Chapter 2:
Two days after the seemingly tame bear finished the hapless Adams and his native cohort, Jack heard the unmistakable bleat of a mule, followed by angry shouting and soft muttering. Appearing from deep within the forest, an old man with a white beard and wearing indian leathers broke through the edge of the woods, followed by an ornery mule.

"Hey - you with the firewater....you seen an fat opium-addicted greenhorn, answers t' the name of Adams? Ahm also lookin' fer his indian pal, 'cept he don't answer to anythin'. Come to think of it, he don't speak too much."

Jack looked at the interloper with a keen eye. He gauged his words and answered "Yep - I just disemboweled both of 'em. They was drinkin' my booze, and I don't take kindly to that. Oh... by the way, my name's Jack---Yukon Jack."

The woodsman answered "My name's Jack, too - Old Jack. This here is Old Number Seven", Old Jack said, pointing to the mule. Yukon thought it strange that the mule would have women's clothing and make-up on, but decided against asking just yet. There would be time for questions later. Much more time. Much later.

Yukon showed Jack into the cabin and pulled out a wad of tobacco. Offering it to Old Jack, he said "So - tell me about the men I just cut to pieces.". Old Jack looked at Yukon and said "They was good for nuthin' anyway. The Indian – well, nobody really knows where he came from. He just sorta showed up. Couldn’t speak, that Indian. It was the damndest thing – it was as if he was always stoned.”

“The fat one – that’s Adams. The stupid greenhorn had started out trying to get away from his drug problems in the big city. He was a high falutin gadabout for a while, bedding every woman that came through, and drinking himself silly when the women left town.”

"He tried to drink the town dry, but the sheriff gave him a warnin', and Adams reformed - at least for a short time. During his reform time, the Chinamen were building the railroad near town. Adams found them a curious folk, and began spending time with them. It wasn't long before he found the opium den. He began smokin' the long pipe, and purty soon, he's addicted."

Yukon smiled. He, too, had known those opium dens....the hazy memories started to flood back, but all he could remember for certain was the face of a beautiful mule. "Who was she?" Yukon said softly. Old Jack replied "Now, what in tarnation are you talkin' about? What do you mean, who is she?" Yukon shook his head, as if shaking water off his hair. "Nuthin', Jack. Tell me about your mule." Old Jack started with a story "Old Seven and I have been together for nigh on ten years. Won her in a poker match from a Chinese railroader. She's a spry old girl - still has some kick in her, doncha think?" Yukon smiled and thought, I'll bet she's still got kick in her.

After much drinking and talking, both men retired to bed. Old Jack slept on the floor, while Yukon pretended to go to his room. He stood in the darkened hallway until he heard Old Jack drunkenly snoring. He then crept to the door, and slowly opened it, avoiding the usual creak in the hinges. He walked out in the moonlight, and went over to the barn. As he peered around the corner, he saw her. He whispered "You may be Old Number Seven to Jack, but you'll always be Queen Xiou Chen to me."

And so ends Chapter Two.

Posted by johnny on May 24, 2001 at 16:29