Bad night on the Prairie (Part 1)
The cowboy finished his cup of stale coffee.
Then... A last smoke, before turning in for the Night.
His compadres had already gone to count sheep... or lost cows... perhaps?
#
Just as he put out the stub of his hand-rolled cigarette... Something in the distance caught his attention.
A blue-green flash of light, in the direction of the nearby mountains... There were tales of Indian Caves,
and even of lost Spanish treasure, that one might stumble upon. But that light was very odd. So odd,
he just had to go and see what the heck it was. If it was maybe a lost treasure... He'd grab it... and then 'Go'.
#
Justin was as quiet as he could be. He got his horse... and rode out without waking his buddies.
Well, maybe not his true friends, but they were really not such a bad lot. They shared the many
hardships and occasional dangers of the long cattle drive... The heat and cold here. A sidewinder there...
Well, if he did find a treasure trove... Maybe, just... Maybe... He'd think of sharing what gold was 'Got'.
#
Yes, the light was indeed from the mouth of a cave.
The faded sign outside, near the entrance, was all written in a poor, sloppy hand. Must have been some
Old Timer... Just before he passed into the Next World. The sign read: "Bewares... Whoever dares enter... Here!"
Well, Justin was daring. Just enough and curious enough. He tied off his trusty horse at a tree, just outside the cave.
#
The light got even brighter, as Justin followed the winding path inside the cave. He passed a few rusted tools,
likely left by that Old Timer. Maybe a lone prospector, and the Gold... was Gone? Whoever had left the sign outside,
was clearly long departed: had left. "Nothing to show that anybody else has been here for some Time, it seems"
Justin thought out loud to Himself. "Golly... I hope there's something still... Here!" The colorful light changed to
a golden-silver color. Like... It was Alive! He had some matches ready on hand, in case the Light... Went 'Out'. But then...
#
Suddenly, it was as if a great hole had opened up, in the floor of the deep cave. And Justin... Fell through... Landing
somewheres... Far, far... Away? Yup! He passed out, after hitting 'bottom'. He woke up, hours later. But...
"Dang... I was in a cave, and now... I see a different bunch of mountains.
This ain't near where I left my cattle drive cohorts. This place is Strange!"
And it was, to a cowboy of the late 1800's. For the trail was not dirt now, but was covered in a black material.
And from aways off, a new light did appear. It was still Night. At least that was consistent. Justin... was scared.
#
Justin waved, at the approaching light... And loud sound... Of a Mustang.
Not the horse kind... Black, yes... But made of metal, running on 4 wheels.
The driver luckily saw the walking man in time... Pulled to a stop.
"Hey buddy... You trying to get killed? Walking in the middle of the highway.
Good for you my girlfriend stopped tickling my ear just about half a minute ago.
I don't need a manslaughter charge. Heck no!"
#
Justin noticed the odd clothes this stranger wore. This male was clearly much younger than he was...
And his mechanical 'horse' was like nothing he'd ever read about. Yeah, the iron horse (train) was fast. But ran on tracks.
"Hey, mister... What in tarnation... Is that?" Justin asked, pointing at the 'Thing'.
Teenage male: "You drunk or something, man? This is the 1967 Mustang. With the big block engine...
And glass-pack twin muffler pipes. You lost, or ya' crazy?"
The girlfriend got out of the passenger side. Looked over the cowboy-attired man.
"Cliff... This guy must be from that rodeo show we passed 50 miles back, I'd guess?"
"Shelly... You get back in the car. This guy's clearly off his rocker. Maybe on loco weed!"
Justin took offense, to any suggestion that he was 'crazy'... Or any other 'idea' they offered.
(End - of Part 1. More to come!)