“Mr. Hewlett, it is getting to be a long trek down into the cave. We might need to think about more precautions and procedures to help make this a bit easier,” said Conrad.
“What do you have in mind?” asked Paul.
“We should lay in some food, such as MRE’s, along the way in case of emergency. Also we could have batteries, extra lights, rope, cell phones other things we might need.”
“Well, let’s think about it. Meanwhile let’s get some rest, I want to go back early tomorrow.”
“OK.”
Neither slept solidly and both appeared the worse for it as the sun came up the next morning.
After a quick breakfast they were soon down into the cave. With each descent they became more sure of themselves and more familiar with the terrain and this helped them move more efficiently through the underground caverns.
Paul decided they would move on past the incredible discovery of the pyramid and see where the passage went from there. Neither man spoke. Each was thinking thoughts of what surprises yet lay ahead. They also felt uneasy thought neither told the other that was the case.
“It’s time to start leaving reference marks on the cave wall just in case we get lost we can find our way back,” said Paul. With that Conrad pulled out a large grease marking pen and made a big yellow arrow pointing the way to where they had come.
“How’s that?”
“That’ll do fine,” said Paul.
They crept along for nearly an hour all the whiled sending at a slight decline and with no great difficulty on the well defined pathway. There was an increasing odor in the atmosphere of the cave, a slightly sulphurous smell. Both men knew that oil wells frequently drilled into deposits of hydrogen sulfide, H2S, a lethal gas that smelled like rotten eggs, which had felled many an unwary rig hand or driller.
“Did you bring a sniffer?”
“Yes,” said Conrad. He pulled out the small instrument used to detect dangerous gasses. He took a reading. “It shows positive for hydrogen sulfide but not a dangerous level.”
“OK, we’ll check it again soon,” said Paul. And they continued slowly on. “It doesn’t take much for that gas to kill. We’ll have to stay on our toes.
It was getting noticeably warmer and they began to detect a slight, occasional tremor, adding to their discomfort level.
They passed more statues and bas reliefs on the walls, all bearing a strong resemblance to the Mayan art of the Yucatan and other locations.
“I have never read of the Mayans or related tribes in this area, I am sure it is not on any historical record. But this is obviously proof they were here. How long ago?” mused Paul. “This is a valuable discovery!”
“But this is a discovery we will not be able to share with the world, isn’t that so?” asked Paul.
“Well, yes, you are correct. That would upset all of my plans. Perhaps one day we will be able to disclose this but not in any immediate future.”
Now they approached what appeared to be a crude arch cut in the stone and covered with a large, round flat stone set on edge and decorated with pictographs and symbols.
“This looks like a calendar,” said Paul. “I wonder what it says?”
Suddenly Paul heard the voice of El Indio, as if he were there with them!
“This is a warning! It says go no farther or you risk unleashing the true demons of Hell!”
“I hate it when you do that!” Paul yelled out.
“What?” asked Conrad. “Do what? I don’t know what you are talking about,” said a startled Conrad.
“Sorry,” said Paul. I think El Indio is inside my head again. I heard him speak. He said this was a warning and should go no farther”
“Maybe he’s right, at least for today,” said Conrad.
“I think you are right. Let’s backtrack back out.”
Paul checked his watch. It took much less time to exit the cave than it had taken them to reach their stopping point. Soon they were back at the ranch house and enjoying supper.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
WNWN XXXIII
Paul decided they would move on pas the incredible discovery of the pyramid and see where the passage went from there. Neither man spoke. Each was thinking thoughts of what surprises yet lay ahead. They also felt uneasy though neither told the other that was the case.
“It’s time to start leaving reference marks on the cave wall just in case we get lost we can find our way back,” said Paul. With that Conrad pulled out a large grease marking pen and made a big yellow arrow pointing the way to where they had come.
“How’s that?”
“That’ll do fine,” said Paul.
They crept along for nearly an hour all the while descending at a slight decline and with no great difficulty on the well defined pathway. There was an increasing odor in the atmosphere of the cave, a slightly sulphurous smell. Both men knew that oil wells frequently drilled into deposits of hydrogen sulfide, H2S, a lethal gas that smelled like rotten eggs, which had felled many an unwary rig hand or driller.
“Did you bring a sniffer?”
“Yes,” said Conrad. He pulled out the small instrument used to detect dangerous gasses. He took a reading. “It shows positive for hydrogen sulfide but not a dangerous level.”
“OK, we’ll check it again soon,” said Paul. And they continued slowly on. “It doesn’t take much for that gas to kill. We’ll have to stay on our toes.
It was getting noticeably warmer and they began to detect a slight, occasional tremor, adding to their discomfort level.
They passed more statues and bas reliefs on the walls, all bearing a strong resemblance to the Mayan art of the Yucatan and other locations.
“I have never read of the Mayans or related tribes in this area, I am sure it is not on any historical record. But this is obviously proof they were here. How long ago?” mused Paul. “This is a valuable discovery!”
“But this is a discovery we will not be able to share with the world, isn’t that so?” asked Paul.
“Well, yes, you are correct. That would upset all of my plans. Perhaps one day we will be able to disclose this but not in any immediate future.”
Now they approached what appeared to be a crude arch cut in the stone and covered with a large, round flat stone set on edge and decorated with pictographs and symbols.
“This looks like a calendar,” said Paul. “I wonder what it says?”
Suddenly Paul heard the voice of El Indio, as if he were there with them!
“This is a warning! It says go no farther or you risk unleashing the true demons of Hell!”
“I hate it when you do that!” Paul yelled out.
“What?” asked Conrad. “Do what? I don’t know what you are talking about,” said a startled Conrad.
“Sorry,” said Paul. I think El Indio is inside my head again. I heard him speak. He said this was a warning and should go no farther”
“Maybe he’s right, at least for today,” said Conrad.
“I think you are right. Let’s backtrack back out.”
Paul checked his watch. It took much less time to exit the cave than it had taken them to reach their stopping point. Soon they were back at the ranch house and enjoying supper.
“It’s time to start leaving reference marks on the cave wall just in case we get lost we can find our way back,” said Paul. With that Conrad pulled out a large grease marking pen and made a big yellow arrow pointing the way to where they had come.
“How’s that?”
“That’ll do fine,” said Paul.
They crept along for nearly an hour all the while descending at a slight decline and with no great difficulty on the well defined pathway. There was an increasing odor in the atmosphere of the cave, a slightly sulphurous smell. Both men knew that oil wells frequently drilled into deposits of hydrogen sulfide, H2S, a lethal gas that smelled like rotten eggs, which had felled many an unwary rig hand or driller.
“Did you bring a sniffer?”
“Yes,” said Conrad. He pulled out the small instrument used to detect dangerous gasses. He took a reading. “It shows positive for hydrogen sulfide but not a dangerous level.”
“OK, we’ll check it again soon,” said Paul. And they continued slowly on. “It doesn’t take much for that gas to kill. We’ll have to stay on our toes.
It was getting noticeably warmer and they began to detect a slight, occasional tremor, adding to their discomfort level.
They passed more statues and bas reliefs on the walls, all bearing a strong resemblance to the Mayan art of the Yucatan and other locations.
“I have never read of the Mayans or related tribes in this area, I am sure it is not on any historical record. But this is obviously proof they were here. How long ago?” mused Paul. “This is a valuable discovery!”
“But this is a discovery we will not be able to share with the world, isn’t that so?” asked Paul.
“Well, yes, you are correct. That would upset all of my plans. Perhaps one day we will be able to disclose this but not in any immediate future.”
Now they approached what appeared to be a crude arch cut in the stone and covered with a large, round flat stone set on edge and decorated with pictographs and symbols.
“This looks like a calendar,” said Paul. “I wonder what it says?”
Suddenly Paul heard the voice of El Indio, as if he were there with them!
“This is a warning! It says go no farther or you risk unleashing the true demons of Hell!”
“I hate it when you do that!” Paul yelled out.
“What?” asked Conrad. “Do what? I don’t know what you are talking about,” said a startled Conrad.
“Sorry,” said Paul. I think El Indio is inside my head again. I heard him speak. He said this was a warning and should go no farther”
“Maybe he’s right, at least for today,” said Conrad.
“I think you are right. Let’s backtrack back out.”
Paul checked his watch. It took much less time to exit the cave than it had taken them to reach their stopping point. Soon they were back at the ranch house and enjoying supper.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
WNWN XXXII
The two stared in astonishment at the incredible sight.
“Who could have done this?” Conrad was astonished.
Paul, equally astonished, said “I don’t know but the similarity is obvious with the ancient ruins of far southern Mexico and the Yucatan.”
“Yes, you’re right. This looks much like the pyramid at Chichenitza,” said Conrad.
“Well, let’s push on today and we will explore this area later. I want to see where these caves go,” said Paul.
“I’m with you all the way,” said Conrad.
So they continued on, down a narrow, slowly descending path that wound along rocky outcroppings. Occasionally the path would lead into other large room like spaces and more wall paintings, engravings and carvings were seen along the way, each apparently depicting grotesque figures in what resembled Mayan ceremonial dress. The light from their flashlights and helmet lights only penetrated the darkness in their immediate vicinity and created fantastic shapes and shadows on the cave wall.
“Man this place is creepy!” Conrad said as he kept a wary eye on the trail.
Soon they were near the base of the long stairway which ran up the right side of the pyramid. Conrad, who was leading the way, came to a quick halt.
“Stop!” Conrad held out his arms to catch Paul. “Shine your light over here.”
Paul moved his light to the spot Conrad was lighting. He saw there a pit, maybe twenty feet deep.
“I nearly stepped off into it but when my step found no floor I pointed the light to my foot and saw this drop.”
They peered over the precipice and both men shined their lights into the darkness. There below was a huge pile of bones and very human skulls.
“My guess is that these are the remains of sacrificial victims,” said Paul.
“Who were these people? Where did they get all of these victims?” asked Conrad.
“I can’t imagine,” said Paul. “This raises more questions than I can answer. How did they build something like this underground? How did they get these blocks here, and from where?”
.
“Who could have done this?” Conrad was astonished.
Paul, equally astonished, said “I don’t know but the similarity is obvious with the ancient ruins of far southern Mexico and the Yucatan.”
“Yes, you’re right. This looks much like the pyramid at Chichenitza,” said Conrad.
“Well, let’s push on today and we will explore this area later. I want to see where these caves go,” said Paul.
“I’m with you all the way,” said Conrad.
So they continued on, down a narrow, slowly descending path that wound along rocky outcroppings. Occasionally the path would lead into other large room like spaces and more wall paintings, engravings and carvings were seen along the way, each apparently depicting grotesque figures in what resembled Mayan ceremonial dress. The light from their flashlights and helmet lights only penetrated the darkness in their immediate vicinity and created fantastic shapes and shadows on the cave wall.
“Man this place is creepy!” Conrad said as he kept a wary eye on the trail.
Soon they were near the base of the long stairway which ran up the right side of the pyramid. Conrad, who was leading the way, came to a quick halt.
“Stop!” Conrad held out his arms to catch Paul. “Shine your light over here.”
Paul moved his light to the spot Conrad was lighting. He saw there a pit, maybe twenty feet deep.
“I nearly stepped off into it but when my step found no floor I pointed the light to my foot and saw this drop.”
They peered over the precipice and both men shined their lights into the darkness. There below was a huge pile of bones and very human skulls.
“My guess is that these are the remains of sacrificial victims,” said Paul.
“Who were these people? Where did they get all of these victims?” asked Conrad.
“I can’t imagine,” said Paul. “This raises more questions than I can answer. How did they build something like this underground? How did they get these blocks here, and from where?”
.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Waste Not Want Not, Chapter XXXI
The next morning found the two back in the first entry chamber of the cave. They had plenty of gear which they had been storing in the entrance.
Today they decided to explore a small opening they had not yet been into. The hole was about four feet high and around three feet across.
The men were wearing coveralls, tucked into their hiking boots. They each wore a miner’s hard hat with it’s lamp over the brim.
“I’ll go in first,” said Conrad.
Conrad crawled into the cave on all fours. He had a coil of line hooked onto his belt. Paul fed the line back through the opening and attached it firmly to a climbing piton driven into the cave wall.
In a few minutes Conrad spoke to Paul on the small two way radio just like the one Paul had.
“I am through into what looks like another large chamber.”
Paul replied “I hear you loud and clear. Hold on and I’ll send you a bigger light.”
Paul then took a powerful flashlight and looped the cord around it.
“OK, pull it through.”
“My God! There is something here. You’ve got to see this!” Conrad’s voice crackled with excitement.
“OK. I’ll join you as soon as I can get through here,” Paul answered.
Paul entered and slowly crawled towards the light he could see through the tunnel. Paul had always had a touch of claustrophobia, He did not like being in a place like this but he was able to once again muster his will and self control and put his nervousness aside.
Soon he emerged and joined Conrad.
“Look,” said Conrad as he shone his light into the inky darkness.
There, before them, was an incredible sight. It was a pyramid, very much like the great pyramid at Chichen Itza known as El Castillo, meaning castle, in Spanish. It was built on a much smaller scale but an amazing sight to see so far underground.
Paul had done some research on the Mayas and he knew that Chichen Itza could be translated as “At the mouth of the well of the Itza.” The Itza were living alongside the Mayans on the north. They were able to maintain an autonomous nation though they were well located into Mayan territory. However they dominated their area politically, culturally and spoke their own language.
The Mayans believed they had magical powers and did not violate their autonomy.
The Spanish called them Brujas del Aqua or “water sorcerers.”
There was also a large cave near Chichen Itza which was believed to be a sacred place.
Ever since Paul had first seen some of the structures in the ante chamber he had made a connection with the Mayas or a similar culture. He was sure of it now. He was also beginning to think El Indio may have been telling him the truth all along.
Today they decided to explore a small opening they had not yet been into. The hole was about four feet high and around three feet across.
The men were wearing coveralls, tucked into their hiking boots. They each wore a miner’s hard hat with it’s lamp over the brim.
“I’ll go in first,” said Conrad.
Conrad crawled into the cave on all fours. He had a coil of line hooked onto his belt. Paul fed the line back through the opening and attached it firmly to a climbing piton driven into the cave wall.
In a few minutes Conrad spoke to Paul on the small two way radio just like the one Paul had.
“I am through into what looks like another large chamber.”
Paul replied “I hear you loud and clear. Hold on and I’ll send you a bigger light.”
Paul then took a powerful flashlight and looped the cord around it.
“OK, pull it through.”
“My God! There is something here. You’ve got to see this!” Conrad’s voice crackled with excitement.
“OK. I’ll join you as soon as I can get through here,” Paul answered.
Paul entered and slowly crawled towards the light he could see through the tunnel. Paul had always had a touch of claustrophobia, He did not like being in a place like this but he was able to once again muster his will and self control and put his nervousness aside.
Soon he emerged and joined Conrad.
“Look,” said Conrad as he shone his light into the inky darkness.
There, before them, was an incredible sight. It was a pyramid, very much like the great pyramid at Chichen Itza known as El Castillo, meaning castle, in Spanish. It was built on a much smaller scale but an amazing sight to see so far underground.
Paul had done some research on the Mayas and he knew that Chichen Itza could be translated as “At the mouth of the well of the Itza.” The Itza were living alongside the Mayans on the north. They were able to maintain an autonomous nation though they were well located into Mayan territory. However they dominated their area politically, culturally and spoke their own language.
The Mayans believed they had magical powers and did not violate their autonomy.
The Spanish called them Brujas del Aqua or “water sorcerers.”
There was also a large cave near Chichen Itza which was believed to be a sacred place.
Ever since Paul had first seen some of the structures in the ante chamber he had made a connection with the Mayas or a similar culture. He was sure of it now. He was also beginning to think El Indio may have been telling him the truth all along.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Waste Not, Want Not, Chapter XXX
The relationship between the two men far transcended their professional relationship. Even so Conrad was always reluctant to discuss Paul’s business. He usually kept that part strictly business and it wasn’t his business! So the question Paul asked as they sat and sipped their drinks was unusual.
“Mr. Hewitt?” Paul quizzed, he still referred to Paul as Mr. Hewitt.
“Just what is it you plan to do with this cave and this place?”
“Well Conrad, you might as well know. Myself and some of my associates want to use this place as a secret storage for nuclear fissionable materials and weapons banned in the SALT Treaty and other arms agreements with the former Soviets. Also we want to store some discontinued research projects we think have potential,” replied Paul.
Paul continued. “The possession of these weapons and materials are in direct violation of all of our arms agreement with the old USSR and the current agreements as well. So we decided to do this covertly and without the knowledge of the U.S. government. We already have a few small such sites sprinkled around in remote and mostly unknown places. We figured we might need these things again someday so we want to be prepared.”
Paul took a drink and went on. “We thought this place might be the best site we have found so far. It is unknown and isolated and the cavern here is big enough to hold a huge inventory.”
Paul described how he and his associates did not trust the Russians and he said they certainly did not trust the new Russian President.
“Vladimir Putin is old KGB. I would never trust him. I think he is still, at heart, a dedicated cold war warrior and I don’t think we should ever turn our back to him.”
“Are there other storage sites around the country?” asked Conrad.
“Oh yes, and in other countries too. We have managed to keep a lid on it pretty well. You didn’t even know,” said Paul.
“Well, I’m not going to give up on this project,” said Paul. “We’re going back down into the cave again and then, if it checks out as I hope it well, we will return to Washington and start moving forward.”
“You know I have always backed you up and have been willing to help on whatever you are doing but I am having a seriously bad feeling about this. I really think we should shut that hole up and get the hell out of here, “ said Conrad.
“We’re not going to do that. I have spent too much time and money and I want to get it done. If you have a problem with this, you can take a vacation for awhile, go anywhere you want and stay as long as like, all expenses paid.”
“No, I don’t want to do that. I am with you no matter what,” said Conrad.
“Mr. Hewitt?” Paul quizzed, he still referred to Paul as Mr. Hewitt.
“Just what is it you plan to do with this cave and this place?”
“Well Conrad, you might as well know. Myself and some of my associates want to use this place as a secret storage for nuclear fissionable materials and weapons banned in the SALT Treaty and other arms agreements with the former Soviets. Also we want to store some discontinued research projects we think have potential,” replied Paul.
Paul continued. “The possession of these weapons and materials are in direct violation of all of our arms agreement with the old USSR and the current agreements as well. So we decided to do this covertly and without the knowledge of the U.S. government. We already have a few small such sites sprinkled around in remote and mostly unknown places. We figured we might need these things again someday so we want to be prepared.”
Paul took a drink and went on. “We thought this place might be the best site we have found so far. It is unknown and isolated and the cavern here is big enough to hold a huge inventory.”
Paul described how he and his associates did not trust the Russians and he said they certainly did not trust the new Russian President.
“Vladimir Putin is old KGB. I would never trust him. I think he is still, at heart, a dedicated cold war warrior and I don’t think we should ever turn our back to him.”
“Are there other storage sites around the country?” asked Conrad.
“Oh yes, and in other countries too. We have managed to keep a lid on it pretty well. You didn’t even know,” said Paul.
“Well, I’m not going to give up on this project,” said Paul. “We’re going back down into the cave again and then, if it checks out as I hope it well, we will return to Washington and start moving forward.”
“You know I have always backed you up and have been willing to help on whatever you are doing but I am having a seriously bad feeling about this. I really think we should shut that hole up and get the hell out of here, “ said Conrad.
“We’re not going to do that. I have spent too much time and money and I want to get it done. If you have a problem with this, you can take a vacation for awhile, go anywhere you want and stay as long as like, all expenses paid.”
“No, I don’t want to do that. I am with you no matter what,” said Conrad.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
WNWN chap. XXIX
El Indio had left and Paul sat down and watched Conrad. Conrad had him worried. Conrad had been in combat, he had carried out covert operations, he had run spy rings in hostile foreign countries. He had faithfully protected Paul on several occasions when he had been physically threatened. Now Conrad seemed to have lost his nerve.
Paul spoke softly to Conrad. “Conrad, go ahead and take a nap or a walk, I am going to be busy for a while. I’ll let you know when I am ready to go back down to the cave.”
Paul clicked on his computer and began doing some minor tasks. He wanted to let Conrad relax. He felt in no hurry and he thought Conrad needed some time.
Conrad took a walk outside, but not too far from the ranch house.
He sat down in a lawn chair in the shade. Soon he dozed off and when Paul checked on him he decided to let him sleep for a while.
Paul decided to take a walk. It was warm and muggy outside with a good breeze blowing. Paul walked out to where the untrimmed brush was growing and followed along the brush line.
The air was thick and oppressive, breaths came harder. He soon was sweating. He felt weak and had to fight for a breath. Panic swelled within and he turned to find his way back. His head was swirling and he had trouble maintaining balance. As he neared the house he thought he saw something, shimmering shapes in the sun, before his eyes.
Paul fought against this impairment and confusion. “Control,” he said to himself. “I must keep in control of my self!” Paul was iron willed and he slowly brought himself back to near normalcy any way. He soon saw the ranch house. He saw Conrad, still asleep beneath the tree.
“Conrad!” he shouted. “Wake up! Let’s go in, something strange is going on.”
“What, what is it?” Conrad spoke groggily as he came out of his deep sleep.
“Look! Do you see something?” Paul pointed towards the translucent apparitions. To Paul they appeared similar to the waves of the aurora borealis or possibly, he thought, they were ghosts or spirits. Whatever they were they were shimmering, growing alternately darker and then brighter. They moved a bit up, down, sideways, but slowly and no great distances. Paul was entranced.
“I don’t see anything!” Conrad blurted.
Paul then realized this was not real. He once again called on his substantial inner reserve and exerted his mental control over his body and, he realized, over his reality. The hallucination, or whatever it was, immediately disappeared.
Paul then heard a voice speaking to him, not out loud but in his mind! It was the voice of El Indio! “You did the right thing. Stay secure in your power and nothing can touch you or do harm.”
Now Paul was shook! He turned around and slowly walked back and into the ranch house.
“I need a drink!” He poured a stiff whiskey. “You need one?”
Conrad sat up. “Yeah!”
They poured them down and then poured two more.
“Conrad, you are right. There is a lot more going on here than I thought.”
Paul spoke softly to Conrad. “Conrad, go ahead and take a nap or a walk, I am going to be busy for a while. I’ll let you know when I am ready to go back down to the cave.”
Paul clicked on his computer and began doing some minor tasks. He wanted to let Conrad relax. He felt in no hurry and he thought Conrad needed some time.
Conrad took a walk outside, but not too far from the ranch house.
He sat down in a lawn chair in the shade. Soon he dozed off and when Paul checked on him he decided to let him sleep for a while.
Paul decided to take a walk. It was warm and muggy outside with a good breeze blowing. Paul walked out to where the untrimmed brush was growing and followed along the brush line.
The air was thick and oppressive, breaths came harder. He soon was sweating. He felt weak and had to fight for a breath. Panic swelled within and he turned to find his way back. His head was swirling and he had trouble maintaining balance. As he neared the house he thought he saw something, shimmering shapes in the sun, before his eyes.
Paul fought against this impairment and confusion. “Control,” he said to himself. “I must keep in control of my self!” Paul was iron willed and he slowly brought himself back to near normalcy any way. He soon saw the ranch house. He saw Conrad, still asleep beneath the tree.
“Conrad!” he shouted. “Wake up! Let’s go in, something strange is going on.”
“What, what is it?” Conrad spoke groggily as he came out of his deep sleep.
“Look! Do you see something?” Paul pointed towards the translucent apparitions. To Paul they appeared similar to the waves of the aurora borealis or possibly, he thought, they were ghosts or spirits. Whatever they were they were shimmering, growing alternately darker and then brighter. They moved a bit up, down, sideways, but slowly and no great distances. Paul was entranced.
“I don’t see anything!” Conrad blurted.
Paul then realized this was not real. He once again called on his substantial inner reserve and exerted his mental control over his body and, he realized, over his reality. The hallucination, or whatever it was, immediately disappeared.
Paul then heard a voice speaking to him, not out loud but in his mind! It was the voice of El Indio! “You did the right thing. Stay secure in your power and nothing can touch you or do harm.”
Now Paul was shook! He turned around and slowly walked back and into the ranch house.
“I need a drink!” He poured a stiff whiskey. “You need one?”
Conrad sat up. “Yeah!”
They poured them down and then poured two more.
“Conrad, you are right. There is a lot more going on here than I thought.”
Thursday, May 14, 2009
WNWN XXVIII
The two men had finished breakfast and were drinking their coffee as they considered their course of action.
Conrad had been clearly affected by the nightmare experience of the leaping, phantom jaguar.
“Mr. Hewlett, I don’t think we should go back in that cave,” said Conrad. "I think El Indio is telling the truth.”
Paul stared at Conrad for a while.
“Conrad, you have never been, …un-nerved…like this before,” said Paul.
“We’ve never seen anything like this. I don’t like it.” Conrad was nervous, fidgety.
Paul didn’t like the look of this. He depended on Conrad’s backup.
“You’ll just have to get a hold of yourself man! Buck it up!” Paul spoke forcefully, much like a sports coach.
“Well, I am going back down there. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I’ll go by myself.”
Conrad looked crushed, his face flushed. He didn’t say anything for a while, then he said “I’ll go. I can’t let you down.”
“Look, we’ll take a break today and rest and go back tomorrow. OK?” Paul patted Conrad on each shoulder reassuringly.
“Yeah, Ok,”
Conrad went out to the deck to exercise. Paul returned to his workload which he had brought along.
Just before noon El Indio appeared on the front porch and knocked at the door.
Paul welcomed him and he took a seat at the table with Paul. He accepted a cup of tea.
“Senor Hewlett, please, you must give up the idea of going back into the cave. The spirits know of your presence And they are waiting for you. Already some have come out into the world. I have been able to force them back but it is hard to do,” El Indio pleaded.
“I know you don’t believe me but I am telling the truth,”
“It doesn’t really matter if you are telling the truth or not. I am going ahead with my plans no matter what. This is my place and I can do what I want.” Paul was emphatic in his speech. He was full of mixed emotions, fear, anger, resentment and unusually for Paul, doubt, fatigue.
“I know you have plans for this place, for the cave. I don’t know exactly what but I know it is not to be a good thing. I feel there is an immense danger connected with your plans,” replied El Indio.
“Your plans will force the people of el rancho off the land. Their families have lived here for generations…they are part of this land.
They have nourished the land and raised the crops, tended to the cattle and horses and livestock…they are born here, give birth here, die here. And you will send them away?”
“The land is mine. All legal and proper. I paid for it and I can do what I will with it!” Paul fired back.
“You white men think you can ‘own’ the land! A foolish thought,” said El Indio. “You have a piece of paper, for which you exchanged other pieces of paper. For that you think you own the land! The people living here have spent their lives here as did their past generations. Their dead are buried here. Their children are born here. They have worked this land, protected it, made it bountiful. And you say that you own the land! Senor, that makes no sense in the real world.”
“In the real world as I know it this place belongs to me and I make the decisions as to what happens here,” Paul shot back.
Conrad had been clearly affected by the nightmare experience of the leaping, phantom jaguar.
“Mr. Hewlett, I don’t think we should go back in that cave,” said Conrad. "I think El Indio is telling the truth.”
Paul stared at Conrad for a while.
“Conrad, you have never been, …un-nerved…like this before,” said Paul.
“We’ve never seen anything like this. I don’t like it.” Conrad was nervous, fidgety.
Paul didn’t like the look of this. He depended on Conrad’s backup.
“You’ll just have to get a hold of yourself man! Buck it up!” Paul spoke forcefully, much like a sports coach.
“Well, I am going back down there. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I’ll go by myself.”
Conrad looked crushed, his face flushed. He didn’t say anything for a while, then he said “I’ll go. I can’t let you down.”
“Look, we’ll take a break today and rest and go back tomorrow. OK?” Paul patted Conrad on each shoulder reassuringly.
“Yeah, Ok,”
Conrad went out to the deck to exercise. Paul returned to his workload which he had brought along.
Just before noon El Indio appeared on the front porch and knocked at the door.
Paul welcomed him and he took a seat at the table with Paul. He accepted a cup of tea.
“Senor Hewlett, please, you must give up the idea of going back into the cave. The spirits know of your presence And they are waiting for you. Already some have come out into the world. I have been able to force them back but it is hard to do,” El Indio pleaded.
“I know you don’t believe me but I am telling the truth,”
“It doesn’t really matter if you are telling the truth or not. I am going ahead with my plans no matter what. This is my place and I can do what I want.” Paul was emphatic in his speech. He was full of mixed emotions, fear, anger, resentment and unusually for Paul, doubt, fatigue.
“I know you have plans for this place, for the cave. I don’t know exactly what but I know it is not to be a good thing. I feel there is an immense danger connected with your plans,” replied El Indio.
“Your plans will force the people of el rancho off the land. Their families have lived here for generations…they are part of this land.
They have nourished the land and raised the crops, tended to the cattle and horses and livestock…they are born here, give birth here, die here. And you will send them away?”
“The land is mine. All legal and proper. I paid for it and I can do what I will with it!” Paul fired back.
“You white men think you can ‘own’ the land! A foolish thought,” said El Indio. “You have a piece of paper, for which you exchanged other pieces of paper. For that you think you own the land! The people living here have spent their lives here as did their past generations. Their dead are buried here. Their children are born here. They have worked this land, protected it, made it bountiful. And you say that you own the land! Senor, that makes no sense in the real world.”
“In the real world as I know it this place belongs to me and I make the decisions as to what happens here,” Paul shot back.
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