As Yukon Jack stroked the bristled mane of Old No. 7 and reluctantly felt the tattered dress that once belonged to his Oriental Queen, Xiou Chen, his thoughts wandered back to simpler days. A time when the only stresses in life were Scooby Doo episodes that included Scrappy and the batteries going dead on the remote.

But, it was a different way now. He had blood on his hands. Grizzley and Nokomis were just 2 of many. And, he had killed for less than just sippin his stash. A tear now rolled down his weathered cheek. "How did we end up like this?" he muttered to the mule. "Damn that Jeremiah Johnson! This is all his fault." He thought as he slammed a double out of his purple jug. "If he hadn't wandered into our lives Xiou Chen, everything would be different."

He wiped the tear and a the trace of liquor that wandered into his beard. "Well, I'm gonna do a somethin' about it Queeny." he slurred.

Just then he heard a familiar click. He knew someone behind him was locked and loaded. He took a deep whiff of the breeze blowin' in behind him and put the jug to his lips again and drank deeply. "Go ahead," he sputtered. "make my day." "I thought there was something familiar about you Old Jack but I always trust a man first until he gives me a reason not to. I guess your givin' me a reason now."

The moon light silouetted the half naked figure standing in the open barn door. Yukon could barely make out the 10 gallon hat and 12 guage shotgun at the figures side. "What brings you to these parts?" stammered Yukon.

The figure replied only 2 words.

"Huntin' Grizz."

Posted by Ole' No.7 on July 02, 2001 at 20:56
From IP address 209.191.193.129