The Gallows Pole

by M. Shaunessy

  The elder, who looked like he was in his sixties, looked over at them. Then spoke in his native tongue to the young one on foot. The young warrior spoke back.

  “What are they saying?” Jane wondered softly to Jacob.

  “Wish I knew,” Jacob replied.

  The conversation ended between the two Indians then that looked back to Jane and Jacob.

  Then the young one spoke in a strong Indian accent, “Who are you?”

  The two were surprised as Jacob inquired, “You-you speak English?”

  He nodded, aimed his gun at them and asked again, “Who are you, what you doing here?”

  Jacob swallowed in fear then replied, “We’re, tourists on vacation. We um, accidently fell out of the train and now we’re stranded until you guys came.”

  The young native looked to the elder and spoke again. The elder warrior eyed over to the couple and stared at them. Then he spoke.

  “My father wonders why you trespass on our sacred hunting ground.” The young hunter trans-lated.

  “We didn’t know this was a sacred hunting ground,” Jacob replied, “Isn’t that right Jane?”

  “Yes, please don’t harm us,” she pleaded.

  The two native Indians both started to talk to each other again. Their language, after awhile Jane studied them, she then knew what language it was. She studied western culture of America at the university when she started going there.

  The young warrior looked back to them and said, “My father says, the gods forgive you. You are free to go.” He then pointed towards the railroad tracks, “Depart beyond the metal tracks, and go to your destination.”

  “What?” Jacob retorted, “We can’t go anywhere. We have no food or water and we’ll die out here. You have to help us. Let us borrow couple of horses, please!”

  The young warrior translated once more to his father for their plea of help, but the father shook his head and spoke back to him. The young warrior retaliated; it was almost as if they were about to argue about Jane and Jacob’s fate. They both started to frown and held each other’s hands knowing that they were doomed.

  The young warrior sighed and said, “My father says he feels for your troubled situation, but it is forbidden for our people to grant your wishes.”

  Jacob said to them, “Look, we come from a town called Clayton. My brother is going to be hung for a crime he didn’t commit if we don’t return to him in two days. We are not from New Mexico and we don’t know this area. We are in desperate need of help, please.”

  The young warrior translated. The elder looked at them and though for a long time until he final-ly spoke a sentence. He paused as looked up to the sky and spoke, but he was singing as he spoke. Once he was done, there was a long pause. The wind started to blow gently and then they heard it whistle. Couple of minutes later, the wind died down. The elder opened his eyes, looked to the couple sternly and spoke to them.

  Young warrior smiled and translated once more, “The spirit gods are in your favor white ones. We will take you back to our village and give you food and water for your journey.”

  The couple’s faces lit up like the sun, then thank them gratefully. Jane then finally picked up her gun and placed it back in her handbag, as she knew it could be useful later.

  Riding on bare back was a weird feeling to the new couple. They were so used to riding on a saddle. Each was riding with one of the hunters. They found out that they were from the Chiricahua tribe, which was part of the Apache Indians. Their village was no more than sixty miles south from the tracks, and it would take six hours to get there. The English speaking Navaho they first met had Jane sitting behind him.

  “We never got your name,” Jane said.

  “I am called in your language ‘Bowing Eagle’,” he replied.

  “Well, nice to meet you Bowing Eagle,” she said nicely, “I’m Jane Pager, and that is my fiancé, Jacob Jones.”

  He pointed to the elder, “That is my father ‘Proud Eagle’, and my two brothers Running Water, and Squatting Coyote.”

  “Well, how did you learn to speak English?” Jane asked trying to make most of the long ride.

  Bowing Eagle turned his head trying to look at Jane and replied with his story, “When I was a child, learning the wilderness, I had come upon a deserted wagon train that was attacked by other white men and wild animals. As I inspected the wagons, I had come upon some schoolbooks in one of the wagons. I took a few of them back to my village to show my father. He had said it was forbidden to learn from the white man. He took the books, but I had then convinced him that if we learn more your people we could understand why you take our land. He thought about it for long time then he talked to the gods for guidance. I was granted to learn your language and appointed me an... How you say? Ambassador to my people.

  “I read your dictionary, arithmetic, and geography books as well as others. I was permitted to enter your towns and converse with the locals for a chance for peace between us, but alas, they see me as a savage man and banned me. I always wonder why you hate us, why fear us. Perhaps this is fate. Per-haps this is why our paths crossed.”

  “How do you mean?” She asked.

  “Perhaps you can share why your people hate us.”

  “Not all people hate your kind,” Jane explained, “Just the greedy ones. Don’t know why though, maybe they are jealous of what you have. I mean you have a beautiful landscape.”

  “It’s the mining Jane,” Jacob inserted. “That is why they wanted to take their land. It’s the gold and silver depository. The government decides how to take control of the land, even though it was purchased legally.”

  “It’s not only our precious stones, but its nature as well,” Bowing Eagle stated.

  “How you mean?” Jane asked.

  “Look around you. Tell me what you see?” Bowing Eagle asked.

  She looked about the vast landscape of the desert then replied, “I only see rocks and dead plants.”

  The Apache smiled and gave a titter, then said, “You white ones are narrow minded.”

  “What do you see then?” Jane wondered.

  He looked out and waited for a moment or two then replied, “I see harmony and peace. I see the spirit of nature living its life within this desert. Untouched and free. That is what I see.”

  Jane was awed at what her new friend said. She and Jacob never realized how a vast empty was-teland like the desert they were trotting through would be a glorious journey. Bowing Eagle had said that what they were experiencing was the Sprit Journey, a realization to one’s mind.

  The journey took them until sunset to reach their small tribal village. Jacob gazed upon their homestead and saw straw like huts, a couple of teepees with red and blue designs on them. He saw the women making pots and other items out of dry straw grass and mud as they trotted over to the other horses in small area designated for them. Jacob then came to realization that these Indians were poor compared to him. All his life, Jacob had been living in a civilized world and had thought the new world did the same, he was wrong. Bowing Eagle told them that they were the richest tribe in the area. Jacob could not come to see that. He compared Bowing Eagle’s world to his own, but he had was a stranger to their land and did not know their ways. Perhaps to them, living as if they were, they considered them-selves wealthy. Once they dismounted from the long ride, Proud Eagle said something to Bowing Eagle, and then translated to Jacob and Jane.

  “He said, ‘welcome to our village, make yourselves at home’,” Bowing Eagle said to Jacob and Jane.

  Jacob turned to the elder and replied, “Thank you sir. We appreciate this.”

  The elder nodded.

  Bowing Eagle showed them where they would be sleeping. He showed them to a small hut. It was not like the room at Elkland Hotel or the adobe that El Cato had but it was all that they had. For beds, was made of burlap wool placed on top of thin line of straw. They both looked at each other knowing that this could not get any worse.

  “Well, at least we�
��ll get back to town tomorrow, “Jacob commented.

  “But without the money we owe the Judge,” Jane added, “We are still out one grand.”

  “Yeah, I know I know,” Jacob retorted as he sighed.

  He sat down on the straw bed and thought on what to do. Jane sat next to him also wondering what they will do. Suddenly, they heard faint chanting. However, unlike earlier from Proud Eagle’s chanting, this was almost like singing, an upbeat chant. It was pleasant for them to hear. That is when the door covering was whisked open. They were surprised to see Bowing Eagle in the doorway.

  “What is it?” Jacob inquired.

  “It is a warrior’s ceremony,” He replied, “Even though it is forbidden for outsiders to join, my father thought you might enjoy the festival afterwards.”

  “We would be honored, thank you,” Jane replied.

  “How long before the ceremony is over?” Jacob asked.

  Bowing Eagle replied, “Not that long, once the chanting is over, you may join us in our sacred pyre in the middle of our village.”

  They nodded, frowned a bit, and then Bowing Eagle wondered, “What is troubling you two?”

  They looked up at him and Jacob replied, “We have a problem. Remember how we told you about my brother?” Bowing Eagle nodded as he continued, “Well, there this judge, Judge Mar-shal you see, and he’s the one who’s going to hang my brother, unless we pay him a thousand dollars, a thousand which we do not have.”

  “I know this Judge Marshal,” Bowing Eagle said, “He is a man without heart and honor. I have seen him hang the innocent before. Even though I am not familiar with your laws, yet I am learning and what your judge is doing is not right. Paying a man to let his prisoner live longer is like paying death himself.”

  “So what should we do?” Jacob wondered.

  “If it was my brother, I would not pay death, but fight him and set my brother free. Family should not be set upon price, that is not right, but that would be me.”

  Jacob looked to Jane. Bowing eagle was right. What Judge Marsha was doing was wrong. He knew that when he entered his office and he started his make shift trail. If he wanted to see his brother alive, he had to set him free without paying the greedy judge. However, doing that would be wrong. Right? He had always fought with the law, but what happens when the law has been corrupt by power and greed? He could ride to Albuquerque and tell the governor, but that could take few more days than needed, and by the time they get back, Gabe could be resting eternally in a wooden box. He had to do something and fast as time was running out for them.

  “Perhaps I can ask my father for advice on your problem,” Bowing Eagle said, “perhaps we can help you.”

  “That would be great,” Jacob said, “Thank you.”

  “Well I must return and rejoin the ceremony, I will see you later,” Bowing Eagle said as he lifted the cloth door and exited the straw made adobe.

  Chapter 10

  For Better or For Worse

  “So, it’s true then?” Marshal said as he polished his 1886 Smith and Wesson revolver in his office, “They were identified as the train robbers?”

  Sheriff Barns stood in front of Marshal’s desk. He was still in dismay about the news that he heard from the rail porter earlier that day.

  “Unfortunately yes,” he replied.

  Marshal’s stone like eyes gazed up upon the sheriff and said, “I hope you’re not getting soft on them Tom.”

  “It just don’t make sense,” Barns said, “I mean they didn’t look like the sort who would rob trains.”

  “Let me tell something about city slickers Tom. They may look nice and lawful on the outside, but when they come out here with their carpetbags, they take all of our nickels and pennies by selling us crap that we don’t need. Then they swindle you and before you know it, they blow town before we can lay hand on them. In other words, you can’t trust city folk.”

  “But these people are different William,” Barns protested.

  Marshal cock his head in curiosity and asked, “How so? You only met these folks not more than a couple of days, and during that time, we had a murder, a failed stagecoach scheme, and a train robbery. Oh Sure, they’re real nice folks.” His eyes did not part with Barns’ for a few moments, then he added as continued to clean his gun, “Speaking of which, I think we ought to move Gabe’s hanging up to tomorrow night, along with that Mexican. Yeah, we haven’t had a double hanging in while.”

  “But you told Jacob Jones he had until Friday to pay. You’re not gonna wait?” Barns said.

  “First off, Jacob Jones is wanted man, so in fact our deal is null and void,” he told him, “Second, he could be dead for all we know. The porter told you they jumped the train in the middle of nowhere. Without food, water or even horse, they’ll never make it to the nearest town. Now prepare the gallows, inform Daniel, so he can put in his paper, and tell Father Ted to prepare your prisoners.”

  Barns like this less and less every time, but what choice did he have? He took an oath and swore on the bible to hold up the law in his town. He exited the office and left Marshal alone with his gun.

  The large fire in front of them danced as if it were alive. They sat no more than a few feet away from it. The Apache’s food was much different than they had ever experience during this venture. They ate fried bread, Apache stew that consisted of rabbit and deer meat, and sunflower cakes. They told them that they were not farmers, but hunters. The women picked berries and nuts while the men hunted game.

  There were several men and woman in colorful feather outfits singing and dancing around them. Jane was smiling as she never seen anything like this. Yes, of course she read of them in books, but it’s nothing unless it was happening right in front you.

  Jacob was over by his new friend, Bowing Eagle as he and the Apache was conversing with the elder, Proud Eagle. The elder was speaking in his native tongue as his son translated.

  “My father says that it is forbidden to interfere with your laws, however, he will grant you a horse for you travel to your final destination.”

  “Thanks,” Jacob said.

  The elder spoke once again as Bowing Eagle retorted back. Bowing Eagle, then said, “He will permit me to guide you on your journey to Clayton, but I cannot help you release your brother for you. You must do that on your own.”

  Jacob frowned as he sighed and knew his chances confronting with the sheriff and the judge alone and winning were slim to none. He got up, thanked them both and walked away to out-skirts of the village in dismay. Jane took notice and wondered what happened. Judging from the look on his face, it was not good news. She got up and followed him.

  She saw him standing there looking up at the stars. It looked as if he was making a wish, or looking for god for some help.

  “So, what did the elder say?” Jane asked.

  Jacob said nothing for a moment then replied unhappily, “He’ll give us a horse and Bowing Eagle for guide.”

  She smiled and said, “That good news, so why do you sound so glum?”

  He hesitated as he tried to find the right words. He then turned to her. He looked into her beau-tiful sapphire eyes and wondered why she fell in love with him.

  “You know, you deserve someone better than me; someone who can fight their own battles; someone who can’t put people into situations like this. Maybe you’re better off marring someone who can treat you better, like Bowing Eagle or something.”

  Jane was astonished what she heard, and then replied, “Don’t say stuff like that Jake. I would marry you even if we were still stranded by those train tracks. I love you Jacob Jones, just as the vow says, ‘Through thick and thin, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer’ I love you be-cause you got something no one has around here, a heart and you know what? You don’t have to fight the sheriff and that judge alone, because I’ll be right at your side, and I’ll help get your brother out. Besides, soon he’ll be my brother too and like Bowing Eagle said I don’t pay family for their freedom. We’l
l get him out somehow, and I know you’ll figure a way to do that.”

  She smiled warmly at him. Then from the emotionless face of Jacob, grew the same smile. She was right, he thought as they both kissed lovingly under the stars.

  When they broke their kiss, Jacob look at her pretty blue eyes again and said, “You’re right Jane. I’ve been acting like a fool from the beginning, but I don’t know what to do. I’m not a gunslinger or a cowboy or anything like that. I’m just an architect that designs buildings.”

  “Well, a jailhouse is a building…” Jane started, “Maybe you can put your design skills to the test and figure a way to get him out of there.”

  “Are you suggesting I break my little brother out of jail?” he said, “Jane that’s a federal offence. I could get five to ten years for that!”

  Jane said, “Well its better than standing out here wishing on a star for a miracle that will never happen. Jake we gotta take the law into our own hands. I mean what the judge did in the first place was not right, and you know that.”

  “Yeah I suppose, but I don’t want us to get hurt or even worse,” Jacob argued, “Look, I just want to think this thoroughly before we rush into town and start making more of a mess than we already have, ok?”

  She nodded her head, “Ok that sound sensible, so what are we going to do?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll come up with a plan before we leave tomorrow,” he said.

  Chapter 11

  The Approaching Storm

  A bright blinding light suddenly lit up the little hut that Jane and Jacob was sleeping in. It was so bright in fact that it woke them up. Jacob squinted and shielded his eyes with his palm. He saw a silhouette of a tall man holding the cloth door to the side. As his eyes adjusted to the morning light, he knew the silhouette was Bowing Eagle.

  Jane turned over from her sleep, moaned and awoke.