Waste Not, Want Not Chapter VI

Sheriff Jim Brooke, they called him “Big Jim,” asked Fito why happened. Fito said that he had shot Manuel in self defense, the gun Manuel had threatened him with was there beside him on the ground.
The sheriff asked Fito why Manuel would want to shoot him. Fito replied that Manuel was jealous because his wife, Maria, had made advances toward him. Fito denied ever having anything to do with Maria and that his rejection had made her vindictive and driven her to make false accusations which had driven Manuel to such a thing.
The sheriff left some deputies to have a look around and further interrogate Fito and he and two others went to Maria and Manuel’s house. Maria was hysterical and could not talk to him.
The small group of lawmen went to another house and talked to the people there. The sheriff didn’t speak Spanish but a deputy did and was able to translate everyone’s testimony.
After hearing everyone speak the sheriff said there was nothing he could do at this moment. He said the case would be referred to a grand jury but he was not willing to file charges in what looked to him as a clear case of self defense.
Fito was not arrested and the sheriff and his deputies left the ranch after an ambulance carried away the body of Manuel.
That night a pall hung over the homes where the ranch hands and their families lived. They were afraid of Fito. They were angry about what had happened to Maria and Manuel. They knew no justice would ever be done in the Americano court room.
Many wanted to leave but times were hard and jobs not so easy to come by. Families could not be uprooted so quickly.
They met that night in the home of Rudolfo Garza and discussed their plight.
Miguel de la Parra had a suggestion. “There is a brujo,” he said. “I know a man who is well known as a curandero, a healer with herbs and plants. But some say he is also a powerful brujo with power

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and knowledge of the other worlds in the shadows. I will seek him out and explain what has happened here. Maybe he can provide us justice.”
They all knew about curanderos, folk healers that used a combination of old Indian and Spanish traditional cures mixed with a dash of mysticism and various native plants and other items. In many areas in this part of the country curanderos provided the only medical care people ever received.
Brujos were another matter entirely. Religious people, as most of these folks were, feared and despised brujos who they regarded as followers of satan. Brujos were said to be endowed with all sorts of fantastic powers and were capable changing into animals. Casting spells and many other unimaginable feats. It was known it was best not to think much less to talk about such things though many people carried charms or religious medallions to protect themselves from their powers. There was much discussion and many were afraid to consult such a man.
Juan Gonzales spoke up “We have no other choice but to seek out this man and see if he will speak with us. We will never get justice from the courts and we will never be free of Fito if we don’t get help from the brujo.
Finally it was agreed. They would send Miguel to talk to the man and see if he could help them.
The next morning none but Miguel left their houses and he took out at sunrise. Fito did not show himself.
It was after sundown when Miguel returned and he knocked on everyone’s doors and summoned them together for the news of his quest.
“He will come!” said Miguel. “He will be here tomorrow. Until then he said for us to go back to work but to avoid Fito. He said for us to collect some objects that belong to Fito or that he has had


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contact with. Maria’s dress would be such an item. Fito’s hat, a sock or some other clothing.”
Juan Rivera said that would be no problem since she did Fito’s laundry.
That night was a long one as the people struggled with their sense of outrage and their sense of fear. The next day Juana did what she said she would and they waited for the arrival of the brujo.
It was near dusk when a lone stranger appeared at Miguel’s door. All eyes were watching as the door opened and the man entered. Miguel invited him in to meet those waiting there.
His appearance was unassuming and not threatening in any way none dared approach too close.
He was an Indian of medium build, white hair, brown, weathered skin. He had black, penetrating eyes. He stood quietly erect and motioned for all to sit down.
“I am El Indio,” he said. “Miguel told me of your plight and I may be able to help. Do not be fearful of me. I am nothing but a humble man and I do not worship Satan and I only try to do good works. I normally work to heal people with ancient methods but I may be able to help Fito to pay for his crimes.”
“Will you do something to him?” asked Miguel.
“I will not lay a hand on him and I do not condone violence but I can help justice on its way.”
Everyone listened intently as El Indio spoke. The fear they had initially felt had melted away into respect and perhaps a touch of awe. They felt they could trust him and a bond was established. He told them to go about their business as normally as possible and to avoid Fito. He said he come back and talk to them in a few days and in the meantime he was going to be staying on the ranch camping out in the woods. No one was to speak to him if they should see him and no one was to tell Fito he was here or that they

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even knew of him. He told them they needed to put the whole affair out of their minds as much as possible until he returned to talk to them.
With a high degree of uneasiness the people retired to their homes there to await the unknown events that they felt sure were about to unfold.
For several days an uneasy truce existed on the ranch. Fito was not seen and everyone went about their work as planned. No sign of El Indio was seen and no one spoke of him. Even though they tried not to think about it a strong sense of anticipation and anxiety began to build. Then one day strange things began to happen.
The first thing that happened occurred one afernoon when Fito was seen to rush from his home in a seemingly terrified state. He was screaming and flailing about with his arms. He ran and jumped into a nearby stock tank. He thrashed and splashed about for a full fifteen minutes before he emerged and with a dazed look, staggered back into the house.
For the next few days he took no food and would not allow servants or anyone else in the house. At night screams and howls could be heard from within and in the day hammering and sawing could be heard. No one knew what was going on but none doubted that it was the work of El Indio.
One morning, shortly after sunrise, the clamor began to reach a higher intensity and Fito was seen to come running out of the back door. His expression was one of utmost terror and without a word or a sidelong glance he ran across the pasture and off into the brush. He was never seen again.
The following day there was no sign of him. Two days passed with no evidence that Fito had ever returned. It was decided to report this to the sheriff. Before too long search parties were sent out, some with dogs, but no trace of Fito was found.

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The sheriff was very suspicious of some kind of foul play and spent many hours roaming the ranch and talking to the residents but eventually he gave up the search after finding no clues or any indications of solving this mystery.
No one talked of El Indio and his name was never mentioned to the sheriff.
The people of the ranch had not seen or heard from El Indio since Fito’s disappearance until one day a note came to Miguel. It was from El Indio and asked that the people meet with him the following night in Miguel’s house.
That night El Indio told them that they would have nothing to fear from Fito. He told them he had not harmed Fito or touched him. “Fito had to face his own guilt and he could not take it,” said El Indio. “Go on with your lives and all will be well. I will help you if you need my help again.” With that he said good night and took his leave.