“You are joking, aren’t you?” asked Catherine.
“I wish that I was.” said Jon.
“What happened?” asked Catherine.
Chris, Riley, his son and I were headed down valley when we came to the Johnson’s house. We saw three strange vehicles and then grey clad men shoving the Johnson’s into one of the vehicles. We just knew that wasn’t right. We got out and I questioned what looked to be their commander. He told me he was a detachment assigned to start bringing us outliers back to the city to re-integrate us. Now you know I would have no part of that so I told him to go. He tried to pull out some stun baton and I stopped that, and then told Chris to shoot any of them that tried any of that. At the end we got the Johnson’s free and the detachment left. Not of course before I shot out their back window.” said Jon.
“Oh Jon, you didn’t.” said Catherine.
“Oh yes I did, I have no intention of letting that government come into our valley.”
“Ok, now what?” asked Catherine.
“Well we are rounding up all the folk in the valley to go to the festival field. We have to talk about this and lay plans as many of us men have got to go Elk hunting this week.” said Jon.
“After this you have to go hunting?” asked Catherine.
“Honey, you don’t understand, our elk hunt provides us meat all the way through the winter and well into spring. If we valley folk don’t go hunting, we don’t survive.” said Jon.
“Oh Jon, do you have to go, do we have to stay here?” asked Catherine.
Jon stopped and looked his wife square in the eye.
“Yes we have to go and yes we will stay here. Even if it means killing every last one of the urban soldiers that come up here to take us out.” said Jon.
Catherine grasped the meaning of the statement and gave a small nod. She knew her husband and knew that he meant what he said. She looked at Chris and he had that same look of defiance that her husband had. In some way she was proud of both of them. But in the same thought she worried for all of their futures.
The family went out to the truck and headed up to the festival field. They made stops along the way at homesteads to inform the folk of the meeting and shortly there was a convoy of vehicles headed toward the field. It seemed that almost everyone in the valley showed up and a congregation circled Jon. He retold the story of the morning, with assurances from Riley and old man Johnson. The look on the people’s faces was a mix of dread and defiance. After a pause Jon spoke again.
“We have always stood by each other here in the valley. We all left the new world for the same reason. We left to carve out a life that once was; life that was etched in freedom and yet hard work. A place that we all knew was free of bureaucracy and government intervention. Now it seems all this is threatened.” said Jon.
“Jon, you have always been our unofficial leader, what should we do?” asked Riley.
Other folk in the crowd nodded and agreed. Jon had always been the leader, even though he would not take the authority. Now though he knew that he had to lead these people or else all would fail. Throughout Jon’s life he had always been a go to guy. In his old corporate jobs or playing organized sports Jon had leadership qualities. Qualities such as these are born in a man or a woman and define them. What Jon had never done was take this ability to the next level. He never became a politician or a top executive as he lacked the one thing that would allow him to do so. Jon just couldn’t lie nor could he tell bull shit. If he had one trait that could be a fault it was his undying belief that the truth and telling things like they were held more value than anything else. In the valley these qualities fit perfectly.
Jon paused a moment in his thoughts and then in a strait voice answered.
“Well first item is we have got to go out on the Elk hunt starting Thursday. We will all go as a group to maximize the kill and we will share as a community. What I would ask is that some of you younger fellows, say seventeen and younger and you older men, sixty-five an older stay back. Doc, could you stay here and be in charge?”
“Sure Jon.” said Doc.
“I want you guys to post an outlook that can look down on the main road coming in. Take on three hour shifts around the clock and use the radios. If you see activity, get back to Doc. Doc, we will keep a radio with us so let us know if the troopers are headed back.” said Jon.
“What do we do if they come back in force?” asked Mort.
Jon looked down the up at the sky. He then carefully chose his words.
“I guess I only assumed, but I think maybe we need to somewhat vote on this. My thought is that if they come back in force that we meet them with force.” said Jon.
“You mean go to war?” asked old man Johnson.
“I guess that is exactly what I mean.” said Jon.
The people realized the gravity of the situation and took stock. Men looked at their wives and children. Wives looked at their husbands. Jon looked at the group and then spoke.
“Folks, I would have hoped that it would never have come to this. I would have thought that they would have just left us alone. But it seems that their belief is that no one can oppose them or not be part of their social experiment. I left that experiment ten years ago just like all of you. I left to live a life of freedom. A life where I either succeeded or failed and those two alternatives were up to me not some government puke. Now it seems that we have an oppressive government telling us we can’t make that choice. So, our only choices are to either give in or fight. Fighting is not something great, not something that I wish for but I am prepared to do so to keep my liberty. As many of you remember, standing up to the government with arms is how this country started. An oppressive government tried to tell the people that lived here what to do and they revolted. It was called the American Revolution. From that a great country was born. Now we have to keep our country and tell an oppressive government that they are not welcome.”
“We either fight now or maybe die, or we go back to their world and die a slow death.”
Jon stopped and looked around. He did not want to force the people into something they did not want but at the same time he knew where his heart lay.
“I will not tell you what to do, but I will ask you to join me. If you do not want to then I will hold nothing against you. When they come back you may freely go with them and nothing more will be said.”
Jon stepped away, giving distance and inviting the crowd to either move to his side or not, as such registering their vote. Doc was the first to move and he stood by Jon. Chris was already there and was soon joined by Riley, his son, Mort and Old man Johnson. At once many more of the men and women came to stand by Jon. Before long all the valley came over to his side except one lone figure, Catherine. She looked at her husband with a proud look.
“Are you all sure you know what this means. They will come back with force and men will die.” she said.
Looking around she saw the proud faces of the folk in the valley. She saw her son and even Amanda ready to stand for what was to come. She looked down then looked up.
“I stand by whatever my husband thinks. He has always been right and in this I trust him.” said Catherine as she walked next to Jon and took his hand.
“I think we all know what we are doing and what this means. Let’s just hope that we will not have to go through with It.” said Jon.
He looked out over the crowd at his neighbors and friends and then stared up toward the white peaks of the mountains.
“But something tells me that they will be back and we will have to fight.”
Chapter 14
The men of the valley were loading supplies, tents, guns, ammunition, food, and beverages for the hunt that was to begin that day. Jon and Chris were going through their stacks of gear making sure that they had brought everything that was needed. When they had gone through the checklist, they loaded the truck and prepared to leave.
“Are you and Amanda going to be ok?” asked Jon.
“I think so; the men left in the valley will help us. We pretty much are going to stay indoors here by the fire and just talk and wait for you two to come back.” said Catherine.
She had a worried look upon her face. Jon was not sure that it was a look of worry from them going out hunting or from the events earlier in the week.
“Don’t worry about those troopers coming back yet. They will need to make plans and get re-enforcements. Also, the young boys are scouting the roads and Doc will let us know if we need to come back. Just wish us luck and that we get some good elk meat.” said Jon,
“Of course, I wish you luck” as she reached up and gave Jon a kiss on the cheek.
After family farewells Jon and Chris were off down the road to meet up with their group. For the hunt the entire valley of men did not all go to the same camp as in order to maximize the success of the hunt they were spread out over one hundred square miles of land. Jon and Chris went with Riley, his son Angus, and Mort. They split up into two trucks, Mort going with Jon and Chris and riley and Angus in the other truck. While they headed the sixty miles or so to camp the discussion soon turned away from hunting back to the fate of the valley.
“Jon, what do you think is going to happen when we get back? Do you think they are going to come up here in force to take us out?” said Mort.
“Yes I do and if we don’t go I am certain they have orders to kill us.” said Jon.
“Why can’t they just leave us alone? What harm have we done them?” asked Chris.
“Son, it is not what we have done to them but what we represent. We represent a different view and it is a view that they do not want their people to remember. They do not like our message and they have tried to do everything they can to demonize us. It must be that the way we live is getting back to the urban world and the bureaucracy is worried. They are worried that if the people do not fall in line that they will lose their power. So it is that they must now do something about us.” said Jon,
“So, when they come back what are we going to do? You know they will have weapons and who knows how many.” asked Mort.
“Well if I took our meeting to be what I thought it meant, then we will fight. I have a plan that I will go over with everyone when we get back.” said Jon.
“Ok then we will just wait till then.” said Mort.
The rest of the trip went quickly and soon the two vehicles came to a stop at a field off of the dirt road. The trucks were backed up near what looked to be an old fire ring where the men began to haul out supplies and set up tents. It was early afternoon when the camp was set and there was time to do some late day hunting.
“Riley, why don’t you and Angus head around to the right side of that mountain and Mort, Chris and I will go around to the left as I think the back side with the slope are holding some nice elk. I think if we go a little ways up we may get something moving.” said Jon
“Why do you think that dad?”
“Well we have hunted here before and always found elk on the back side of that mountain. It seems there is good grazing land back there and it is not far from a stream.” said Jon
“Trust your dad son, he is one of the best hunters in the valley.” said Mort.
The two groups moved off with all five of them dressed in warm wool camouflage hunting clothes that no doubt would be needed with the coming cold and snow. They also carried rifles and had large hunting knives to their sides. Each had a pack with a bit of food, rope and some water as it was always wise to never go into the woods and not be prepared.
It was Angus that first spotted a group of fifteen elk not but about half a mile from where they broke up. The elk were in a small open field about one hundred and fifty yards away. Riley motioned his son to get down so as not to alert the creatures of their presence.
“Ok boy, this first one is yours, why don’t you draw down on that big five-point bull right over there.” whispered Riley.
Angus raised his rifle slowly to his shoulder and sighted the scope on the large elk. One hundred and fifty yards was not an overly large distance and the 30-06 could no doubt bring down the target. Slowly the young man squeezed the trigger and the rifle let out a loud report. With the discharge of the rifle the elk went running from the field, all except the large bull that took two steps and went down. Angus jacked another shell into the chamber of the rifle and sighted on the downed beast. But there was no movement; the first shot had done its work. The two walked over and took in the size of the Elk.
“Great shot son, this is one fine animal.” said Riley.
“Look how big he is dad; I think we have a lot of work ahead of us.” said Angus.
“It is a good thing that we are a family of blacksmiths, gives us strong backs.” laughed Riley.
Riley and Angus took a moment looking over the downed elk marveling at the size and the beauty of the creature. While there was the thrill of the hunt and the feeling of completeness when the kill shot was struck, there was always the reverence for the majesty of the creature.
“You know dad, I have to tell you that living like we do is really great. I remember what it was like when we lived back in the city. Folks didn’t really care about us as all they seemed to do was to acknowledge us and make sure that we did not complain. It just seems like we have a lot more freedom here and the folks up here like us.” said Angus.
“The folks here are real and they care about each other. We all live here with the same belief regardless of where we came from or what we look like. As long as we work hard and help others, we are welcome.” said Riley.
“And I remember when people found out we were coming up here what they said. They said that nobody would accept black people here. Well I guess they were wrong.” said Angus.
“That’s right son, now let’s get busy dressing out this elk. I sure hope Jon heard that shot, it would be nice to get a few more stout backs here.” said Riley.
It wasn’t long before Jon, Chris, and Mort appeared from some cover that surrounded the field. They saw Riley and Angus hard at work dressing out a large elk and walked over to pitch in.
“Could you guys use a little help?” asked Jon.
“We sure could. We need to get this elk back to camp and strung up before dark.” said Riley.
At once all five men had gutted the elk and from a cut tree had hung it by the legs over a stout pole and were making the trip back to camp.
“I think doing it like this is easier that quartering it and hauling it out in pieces.” said Chris.
“You got dat right.” said Mort.
Thirty minutes later they were back in camp and had the elk on a tarp, ready to be put away into one of the back of the pickups.
“Well I think it is going to be a cold night so we don’t have to worry about heat. Draw a cover over the back so we can keep the bears and wolves away.” said Jon.
Hunting up in the mountains had gained new challenges over the years. With the growth in bears, wolves and now even grizzly bears, one had to be careful tending to a kill. With the first kill put away the men started up the camp fire and soon had dinner cooking while they enjoyed some evening libation.
“Here is to the first kill.” said Jon.
They raised their cups to Angus and acknowledged the success. A broad smile soon broke out over the young man’s face. The five had their dinner finished and were enjoying the last part of the day. They knew and hoped that tomorrow would bring a lot of luck and a lot of work. Soon they were all off to their tents, safe in their sleeping bags with loaded rifles and knives close by as the woods were not as safe a place as they once were.
The next morning brought clouds and snow as a couple of inches had fallen overnight and it was still lightly coming down.
“This snow is good, should make the hunting excellent today.” sai
d Mort.
“Yea it should be good as long as it doesn’t get any heavier and as long as the wind doesn’t pick up.” said Riley.
“Why don’t we go with the same plan as yesterday? I think there is a large herd around this mountain and with some luck today could be our last day hunting.” said Jon.
Normally the men would relish a long hunt. While their lives were certainly rugged living in their cabins and homesteads, it in no way compared to being out on the hunt, living in a tent. The hunt seemed to transform the men into the predator, a testosterone beast that in some way many men yearn for. But with the events of the week they felt the best thing to do would be to limit out and get home and be prepared for what was to happen.
It was barely light when they headed out and again not thirty minutes in either direction, both groups ran into elk. Jon, Chris and Mort all took a bull elk fairly quickly and Riley brought down a very nice bull, almost as large as the one Angus took. It was then a full day of work to get all the kills gutted and back to camp. It was late afternoon and the five were very tired from the day’s work and were looking toward the sky.
“Mort, you still need to get one more. While there is plenty of meat remember we all owe a few quarters to old man Johnson and a few to Doc. Old man Johnson felt he could not leave his wife and the fact is he is getting too old to make these trips. Add to that after what happened before we left, he just didn’t feel he should leave and as such several groups said they would let him have some of their elk. Doc volunteered to stay back and be the eyes and ears of the valley in case the urban troopers showed up so we have to make sure he is taken care as well. Hell, he is the only doctor we have so we better make sure he is ok.” said Jon.
Well Jon, why don’t you and Chris come with me and Riley and Angus can stay back with the camp.” said Mort.
“Ok that’ll work.” said Chris.
Jon looked up with a tired look but knew he would be needed. He picked up his rifle and started out,
“Well boys the beer will taste good tonight.” said Jon.
Jon Smith Page 12
