Stories of the West

By Dave Stevens

A collection of campfire tales, true life adventures, and gripping western drama.  Something for everyone. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dave Stevens
• Release date: Oct 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536504071

Dave Stevens

Dave was raised as a cowhand, working cattle, mixing feed in a mill, rodeoing, and driving mules in a covered wagon on trail rides.  He spent twenty years in the military and also retired as a deputy sheriff.  His life has been dedicated to helping others and protecting this nation.  This all lead to his writing career, as he has an unquinchable thirst for western history and stories from those who live the life and remember.  Dave's desire is to put his readers into the story and let them become the characters and enjoy a time in history that was only once and will never be again.

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Also by Dave Stevens

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My Western Roots

The Making of a Lawman

The Spanish Bit

This collection of short stories is dedicated to all my friends.

They’ve heard a few and yearned for more.

Stories of the West

by

Dave Stevens

Treasure Canyon 

by

Dave Stevens

To make a living in the cattle business takes skill, a little luck, and a lot of nerve.  Carlos Lopez was worried.  His meager ranch was not doing well.  As with any desert operation, water was a serious matter.  The Rio Grande was on the western boundary of his property, but it was too far away to help his cattle.  By the time they walked to the water twice a day, in the dry heat, they shed valuable pounds needed for market.

If he just had some money, he might dig a canal across his land to irrigate the parched soil.  Then he could even plant a field of hay and maybe some grain for his animals, even though he was no farmer.  If he only had a little money, his family wouldn’t have to suffer, as they were now doing.

Carlos Lopez was a proud man.  He had been decorated for his heroic deeds, during the war.  To go to the bank and practically beg for the money, he could not do.  Anyway, the way things were going, he wouldn’t be able to pay the money back, if he did.

Carlos had inherited the land from his father and grandfather.  They too had struggled and barely made ends meet, Carlos wanted more.  He dreamed of a green valley, dotted with cattle.  Texas was changing; no longer could the Longhorn compete on the market.  Purebreds such as Hereford and Brahman were crossed with the lanky Longhorn and the result was a much heartier beef going to market.

Each breed crossed with the Longhorn had advantages and disadvantages.  The Hereford is a meatier animal but frail compared to the range tough Longhorn.  The Brahman is the only breed with sweat glands; therefore it can take the heat but is very susceptible to tick fever, a common disease in West Texas.  A cross of these three breeds is a much desired animal that brings in terrific profits, once established.  Of course, it is expensive to get to that point.  Ready water severely shortens the losses one would get otherwise, but this part of west Texas was extremely dry.

Carlos Lopez was not a wealthy man; but he had a good start, if he could only get water to his herd.  Carlos, through very frugal means, had obtained a Brahman bull three years ago and he had a nice group of heifers becoming breeding age.  Carlos had also been lucky enough to purchase several crossbred cows at an auction near San Antonio and they were heavy with unborn calves when he purchased them.  He was headed towards his goal but it was chancy without permanent water, readily available to them.

Carlos’ wife, Juana, had been supportive of her husband’s dream and she stretched the budget as far as she possibly could.  But two kids and two adults eat a lot of food and West Texas is rough on clothing, with lots of rocks, thorns and barbed wire that take their toll.  Juana made most of what was worn and she never complained.  They were simple folks with simple needs.  Only, it would be nice to give the children more than she or her husband had gotten.  Money can’t buy happiness but it sure can ease the way to it.

Today, Carlos was just about ready to throw in the towel.  He couldn’t do much more without a break.  He had prayed for a means, a way, to get ahead.  True, his herd was slowly improving but he needed more.  He had the land, good land, although dry.  He felt he had the know-how; but he just never got a break.  The little rain they got did not last long.  A few spots held the precious fluid a while, but the constant heat soon drew it away.

On this day, Carlos was at the river to check the watering holes.  At times a cow would get bogged down and he must free her or lose her.  His old Ford truck had gotten him here again; however, it gave out on the return trip.  It just seemed to up and die.

So now, Carlos, feeling very low, had a dangerously long walk ahead of him, and the heat affected more than just cattle.  He could shorten the journey by a good bit, if he crossed the driest part of his property.  He decided to take the chance but was well aware of the risks.  No one would come along to help if he broke a leg or got snake bit or fell from heat exhaustion.  He normally avoided the area and most times, so did the cattle.

The heat, radiating from the rocky ground was almost unbearable.  Stopping in the shade of a boulder, Carlos wiped his face with his bandana.  He was careful not to touch any exposed rock, for an instant blister would result.  He had also looked carefully for snakes in the meager shade.  It was a real threat that he must be constantly aware of.

Heavy on his mind was the cost to repair the pickup.  He was very low on cash.  He may have to sell a cow or two to handle it.  That’s always unpopular with a cow man.

Carlos knew he was in trouble when he stopped sweating, that’s very dangerous.  He had to find water or lie down in the shade for several hours.  He felt weak and nauseated, this was serious.  He trudged into a short canyon that promised some relief from the blistering sun.  When he reached a shaded area, he dropped in his tracks.

When he awakened, Carlos knew several hours had passed from the position of the sun.  He didn’t know whether he had slept or been unconscious.  As he sat up, he saw a bee.  It landed on a bush near him, and then took off towards the closed end of the canyon.

It took a moment for his brain to register; bees always stay near water.  Carlos stumbled up and followed the path of the bee.  The closer he came to the canyon’s end, the more bees he noticed.

There, in a shaded bowl, beneath a protruding rock shelf was water!  A little trickle dripped from a crack in the wall, to a natural bowl about the size of his truck bed and about three feet deep.  The run off went mysteriously back into the rock wall.

Carlos tasted the water and it was sweet and cool.  He stripped to the waist and crawled in.  The wave of relief he felt was heavenly.  Nothing had ever felt so good to him.  He lay there for a long time letting his parched skin soak up all it would.  When he finally got out of the bowl, Carlos said a short prayer of thanks to his creator.  No matter how modern the times, the earth has a way of humbling you with it’s reminder of the savagery it can produce.

Refreshed, Carlos headed back up the canyon.  On his left he noticed something protruding from the sand.  He went to investigate.  The tongue of an old wagon was sticking up out of the sand.  Carlos was extremely curious.  He stepped off a few paces to where he imagined the actual wagon to be, if it was still attached, and he began to dig the sand away with his hands.

Just under the surface he found the wagon.  And not only did he find it, but he also found a box that was loaded inside.  Carlos picked up a rock and banged it on the rotted box, to see if anything was in it.

Inside the box were gold and silver coins, hundreds of them!  Carlos was dumbfounded by the discovery.  There was an old story of stolen treasure, lost in the area, but he had never put any faith in it.

Supposedly, Santa Anna, in his march to rid Texas of the Anglos, had been the victim of a grand theft.  One of his pay wagons had disappeared in route to his camp.  The driver and escort were never found.  Rumor had it that three of the five who escorted the pay wagon, had thoughts of escaping with the money and had murdered the two other guards, as well as the driver.  In their haste to get away, they each took a small share and buried the remainder with the wagon, planning to return later.  But as history would have it, one of the bandits greedily killed the other two but was never able to return for the loot, himself.  The tale then goes that this bandit, upon his death bed, told a trusted friend of the treasure, but the friend was never able to locate it.

Well, Carlos believed the tale now.  God had smiled down on him and he would now be able to fulfill his dream and take proper care of his family.  He was beside himself with joy.

Then, Carlos had an ugly thought.  When the government found out about his discovery, he would lose all or most of it.  What should he do?  Whom could he trust to help him?  This was way over his head.  Carlos decided to head for home and after fixing his truck, he would return to claim his prize.  He pocketed a handful of coins to show Juana.

A few days later, Carlos returned with the truck and a shovel, and removed his treasure.  He was actually surprised the treasure was still there.  In his dreams, he had returned to find the box empty.  It seemed so real, he had just about given up hope.

Carlos had a big problem.  He now had over ten thousand dollars, in old coins, and that was just face value.  Collectors would pay handsomely for the stuff.  The trouble was how to dispose of it and be able to keep the money.  It was then he thought of his old Army commander, Colonel Tom Ferguson.  He would write the Colonel.  They had been close friends, even though Carlos was only an enlisted man.  Actually, Carlos had pulled the Colonel from a burning building and afterwards they developed a friendship.  The colonel, now retired, would know what to do.

Five days later, Tom Ferguson arrived at Carlos’ home.  It was so nice to see his old friend.  How are you, Sir?  It’s been a long time, said Carlos.

Tom replied, Knock off the Sir stuff, you old flat foot.  We’re both passed all that.  Man, it’s good to see you!

Carlos introduced Tom to his family and was very proud to do it.  The Colonel warmly greeted them and said that Carlos was a big hero.  He then related the story of the burning building to the kids, making much of their brave father.  Then he explained that his wife had passed away since his retirement and that he was so happy to get the letter from Carlos, as he had been very lonely.

Later, after a hearty meal, the two friends sat on the porch and shared a drink.  Carlos described, in detail, the finding of the treasure.  Then he called his wife and told her to bring some of the treasure.  She did so and the Colonel was greatly impressed.

Tom said, Well, old friend, you contacted me for help and I intend to; but what I have in mind may net you nothing but trouble.  It is the only thing I can think of and it could prove dangerous or it could be very profitable.

Tom continued, "I know a man in Monterey, Mexico.  He deals in old coins, antiques and such.  I contacted him and explained what you told me in your letter.  He is very interested.

The only problem, and it may not be a problem, is that we will have to take the stuff to him.  I’m leery of taking that much money into Mexico, but it could prove profitable and again, it’s my only answer.  What do you think?"

Carlos, though nervous, knew he had no choice.  He trusted Tom, as no other, and he was desperate.  We’ve got to do it, Colonel; my family must have it.  We are about to lose all we’ve worked for, said Carlos.

A few days later, they headed out.  Juana cried for her husband.  She was very frightened.  They planned to be gone three days.  She knew she would not sleep, until they returned.

The truck had been repaired, as best as it could be, and they headed west. Monterey is about one hundred and twenty miles from the border.  The road was shell and very dusty.  Also, it was a noted area for bandits.  Many, over the years, had been robbed en-route to Monterey.  Carlos and Tom had prepared for this possibility by arming themselves.  Carlos was driving and trying to make good time.  All was well for the first forty or so miles into Mexico, and then a tire blew.  Carlos swore; he wasn’t given to swearing but this time he swore, slowly and with feeling.

Tom suggested, My friend, I think we should hide the treasure while we repair the truck, just in case.

Carlos agreed, so they moved it away from the truck to a hollow in some rocks.  They moved a large rock over the space.  Returning to the truck, they started jacking up the right rear wheel.

As they were removing the wheel, a man rode up on a horse.  He was alone, or seemed to be, and he offered his help.  He had a sleazy look to him and even though he offered to help, he never got down off his horse.  Tom’s second sense told him this man was trouble.  The man talked as he looked curiously at everything he could.  They were worried.  They thanked the man but assured him they needed no help.  After a while, the stranger rode away.

Relieved, they hurried up with the tire change.  As they were loading up the jack, three men came charging towards them, on horseback, shouting and banging away with guns.  Carlos jumped into the driver seat and started the truck.  Tom piled in and retrieved his pistol. First, he shot over the bandits heads a few times, but the bandits would not retreat.  They started shooting at the truck and left Tom no choice but to shoot directly at them.  He shot the nearest bandit out of the saddle.  Carlos spun the truck around and tried to run down the others.  Tom continued shooting and finally he killed one bandit’s horse.  The other bandit scooped up his partner and they rode off, in a cloud of dust.  Carlos drove off towards their destination.

After a few miles, Carlos pulled over.  They would have to return to retrieve the treasure.  They wanted to wait until dark, but were afraid they wouldn’t be able to locate the money.  So, they waited a couple of hours and headed back.  Both were armed and ready.  The treasure was retrieved and they got back to their journey, arriving in Monterey with no further trouble.

Tom contacted his man and they met over dinner, as guests of the man.  After dinner, they went to his office, where they brought out part of the treasure.  The man, a Mr. Alvarez, was extremely pleased.

Carlos related the legend of the treasure as best he understood it.  Then he asked if the stuff could be purchased soon, as he needed to return to his family.

Mr. Alvarez said he had an associate that would be in town the next day to look the treasure over and he thought everything could be handled quickly.  He stated that the coins were in excellent condition and were very valuable.

After lunch, the next day, Mr. Alvarez escorted Carlos and Tom back to his office.  Shortly, there came a knock on the door.  It was Mr. Alvarez’s associate, Mr. Benavidez.  He was excited and couldn’t wait to see the coins.

After they had gone thru the treasure, a price was agreed upon, after Carlos and Tom had a private talk and they were convinced this was the best they could do. It was enough to do all Carlos had dreamed of and enough to tide his family over for several years.  They lived a simple, but good life, and the extra money would