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Old Dan
| Open Poetry #37 |
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Old Dan |
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XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia 
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Old Dan was always skittish. Superstitious... an easy fright. Spooked so many times in life, his hair was snowy white. Which is how he came to be called "Old Dan". His hate for the name was out delight. Often we'd sacrifice some unknowing soul, and sit back to watch the fight. We'd get some sidewalk commando to say the name and Dan would fly off like a flare. We'd break it up before it went too far; Just to save Old Dan from "The Chair". Hell, Dan won't no more than twenty five. A fittin' man to have around. But, Dan was mighty skittish every evening when the sun went down. He feared witches, ghost and goblins and all manner of beast from Hell. I guess we didn't help things none with some of the tales we'd tell. In the frequent camps that go along with hunting trips or week long runs... I'd share some songs, we'd pass the bong and we'd spin yarns just for fun. Jim Higgins was in our camp one night, drinkin' cactus by the fire. Jim was a hand at many things, but best known as a liar. Well, "liar" might be too harsh a word. Jim was a teller of tall tales. He talked of spectres and things from far beyond and Dan would sit and chew his nails. Jim got to talking 'bout them Pukwudjies. The little people of Native lore. We'd all seen a few a time or two, but Dan had never heard of one before. Pukwudjies are slick ! You'll lay something down... And it's gone when you look again. But what a Wudjie wants the most... Is a chance to steal your mind, my friend. You'll say, "I know that I just laid that down!" "I know I laid it down right here !" The Wudjies watch you from the dark. They laugh and scoff and sneer. Sometimes you catch a glimpse of one... from the corner of your eye... Just beyond the campfire's glow... You'll see one streaking by ! You turn and look... There's nothing there ! They huddle in the dark. Then all gets quiet...You relax a bit... Then they start to chuckin' bark. They'll throw a chunk here and toss a stick there... You'll jump and cock your gun ! Your palms get damp. Your heart beats fast ! It's just Wudjies having fun. I tell ya Hoss, they'll drive you mad if you give 'em half a chance. You gotta learn just to ignore 'em. Not give 'em a second glance. Well, the fuse was lit and the powder went off inside of Old Dan's head. He sat there, gnawing at his nails... Clinging to every word Jim said. "I've seem 'em Jim !", Old Dan yelled out "I think I've heard 'em too !" We all have Dan. I tried to console. Hell, Wudjies aint nothing new. Dan said, "But, I never knew what they was !" Old Dan's knees were knocking. And all that night...if a twig should fall... You'd hear Old Dan's hammer cocking. Next morning, he looked about half dead. Jim was feeling mighty sad. He said, "Dan, a Wudjie can't hurt you... They just try to drive you mad. What you done last night , Ol' Horse Is just what they want you to do. Now that you know how the critters work... Their tricks can't work on you." Dan said, "So, they's just sneaky, like a youngun' !" He looked up, hollow eyed and wept. Then he cried out, " Damn a Wudjie !" And that night Old Dan slept. One night we got to talking about the Sasquatch. Old Dan stuttered for a week. Once we told him 'bout the ghost of Old Bill Williams For two days he couldn't speak. Yeah, Old Dan was always skittish Superstitious... an easy fright. Been scared so many times in life His hair was prematurely white. But normal flesh and blood, no matter what form... Never saw Old Dan back down. Win, lose or draw with your back to the wall, He was a fittin' man to have around. More than once I've cursed my tongue For spinnin' so many a yarn. But I swear...it was all done in fun. I never meant no harm. We were all camped down by Lodge Pole Creek, lying cozy by the fire... When the subject turned to women and lust and the beautiful female vampire.... Hank "Maggot" Morgan brought the subject up. By saying how nice it would be If some gal came stumbling through the woods All lost and scared as could be... She'd come cozying up to the fire... and tell Hank her tale of grief... Hank said he was ... feeling some pressure and sure could use the relief. I said, "Your best bet would be to shoot her." Hank asked, "What the hell for?" I replied, "She'll drain you dry and leave you for dead !" " It's been known to happen before. Long ago... a group of men up in Wyoming found a gal lyin' naked beside a burnt wagon. Their mouths all started foaming Their tongues were almost draggin'. They didn't think it strange that she was alive While bodies lie strown all around. Men, women and children... butchered and burned She was the only survivor they found. She said Indians had killed all the others. They raped her and left her for dead. The men, having not seen a woman for far too long easily believed all she said. They doctored her healthy and she rode where they went. For days she played on their hearts. If a gal seeks your fire in the middle of the night... You'll turn tail and run if you're smart. The girl was a witch ! Of some ancient line... A changling ! She'd shift forms on command. All of the dead from the burnt wagon train Had come to their deaths by her hand. Just as she had achieved company with these boys... She had done the same with the train. Just as she'd slaughtered them all...everyone... She would slaughter and butcher again. The Indians say she flies as an eagle... Soaring from victim to prey. Landing...she would then change to the form which would best assist her in having her way. The form of this blue eyed, yellow haired lass was sure making points with this bunch. While the boys were hoping that they might get a taste, She was planning to have them for lunch. Soldiers found what was left of the crew... Throats ripped open and eyes plucked out ! 'Though they'd been dead for days... not a buzzard was seen... Just a huge eagle flying about. And there's vampire women that will suck your blood dry ! Their first kiss is also the last. They're always more beautiful than any you've seen And if you see one...You'd better move fast ! They sure can make your head spin, but keep your mind clear No matter what... Guard your post... They're nothing but parasites ! You'd best lend an ear ! They only want you as their host. Then there's the ones.... if they don't get you now... They attach themselves on... like a tick. It may take them years... But you're finally break So that when they spur... You won't kick . You see... Either way... You're doomed Ol' Pal They will drain you and leave you for dead. We all had a laugh and emptied our cups and soon settled down in our beds. I don't see the old Wild Bunch much anymore... Some are dead and some just moved on. I've settled down with wife and kids. My ramblin' days have long gone. I did get a letter from Old Dan last week. Hell... Dan is over fifty now ! He wants me to visit as soon as I can And I will... Soon as time will allow. He said he sure misses the old campfire trails. He doesn't get out much these days. They do have a recreation yard where he spends some time. But mostly, in the cells where he stays. Old Dan had a dry camp... up on Sadler's Ridge No fire... no provisions.... Just Dan In a dry camp you mostly only have what you're wearing and you get out as soon as you can . She had no notion that Dan would be there... When she entered his camp in the wood. She was just in the hills on an early morning hike... And Dan dropped her right where she stood. Old Dan was always skittish... |
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| © Copyright 2006 Larry F. Leake - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Larry....What a great storyteller you are!! |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
you should make that one into a book! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Besides all the chuckles that your story brought to me, passing shadow's comment "you should make that one into a book" also cracked me up! 'Cause I think you just did! lol ~ and I enjoyed every chapter! P.S. I never met a Wudjie or a Sasquatch I didn't like!  EA |
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WindWalker Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218 |
WOW! This is one of your Best! And yes you are a great storyteller!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
enjoyed this and you a lot...drew me in, cuz I once had a redbone coonhound called Dan... Glad I wandered in... great story! |
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