after weeks of...travel.' Em nearly said 'fleeing'. 'She helped cure my cough and made me well again. I have been friends with her daughter, Marta, to whom I was apprenticed back in California.'
'Ah, I see. And you are staying in their village? Truly?' She looked at Em, unbelieving.Em nodded. 'In that case, I feel I am safe in bringing you into my wagon. Si?'
'Oh, yes, si!' Em was delighted.
Josephina's wagon was next to the very largest, most ornate red wagon which Em determined must belong to her father, the king.
Josephina's was a demure cobalt blue color with what seemed like almost Egyptian heiroglyphs painted around the edges in blues, black and golds. She recognized the Eyes of Ra and Horus. 'The Eye of Ra,' Em breathed as she traced the pattern with a finger.
'Ah, you know the glyphs?'Josephina smiled. 'That is good. Come!' She alighted upon the small staircase, and opened the door out and up beckoning to Emmeline.
Inside, Em found she was not disappointed. It was a gypsy princess's wagon indeed...arranged along the bed against the wall were lushly embroidered silk pillows in deep blues, burgundy, and turquoise and purples. An elaborate cover woven with Oriental patterns and a long, black fringed edge was spread over the bed. All along the shelves lining the walls were bronze and wooden statues of many gods and dieties of foreign lands, Em recognized Sarasvati, the goddess of music with her lute-sitar-mandolin. Em smiled and went to touch it, then paused, and looked at Josephina, who nodded.
'Sarasvati. My favorite goddess.' Em caressed the artfully detailed little statue, before returning her to her shrine on the wall.
'Yes, she is mine, also. You know we gypsies descended from Egypt and India, it is told,' Josephina sat and patted the bed next to her. 'Sit!' She smiled playfully, and Em felt commanded not at all. It seemed as though she was a young girl again, just finding a new playmate at school.
Josephina grinned and leaned down underneath her bed, pulling out a wooden case. This she opened and took forth the lute that Carlos had shown Em earlier. 'Ah! Carlos's work! It is a beauty indeed, Josephina!'
'Ah, si...'the princess smiled. 'If only I could play it!' She made a hapless, rather goofy face and Em couldn't help but laugh. She liked this girl very much.Josephina thrust it toward Em. 'You play something.'
'Oh, I really don't know much...chords and scales...'Em hungered to touch the beautiful lute though. She noodled around abit, then handed it back. 'One day. Maybe next time we meet, I'll bring my mandolin and we shall know enough to play together!'
'It's a deal! as you Americans say!'Josephina agreed, setting the lute upon a chair across from them to admire.
Em gazed about, enraptured anew. Josephina leaned forward and took a candle from a low table and lit it, along with a stick of aromatic insense, smelling of sandalwood. This she set in a censer near the doorway.
'There's a certain scent I've detected that seems to permeate the camp...it's a delicious blend of something spicy and sweet and peppery all at once...I noticed your hair smells somewhat of this scent...what could it be, Josephina?' Em asked brazenly.
'Ah. Here,' she answered and opened a small drawer under the low table where the candle sat. Inside was an assortment of small bottles bearing different colored fluid. Josephina took one and uncorked the top. 'Is this the scent?' she asked, as Em leaned in for a sniff.
Em closed her eyes and breathed it in...'Ohhh, yes,'she moaned.
Josephina laughed and dabbed some onto her finger. 'Here,' she
then touched it to Em's forehead and behind each ear. Another dab, and she turned over Em's hands and perfumed her wrists. 'It's my special blend. Mostly Van-Van oil, with a touch of Frangipani, Sandal, and Patchouli. Very strong. Only a little is required.' Josephina then held Em's hand, palm up in hers, tracing the lines in her palm.
'Can you tell my fortune?'Em asked with a small smile.
Josephina nodded. 'Con permiso?' She asked, and Em said, 'Si.'
As Josephina traced the lines, she hummed softly. Emmeline recognized the song from her dance earlier. 'Soon you will be meeting a tall, dark, handsome man who will whisk you away.'
'No!' Emmeline shouted, in spite of herself.
Hmm. Not the usual reaction, thought Josephina. 'We'll look a
little deeper then,' she patted Em's hand reassuringly.
'You shall live a long life.'
'That is good. I admit I was beginning to wonder there for awhile...'
Josephina looked up at Em, in acknowledged understanding. 'I see...hmmm. Something odd. It's...hard to tell...' She turned Em's palm this way and that in the candlelight.
'What?'
'Well...this line here...it is your heart line, the line of love. You see how it runs straight here, in the beginning. It then branches out, and continues.'
'Yes? And...?'
'It looks as though you will have two true loves. Together.'
'Simultaneously?' asked Em.
Josephina nodded.
This was news. Even one was more than Em wanted. 'What else?'
She was almost afraid to ask.
'No children.'
'That's alright. I don't see how the life I live could accommodate them. I can barely tie my own shoelaces,'Em laughed and took her hand back.
'An interesting life! I haven't seen such a hand before. There's more,' Josephina intimated, 'But that's enough for now.'
'Truly, more than enough!' Em laughed.
'Here, for you.' the gypsy girl pressed the bottle of oils into Em's hand. 'To remember me by.'
'Oh, Josephina...I couldn't...' Em wanted this scent badly. 'Really?'
'Of course! I can always make more.'
In a fit of enthused thanks, Em hugged her new friend. 'Thank you! Oh, as if I could forget you, Josephina! You're a force of nature! I'll never forget this night...'Em stared at the little bottle, gilded with thin golden designs.'You dance like a goddess.'
Josephina laughed her hearty laugh again. 'Ah, I thank you. I can dance, and play the castanets! Someday, the lute as well...'
'Josephina, truly you are talented. You have the fire and passion to do anything,I believe. And your father, he is a master of his music.'
'He is master of all he does,' her friend agreed.
'And your mother...?' Em asked.
'Gone. She is passed, into Summerland.'
'Ah, I am sorry. Mine also, when I was young. My father followed, not too long after.'
'You must join our family, then, Emmelina.' Josephine took her hand again and squeezed it. She pronounced it, 'Eemeleena' as did Carlos.
'I would like that.'
'I know. We shall be blood-sisters!' Josephina dove under the bed once more, fishing about for something.
'I like the way you say my name. Actually, my mother called me 'Emmeleen,' as you say it. She said that 'Emmeline' as with a long 'i' was too British, and we were Americans now. Alas, no one would pronounce it as we wished and I simply went along with everyone.'
'How silly of them. If anyone called me 'Jose-FINE' like that!-- I would smack them. Ah, here it is,' The gypsy princess pulled forth a silver knife in an ornately carved scabbard. She lay it in her palms and showed it to Em. It was carved at the top in the likeness of the Egyptian goddess Isis.
'How beautiful!' Emmeline touched the fine carving. Josephina caught her eye as she drew forth the blade. It was a wicked, curving krys knife. 'Oh, my.'
'Yes. It is very sharp, take care. Now, just a small prick is all we need.' The gypsy girl looked into Em's eyes, her dark brown eyes had flecks of green, as did Em's blue eyes. 'I do this because you are a friend to Esperanza, and I can feel you, si? Do not let anyone else take your blood to mingle with theirs. You are too trusting. You can be tracked and identified by your blood. El Sangre es la Vida.'And Josephina touched the tip to the candle flame, and then waited a moment, then poked it into the ring finger of her left hand.'The hand nearest the heart,' she said, looking at Em.
Again, she touched the tip to the candle flame, and took Em's left hand. She looked at Em. Em nodded, and she poked a sharp hole into her finger, drawing blood.'Now,' she said, and held their fingers together, and drew her scarf off from her neck, tying it around their fingers as their blood mingled. 'It is done. You are now officially a member of our tribe and clan. So say I.'
Untying the scarf, she held her finger from Em's and regarded her new 'sister'. 'This means that you may use my name, whenever you wish, you can be 'Josephina' also. And I may use your 'Emmelina', should the situation, or mood, deem it so.'
'Truly...' Em regarded her bloody finger, and her new gypsy sister.
'...and, should anyone call ME 'Emme-LINE', I shall smack them a good one, you can be sure!' laughed Josephina.'Come. Let us return to the music. The night is young, for gypsies, hermanita!'
And so they blew out the candle and closed up the lute and Josephina rubbed her blade with oil to cleanse it and returned all to its' proper place,and locked up the wagon. Off the two girls went, Em with a sore finger, her bottle of precious oil, and a new sister.
And, indeed, the crowd seemed not to have thinned in their absence, people were still dancing the night away to the wild and empassioned music as the band of gypsies played on, now trading this member or instrument with another, and so on, the mad whirl of music seemingly never ending.
'Let us get some real refreshment, no?' asked Josephina, as she headed to the cider barrel. This time, their cups were filled with cider and the Little Something Extra that the cider man kept in his demijohn. 'Salud!' toasted the princess, and Em clacked her cup against hers and drank. It was apple jack! Em laughed then, feeling the taste of home on her tongue.
'You like?' Em nodded assent. 'Good. A real gypsy you are now!'
Josephina proclaimed, guiding her new sister to the bench. Em started to wrap her bottle of oil in her hanky, then folded the linen with its' humble scent of lavender and put it in Josephina's hand. 'For you,' She added, 'Don't worry, it's clean! It is embroidered with my initials, see? For when you are 'Emmelina', yes?'
'Thank you, mi hermanita! I shall cherish it always!' She kissed Em on both cheeks. 'Here, have my scarf, you can wrap your oil bottle in that to keep it safe. Don't worry! One thing gypsies have plenty of is scarves!'
Em couldn't believe her good fortune. 'I'll keep it with me always. This has been such a wonderful night, Josephina! I had been feeling a little lonely of late, but your kindness has cured me.'
'That's what sisters are for.' She patted Em's arm. 'Ah, who is this I wonder? I have not seen that violinist before...'
Em looked up regarding the tall man who had taken the stand and was playing a most intriguing solo. His back was turned to them then, as they sat somewhat off to the left of center, and he struck a tall imposing figure among the locals, few of whom were over six feet. It was an interesting piece of music, sometimes rather sad, then seemingly taking the sad part of the air and turning it into something mocking the feeling, becoming genuinely joyful, then becoming wilder with passion and intensity until the dancers ceased dancing and the other musicians became still and listened attentively. Now the violinist wrought sounds from the instrument like tortured howls and gutteral groans, like cries of women in labor, and as unto the crying of lost souls...Emmeline had heard the legend that only the devil himself could play the violin as it was meant to be played, and she wondered if this was perhaps, he.
The player quietened the music allowing it to become sweet once more and filled with longing like that of a lover calling to ones' beloved, indeed, the music was so blissful and fine yet brimming with an aching sense of loss that people stared with tears in their eyes and wistful smiles upon their lips.
'...that's the violin I sold!' It was Jose' now at Em's side.
'That is Carlos's violin, he made. And that is the man I sold it to!'
'Who is he?' asked Josephina. Jose' only shrugged.
As the music became faster, building to a crescendo, it went wild again, dragging the crowd with it like a fallen rider still shacked to a runaway horse...on and on with a merry abandon a melody so beautiful and passionate that all would not have been surprised to find themselves awakening in a faery glade, prisoners of Tatania and Oberon.
As the final notes were struck with fire and relish, the player turned their way and Emmeline at last beheld the face of the violinist in the bonfire light.
It was the devil indeed.
Jack's Uncle Daryl.
. . . . .
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Chapter 5 - Mystery Men, And Women
Chapter 5 - Mystery Men, And Women
Emmeline and Esperanza entered la valle proper by high noon. They continued on into town heading for the market.
Esperanza had taken the lines then, judging Em too much a novice should the goats become uneasy.
They skirted about the town avoiding the busy main streets, not that it was a large burg by any means, but on market day many were bustling about buying, selling and browsing.
Esperanza expertly guided her goats behind the shops. Em could detect marketplace activity through the alleyways and suddenly felt she was ready to emerge from her self-imposed exile and join the throng once more.
Nearing mid-market.Esperanza pulled her goats left with a 'Haw!' and they turned down the alley and came forth into the busy market and Em at once espied the great piles of white, and black wool and deduced this was where Elena purveyed her product to the townsfolk. Indeed, she had her spinning wheel set up behind the wool bundles in large baskets where she sat spinning yarn in between customers; she looked to be somewhat younger than Esperanza and fair where her mentor was dark. Em was surprised to view her somewhat more European complexion and ash colored hair.
'We made it at last!' Announced Esperanza, pulling up beside Elena's stall, and handed the lines to Em. 'Buenas tardes, Elena!' called Em and Esperanza together, waving to the proprietress, who smiled and waved as she arose from her wheel to greet them.Esperanza alighted from the cart and went to unload the back.
Em gazed at the bustle about them. Women and men strolled throughout the marketplace, children dashed madly about playing with some rather large sticks and knocking small balls along while dogs roamed freely unless caught sniffing too near a cookstall, whereupon both dogs and kids would soon be sent flying, sometimes quite literally, at least for awhile.
That's what has been missing, she thought to herself. There are no children in the Enchanted Village she was beginning to call home. She hadn't thought about it until now. She supposed the residents were all older folk like Carlos and her mentor...she hadn't seen any of the others closely as yet.
'Emmeline, please allow me to introduce my friend, Elena, the mistress of the wonderful village sheep!' Esperanza appeared at her side.
'Es un placer, Dona Elena,'Emmeline nodded to the lady, taking her warm hand.
'Encantada, Emmeline,' Elena answered, smiling.
Esperanza regarded them both. 'Emmeline is mas encantada with your sheeps' cheese.'she informed Elena with a sideways glance at Em.
Elena laughed at this. 'That I can certainly understand! I've brought only wool here today though. Four ply worsted! But, it would be too warm for the cheeses.'
'May we tie up here at your stall? My vegetables, fruit and nuts are all I brought in today. And I've feedbags for the goats of course.'
Elena nodded and while the women were clearing a space for Esperanza's goods, Em unloaded the remainder in the cart.
'That will do,'Esperanza told her. 'I'm saving some especially for my gypsy friends later. Why don't you wander abit? I'm sure it is reasonably safe. And you'll find Carlos about here somewhere.'
Em thought this a marvellous idea, and bidding the older women farewell, she took to her heels to take in the sights.
. . . . .
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Jack had been cooling his own heels all morning and it was heading into the afternoon when his patience was about to give out and he was tempted to light out and maybe meet the boys on the road up when old Bizness set up his hound-dog holler and Jack flew out onto the porch, hoping for signs of life at last.
And indeed, Homer and Jethro were riding up the road to home while Bizness greeted them with a creaky tail-wag. Jack would have done the same if he could, but settled for walking to meet them with a grin. As he neared the pair, they looked tired and somber, but were not packing a bear along with them. The hound pack came trailing mostly, with a few of the younger pups still with enough pep to run out and wag a greeting to Jack and Bizness.
'A long day, Jack. A looong old day...' Homer sighed as Jack
patted Homer's horse in sympathy and walked alongside the two back to the house..
Dismounting and dispirited, Homer and Jethro started to unsaddle their mounts. 'I can take care of that, boys,'Jack offered. 'I have a nice stew on the stove and some cornbread, if you like.' He sensed the men would talk about things when they felt like it.
Jethro looked up in gratitude. 'Much obliged, Jack. I'll take you up on that. Go on in, Homer and get some grub. I'll take care of the pack and be in in just a minute.'
Homer just nodded and silently headed in the house, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
Jethro sighed as he and Jack led the horses to the barn and commenced pumping water for them and the hounds. 'A long old day, indeed, Jack...'
'What happened, Jethro?'
Jethro stood watching horses and hounds guzzle up the cool water awhile. 'Well, we got your bear. It cost Homer his old Blue though.'
'Oh, man...' Jack knew Homer loved his old hound Blue. He had raised him from a pup and he'd been in his prime. 'A good hound.'
'Yes he was.' The men fed the hounds and brought hay to the horses. As they rubbed their sweaty hides down, Jethro continued. 'We tracked the bear out behind your place, he was following the river and sure enough, he was heading towards town.'
'Lord and Lady...'Jack mumbled, looking down.
'Yep. But we found him around daybreak, just before the bridge, wading in the water, fishing...'Jethro sighed, looking out at nothing. '...just minding his own bear business, just trying to make a living like the rest of us...'
'Yes. He probably was,' Jack agreed.
'A young bear. Not big. Well, here he was, in range and not a better time. We were holding back the hounds, they're good dogs and know when to holler and when to keep quiet. Well, I was hunkered down, ready to take the shot, when guess what?--or maybe I should ask, guess who?'
'I can't imagine.'
'Flying out of nowhere, and headin' for the bridge, the goddam idiot Bush boys and their marauding moron friends come a whoopin' and hollerin' up on Mr. Bear, and shit, he lit out...'
'Good gods! Word had gotten out already?'
'Fraid so. Well, dammitol, that set the pack loose. They all charged the bear down and he ran for the trees. But not before he got a good swipe in at Blue.'
'Oh, damn...'Jack looked down, feeling bad.
'Yeah.' Jethro looked like he'd just eaten a lemon. Sighing again, he continued. 'Well the Idiot Gang was just makin' him mad, chasin' their horses around the tree and yellin' and takin' pot shots with pistols like a buncha schoolboys just discoverin' tequila while on holiday in Tijuana,..I was thinkin' now that someone besides the bear and a dog was goin' to get hurt or killed if they kept that up and drove him mad, so...I snuck through the bushes...and got him with one shot.He dropped from the tree then, and Homer came out to tend his dog and yelled at the gang to get the hell out and leveled his double-barrel at them and they finally took the hint and left...'
'My gods, Jethro...I am sure sorry.' Jack was. He somehow felt crazily that it was all his fault.
'Me too. I never like to kill any of mother nature's creatures. And here was our good dog gone too because of some half-wits...' Jethro spat, and rubbed his eyes with his shirt sleeve. Jack put a hand on his shoulder.
'Well,'Jethro blinked and patted his horse and the men led them into pasture. 'What with all the gunshots and noise,
pretty soon folks from West Pank showed up, encluding the Doc and Woody. There was old Judge Beangas with 'em and...'
'--Beangas? Really?' Jack couldn't help interrupting.
'Well, Roy 'Beamus' actually, but he's known as 'Beangas' due to his propensity for farting even during a trial...anyway...
he offered us $50 for the bear and hell, we didn't want any reminders...so...'
'Yea, I can understand that...' Hm, thought Jack. 'Judge Roy Beangas'--perfect.
'Shit. Damn. Well, Woody and the Doc helped to dig a grave for Blue right then and there. Homer said he'd died a hero's death and he deserved to be buried with honor there at the scene of battle.' Jethro sniffed. As did Jack. 'Old Homer took it hard,'he shook his head, 'His pain turned to rage and we all had to hold him back from goin' after the Idiot Gang with both barrels.Homer's no lightweight as you know. Took three of us to hold him down. Finally with ole Blue buried with honors, we went back to the 'Lizard and
Woody applied copious remedies and finally old Homer...well,
it takes alot to knock that big man out, but the stress and lack of sleep and some special 200 proof rum Woody saved from his seafaring friends finally soothed him some and we let him sleep it off awhile in back...'
No one said anything for awhile. 'It's been a long hard day, indeed, my friend,'Jack put an arm about Jethro's shoulder.
'Come on in and have a bite and some rest yourself, eh?'
Jethro nodded. He looked stoved-in. They entered the house to find Homer lying sprawled on the couch snoring...like a bear.
. . . . .
Emmeline gladly wandered about gazing at the goods for sale at market; mostly early summer produce which this far south amounted to more than Em was used to seeing this time of year, encluding some interesting fruit and vegetables she was not acquainted with. Weavers,too, had beautiful shawls and sashes and vests and embroidered blouses displayed for sale. Em fingered these feeling stirrings of desire for the lovely flowered designs in rich vibrant colors.
'Que' talla tiene?' A bright young voice asked Emmeline her size.
Em smiled at the pretty young girl behind the counter. 'Quiero mirar no mas,' I'm just looking, Em thought she said. Hm...am I quiero or quiera? These gender specifics are confusing still...
'Le busco otro,'the girl nodded and gestured over to the side of the stall where blouses were hanging. Em politely followed, although she had no dinero, she loved to look.
The girl laid out some dyed blouses with pretty floral patterns, in glorious blues and purples.
'Ah...they're lovely...bellisima!'Em enthused.
'La quiera con flores?' the girl enquired.
'Oh, si...'Em ran a finger lightly over the rich thick embroidery...and sighed. '...ahora, no, gracias...' Not just now, thanks, Em thought she said, and began to reluctantly move away.
The girl didn't mind, she saw she had other customers now.
'Hasta luego!' she called after Em, and Emmeline rounded the side of the stall, stopping to admire some of the sashes...these were nice, but not near Carlos's finely detailed work. But those blouses...those were truly a feast for the eyes. She was thinking she might have Carlos tutor her in some weaving, just enough to make herself a nice strap for her mandolin, maybe....
'See something you like?' It was Carlos.
'Carlos! Yes, you. It is good to find you here!'
'I have been here some time. I'm taking a short lunch break.I have another apprentice watching my stall. Would you
care to join me?'
'That would be lovely, si!' Em and Carlos were about to head out when suddenly the shop girl was at her side, smiling and holding the purple blouse Em had gazed at longingly. 'No, no--es caro!'Em protested it was too dear.
The girl shook her head and thrust the garment toward her. 'Para usted!' she insisted,'Gratis!'She added, folding the blouse and handing it over.The girl turned to Carlos then and spoke to him quickly, pointing into the crowd.
'Apparently, it's yours now, Emmeline! A gentleman bought it for you, it seems.' Carlos eyed her wonderingly.
'Oh!'Em was flustered by this. 'Ah...gracias!' She managed to say to the smiling girl, as she clutched the blouse to her and peered off into the milling throng. 'That's rather odd...'
'Hmmm. Let's head away from here, then.' Carlos took her elbow and took them to the edge of the market where smoke arose from cookfires and the aroma of meats turning on spits announced the food vendor's area.
'Umm, everything looks and smells so good!'Em enthused, her perplexity forgotten and momentarily replaced by hunger. 'I don't know what is what though Carlos. Will you get something for me? ...nothing too rich or fried, though. I am still not up for too much food.'
'Of course.' Carlos assured her as he helped her to a table nearby and held her seat out for her most gentlemanly.'You may trust your tender stomach to me, senorita!' He said with a mock bow, and headed off to the food stalls.
Em studied her new purple blouse. Who in the world would buy such a beauteous garment for her? She knew no one here besides Carlos, Esperanza and now Elena. Carlos mentioned an apprentice, but he must have been at their stall...This was truly a bizarre bazaar she decided, eyes searching the crowd.
True to his word, Carlos returned bearing steaming bowls of stew on a tray with a plate of greens and some cookies for them both. 'Carne Adovada, stew with meat marinated in red chilie sauce, Quelites, or what you know as 'lambs quarters' he said, setting down the greens before her, 'and for dessert, Bizochitos, anise flavored cookies. You do say 'cookies' and not 'biscuits', si?' he asked with a grin.
'Si! That biscuit business is for our English cousins across the pond. Umm, Carlos, this smells incredibly marvellous!
Thank you! And I shall make lunch for us tomorrow, you can be sure!'
Carlos waved away her offer. 'No, nena. You and Esperanza have had my company to dinner very often of late. This is my partial repayment. I shall in return, treat the loco lady of los lobos later...' he answered, as he dipped into his stew. 'Ah, now that is good stew! I know this vendor. He has marinated his lamb just right!'
Emmeline also dug into the aromatic tucker and found it beyond wonderfulness. She finished it all down to the last cookie, a fine flaky lightly anise-flavored delight. 'Ohh, muchas gracias, Carlos! Muy delicioso!'
Carlos bowed his head, 'Da nada. Let's head back to my stall now. There is a place in back where you may change into your lovely shirt.'
Em looked down, and noted she had, despite using her servilletas, gotten some drips upon her shirt. 'Oh, my. Perhaps I should, si?'
Carlos nodded and Em carried their trays back to the food vendor thanking them profusely in her novice Espanol which made them smile. She and Carlos then went behind the shops and took the side streets back to the other end of town rather than fight the crowds through the mercado proper.
They came upon Carlos's stall near the end of the market.
He had a few of his woven goods for sale but mostly he
purveyed his instruments: violins, chiefly. A few of the small requinta guitars and even some wooden flutes were also on display. His young apprentice, Em noted, was indeed young, perhaps 16 at most and certainly not one to be purchasing blouses for strange senoritas. The comely young lad greeted them enthusiastically and launched into rapid-fire Espanol that Em could catch little of, but seemed to be centered on a violin sale.
'Bien, muy bien!'Carlos nodded, smiling.'Emmeline, allow me to present another of my apprentices, Jose'--he is studying with me to become a maker of musical instruments. Jose', meet Emmeline, who is learning the mandolino.'
'Pleased to meet you, Jose', ah, mucho gusto!' Em corrected herself at last.
'Mucho gusto, Senorita!' Jose' answered with a dimpled grin, and a sidelong glance at Carlos. Carlos kept his dimples dampened and glared at Jose'. 'Jose' tells me he just sold one of my best violins in my absence and considers himself worthy of a great percentage of the sale.' He then began to speak slowly and deliberately to Jose' as if teaching him basic mathematics.He then paused. 'Ah, forgive me, Emmeline! Just behind the curtain here, pase al probador, por favor.'
He gestured to where Em may find a space to change clothes.
'Gracias,'Em left them to their haggling and went behind the curtain to change. Taking off her soiled shirt, (better soak that oily stain in soap and cold water soon, she thought, tsking),she unfolded the lush purple cotton with the bellisima flores embroidered in deep reds, accented in black, with dashes of turquoise and gold. Despite the contrasting colors, it looked wonderful on her and was a perfect fit. It set her crimson locks off beautifully. Having no mirror however, she only knew that it fit well and felt light and lovely.
'No, no, no...'Carlos was saying as Jose' pled his case making gestures of exasperation, when Emmeline emerged from the back. The men suddenly stopped conversing and stared her way. 'A vision, Rica, truly!' Carlos bowed her way. Jose' smiled and followed with a wide sweep of some non-existent sombrero.
'Gracias, caballeros!' Emmeline smiled demurely and lowered her eyes,making a small curtsy, pleased despite their histrionics and teasing and in fact, she was enamoured of this blouse, although a naggling thought remained...who was her secret admirer? Friend? Or foe in disguise?
. . . . .
At last, Jack was en route home to Crowley House. He'd left the men to rest and recuperate after their battle with bear and bullshit to boot. Jack shook his head. Something should be done about those dam fools the Bush boys...but when a dam fools' daddy's a banker...makes it hard to mete out justice. Officially anyway, Jack thought...
Well, best leave those thoughts on back burner for now. The main thing is to make all this up to Aleister somehow, thought Jack.
And, we are getting a dog. A big watch dog. He still couldn't believe that lil' ole Alice cat though. Well, she could teach the dog a thing or two then...
Miles down the road and nearing sundown Jack was advancing upon Crowley Lane, and had Crowley House in sight. Funny it didn't seem quite so ominous and depressing to him now. Guess he felt better about things now that he knew Em was taking care of herself, no doubt, and he had his own business to attend to. About time,too.
He saw a wagon out front, no one he recognized right off. It was about supper time though, he supposed Al might have visitors over. He'd certainly been the center of excitement lately, Jack allowed.
He put Trotsky out to pasture, giving him some extra oats. He felt he 'hadn't been there' for his horse either lately.
Spontaneously he tossed his arms about ole Trots's neck and gave him a good horse-hug. Trots turned his head and rubbed it against Jack's back, then, true to his moniker, trotted off abruptly where green grass awaited.
Well, time to take my medicine, thought Jack, heading up onto the porch. As he neared the screen door, he could hear voices within, female voices; gay, light and laughing, while Aleister's bass rumbled on about something or other. Hmm.
Inside, Jack hung up his hat and headed into the kitchen where the activity seemed to be centered. As he rounded the corner he viewed a merry domestic scene: Aleister, uncharacteristically attired in an apron stirring a pot upon the stove, while Sugar waved a rolling pin about and was chatting animatedly regarding some recent bruhaha which had transpired at Woody's apparently. There was another woman there with whom Jack was unacquainted, somewhat older than Sugar with dark hair and flashing dark eyes and a wry smile.
While Sugar rolled biscuits, the mystery woman was busy
chopping walnuts.
'Jack!' Aleister noticed him, at last. 'You have certainly missed all of the action this time. But, I guess you've come from Jethro and Homer's so you know about most of it.'
'Indeed.'
'Ah. Pardon me, Jack--please allow me to introduce Mrs. Steed. She teaches at the high school here.'
'Pleased to meet you, Ma'am,' said Jack, bowing slightly.
Mrs. Steed wiped her hands upon an apron, borrowed from Yeats's stock, and offered a fair delicate hand. 'Diana Steed, and I am happy to meet you, Jack...Van Horn, is it?'
The lady had a firm grip.
'Ah, yes, yes it is,'Jack was momentarily flummoxed. He hadn't expected this...party atmosphere when he'd returned.
He was prepared for a heart-to-heart with Al. He'd have to wrap his wee head about all these women in the kitchen and Aleister in an apron, yet.
'Take a seat, Jack! Or better yet, why not get a bottle of that merlot and open it up. Dinner won't be long,'Al advised.'We're having lamb stew and biscuits and Diana is
baking a delicious coffee cake for dessert!'
'Oh, you anticipate beyond my skills, Doctor! I'm sure it will be perfectly edible, however!' Diana shot Al an amused glance. A rather friendly glance, thought Jack.
Jack noted Sugar eyeing the two of them with a satisfied smile. Also in on the proceedings sat Alice on a high stool.
She seemed to have a satisfied smile as well.
'...Wine, Jack?' Al raised an eyebrow as he put the lid upon the stewpot.
'Yes, ah, coming right up. Won't be but a moment. Ladies,..'
Jack bowed himself awkwardly out and headed downstairs to the cellar, the sounds of silvery feminine voices and Al's chuckles followed him. Well, this is good, Jack thought. Al has company now. Yes. A good thing.
Why did Jack feel lonely all of a sudden? He sighed. So this is how Al has been feeling. For too long. He took down two bottles of the good merlot, which he'd re-labeled, having had to remove the 2026 vintage year label from the original. Get used to it, Jacky boy, as Homer would say.
There's certainly bigger problems than yours afoot and you haven't been much help with them lately.
Time for all that to change, Jack decided and putting a good face on things he headed upstairs to be sociable. He guessed there were worse things folks had to face than having dinner with a couple of pretty women.
Yes, indeed.Jack was suddenly glad he'd shaved.
. . . . .
Emmeline and Esperanza entered la valle proper by high noon. They continued on into town heading for the market.
Esperanza had taken the lines then, judging Em too much a novice should the goats become uneasy.
They skirted about the town avoiding the busy main streets, not that it was a large burg by any means, but on market day many were bustling about buying, selling and browsing.
Esperanza expertly guided her goats behind the shops. Em could detect marketplace activity through the alleyways and suddenly felt she was ready to emerge from her self-imposed exile and join the throng once more.
Nearing mid-market.Esperanza pulled her goats left with a 'Haw!' and they turned down the alley and came forth into the busy market and Em at once espied the great piles of white, and black wool and deduced this was where Elena purveyed her product to the townsfolk. Indeed, she had her spinning wheel set up behind the wool bundles in large baskets where she sat spinning yarn in between customers; she looked to be somewhat younger than Esperanza and fair where her mentor was dark. Em was surprised to view her somewhat more European complexion and ash colored hair.
'We made it at last!' Announced Esperanza, pulling up beside Elena's stall, and handed the lines to Em. 'Buenas tardes, Elena!' called Em and Esperanza together, waving to the proprietress, who smiled and waved as she arose from her wheel to greet them.Esperanza alighted from the cart and went to unload the back.
Em gazed at the bustle about them. Women and men strolled throughout the marketplace, children dashed madly about playing with some rather large sticks and knocking small balls along while dogs roamed freely unless caught sniffing too near a cookstall, whereupon both dogs and kids would soon be sent flying, sometimes quite literally, at least for awhile.
That's what has been missing, she thought to herself. There are no children in the Enchanted Village she was beginning to call home. She hadn't thought about it until now. She supposed the residents were all older folk like Carlos and her mentor...she hadn't seen any of the others closely as yet.
'Emmeline, please allow me to introduce my friend, Elena, the mistress of the wonderful village sheep!' Esperanza appeared at her side.
'Es un placer, Dona Elena,'Emmeline nodded to the lady, taking her warm hand.
'Encantada, Emmeline,' Elena answered, smiling.
Esperanza regarded them both. 'Emmeline is mas encantada with your sheeps' cheese.'she informed Elena with a sideways glance at Em.
Elena laughed at this. 'That I can certainly understand! I've brought only wool here today though. Four ply worsted! But, it would be too warm for the cheeses.'
'May we tie up here at your stall? My vegetables, fruit and nuts are all I brought in today. And I've feedbags for the goats of course.'
Elena nodded and while the women were clearing a space for Esperanza's goods, Em unloaded the remainder in the cart.
'That will do,'Esperanza told her. 'I'm saving some especially for my gypsy friends later. Why don't you wander abit? I'm sure it is reasonably safe. And you'll find Carlos about here somewhere.'
Em thought this a marvellous idea, and bidding the older women farewell, she took to her heels to take in the sights.
. . . . .
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Jack had been cooling his own heels all morning and it was heading into the afternoon when his patience was about to give out and he was tempted to light out and maybe meet the boys on the road up when old Bizness set up his hound-dog holler and Jack flew out onto the porch, hoping for signs of life at last.
And indeed, Homer and Jethro were riding up the road to home while Bizness greeted them with a creaky tail-wag. Jack would have done the same if he could, but settled for walking to meet them with a grin. As he neared the pair, they looked tired and somber, but were not packing a bear along with them. The hound pack came trailing mostly, with a few of the younger pups still with enough pep to run out and wag a greeting to Jack and Bizness.
'A long day, Jack. A looong old day...' Homer sighed as Jack
patted Homer's horse in sympathy and walked alongside the two back to the house..
Dismounting and dispirited, Homer and Jethro started to unsaddle their mounts. 'I can take care of that, boys,'Jack offered. 'I have a nice stew on the stove and some cornbread, if you like.' He sensed the men would talk about things when they felt like it.
Jethro looked up in gratitude. 'Much obliged, Jack. I'll take you up on that. Go on in, Homer and get some grub. I'll take care of the pack and be in in just a minute.'
Homer just nodded and silently headed in the house, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
Jethro sighed as he and Jack led the horses to the barn and commenced pumping water for them and the hounds. 'A long old day, indeed, Jack...'
'What happened, Jethro?'
Jethro stood watching horses and hounds guzzle up the cool water awhile. 'Well, we got your bear. It cost Homer his old Blue though.'
'Oh, man...' Jack knew Homer loved his old hound Blue. He had raised him from a pup and he'd been in his prime. 'A good hound.'
'Yes he was.' The men fed the hounds and brought hay to the horses. As they rubbed their sweaty hides down, Jethro continued. 'We tracked the bear out behind your place, he was following the river and sure enough, he was heading towards town.'
'Lord and Lady...'Jack mumbled, looking down.
'Yep. But we found him around daybreak, just before the bridge, wading in the water, fishing...'Jethro sighed, looking out at nothing. '...just minding his own bear business, just trying to make a living like the rest of us...'
'Yes. He probably was,' Jack agreed.
'A young bear. Not big. Well, here he was, in range and not a better time. We were holding back the hounds, they're good dogs and know when to holler and when to keep quiet. Well, I was hunkered down, ready to take the shot, when guess what?--or maybe I should ask, guess who?'
'I can't imagine.'
'Flying out of nowhere, and headin' for the bridge, the goddam idiot Bush boys and their marauding moron friends come a whoopin' and hollerin' up on Mr. Bear, and shit, he lit out...'
'Good gods! Word had gotten out already?'
'Fraid so. Well, dammitol, that set the pack loose. They all charged the bear down and he ran for the trees. But not before he got a good swipe in at Blue.'
'Oh, damn...'Jack looked down, feeling bad.
'Yeah.' Jethro looked like he'd just eaten a lemon. Sighing again, he continued. 'Well the Idiot Gang was just makin' him mad, chasin' their horses around the tree and yellin' and takin' pot shots with pistols like a buncha schoolboys just discoverin' tequila while on holiday in Tijuana,..I was thinkin' now that someone besides the bear and a dog was goin' to get hurt or killed if they kept that up and drove him mad, so...I snuck through the bushes...and got him with one shot.He dropped from the tree then, and Homer came out to tend his dog and yelled at the gang to get the hell out and leveled his double-barrel at them and they finally took the hint and left...'
'My gods, Jethro...I am sure sorry.' Jack was. He somehow felt crazily that it was all his fault.
'Me too. I never like to kill any of mother nature's creatures. And here was our good dog gone too because of some half-wits...' Jethro spat, and rubbed his eyes with his shirt sleeve. Jack put a hand on his shoulder.
'Well,'Jethro blinked and patted his horse and the men led them into pasture. 'What with all the gunshots and noise,
pretty soon folks from West Pank showed up, encluding the Doc and Woody. There was old Judge Beangas with 'em and...'
'--Beangas? Really?' Jack couldn't help interrupting.
'Well, Roy 'Beamus' actually, but he's known as 'Beangas' due to his propensity for farting even during a trial...anyway...
he offered us $50 for the bear and hell, we didn't want any reminders...so...'
'Yea, I can understand that...' Hm, thought Jack. 'Judge Roy Beangas'--perfect.
'Shit. Damn. Well, Woody and the Doc helped to dig a grave for Blue right then and there. Homer said he'd died a hero's death and he deserved to be buried with honor there at the scene of battle.' Jethro sniffed. As did Jack. 'Old Homer took it hard,'he shook his head, 'His pain turned to rage and we all had to hold him back from goin' after the Idiot Gang with both barrels.Homer's no lightweight as you know. Took three of us to hold him down. Finally with ole Blue buried with honors, we went back to the 'Lizard and
Woody applied copious remedies and finally old Homer...well,
it takes alot to knock that big man out, but the stress and lack of sleep and some special 200 proof rum Woody saved from his seafaring friends finally soothed him some and we let him sleep it off awhile in back...'
No one said anything for awhile. 'It's been a long hard day, indeed, my friend,'Jack put an arm about Jethro's shoulder.
'Come on in and have a bite and some rest yourself, eh?'
Jethro nodded. He looked stoved-in. They entered the house to find Homer lying sprawled on the couch snoring...like a bear.
. . . . .
Emmeline gladly wandered about gazing at the goods for sale at market; mostly early summer produce which this far south amounted to more than Em was used to seeing this time of year, encluding some interesting fruit and vegetables she was not acquainted with. Weavers,too, had beautiful shawls and sashes and vests and embroidered blouses displayed for sale. Em fingered these feeling stirrings of desire for the lovely flowered designs in rich vibrant colors.
'Que' talla tiene?' A bright young voice asked Emmeline her size.
Em smiled at the pretty young girl behind the counter. 'Quiero mirar no mas,' I'm just looking, Em thought she said. Hm...am I quiero or quiera? These gender specifics are confusing still...
'Le busco otro,'the girl nodded and gestured over to the side of the stall where blouses were hanging. Em politely followed, although she had no dinero, she loved to look.
The girl laid out some dyed blouses with pretty floral patterns, in glorious blues and purples.
'Ah...they're lovely...bellisima!'Em enthused.
'La quiera con flores?' the girl enquired.
'Oh, si...'Em ran a finger lightly over the rich thick embroidery...and sighed. '...ahora, no, gracias...' Not just now, thanks, Em thought she said, and began to reluctantly move away.
The girl didn't mind, she saw she had other customers now.
'Hasta luego!' she called after Em, and Emmeline rounded the side of the stall, stopping to admire some of the sashes...these were nice, but not near Carlos's finely detailed work. But those blouses...those were truly a feast for the eyes. She was thinking she might have Carlos tutor her in some weaving, just enough to make herself a nice strap for her mandolin, maybe....
'See something you like?' It was Carlos.
'Carlos! Yes, you. It is good to find you here!'
'I have been here some time. I'm taking a short lunch break.I have another apprentice watching my stall. Would you
care to join me?'
'That would be lovely, si!' Em and Carlos were about to head out when suddenly the shop girl was at her side, smiling and holding the purple blouse Em had gazed at longingly. 'No, no--es caro!'Em protested it was too dear.
The girl shook her head and thrust the garment toward her. 'Para usted!' she insisted,'Gratis!'She added, folding the blouse and handing it over.The girl turned to Carlos then and spoke to him quickly, pointing into the crowd.
'Apparently, it's yours now, Emmeline! A gentleman bought it for you, it seems.' Carlos eyed her wonderingly.
'Oh!'Em was flustered by this. 'Ah...gracias!' She managed to say to the smiling girl, as she clutched the blouse to her and peered off into the milling throng. 'That's rather odd...'
'Hmmm. Let's head away from here, then.' Carlos took her elbow and took them to the edge of the market where smoke arose from cookfires and the aroma of meats turning on spits announced the food vendor's area.
'Umm, everything looks and smells so good!'Em enthused, her perplexity forgotten and momentarily replaced by hunger. 'I don't know what is what though Carlos. Will you get something for me? ...nothing too rich or fried, though. I am still not up for too much food.'
'Of course.' Carlos assured her as he helped her to a table nearby and held her seat out for her most gentlemanly.'You may trust your tender stomach to me, senorita!' He said with a mock bow, and headed off to the food stalls.
Em studied her new purple blouse. Who in the world would buy such a beauteous garment for her? She knew no one here besides Carlos, Esperanza and now Elena. Carlos mentioned an apprentice, but he must have been at their stall...This was truly a bizarre bazaar she decided, eyes searching the crowd.
True to his word, Carlos returned bearing steaming bowls of stew on a tray with a plate of greens and some cookies for them both. 'Carne Adovada, stew with meat marinated in red chilie sauce, Quelites, or what you know as 'lambs quarters' he said, setting down the greens before her, 'and for dessert, Bizochitos, anise flavored cookies. You do say 'cookies' and not 'biscuits', si?' he asked with a grin.
'Si! That biscuit business is for our English cousins across the pond. Umm, Carlos, this smells incredibly marvellous!
Thank you! And I shall make lunch for us tomorrow, you can be sure!'
Carlos waved away her offer. 'No, nena. You and Esperanza have had my company to dinner very often of late. This is my partial repayment. I shall in return, treat the loco lady of los lobos later...' he answered, as he dipped into his stew. 'Ah, now that is good stew! I know this vendor. He has marinated his lamb just right!'
Emmeline also dug into the aromatic tucker and found it beyond wonderfulness. She finished it all down to the last cookie, a fine flaky lightly anise-flavored delight. 'Ohh, muchas gracias, Carlos! Muy delicioso!'
Carlos bowed his head, 'Da nada. Let's head back to my stall now. There is a place in back where you may change into your lovely shirt.'
Em looked down, and noted she had, despite using her servilletas, gotten some drips upon her shirt. 'Oh, my. Perhaps I should, si?'
Carlos nodded and Em carried their trays back to the food vendor thanking them profusely in her novice Espanol which made them smile. She and Carlos then went behind the shops and took the side streets back to the other end of town rather than fight the crowds through the mercado proper.
They came upon Carlos's stall near the end of the market.
He had a few of his woven goods for sale but mostly he
purveyed his instruments: violins, chiefly. A few of the small requinta guitars and even some wooden flutes were also on display. His young apprentice, Em noted, was indeed young, perhaps 16 at most and certainly not one to be purchasing blouses for strange senoritas. The comely young lad greeted them enthusiastically and launched into rapid-fire Espanol that Em could catch little of, but seemed to be centered on a violin sale.
'Bien, muy bien!'Carlos nodded, smiling.'Emmeline, allow me to present another of my apprentices, Jose'--he is studying with me to become a maker of musical instruments. Jose', meet Emmeline, who is learning the mandolino.'
'Pleased to meet you, Jose', ah, mucho gusto!' Em corrected herself at last.
'Mucho gusto, Senorita!' Jose' answered with a dimpled grin, and a sidelong glance at Carlos. Carlos kept his dimples dampened and glared at Jose'. 'Jose' tells me he just sold one of my best violins in my absence and considers himself worthy of a great percentage of the sale.' He then began to speak slowly and deliberately to Jose' as if teaching him basic mathematics.He then paused. 'Ah, forgive me, Emmeline! Just behind the curtain here, pase al probador, por favor.'
He gestured to where Em may find a space to change clothes.
'Gracias,'Em left them to their haggling and went behind the curtain to change. Taking off her soiled shirt, (better soak that oily stain in soap and cold water soon, she thought, tsking),she unfolded the lush purple cotton with the bellisima flores embroidered in deep reds, accented in black, with dashes of turquoise and gold. Despite the contrasting colors, it looked wonderful on her and was a perfect fit. It set her crimson locks off beautifully. Having no mirror however, she only knew that it fit well and felt light and lovely.
'No, no, no...'Carlos was saying as Jose' pled his case making gestures of exasperation, when Emmeline emerged from the back. The men suddenly stopped conversing and stared her way. 'A vision, Rica, truly!' Carlos bowed her way. Jose' smiled and followed with a wide sweep of some non-existent sombrero.
'Gracias, caballeros!' Emmeline smiled demurely and lowered her eyes,making a small curtsy, pleased despite their histrionics and teasing and in fact, she was enamoured of this blouse, although a naggling thought remained...who was her secret admirer? Friend? Or foe in disguise?
. . . . .
At last, Jack was en route home to Crowley House. He'd left the men to rest and recuperate after their battle with bear and bullshit to boot. Jack shook his head. Something should be done about those dam fools the Bush boys...but when a dam fools' daddy's a banker...makes it hard to mete out justice. Officially anyway, Jack thought...
Well, best leave those thoughts on back burner for now. The main thing is to make all this up to Aleister somehow, thought Jack.
And, we are getting a dog. A big watch dog. He still couldn't believe that lil' ole Alice cat though. Well, she could teach the dog a thing or two then...
Miles down the road and nearing sundown Jack was advancing upon Crowley Lane, and had Crowley House in sight. Funny it didn't seem quite so ominous and depressing to him now. Guess he felt better about things now that he knew Em was taking care of herself, no doubt, and he had his own business to attend to. About time,too.
He saw a wagon out front, no one he recognized right off. It was about supper time though, he supposed Al might have visitors over. He'd certainly been the center of excitement lately, Jack allowed.
He put Trotsky out to pasture, giving him some extra oats. He felt he 'hadn't been there' for his horse either lately.
Spontaneously he tossed his arms about ole Trots's neck and gave him a good horse-hug. Trots turned his head and rubbed it against Jack's back, then, true to his moniker, trotted off abruptly where green grass awaited.
Well, time to take my medicine, thought Jack, heading up onto the porch. As he neared the screen door, he could hear voices within, female voices; gay, light and laughing, while Aleister's bass rumbled on about something or other. Hmm.
Inside, Jack hung up his hat and headed into the kitchen where the activity seemed to be centered. As he rounded the corner he viewed a merry domestic scene: Aleister, uncharacteristically attired in an apron stirring a pot upon the stove, while Sugar waved a rolling pin about and was chatting animatedly regarding some recent bruhaha which had transpired at Woody's apparently. There was another woman there with whom Jack was unacquainted, somewhat older than Sugar with dark hair and flashing dark eyes and a wry smile.
While Sugar rolled biscuits, the mystery woman was busy
chopping walnuts.
'Jack!' Aleister noticed him, at last. 'You have certainly missed all of the action this time. But, I guess you've come from Jethro and Homer's so you know about most of it.'
'Indeed.'
'Ah. Pardon me, Jack--please allow me to introduce Mrs. Steed. She teaches at the high school here.'
'Pleased to meet you, Ma'am,' said Jack, bowing slightly.
Mrs. Steed wiped her hands upon an apron, borrowed from Yeats's stock, and offered a fair delicate hand. 'Diana Steed, and I am happy to meet you, Jack...Van Horn, is it?'
The lady had a firm grip.
'Ah, yes, yes it is,'Jack was momentarily flummoxed. He hadn't expected this...party atmosphere when he'd returned.
He was prepared for a heart-to-heart with Al. He'd have to wrap his wee head about all these women in the kitchen and Aleister in an apron, yet.
'Take a seat, Jack! Or better yet, why not get a bottle of that merlot and open it up. Dinner won't be long,'Al advised.'We're having lamb stew and biscuits and Diana is
baking a delicious coffee cake for dessert!'
'Oh, you anticipate beyond my skills, Doctor! I'm sure it will be perfectly edible, however!' Diana shot Al an amused glance. A rather friendly glance, thought Jack.
Jack noted Sugar eyeing the two of them with a satisfied smile. Also in on the proceedings sat Alice on a high stool.
She seemed to have a satisfied smile as well.
'...Wine, Jack?' Al raised an eyebrow as he put the lid upon the stewpot.
'Yes, ah, coming right up. Won't be but a moment. Ladies,..'
Jack bowed himself awkwardly out and headed downstairs to the cellar, the sounds of silvery feminine voices and Al's chuckles followed him. Well, this is good, Jack thought. Al has company now. Yes. A good thing.
Why did Jack feel lonely all of a sudden? He sighed. So this is how Al has been feeling. For too long. He took down two bottles of the good merlot, which he'd re-labeled, having had to remove the 2026 vintage year label from the original. Get used to it, Jacky boy, as Homer would say.
There's certainly bigger problems than yours afoot and you haven't been much help with them lately.
Time for all that to change, Jack decided and putting a good face on things he headed upstairs to be sociable. He guessed there were worse things folks had to face than having dinner with a couple of pretty women.
Yes, indeed.Jack was suddenly glad he'd shaved.
. . . . .
Monday, August 13, 2012
Ch. 4 Gypsies and Skulkers and Bears, O My
'...We had a falling out, as lovers often will
And to think of how she left that night,
it still brings me a chill
And though our separation, it pierced me to the heart,
She still lives inside of me, we've never been apart.
...If you get close to her, kiss her once for me
I always have respected her,
for doin' what she did and gettin' free,
For whatever makes her happy,
I won't stand in her way,
The bitter taste still lingers on
From the night I tried to make her stay...
...Sundown, yellow moon, I replay the past
I know every scene by heart,
they all went by so fast
If she's passin' back this way,
I'm not that hard to find,
Tell her she can look me up
If she's got the time...'
Jack softly sang snatches of the old Bob Dylan tune,
'If You See Her, Say Hello' that he could recall as he strummed Jethro's mandolin on the porch. It seemed to
fit his current sentiments to a 'T'. He thought he could remember some mandolin tremelo in that song too...well, it
sure described his last meeting with Emmeline alright. He
stopped singing and strummed on into the dark. Well, well...his lil' ole Em, a bandita in her own right. He shook his head. Yeah, he had to admit, there was alot he didn't know about her. He cringed inwardly to think how he had underestimated her. He'd only been protective, he felt at the time. Maybe he should give her more credit, and he would, next time...'Gods willing and the creek don't rise,'
he said to himself, as he finally decided to pack it in and
head on to bed.
He stopped then. Thought he could hear hoofbeats running up the road to Homer's. Well past midnight, who could it be... Jack wondered, as he lay the mandolin carefully upon the seat and strode forth toward the sound.
Sure enough, a horse and rider galloped up as the hounds roused themselves to give voice and announce a caller. Jack didn't recognize either horse or rider, though perhaps he looked vaguely familiar, couldn't recall from where, though.
'Hel-lo the house!' called the rider, leaping off and running up to the porch. Jack and hounds met him then, Jack could hear stirring inside and saw a lantern light the windows.
'Jethro and Homer are inside, they'll be out shortly...'Jack began.
'You're Jack Van Horn, aren't you?' the rider demanded, 'It's you I've come to see.'
Jack was surprised. 'What's on your mind?'
'It's your pal, the Doc. Aleister Parsons. He'd a run-in with a bear back at your place!'
'He WHAT!?' Jack demanded in turn.'What happened, is he..'
'He's okay.'the rider tied his mount. 'I've just come from Woody's. He's there now, and wanted to warn you...'
Homer and Jethro appeared on the porch then, lantern in hand. 'What's goin' on, Tom?' Homer asked bleary-eyed with sleep.
'Damn!'Jack spun around addressing the boys,'Aleister found your bear! In his back yard, I guess...'
Tom nodded. 'That's about it! He took his cat and his horse and lit out for Woody's. Guess his lil ole cat had cornered that bear!'
'Lord and Lady...'Jack looked down, he couldn't believe it.
'But...everyone's ok? You're sure?'
'Yeah, yeah. They're there at Woody's now. 'Course we can't do much about it til daybreak. Everyone'll be after that bear then...'Tom looked at the men.
'Thanks, Tom.' Homer rubbed his chin, 'Yeah, that'll just scare him back in the woods. If we want to be sure to get him, we'd better do it before the whole shootin' match gets lit in town. How many folks know about this?'
'Just the employees. You know, the other bouncers and barkeeps and Sugar a-course. And Woody.'Tom assured them.
'Doc kept quiet til closing.'
'Good.'Jethro nodded. 'Still, word's gonna travel like wildfire. Well, thanks Tom. Go on home and get some shut-eye.' He regarded Jack and Homer. 'We best do the same. Get afew hours sleep then take the hounds and track him from
Jack's place.'
Tom nodded.'I could meet y'all back here at dawn...'
'Naw, that's fine, we best keep the huntin' party to a minimum if we want to catch him this time.'
'I'm outa here then,' and Tom leapt in the saddle and headed on down the road, hoofbeats echoing in the night.
'Okay, back to bed, boys,'Homer scratched his head,'We have a bear to catch in afew hours...'
The men went in then and the dogs settled back down in the yard. Jack handed Jethro the mandolin and headed off to his bed for the remainder of the wee hours. Damn what a fool I've been, he couldn't help but think. Here I've been so bloody concerned with feeling sorry for myself and leaving Al and the place alone, not even Yeats about...leaving it up to little Alice to face down a damn bear! Jack felt about 2 inches high then.
Time to wake up and smell the BEAR, Jack, he told himself as he drifted off.
. . . . .
'Ho-la, the casa!' Emmeline called as she stuck her head into Esperanza's, having returned from lunch with Carlos and her mandolin lesson.
'I'm in back, Em!' Esperanza called. Em rounded the side of the adobe house to find her other mentor spreading out new wool in the sun, smelling of lanolin. 'Have a seat. You can help me clean the wool. Nice, eh?'
'Very.'Em sat and began to pick the stay bits of grass and twigs from the puffy woolen bits. 'How is Elena?'
'Busy, as always. And, we have some sheep milk and cheese now. Not that you'd be interested...'Esperanza teased. She knew Em had a thing for sheep and goat cheese.
Em smiled.'Maybe, a little.'
'Oh! And, guess what? Soon we will have visitors! Elena spotted a caravan headed this way while she was out with her flock. A gypsy caravan.' Esperanza emphasized.
'Truly? Real gypsies? We would see them up in California, selling wooden furniture occasionally. Not often though.'
'These are different. They're a theatre group. A real treat.
Puppet shows, magic acts, fortune-telling.' Esperanza shook out her wool. '...Love potions...'
Em snorted in derision. 'Hmph.Well, I do like a good play and I adore magic tricks!' She sighed. 'I tried to learn some myself...ayyy...but it takes alot of practice time! That's something I've rarely had...'
'Well, maybe some magic will rub off on you here, eh?'Esperanza winked. 'They'll probably camp in the valley by tonight. We'll go meet them there in a day or two. You up for it?'
'Yah, sure!' Em was picking pensively at her wool, and pondering. 'Esperanza...I thought I saw someone skulking about up on the ridge earlier today. Do you think it could have been one of the gypsy band here already? A scout perhaps?'
The older woman regarded her. 'Skulking, eh? Hm. No, I don't think so, Elena was out in her far pasture, some distance from here when she spotted them, and they were still leagues away. I doubt anyone would be here...lurking.' She thought a moment. 'I will keep and eye out and perhaps take los lobos with me up to the ridge later.You stay here.
I'll be fine with my wolves and we can go quietly on our own.'
'Take care, amiga. I had an odd feeling when I saw him, whoever it was...he acted as though he'd been watching me, but did not want to be spotted himself.'
'Los lobos will be all the protection I need. I have my own defenses here. Intruders are few. How he came to be here at all, well, that's something I'd like to know. Don't worry we shall unravel this mystery...'Esperanza assured Em as she attacked a fresh pile of wool, and began to unravel.
'Oy...'Em let the pun go by without pun-ishment, regarded the sky and saw the sun was edging abit closer to the hilltops. Some hours still until it set. She held up a batch of the wool and pulled it across her eyes, and leaning toward Esperanza, said: 'Don't let this happen...to you!' And cackled.
The older woman grabbed the wool and pulled it down, staring into Em's eyes. 'No one will be pulling the wool over our eyes, you young ewe, you! Aye-ee...why don't you go inside and start cutting vegetables for tonight's cookpot? We're having mutton stew.'
'I guessed correctly.' Em smiled and did as she was told. She loved her unencumbered life in the Enchanted Village as she'd come to call it.She hoped nothing would threaten her new-found peace here.Perhaps by tonight the mystery of the lurking skulker would be solved.
. . . . .
Morning already, thought Jack upon waking. He sat up, alarmed to see the sun streaming in the window. Damn! Didn't the men wake him? He sprang out of bed to see what was up.
Throwing his pants on, he pulled his braces over his bare shoulders as he called out 'Homer? Jethro?' and went into the kitchen, still faintly redolent of breakfast smells. On the big round oaken table he saw a note:
'Jack,
Gone bear hunting. Back later. Feed the horses. Have some breakfast. If you leave you know how to lock everything up.
Jethro and Homer'
Well,pizzle, thought Jack. He sighed. Okay, if that's how they want to play it. Guess they know best on a bear hunt
Jack got some more coffee going and cracked a couple of eggs, which he scrambled up with tortillas and homemade salsa as he munched on an apple. Had to admit, he did have an appetite. He stroked his furry chin. Yea, maybe I'll shave this bush off. Getting too warm for summer, here any day now...
Later, he took hay out to the pasture as the big drays and Trotsky neighed lustily his way and let him know they'd been waiting. Should he keep an eye on things here til the boys returned? No dogs here now except for old Bizness who was as Homer said, 'retired'. Still could put up a hound-holler though. Hm. Everyone would be combing the woods around his place back at Crowley House.
As much as he needed to see Aleister, he figured he best stay put and keep watch here til they all returned.
Which wouldn't be easy. Patience was not Jack's best virtue.
Especially when he felt he owed amends to Al big time now.
He felt he was being left behind like a kid who'd made a big mess the adults had to go clean up while he was banished to sit in the corner to ponder his sins.
He was sick of pondering. Didn't much like what he'd found.
Well, cowboy up, Jack, he told himself. Least he could do now is act like he'd learned something from it all.
And go shave the foliage from his face.He headed back into the house, yanking at his beard.
. . . . .
On a bright sunny morning Emmeline found herself driving the goat-cart with Esperanza, pulled by two sturdy goats as her mentor tried to teach her the fine art of goat driving. Keeping the goats on the road and out of anything edible, (to goats: about everything), was the main challenge.
They were trained to cart, however, and only testing who they knew was a novice at the lines. 'Don't let them get away with it!'Esperanza demanded. 'Be firm. Let them know you mean business!'
They were headed down to the valley with goods to trade at market and to see the gypsy camp. Em was excited. She felt nearly her old self again although she noted she lacked a certain energy reserve she once had. She had to take things easier now. 'Go only as fast as your slowest part can move,'Esperanza told her. Good advice.
Her older friend had returned with los lobos two nights before with nothing to report regarding Em's Mysterious Stranger. Em felt a dogged apprehension at the back of her mind, but overall, she welcomed the chance for a change of scene. She hadn't seen much of the area outside of The Pale as Esperanza and Carlos referred to the Enchanted Village and environs.
'Carlos will be down later,'Esperanza said,'He makes instruments for this particular gypsy band. They meet once or twice a year and trade.'
Over hill and dale they traveled, hoping to reach their destination before noon and beat the heat of the road.Although the Village was itself in a valley, they were still situated in the mountains. It was late morning when they topped the crest of the last ridge and could view the long valley where the town sat alongside the big river which wound along the valley floor. Following the river on the far outskirts of town, Emmeline could discern smoke from the campsites.
'There,' said Esperanza, pointing in their direction, 'That's where the gypsies always camp. And that is where they will hold their festivities later tonight.'
'Ah! And, can we stay to attend?' Em asked hopefully.
'Of course!' Esperanza smiled, 'We came here for that purpose, as well as taking care of town business. But, business first, then we shall see the gypsies.'
Em couldn't wait.
. . . . .
Meanwhile...a lone rider on a dark horse watched from behind the trees above upon the high ridge as the goat-cart carrying the two women headed down the meandering road to town. Making sure they had rounded the corner and were well out of sight, he nudged his mount forward.
And followed behind.
. . . .
'...We had a falling out, as lovers often will
And to think of how she left that night,
it still brings me a chill
And though our separation, it pierced me to the heart,
She still lives inside of me, we've never been apart.
...If you get close to her, kiss her once for me
I always have respected her,
for doin' what she did and gettin' free,
For whatever makes her happy,
I won't stand in her way,
The bitter taste still lingers on
From the night I tried to make her stay...
...Sundown, yellow moon, I replay the past
I know every scene by heart,
they all went by so fast
If she's passin' back this way,
I'm not that hard to find,
Tell her she can look me up
If she's got the time...'
Jack softly sang snatches of the old Bob Dylan tune,
'If You See Her, Say Hello' that he could recall as he strummed Jethro's mandolin on the porch. It seemed to
fit his current sentiments to a 'T'. He thought he could remember some mandolin tremelo in that song too...well, it
sure described his last meeting with Emmeline alright. He
stopped singing and strummed on into the dark. Well, well...his lil' ole Em, a bandita in her own right. He shook his head. Yeah, he had to admit, there was alot he didn't know about her. He cringed inwardly to think how he had underestimated her. He'd only been protective, he felt at the time. Maybe he should give her more credit, and he would, next time...'Gods willing and the creek don't rise,'
he said to himself, as he finally decided to pack it in and
head on to bed.
He stopped then. Thought he could hear hoofbeats running up the road to Homer's. Well past midnight, who could it be... Jack wondered, as he lay the mandolin carefully upon the seat and strode forth toward the sound.
Sure enough, a horse and rider galloped up as the hounds roused themselves to give voice and announce a caller. Jack didn't recognize either horse or rider, though perhaps he looked vaguely familiar, couldn't recall from where, though.
'Hel-lo the house!' called the rider, leaping off and running up to the porch. Jack and hounds met him then, Jack could hear stirring inside and saw a lantern light the windows.
'Jethro and Homer are inside, they'll be out shortly...'Jack began.
'You're Jack Van Horn, aren't you?' the rider demanded, 'It's you I've come to see.'
Jack was surprised. 'What's on your mind?'
'It's your pal, the Doc. Aleister Parsons. He'd a run-in with a bear back at your place!'
'He WHAT!?' Jack demanded in turn.'What happened, is he..'
'He's okay.'the rider tied his mount. 'I've just come from Woody's. He's there now, and wanted to warn you...'
Homer and Jethro appeared on the porch then, lantern in hand. 'What's goin' on, Tom?' Homer asked bleary-eyed with sleep.
'Damn!'Jack spun around addressing the boys,'Aleister found your bear! In his back yard, I guess...'
Tom nodded. 'That's about it! He took his cat and his horse and lit out for Woody's. Guess his lil ole cat had cornered that bear!'
'Lord and Lady...'Jack looked down, he couldn't believe it.
'But...everyone's ok? You're sure?'
'Yeah, yeah. They're there at Woody's now. 'Course we can't do much about it til daybreak. Everyone'll be after that bear then...'Tom looked at the men.
'Thanks, Tom.' Homer rubbed his chin, 'Yeah, that'll just scare him back in the woods. If we want to be sure to get him, we'd better do it before the whole shootin' match gets lit in town. How many folks know about this?'
'Just the employees. You know, the other bouncers and barkeeps and Sugar a-course. And Woody.'Tom assured them.
'Doc kept quiet til closing.'
'Good.'Jethro nodded. 'Still, word's gonna travel like wildfire. Well, thanks Tom. Go on home and get some shut-eye.' He regarded Jack and Homer. 'We best do the same. Get afew hours sleep then take the hounds and track him from
Jack's place.'
Tom nodded.'I could meet y'all back here at dawn...'
'Naw, that's fine, we best keep the huntin' party to a minimum if we want to catch him this time.'
'I'm outa here then,' and Tom leapt in the saddle and headed on down the road, hoofbeats echoing in the night.
'Okay, back to bed, boys,'Homer scratched his head,'We have a bear to catch in afew hours...'
The men went in then and the dogs settled back down in the yard. Jack handed Jethro the mandolin and headed off to his bed for the remainder of the wee hours. Damn what a fool I've been, he couldn't help but think. Here I've been so bloody concerned with feeling sorry for myself and leaving Al and the place alone, not even Yeats about...leaving it up to little Alice to face down a damn bear! Jack felt about 2 inches high then.
Time to wake up and smell the BEAR, Jack, he told himself as he drifted off.
. . . . .
'Ho-la, the casa!' Emmeline called as she stuck her head into Esperanza's, having returned from lunch with Carlos and her mandolin lesson.
'I'm in back, Em!' Esperanza called. Em rounded the side of the adobe house to find her other mentor spreading out new wool in the sun, smelling of lanolin. 'Have a seat. You can help me clean the wool. Nice, eh?'
'Very.'Em sat and began to pick the stay bits of grass and twigs from the puffy woolen bits. 'How is Elena?'
'Busy, as always. And, we have some sheep milk and cheese now. Not that you'd be interested...'Esperanza teased. She knew Em had a thing for sheep and goat cheese.
Em smiled.'Maybe, a little.'
'Oh! And, guess what? Soon we will have visitors! Elena spotted a caravan headed this way while she was out with her flock. A gypsy caravan.' Esperanza emphasized.
'Truly? Real gypsies? We would see them up in California, selling wooden furniture occasionally. Not often though.'
'These are different. They're a theatre group. A real treat.
Puppet shows, magic acts, fortune-telling.' Esperanza shook out her wool. '...Love potions...'
Em snorted in derision. 'Hmph.Well, I do like a good play and I adore magic tricks!' She sighed. 'I tried to learn some myself...ayyy...but it takes alot of practice time! That's something I've rarely had...'
'Well, maybe some magic will rub off on you here, eh?'Esperanza winked. 'They'll probably camp in the valley by tonight. We'll go meet them there in a day or two. You up for it?'
'Yah, sure!' Em was picking pensively at her wool, and pondering. 'Esperanza...I thought I saw someone skulking about up on the ridge earlier today. Do you think it could have been one of the gypsy band here already? A scout perhaps?'
The older woman regarded her. 'Skulking, eh? Hm. No, I don't think so, Elena was out in her far pasture, some distance from here when she spotted them, and they were still leagues away. I doubt anyone would be here...lurking.' She thought a moment. 'I will keep and eye out and perhaps take los lobos with me up to the ridge later.You stay here.
I'll be fine with my wolves and we can go quietly on our own.'
'Take care, amiga. I had an odd feeling when I saw him, whoever it was...he acted as though he'd been watching me, but did not want to be spotted himself.'
'Los lobos will be all the protection I need. I have my own defenses here. Intruders are few. How he came to be here at all, well, that's something I'd like to know. Don't worry we shall unravel this mystery...'Esperanza assured Em as she attacked a fresh pile of wool, and began to unravel.
'Oy...'Em let the pun go by without pun-ishment, regarded the sky and saw the sun was edging abit closer to the hilltops. Some hours still until it set. She held up a batch of the wool and pulled it across her eyes, and leaning toward Esperanza, said: 'Don't let this happen...to you!' And cackled.
The older woman grabbed the wool and pulled it down, staring into Em's eyes. 'No one will be pulling the wool over our eyes, you young ewe, you! Aye-ee...why don't you go inside and start cutting vegetables for tonight's cookpot? We're having mutton stew.'
'I guessed correctly.' Em smiled and did as she was told. She loved her unencumbered life in the Enchanted Village as she'd come to call it.She hoped nothing would threaten her new-found peace here.Perhaps by tonight the mystery of the lurking skulker would be solved.
. . . . .
Morning already, thought Jack upon waking. He sat up, alarmed to see the sun streaming in the window. Damn! Didn't the men wake him? He sprang out of bed to see what was up.
Throwing his pants on, he pulled his braces over his bare shoulders as he called out 'Homer? Jethro?' and went into the kitchen, still faintly redolent of breakfast smells. On the big round oaken table he saw a note:
'Jack,
Gone bear hunting. Back later. Feed the horses. Have some breakfast. If you leave you know how to lock everything up.
Jethro and Homer'
Well,pizzle, thought Jack. He sighed. Okay, if that's how they want to play it. Guess they know best on a bear hunt
Jack got some more coffee going and cracked a couple of eggs, which he scrambled up with tortillas and homemade salsa as he munched on an apple. Had to admit, he did have an appetite. He stroked his furry chin. Yea, maybe I'll shave this bush off. Getting too warm for summer, here any day now...
Later, he took hay out to the pasture as the big drays and Trotsky neighed lustily his way and let him know they'd been waiting. Should he keep an eye on things here til the boys returned? No dogs here now except for old Bizness who was as Homer said, 'retired'. Still could put up a hound-holler though. Hm. Everyone would be combing the woods around his place back at Crowley House.
As much as he needed to see Aleister, he figured he best stay put and keep watch here til they all returned.
Which wouldn't be easy. Patience was not Jack's best virtue.
Especially when he felt he owed amends to Al big time now.
He felt he was being left behind like a kid who'd made a big mess the adults had to go clean up while he was banished to sit in the corner to ponder his sins.
He was sick of pondering. Didn't much like what he'd found.
Well, cowboy up, Jack, he told himself. Least he could do now is act like he'd learned something from it all.
And go shave the foliage from his face.He headed back into the house, yanking at his beard.
. . . . .
On a bright sunny morning Emmeline found herself driving the goat-cart with Esperanza, pulled by two sturdy goats as her mentor tried to teach her the fine art of goat driving. Keeping the goats on the road and out of anything edible, (to goats: about everything), was the main challenge.
They were trained to cart, however, and only testing who they knew was a novice at the lines. 'Don't let them get away with it!'Esperanza demanded. 'Be firm. Let them know you mean business!'
They were headed down to the valley with goods to trade at market and to see the gypsy camp. Em was excited. She felt nearly her old self again although she noted she lacked a certain energy reserve she once had. She had to take things easier now. 'Go only as fast as your slowest part can move,'Esperanza told her. Good advice.
Her older friend had returned with los lobos two nights before with nothing to report regarding Em's Mysterious Stranger. Em felt a dogged apprehension at the back of her mind, but overall, she welcomed the chance for a change of scene. She hadn't seen much of the area outside of The Pale as Esperanza and Carlos referred to the Enchanted Village and environs.
'Carlos will be down later,'Esperanza said,'He makes instruments for this particular gypsy band. They meet once or twice a year and trade.'
Over hill and dale they traveled, hoping to reach their destination before noon and beat the heat of the road.Although the Village was itself in a valley, they were still situated in the mountains. It was late morning when they topped the crest of the last ridge and could view the long valley where the town sat alongside the big river which wound along the valley floor. Following the river on the far outskirts of town, Emmeline could discern smoke from the campsites.
'There,' said Esperanza, pointing in their direction, 'That's where the gypsies always camp. And that is where they will hold their festivities later tonight.'
'Ah! And, can we stay to attend?' Em asked hopefully.
'Of course!' Esperanza smiled, 'We came here for that purpose, as well as taking care of town business. But, business first, then we shall see the gypsies.'
Em couldn't wait.
. . . . .
Meanwhile...a lone rider on a dark horse watched from behind the trees above upon the high ridge as the goat-cart carrying the two women headed down the meandering road to town. Making sure they had rounded the corner and were well out of sight, he nudged his mount forward.
And followed behind.
. . . .
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