Three Days In LONE PINE, An Untold Tale of The High Sierra

by Mark Stephen Taylor

  “He spent his whole life lookin’ just on the outside. He was a man of sorrows on the inside because he chose to be. He never listened to anyone and relied on his own carnality. He boxed himself in and closed his eyes to the world around him. You can’t shut out God and be successful. He finally hung himself, and like all others who are ignorant of truth and bent on destroyin’ what God has made, he went to his own place—just like Judas done.”

  There was suddenly a tear that appeared in the corner of Michael’s eye as he looked deeply into the eyes of Judge Dawson.

  “Jim, you don’t have a whole lot of time left on this earth. I’m not gonna’ tell you how it’s gonna’ happen, as you might start worryin’ about it and make a wreck of what time you do have left. But, the good thing is that you’ll be joinin’ us. You’ll like your new job, Judge, you have my word on it. Just keep goin’ on as you are—doin’ the right things, and everything will be fine.”

  Michael then looked at the others. “Now, don’t any of you go to frettin’ none about the Judge, here. None of you are supposed to know this stuff anyway. I can tell you that he won’t even be in town when it happens. And nobody’s gonna find his body—except me. He’s in good hands. Trust in that. You too, Judge.

  “Lovella—you’ve always been a pistol, darlin’, I swear! But, what happened back in that potato bin a long time ago was an accident. Your little sister has been with us for some time. That ought to cause you to rest easy now. You’ve got a strong spirit, and in spite of some of your feisty ways, you’ve accomplished more good than you can imagine. I’m sorry to say that your father ended up takin’ his resentment to the grave. Your brothers always did love you—spoke of you oftentimes, but he poisoned their minds against you and they’ve since passed on.

  “Most folk’s never think about the good things in their life, especially when they’re dwellin’ on the bad things. They also let other folk’s that ain’t too bright influence them, and never do come to any light. You’re a good woman, Lovella. You’ve served your neighbors well—everyone in this room has. Now, you got some talents way down in you that you have to let come to the surface. You’re always tinkerin’ at decoratin’ things and arrangin’ things there in the hotel. Now expand that—give your knowledge to other shop owners and homeowners and such.

  “You’re the happiest when you’re busy, and there ain’t nuthin’ wrong with that. Creativity is a good thing. Just look around you. The Most High is the Master Creator. And He’s sure shown His sense of humor in the shape of some of them rocks out in the hills, yonder—hasn’t He? The point is, you be happy with what you’re doin’, Lovella.

  “And, as I was sayin’, people can benefit from your influence on them. Let me put it to you this way—anyone who gives the least of God’s children a cup of cold water to drink, will in no way lose their reward.”

  Michael finished off his iced tea, donned his hat, pulling the brim down just above his eyes, and then stood up from the table. He looked around at everyone.

  “I’m a mite tired, folk’s. This human body is strange that way. I’ll be headin’ upstairs to get some rest. Got a big day tomorrow. John will tell you a bit about that—believe he already has. I’ll be down for dinner in a couple hours—to watch the sunset. I’ll leave you folk’s to whatever you were doin’.”

  He then picked up his spurs from the table, holding them in his hand as he walked across the floor and on into the hotel. His leather heels echoed back into the restaurant as he crossed the wooden flooring in the lobby. He then climbed the stairs and entered his room, closing the door behind him.

  The small group remained seated around that center table in the dining area of the restaurant. They sat there in silence for some time, each one contemplating what had just taken place among them. Misty was the first one to speak.

  “I want to go check on Digger, then I’ll come back and start dinner. Folk’s will be coming in soon.” She then stood up and practically ran out the door, thrilled within her heart.

  At that prompting most everyone else got up from the table. Judge Dawson and the sheriff remained seated. Margaret and Don stepped on outside and walked down the street toward the general store. Maggie had stepped out just behind them and started toward the saloon, walking alone. Lovella had made her way to the hotel desk in the lobby, and stood behind it in thought, staring out the front window.

  The judge looked over at Ben. “I wonder just how much more time I do have? Oh, I’m not afraid, Ben, or anything like that. In fact, he’s truly raised my curiosity regarding what’s coming next—up there, I mean,” he gestured, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling. “I suppose that when you actually come to understand that there is another life awaiting, things down here may tend to lose their importance. Yet, he told me to keep on doing ‘the right things,’ as he put it, while I remain here.”

  The judge then inhaled deeply and nodded at Ben. “Oh, I will do that, you have my assurance.” He then chuckled a bit. “I’m actually quite elated, Ben.”

  The sheriff leaned in toward him, not sure what he meant. “Elated—Judge?”

  “Yes—that means excited to the point that one could, in a manner of speaking, stand atop Lone Pine Creek without sinking.”

  The sheriff just shook his head. “Well, if you decide to try that, let me tag along. I’ll go ahead and bring a rope to fetch you on out—just in case, I mean,” he smiled.

  The judge grinned, then abruptly took on a more somber expression. “I saw a tear in his eye when he first started telling me that I didn’t have a whole lot of time left. When I contemplate his rank in the heavens, Ben, I am unable to comprehend such emotion toward a human—an earthly person?”

  Ben looked at the man. “Well, Judge—one look into that man’s eyes and you can see love—a deep love that warms you all up inside. I don’t really know much about such things, but I sure did feel it. It’s hard to compare it with anything—but I got this dog at my place that just warms up to me like nuthin’ you’ve ever seen. He was a stray when I took him in. He’s a happy critter now—never seen nuthin like it! And when he looks at me, I wanna’ say that his eyes are like Michael’s—warm and sparkly. Does that sound a mite strange?”

  “I don’t know Ben,” the judge responded. “I never owned a dog. You may want to ask John Replogle concerning that matter. But yes, the man’s eyes are indeed eyes of love. And, with love, there is always emotion. I suppose angels can cry like us? Well, I guess he did. It’s quite encouraging to learn that they do! It makes me begin to think somewhat differently about those in the heavens.”

  Lovella then walked into the dining area. “I heard you, Judge,” she smiled. “You know, there’s a place in the Bible that says that Jesus wept. In fact, it’s the shortest verse in the Bible. It all comes about when he goes into a town to visit the two sisters of a man that had just died. The sister that ran up to him in the street as he walked into town—she was cryin’ when she told him about it. Then he started cryin’. The book says, ‘Jesus wept.’”

  Lovella then pulled out a chair and sat down at the table with the two men. “The strange thing was, not long after he stood there and wept with her, he raised that man from the dead! I could never figure out why he would be cryin’ if he knew the man was gonna’ live again? But, when I heard what you just said, Judge, you’re right—maybe we ought to be thinkin’ differently about those up there that are in charge of things.”

  She leaned forward in her chair. “There’s a lot of verses in the Bible that teach about the patience and goodness and kindness and compassion of God. But when you talk to folk’s around here, and most everywhere else, God is mean and angry and vengeful and ready to do us in for the slightest mistake. Well, I don’t know about you, but after hearin’ Michael today—the things he said to all of us, and the kindness he showed us in comin’ here in the first place—I’m inclined to think differently about those who watch over us.”

  She leaned back in her chair and began to weep. The men were ta
ken aback and silent, not sure what to say to her. They’d never seen Lovella cry before. She soon regained control of herself, wiping at her eyes and then at her nose. She looked again at Ben and the Judge. Her eyes narrowed and her expression changed most suddenly.

  “Well, if what John Replogle said about Michael—about that he might be goin’ up there on that mountain to drive evil spirits away from it, then I hope the hell he kicks their ass’s down the hell off of there, and then drowns ’em in the Owens Lake! …Damn son’s of bitches—they’re probably responsible for all these foolish beliefs we have about God bein’ a mean and vengeful god! You men pardon my French!”

  She immediately stood up, slammed her chair in under the table, and stormed back into the hotel.

  The judge looked over at Ben with a slight grin on his face. “I think she wants to get into the fight, Ben.” He then sighed deeply. “On this particular day in my life I can’t say as I blame the woman.”

  “You got a point, Judge,” Ben nodded. “I’d like to ride with the man myself. This ol’ brush-buster’s still got some sand left in him.”

  The sunset was approaching when Bear Claw and Stalking Moon walked out of their village and into the rocks. Bear Claw put a hand on his son’s shoulder as they walked together.

  “It is always a great pleasure when you choose to join me in honoring the sunset, my son.”

  “It is the day before your birthday celebration begins, my father. This is a special time.”

  “There have been many clouds in the sky today. They now grow dark. The clouds to the west of us, above the mountain—they are thick. The sun may not paint the clouds that float over us as they normally do. This is a sign, my son.”

  “I have something to say to you, my father.”

  “Then speak.”

  “I know that you wait to tell me of the gray rider, but I have met with him this day, my father. In the tall rocks just below the mountain.”

  “I am not surprised, my son,” the old man smiled. “Your belief is stronger than mine has been in my old age. Too many moons have passed since the visions first appeared. I have grown weary of waiting. But now, knowing that you have seen him, my belief is strengthened, and I will tell you of things that you should know.”

  “The rider has told me of many things, my father, but he told me that he would honor you, so he did not tell me of the things that you were destined to tell me. Tell me now, my father. Then I will tell you of the great things he has spoken to me.”

  Bear Claw then pointed to the stand of rocks where he usually stopped and sat down to watch the setting of the sun. “Over there is a good place to talk, my son. Let us sit together there, as one.”

  They climbed a series of boulders, than sat atop the tallest one amidst the outcrop. Bear Claw removed a pelt of the coyote from around his shoulders and placed it atop the rock. He turned the fur upward and sat down upon it. “My bones need this comfort against the rock, my son,” he smiled.

  Stalking Moon acknowledged the words of the elder and sat down beside him. Bear Claw then began to speak.

  “Hear me now, my son. I am told that he is the greatest warrior among the spirits. An archangel—a prince of light and all that is good. But there is another great warrior—an evil and wicked one, who once lived in the heavens with the archangel. I am told they were boyhood friends among the angelic host, but parted as young men when the evil one rebelled against the Most High. This is an old legend, but I believe it to be true.

  “When the evil one parted, he came down and corrupted the earth, not long after its foundation had been cast. The earth, I am told, has remained his domain. He has passed his wickedness onto man, in that their hearts have been corrupted as well—from the very beginning of his encounter with them in a great garden—a garden of untold beauty that afterward became a wasteland, scorched by the sun and then destroyed by the waters of the Great Flood.

  “He once had strong power in the heavens, but again, he rebelled, and forfeited his place among the angelic host. He has since roamed the earth with great legions of other angelic beings, who serve him night and day. They are the corrupt ones who were cast out of heaven with this prince of darkness. They rule all the physical kingdoms of the earth, where men who are ignorant of their presence do their bidding. But we have been told that their time is short.

  “When the prince of darkness first rebelled, the Great Spirit grieved for him. It was not his will for any of the angelic host to rebel, but as creatures of choice they chose the dark way. The Great Spirit has been merciful for many, many years, allowing them time to acknowledge their corruption and repent—yet they refuse. During this time the Great Spirit has also gained many chosen ones—both of the angelic host and of mankind. They are the ones who will inherit all things when the prince of darkness is finally destroyed, and we are blessed with new heavens and a new earth. I long for those days, my son!

  “The ancient ones say that mankind is the Great Spirit’s most cherished love. Therefore, he sent his son—a part of himself, long ago, to redeem their spirits from corruption. He now waits for the roll call of those who will believe in him to be completed, whom he also knew from the foundation of the world. This is a deep teaching, my son—a Great Spirit with such unfathomable knowledge of all things from beginning to end; yet it is nonetheless the truth. Someday his list will be complete, and then evil will be destroyed and all things will me made new, as I have told you.

  “But, because there is at this time so much evil in the world, the Great Spirit must hold reign over the prince of darkness. When this prince rebels against the Spirit’s restraints on him, he goes to war with the angelic host, and tests the kindness and patience of the Great Spirit. The prince of darkness, who is desirous of all power, has no power like the Great Spirit, who must continually remind him of this. When you were a boy, my son, I had to remind you of things you could not do,” the elder smiled.

  “But this is a far greater thing,” he continued. “There have been many battles between those of the angelic host and those of the angels of darkness. We do not always know who wins these battles, but when the forces of darkness threaten to defile what the Spirit of God has protected, or they attempt to denounce what is sacred, or they rebel and do something in a way that he has chosen it will not be done; then a great warrior—an archangel is sent to defeat the rebellion—to scatter the forces of darkness to the four winds.

  “It is said that some go to a dreaded place, where they are put in chains and reserved for a greater judgment. Others are permitted to go to another place on the earth, it is said, where they recover and again seek to devour the lives of men and women—even children. No one knows why these things are this way, my son, but the Great Spirit knows all things, and his mercy is beyond understanding. He expects us only to trust him.

  “An archangel has been sent here—to this ground that we occupy. The mountain is high, and the evil spirits have ruled many kingdoms across the face of the land from this domain. It is said that the prince of darkness himself has been on the mountain. But the old ones have said that the Great Spirit, who created all things, has a fruitful plan for this mountain. From this time on, the year of the bear and forward, good will come from it. Men will see the beauty of the Creator from atop the mountain. As a result of men’s eyes being opened, words will be spoken and words will be written that will encourage many.

  “The evil forces will be gone from this place—no longer permitted to return. No longer will they hold the great mountain in darkness. The sun will radiate upon it when they are gone, and the people of the land will rejoice. I have beforehand told you of the dream, my son. The dream in which I saw many people—both men and women, climbing the mountain. The animals were at peace. The great birds returned and the people of this valley honored the mountain.”

  Bear Claw then looked into the eyes of his son. “I am told the gray rider is the archangel, and now that you have seen him, tell me what he has spoken to you, my son. Will it be as my dreams
have foretold? Is he the Ghost Rider that will avenge the souls that the evil spirits have destroyed? Does he come to visit me tomorrow—on the first night of the full moon, in this year of the bear?”

  “He is indeed the archangel, my father. But he is not the Ghost Rider who avenges the souls of the innocent. He is the mighty prince of the Most High, who will dispel the evil from the mountain. He is the Ancient One, who has since the world began protected the chosen ones of the Most High. He will disperse the evil, and leave their judgment in the hands of the Most High—the one we know as The Great Spirit.

  “He has told me, my father, that I will someday ride with him. His horse is indeed a brother to Wind Spirit. The valiant, gray horse that he once rode, centuries ago in the kingdom of Babylon and many other places, is now free to roam the great pastures of the heavens. This great mount that he now rides, Spirit Rider, brother to my horse, will be with him for an undetermined amount of time.

  “I will be with him as well, with Wind Spirit under me—we will serve him in his legions. He tells me that I am destined to be his armor bearer—it is a figurative word in the heavens, which means one who serves him as a brother, attends to his needs, helps him in battle, and sees that all things under his rule are carried out. He said that this time for me to be with him will come soon.”

  Stalking Moon looked up toward the great mountain. There was a smile on his face. He then turned his head back toward the elder. “I am anxious, my father. But does this make you sad that I will walk no more with you among these great rocks?”

  “This is good news, my son. This is the year of the bear. I have dreamed of this as well. You will meet the great bear that you fought with as a boy. I do not know the outcome of this meeting, as I have told you, but after that your time to depart draws near. I see you standing below the mountain, among these great rocks, and then you are no more. The great boulder you were standing on top of remains, but its color has lightened.”