Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings

[PacNorWest]

Think about this;

What if, instead of information about the tunnel given to interrogators under the threat of torture, it was your declaration of being a Christian? How strong are you?

We, (including me) boldly say, "I love Jesus, I stand firm as a Christian." What if every time you were asked that question, (are you a Christian) and answered in the affirmative, you had another portion of your finger chopped off. Will you still be a follower of Christ when you are mangled beyond belief?
How strong a Christian are you, when death would be a blessed relief.

I do not do facebook, but Mr. KC reads me a lot of 'facebook theology.' The kind where, all you need to get to heaven, is die and have someone declare you a good person. No specific salvation in Jesus, just die, and we will all miss you so much, you will become a sainted person in the world's estimation.

I"M all hot and bothered today. A very rotten, heart ugly person has been dead a year today, and right up to their death rejected salvation. People on facebook are praising this person as being a saint and know that this person is waiting for their loved ones in heaven.

No, if he is not saved, he is in hell. You don't get to heaven by being nice and doing good deeds. You get there by being saved and accepting Jesus as your Savior. Hell is hot and sin is sin and rewarded by the forever life in hell.

Ok, I'm off my soap box for the moment. Mr. KC is looking for his dinner, and I need a cool drink.

 

[moldy]

I think it comes from the whole 'don't speak evil/bad of the dead.' I don't know why that is. My dad was a decent man, but... he certainly had his faults. It doesn't make him less a man to talk about them, or to try to learn a lesson from his mistakes.

 

[Griz3752]

Ok, I'm off my soap box for the moment. Mr. KC is looking for his dinner, and I need a cool drink.

A little rant amongst friends can be stress releasing but I get your concern about the 'ugly hearted' and salvation presumed by the current declarations.

I've always thought it was my job to be the right sort to get to the Good Place but am pretty convinced I might be surprised by whom else was or wasn't there and left it there. If God can't make people save themselves, other than example, what do I have in my bag of tricks to accomplish that? Besides, I thought the reward was merit-based.

Your thoughts are just the sort of thing my wife loves to noodle over; she's a much deeper thinker than I and always laments about 'humanity'. I guess I'm just a pragmatist but raised to always do try to do the right thing and, to quote my mother, 'be a good person, no matter what'; I try but I'm sure I miss the mark sometimes.

My 'cool-down' drink at this time of year is water or a splash of gin, a squeeze of lime & tonic over crushed ice. Either works ...

 

[Sammy55]

I know what you are saying, Pac. I've been to funerals where the person may have been an OK person, but as far as I know, they were never saved. I can think of several funerals right now, and the pastors and people there would talk about how the person was now in heaven and "we" would see them when we got there. It literally made me sick! I know several of these people did not - as far as I know - believe in God, and to hear that they were elevated to "saint" status and were now in heaven?? Geez!! But I kept my mouth shut (except to my dh) and thought to myself that in their last few seconds of life, they COULD have accepted Jesus. But nobody will ever know until we all get to heaven. I know one was my aunt, and when I tried to talk to her about God and being saved, she told me that she didn't ever believe like a Christian in her life and that in her old age now, she wasn't going to go crying for salvation. It was too late for her. But after she died, her family talked about her as if she was in heaven now and they would see her there when they died. And they KNEW what she thought and where she stood!!

As far as torture and how strong of a Christian I am...well, I don't think that I, or anyone, can be strong enough by myself alone to handle a situation like that. It's only through the power of the Holy Spirit that I could withstand and stand for Jesus. If I am ever in the position of being tortured, I will pray HARD and UNCEASINGLY and rely on the Holy Spirit to keep me strong and to take me away from the satan's power, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. I'm sure that if someone was hacking my body into pieces that the Holy Spirit would help me to keep my mind focused on Him and help make it so that the pain that's cutting through me physically would not be able to cut through me spiritually. In other words, that God would "take me out of myself" spiritually so that I wouldn't feel the physical pain at that moment.

 

[moldy]

I'm a wimp, and doubt I could take torture. But.... God gives us what we need WHEN we need - He's never late. He's never early. My trust is in Him.

 

[Texican]

Unless their is sufficient prayers from Christian Americans, this is where we are headed. Christians will be tormented for their beliefs in our Heavenly Father and Jesus. Remember where you are headed regardless of what happens to you and yours.

Texican....

 

[PacNorWest]

#262

"Hey, sounds like a plan to me," Toby spoke up and Milo agreed. "When the kids get back, we'll get them to hauling wood. That ought to take the ornerys out of them."

"As long as every one works, so no slackers. The only person I'm going to exempt is your mother, no work for her." Mark wanted to keep the work balanced out. He would haul to the barn apartment, and Toby and Milo could marshal their own forces.

"I don't totally understand the whole plug the end of the tunnel situtation, so be on the look out for anything out of place." Gary interjected. "We can't afford to get any one hurt."

"Milo." Mark looked at his tall red headed son. "When we get the wood out of there, will you be able to keep Ricky out of the cabin and the tunnel? I've noticed that he's lax in the following orders department."

"I will. even if I have to tie him up," Milo vowed. "He's in his 're-education' phase right now. What a tough nut he is."

Mark simply nodded. He and Clora had talked about how Ricky seemed to be following in the same path as Ted and his wild and incorrigible bunch of boys. Unreachable by normal reasoning. As a thought, Mark wondered how and where Corbin might have done with the fourth brother, if he remembered, he'd ask Clora what she suspected.

The wanderers arrived slowly in the center area. Young boys had to pick up and examine every rock and interesting looking stick; they were all special prizes to be admired, and Granddad was busy commenting on them all.

"I spotted a rabbit that the boys didn't see," Lyric informed Mark; "Mom said it was a wild cottontail, pretty but they eat a lot of garden. Can Grandma's white dog help us keep the rabbits away?"

"I'm sure that's a very good way for Ivory to earn her keep. Everyone has to work and contribute."

"I know Granddad, Mom and Dad tell us that all the time." Lyric was sure of her facts. Lyric also casually moved around to Mark's other side when Ricky walked up; a telling move as far as Mark was concerned.

 

[sssarawolf]

A very telling move on Lyric's part. Thank you Pac.

 

[ted]

Thank you.

 

[Sneaker 11]

Ms Pac........just catching up from a very busy day yesterday and had to comment on your challenge. You dear lady are as succinct in your testimony as your writing these most interesting stories. I will not make this long, but thanks for the challenge of not accepting 'easy beliefism' that so plagues our country today. There are too many pulpits inhabited by hirelings who won't preach the truth of the gospel. I was one who after returning from VN and one who had never been in church, was confronted with the gospel by a black USDA meat inspector at work. He caused me to confront my sin, realize my lost state, and I humbly asked his Jesus to become my Jesus. As you so eloquently stated, there is only one way to heaven. For those on the fence, please remember there is one more appointment.

As for persecution, the left is empowered right now and are beginning to weave the narrative that the 'evangelicals' are dividing the country. The pastors in these churches are preaching against the vaccine. Last week in the New York Times there was an article condemning a bible preaching pastor in Tennessee claiming he was an anti vaxer. The narrative has been planted and it will only become more intense as this country continues down the slippery slope we are currently on.

Take heart Christian the scripture says he will never leave or forsake his own. I am a broken down old soldier who is praying if/when it comes He will give me the strength needed to stand.

11

 

[Griz3752]

Ms Pac........just catching up from a very busy day yesterday and had to comment on your challenge. You dear lady are as succinct in your testimony as your writing these most interesting stories. I will not make this long, but thanks for the challenge of not accepting 'easy beliefism' that so plagues our country today. There are too many pulpits inhabited by hirelings who won't preach the truth of the gospel. I was one who after returning from VN and one who had never been in church, was confronted with the gospel by a black USDA meat inspector at work. He caused me to confront my sin, realize my lost state, and I humbly asked his Jesus to become my Jesus. As you so eloquently stated, there is only one way to heaven. For those on the fence, please remember there is one more appointment.

As for persecution, the left is empowered right now and are beginning to weave the narrative that the 'evangelicals' are dividing the country. The pastors in these churches are preaching against the vaccine. Last week in the New York Times there was an article condemning a bible preaching pastor in Tennessee claiming he was an anti vaxer. The narrative has been planted and it will only become more intense as this country continues down the slippery slope we are currently on.

Take heart Christian the scripture says he will never leave or forsake his own. I am a broken down old soldier who is praying if/when it comes He will give me the strength needed to stand.

11

Much more eloquent and to the point than my previous comment.
Thank you.
G.

 

[PacNorWest]

#253

Jerry squatted close to the fire, the half warm coffee in his cup not doing it's civic duty in keeping him warm from the inside out. Dang it was cold. he was thinking. All the more reason to light his tail feathers on fire and head South.

Waiting for Abby to wake up, he started harnessing his team and then hers. When she still hadn't come out of her wagon, he drank all the previous night's coffee and started a new pot. Setting the perking boiler where the wind would carry the scent to her wagon, finally did the trick.

Abby looked awful. Obviously she had spent a rough night; and wasn't inclined to talk about it. She nodded her thanks for the hot cup of coffee, and stood hunched over against the cold. "This can't be normal, what in the world is the matter with the weather?"

"Up for guesses, however I place money on a volcano eruption somewhere. The sky is never clear during the day, and I'd bet the ash in the air is preventing the full amount of sunshine to come through."

"Oh. Then it doesn't make much sense to continue North and West, does it?"

"Correct, as soon as possible this morning, I'm heading East. Abby you are more than welcome to come, but I'm going to travel hard and fast. It will be disagreeable, harsh and simply designed to cover as many miles as possible in a day. No stopping early, no stopping to have a wash day, no 'take the afternoon off'; I honestly feel if we don't get South, we will likely freeze."

Abby seemed to me mulling over Jerry's words; but not doing anything.

"I'm leaving in a half hour. I intend to travel until dark, and get up at dawn tomorrow and do it all over again. I need to know if you're with me. If you are, get your coffee drank and get on your wagon." Jerry didn't stand and wait for Abby's answer. He picked up the few unburnt pieces of wood and stowed them in his wagon. He poured himself another cup of coffee and offered the rest to Abby.

She held out her cup and said a low "thanks."

Securing the pot with the hot liquid among the wood pieces in his wagon, Jerry kicked dirt on the small fire, buttoned up his coat, pulled his hat low and went to get on his wagon seat.

"I'm going," Abby said at the last minute and ran to get her hat and gloves.

Jerry set a strong pace, and when they stopped for the night, he estimated they had gone fifteen miles.

 

[ReneeT]

Thank you, Pac!

 

[Texican]

Jerry set a strong pace, and when they stopped for the night, he estimated they had gone fifteen miles.

Traveling by wagon over ground is slow going. This will take a while.

Thanks pac.

Texican....

 

[sssarawolf]

Thank you Pac.

 

[ted]

Thank you.

 

[ReneeT]

Thank you, Pac!

 

[Debob]

Thank you Mrs Pac. Have a Happy Mothers Day.

 

[PacNorWest]

To all women that love a child,

Happy Mother's Day.

 

[PacNorWest]

#254

Pricilla was pressed into driving after the noon break. Donny wasn't doing well and Bruce had babied himself so much, that he was incapable of any prolonged work.

"We're kinda of a sorry bunch, aren't we?" Priss said to no one in particular. "Well gents, toughen up; Donny was absolutely correct. Our first few days will tell us if we live or die."

Bruce made a deep growly noise that could have passed for anything, agreement or disagreement. Bruce was watching Donny out of the corner of his eye. The young man had bright red patches of new blood staining the front of his shirt, and Bruce could only see the shirt where Donny's coat gaped open.

"It appears to be after the noon tide," Bruce remarked, "am I the only one that thinks it's unusual that it's been so cold? This has to be April, and it feels more like late September. I for one," he continued talking, "don't like the idea of heading East if the weather is going to be so contrary. But;" and Bruce held up his hand to forestall Donny's sputtering protest. "I approve of the reason we are heading for the crossing where we might be able to exchange work for passage."

Donny snorted. Bruce was acting like he was the genius brain that thought up the exchange.

"However, I'm not sure I can be any good without medicine to create cures. If you both would," Bruce was thinking aloud, "please bring to mind, any plants or natural cures that might be used in place of the pills."

"I don't know many of them," Priss spoke hesitantly, "just a couple; like cattail and Mullen. Oh, I know. Yucca makes a kind of soap."

"And you can get aspirin from willow bark, and mint for upset stomachs;" Donny added.

"We'll have to remember all these, I don't have any paper with me, otherwise I'd write them down." Bruce's attention was caught by a sense of movement in the far distance. "It seems we may be getting close to meeting someone. How alert and prepared should we be?"

"Oh, probably like our lives depended on it," Donny was droll. "Keep off a little to the right of them Miss Pricilla, we don't want to get in the middle, that's dangerous. Doc Bruce can tell you about the camp of swarming people that Seamus had to play Pied Piper for. That's what we want to avoid."

With a look at Bruce and a hand movement to indicate he should start talking to Priss to keep her mind occupied and off the potential danger they were meeting; Donny gripped his gun and made sure it was loaded. Bruce was doing a good job, embellishing the story as it unfolded.

Donny was half listening to Bruce, as he scanned 360 around the wagon. The thought of the large group of raiders was fresh in his mind, and he was cautious as he ran down through the danger checklist Mark had drilled into he and Andy.

Dang he missed his brother.

The objects in the distance grew larger and larger; and soon they were able to make out five wagons of all sorts, clanging and banging their way west. The larger group halted and allowed the single wagon to come close.

Howdy's were exchanged, and Donny passed on the information that they needed to avoid going straight West, as they might meet up with a band of savage raiders, and that the brigands seemed to be heading Northwest.

"Thanks for the info," one of the men called out, "nothing behind us but good travel and decent folks, most'ovem on the move goin South. We figure it's a late cold Spring, the way the weather is do'in. Feels more like the beginning of March, or leastways, that's what we're figguren."

Bruce was about to challenge that statement, when Donny cleared his throat in warning and Bruce slumped back on his quilt bed.

"We've been sick, so we have to keep pushin on, thanks folks for the chat. Stay alert," Donny called out, and urged Priss to keep driving.

 

[nancy98]

Thanks PAC

 

[ted]

Thank you.

 

[Sammy55]

Thanks, Pac! Wonderful to have a new chapter!

It sure seems like Donny has more "sense" in him than Doc Bruce...in a lot of ways! Maybe even Priscilla does, too.

 

[PacNorWest]

#254b

Back in North Carolina, kids and adults were busy moving wood. Gary and Mark hauled wood into the barn, Toby and Milo worked their kids. Milo had to do more supervising than work, but Robbie worked silently, not slacking, and with a good attitude. Ricky however, was a terrible pain. Milo gave Robbie time off for good behavior, and as the older boy went to walk off, Ricky straightened up and started to go with his brother.

"No Ricky, we're not done. You haven't hauled your share of the wood, so we're going to finish up here before you are excused." Milo well understood there would be problems with his youngest son, but he wasn't prepared for the lookoff hatred Ricky glared his way.

"No more of that Ricky, you may be here working all night if your attitude doesn't improve."

Ricky had such a hard stubborn set to his mouth, Milo instantly thought of Ted and his famous mulish expression. He really hoped that wasn't the case. But Ted's side of the twinship was proving to be the 'bad' side of anyone's personality.

As he worked with his boy, Milo had plenty of time to reflect on the puzzling idea that natural children of himself and Toby, seemed to carry an obstinate gene that eventually manifested itself into evil. Milo wasn't sure what put that notion in his mind, but there was certainly enough evidence to back up that assumption.

Maybe Ma had some idea of what was going on, he certainly needed some insight. As long as Milo worked right along side Ricky, the boy hauled wood, Sluggishly to be sure, but he was working. The rest of the crew had finished their portion of the wood and gone in for supper.

When they were finished, Milo gave Ricky a "thank you for your help." and was met with total silence. Ricky stomped toward the house, never looking back.



Dory was setting the table, softly humming to herself, giving the spoons to the triplets to place on the table. Supper was stew with canned venison and canned tomatoes. They were saving on potatoes, but they had canned carrots and green beans.

The barn apartment was crowded with all of them, but cozy warm in the cool evening. The triplets were well mannered and very helpful, and somewhat in awe of Gary, of whom they were unsure of.
Gary and Mark sat in the living room side of the open space, talking about plowing and discing up more land. The first boy climbed up in Marks lap, and then the second. Mark's lap was full, so Gary was the third's choice.

Gary's face registered surprise when Paul settled himself in Gary's lap, but the big man made no moves, smiling slightly.

 

[john70]

Thank you.

 

[ted]

Thank you.

 

[sssarawolf]

Wonderful chapters, thank you.

 

[PacNorWest]

#255

Rennie had her family gathered around the table and Toby was saying the blessing. The good hot soup was warming on such a cool evening, and the small biscuits Rennie hurriedly put together were the perfect accompaniment.

The conversation was about the coolness, and what might be the cause of such unusual weather.

"I heard Grandma and Granddad talking about the cold, Grandma says she doesn't know why. I don't think it will ever be warm enough for us to go swimming," Barry lamented softly.

"Swimming?!" Toby was amazed, "we don't have any where around here to go swimming; where in the world did you hear of that?"

"Grandma, she says we all should learn." Lyric piped up. "Grandma says it's important."

"I agree it's important, but listen kids, there are good reasons for not jumping into just any old puddle of water. There could be gators, snapping turtles and snakes in the water that you can't see. The swamp down the road has a lot of gators, and they are death to young kids. Mum and I don't want you going into the swamp without one of us right there. It's very dangerous."

"See, I told you that's what they would say." Lyric turned to Barry, and both kids were nodding their heads.

Toby was still astonished to be one of the "they" that Lyric was talking about. The children had never responded like that before.

Rennie broke in, "who's telling you to go to the swamp?" she questioned roughly; scared for her babies.

Neither Barry or Lyric had ever lied to Toby and Rennie; so the long drawn out silence was the same as a prevarication.

"This is very important kids," Toby tried to be as calm and neutral as possible, "Who is telling you to go swimming in the swamp? Mum and I have to know to keep you kids safe."

Barry took a second look at Lyric and said "Ricky."

Toby felt like swearing a blue streak. Rennie looked like her tea kettle when it was ready to boil over.
"No swimming or wading or playing in the swamp; kids I want you to be very careful around Ricky. He seems to have a natural talent for getting other kids in trouble, and skipping away without a care."

"I knew that," little Miss Lyric was very self assured. "Ricky gets Robbie in trouble all the time." she informed her parents.

"Does Robbie know what Ricky is saying?" Rennie was a mother bloodhound, after the truth.

"Not most of the time. Ricky's careful to only say things when Robbie's not around. I don't think Robbie would let us go in the swamp, he say's it's dangerous, just like you do Dad." Barry looked very relieved.

"Ahh, Dad, we were supposed to have a secret initiation into a special club the next time you men were busy in the garden or cutting wood. Ricky said something bad would happen to us if we told. But, me and Lyric don't like him or his secret club and we didn't wanna do that." Barry seemed to sit up straighter in relief. "Ricky doesn't like girls very much and he's always picking on Lyric. He also says some pretty mean things about his baby sister. He's just nasty."

"Ok, how about we do this; you kids stick close to Mum or me when we're out with everybody. Grandma and Granddad are safe people also, and Mum and I will talk with the grownups about this and stop whatever Ricky has in mind."

"Yesssss," Barry smiled and fist pumped the air. "Right on, Ma and Dad. Right on."

Rennie and Toby cleared the supper dishes off the table and talked quietly among themselves.

"This is too big and with harsh consequences, not to involve Dad and Ma. Tess's boys need to be protected also. I know how you and I would handle the situtation; and I can fairly predict how Milo and Honey would react. If their own daughter is at risk, Ricky needs help and protection from me and my rage," Toby was blunt and deep seated angry. "How dare that little snot, endanger our kids. I understand well how hot a crime of passion can be."

"You can get in line right behind me," Rennie was equally as angry. "I'm all for you getting your Dad and Ma right over here and let's get this horrible situtation out in the open.

 

[Carlyblue]

Thanks Pac!

 

[Griz3752]

Rick has been earmarked 'bad cess' in my book pretty much since the date of his rescue, lo many thousands of words ago.

Most of us have to learn bad traits but in every generation, some evil spawn, for whom rehabilitation is not a viable option, gets mingled in with the rest of us. Its why, given certain circumstances, I have no problem with Capital Punishment. .... JMHO & worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[IVYINFLA]

Could the weather be a Grand Solar Minimum? Also, Ricky needs to go on a hunting trip.

 

[PacNorWest]

#255b

The night was filled with hot parents and heart broken Grandparents. Milo hauled his two sons before the 'board of Inquiry' and Ricky smirked and was unrepentant. Robbie was mostly silent unless directly asked a question. Horrified parents had difficulty assimilating the scope of Ricky's deviousness, but when it was all laid bare, they had no answer.

It was Gary, who remembered Mark and Clora talking about re-visiting their old homesteads, that came up with the best workable solution. Gary would take Ricky on an extended pack trip, visiting Hendersonville, the old hotel and into Greenville.

"I'm not going and you can't make me." Ricky defiantly snarled to the assembled adults. For all his bluff and bluster, the next morning, Ricky started his 'adventure' roped over the saddle. Stomach down on the leather was more than uncomfortable, and that jerk Gary was deafer than a fence post.

Ricky cussed, moaned, whined, screamed and the only time he was quiet was when he was throwing up. Gary walked the two horses and the pack horse steadily West; but not hurrying at all. Gary; the master of childish defiance, understood exactly what it was going to take to break Ricky's attitudes.

When Ricky tried to get Gary to stop so he could run to the bushes, Gary gave a tough reply. "You can wet yourself kiddo. You are my prisoner, you get no privilege's."


The palpable relief at the retreat, had Mother's smiling, children playing with enthusiasm, and men understanding that the problem might not be corrected, only postponed.

The end of the tunnel was uncovered, and all the windows at the house opened. The men worked at cutting wood, the ladies tended garden until the day Mark declared that the wind was blowing the correct way. He was going down in the tunnel.

 

[hummer]

wowser!

 

[sssarawolf]

Thank you Pac very much.

 

[Lake Lili]

Amazing how much poison one person can spread.
Thanks Mrs Pac.

Lili

 

[Griz3752]

"Stomach down on the leather was more than uncomfortable"

Particularly if someone had a large portion of coffee -- oh wait! Real coffee is currently in short supply; perhaps some straight chicory as a substitute? Yeah I think young Ricky will be hurling on a regular basis.
Of course he's gonna have to clean that tack, too ....... He may , I say may, rethink some of his life plans after a couple of hundred miles. What's that at a slowish ambling pace? 10-12 days? 15?

Yes, clarity just might shine down on the lad

 

[ted]

Thank you.

 

[PacNorWest]

#256

Clora had been busy with her imagination. She used an old sheet to form a complete cover for Mark, one of her precious plastic sacks for eye hole coverings and the pocket over the nose and mouth was filled with a pad of sheet saturated in hydrogen peroxide.

Arm coverings ended in a mitten like hand and the sheet was gathered around the ankles and tied.

Mark entered the tunnel from the furthest opening, the arm was still there, and Mark moved it down the tunnel with his foot. There was floating dust in the air movement in the light of the lantern, and Mark was more than thankful for all of Clora's precautions. The plastic covered eye holes were more than a pain to see through, but once again Mark approved of Clora's concerns.

About half way through the tunnel. there was a pile of hacked up bodies blocking the way. There was blood and gore all over the walls and floor. There was no way to pass through the savage, cut apart mound of bodies, so Mark reversed his movement and had trouble walking up the steep narrow stairs into the bathroom escape hatch.

Mark had rigged a couple of pails of water to wash down the outer covering he wore, but it was messy and spilled contaminated water everywhere. Mark wouldn't let Clora in the room, and they would have to sterilize the room somehow.

Mark walked down the hall and through the living room to reach the front door. "This was absolutely the dumbest thing I have ever done. If we go back in the tunnel, we need to go from the cabin. That way, we're not walking through the living quarters shedding contamination. I can't imagine why that didn't occur to me." Mark grumbled and complained.

Toby and Milo were there to hold up another sheet around Mark, as he shucked the makeshift body suit. The wet material was clingy and didn't want to peel away easily. They were talking, but their words were muffled as they wore masks with the wet layer of peroxide.

"How are we going to wash, clean or de-contaminate this suit? I can't think something this complicated was easy to put together, so it's not a one use and done sort of thing." Toby was looking at the pile of material at their feet. "We can't take a chance that the kids would get in it, so what do we so?"

"A soak in a wash tub full of lye soap and then rinse in vinegar?" Milo was thinking out loud.

"I'll ask Clora, she must have thought this whole thing out, hopefully," Mark answered

The cold water, the cold air and the wet Dad, brought out the scars across Mark's back in reddish purple glory. Neither son said a word, giving their father a kindness. Instead, the two sons started talking about what it would take to remove the bodies from the tunnel.

Gathering the sheet around himself, Mark made for the barn apartment to gratefully wash in the warm water Clora had heating.

Washed and back in warm clothes, Mark settled at the table with a cup of coffee. There was a funny looking piece of carboard with a string through the center, in a long, narrow cheese box. The string extended through the center of the end width, and several dried beans were scattered in the bottom of the box.

Mark picked up the string and casually played with the end sticking out of the end flap. Pulling on it slightly to get a better grip, he understood instantly when the cardboard block pulled forward and moved the beans to the end.

"Brilliant," he enthused to Clora who had her hands busy at the sink.

 

[sssarawolf]

Thank you pac .

 

[Texican]

until the day Mark declared that the wind was blowing the correct way. He was going down in the tunnel.

Now to see who and what is down in the tunnel.

Thanks pac for the chapter.

Texican....