Liz by Bill Ratcliffe

Author:Bill Ratcliffe [Ratcliffe, Bill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781449058197
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Published: 2012-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Torrential rains started in early December that year and carried on through Christmas to the end of January. Much of the low country became flooded and even the high country mired down in many places. Cattle, some three miles to the west, had to be driven to a higher range. In March up in the hills, the nights and mornings were still cool. They covered the foothills, rode through wooded areas, along the draws, across meadows, up and down hills, wherever cattle could be found. They gathered them up and herded them along in an uphill direction. Many of the cows were with calf and would not be hurried. In the evening, they rested the herd while they made a fire, cooked up a supper of coffee and beans, and arranged to spend the night. The riders took turns watching the herd. Their presence had a calming effect. After twilight one evening, three of the men were sitting around the campfire, the other riding herd. They huddled around for warmth. Flames lit up their features leaving their backs in shadow. The clip clop of a horse walking toward them caused them to turn away from the fire. It proved to be a white-bearded man dressed in black, wearing a round black hat, astride a white mule. The man drew the mule to a stop at the edge of the fire and dismounted. He raised one hand in the air. The evening breeze playfully tugged at his snowy beard and flapped the tails of his black frock coat. He clutched a bible to his side.

“Praise the Lord,” His melodious voice uttered the words clear and distinct.

“Oh Lord, I thank thee for delivering these po-or sinners to my benediction.” Again, the words were loud and clear.

“Who might you be Mister?” Adam stood up to face the man.

“I am Father to the sinners of the world, and I wander the earth saving souls.” at the sound of the word ’Father’ Pedro crossed himself. The Father quickly acknowledged the gesture.

“Well, Father, would you like some beans and coffee.”

“Let us bow our heads in prayer.” The Father ignored the offer. The other two stood up, Pedro removed his hat.

“Lord, Oh Lord, bless these poor sinners, that they may toil their worthless souls and consecrate your gracious presence in the everlasting hereafter. That they may spend their insignificant lives in constant worship of your deity and those of us who serve you. That you may find it in your merciful heart to bring hellfire and brimstone down upon the heads of those who turn from you…” At this point, the mule, which apparently had heard this many times before, lost interest and began to wander off.

“Whoah, Whoah there Mathew.” The Father had to break off the sermon in order to catch the animal. When he came back to the fire, he mentioned that he was hungry, not having ‘ate’ all day.

He had recently been in Sacramento and told them of the flooding that had taken place there.

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