Pursued, Overtaken and Destroyed

*Western Novella! Without warning, along came a stranger strolling down the red dirt road. The prairie pilgrim carried in his hands just a Bible and a Bowie knife. He was not known by the ruthless men and women of the gang. They were perched on the edge of a cliff like a covey of ravenous vultures. The thirteen thieves glanced at their grim leader for a judgment. He took one look at the weary vagabond and shook his head. The humble man obviously had nothing of value… except his soul. Therefore, he was worthless to them or anybody else in this world. “Kill him quietly and then dispose of the body before the caravan comes through here,” the leader boldly ordered without a second thought. “With pleasure,” said the first bloodthirsty thief who was a murderous midwife nicknamed Little Tera. The others silently drew out their knives and swords. The human vultures moved as one onto the road. The simple stranger stopped in his tracks. He did not fear the thieves… for he had nothing left to steal. The prairie pilgrim held up his hands and bowed his head in surrender. The dogeared Bible fluttered in the hot San Ana winds. The thirteen blades sliced and pierced his chest and back. The pilgrim fell as he unwillingly prepared to give up the ghost. The evil leader moved swiftly as he struck the final blow. And then the poor man’s spirit departed. Before their bloody plan could be completed, the caravan of gold roared onto the scene. The first armed carriage came upon the carnage and then it skidded to a halt. A cloud of red dust billowed and then blew away as the cavalry soldiers alighted from their steeds. The angry young officers drew their swords as they awaited the orders from the federal marshal. At the rear of the caravan, the owners of the bank branches poked their heads out of the private carriages. The pious men wondered what grievous act had stalled their prosperous journey to San Francisco. Then the acrid smell and ugly sight of the innocent man’s bloody body struck them like a gateway to Hell. The chief banker, a Jewish zealot among his brother bankers, instantly judged the heinous crime and pronounced, “Capture the murderers. They have shed innocent blood. Let not one of them escape. They have committed a terrible crime. There must be retribution, so that the wrath of God may be purged from the land. Blood for blood… life for life.”