Chapter 15

     It has been quite a week.  I went on a 26 mile hike with my youngest son, Lukas.  Great weather and beautiful scenery, here in the Smokys, but I fell crossing a small branch and dislocated my finger.  I pulled it back into place and it seems fine, but is still swelled.  Then I got back to work Tuesday and my back went out.  I've been icing it, in hopes of getting back to work Monday.  Nothing new on the guitar building front.  I am just too busy.
     Here is Chapter 15 for all those who are still reading.   My son-in-law, Nate Roberto, has done this most wonderful illustration.  I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter Fifteen

Lama faced Launt

     Polly and the girls, along with Little Tee, were found by Lao Hu’s scouts and escorted back to the camp.  There they met Mr. Popper for an evening feast that celebrated the coming together of this band of dissenters, and  marked the beginning of a most dangerous journey to the land of the Adnaca. 

     The group walked out into the night.  There were tables set by candle light, with white linen and flowers.  The flowers were Indian paint brushes, which are deep red with small black eyes that follow you while you eat; and honeysuckle, that fills the air with sweet aromas.  The night sky was ablaze with stars and the moon was full, which cast a pleasant light on the event.  The tables themselves had been placed around the most wonderful bon fire.  The guests were seated at the table and the tigers began to bring in the food.  There were roasted ground hogs and sweet potatoes, opossums with carrots and onions, bear stew, venison sausage, wild turkey, and boars head.  There were ramps and potatoes, with speckled trout, branch lettuce, with fatback grease, tomato sandwiches, pimento cheese, fried okra, fried pickles, fried squash, fried apples, and of course, plenty of biscuits with butter.  Then there were the desserts: pecan pie, apple pie, chess pie, key lime pie, butter milk pie, blackberry pie, and molasses pie.  Coconut cake, red velvet cake, pineapple upside down cake, blackberry wine cake, and pound cake.  Never had the girls seen so much food.  They all ate until they could eat no more.  For entertainment, there were tigers who danced and juggled, who blew fire from their mouths, and even rode bicycles.  It was quite a show.

     All this time Little Tee had been looking around nervously, for he had hunted these tigers, who were now treating him with such hospitality.  No one seemed to hold any animosity toward him.  As a matter of fact, they seemed to enjoy his company.  

     Lao Hu began to tap on his glass, signaling everyone to quite down.  “This has been a most enjoyable evening.  It has been our pleasure, as tigers, to have you all here as our guests and friends.  Tonight we have taken the first step to change our world as we know it.  Instead of just hearing stories about the Music Water, perhaps our children and grandchildren will swim in it.  They will know the Water like we know the earth.”  With this everyone stood to their feet and cheered.  

     As everyone began to sit back down, only Lao Hu and Little Tee remained standing.  Lao Hu looked at Little Tee as he began to speak.  “My name is Little Tee.  I’m from the tribe of the Dilleyards.  We have hunted you tigers fer years and years.  I never knowed yuns was such kind critters.  So I pledge tonight, before all yuns, that we Dilleyards will no longer hunt yunses, but we will fight along side youse to get this here Water Music to all the people of Midland and beyond.”  The crowd once again stood to their feet and cheered with such exuberance, that the sound was deafening.

     “Well said, my good friend.”  Lao Hu said addressing Little Tee.  “Tonight we make a pact with the Dillieyards to make them our allies.  We will come to your aid and fight along side you, whenever you call upon us.  And we will all work together to complete our mission, for the sakes of all future generations.”  Once again the crowd broke into cheers.  “Tomorrow we will begin our journey.  I will be gone for an undisclosed length of time.  I’m afraid all of us who are part of this team must get some rest, so we will leave you as we head to our rooms, but as is our custom, on important events such as this one, we must leave with a song.  I have added a few small drops of the Music Water to the wine tonight, so we can all sing.  As our newest ally and friend, I think it only fitting that Little Tee begin the song of his

choice.  Choose wisely an anthem to start our journey by and solidify our pact.”  he said as he looked at Little Tee.

     Tee began to look pale, and then red, as everyone looked at him and listened.  The crowd grew silent as Tee began rather timidly,  “Rising up, back on the street.”  he began, “Did my time took my chances.  Went the distance now I’m back on my feet.  Just a man and his will to survive.”  Everyone was staring at him as he and Mr. Popper started the second verse,  “So many times, it happens too fast.  You trade your passion for glory.”  Now Polly and some of the tigers began to join in,  “Don’t loose your grip on the dreams of the past.  You must fight just to keep them alive.”  And with that last verse the whole crowd, tigers, shaman, tribal chiefs and priests began to sing with all their might.  “It’s the eye of the tiger.  It’s the thrill of the fight.  Rising up to the challenge of our rival.  And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night.  And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger!”

     As they all continued to sing the journeyers left the table for their rooms.  In the fire light with all the singing and merry making, no one saw a dark figure get up from the table and make his way in the dark to his horse.  The singing muffled the horses hoof beats as he galloped into the night.

     The next day the company rose early, saddled their horses, and followed Lao Hu out of town.

     “Where are we headed, my friend?”  Mr. Popper asked as he rode along beside Lao Hu.

     “We must head to the Toe Lakes to find the one who can show us the way to Percy Toeringer’s.  There we will purchase one deforestation frog, which I hope and pray will do it’s job when we finally reach the tree of life.”

     “Who is this person we seek to show us the way?”

     “He is a powerful shaman from the sprat-jowl tribe.  It is said that he can make healing water that can cure diseases and restore health.”

     “How will we know it is him when we find him?” 

     “He lives in the land of vineyards and rolling hills.  He walks with a cane and wears strange hats, and has the features of a lama.”

     “Could this be lama faced Launt?”  Mr. Popper said with a sudden shock.

     “Yes.  Have you heard of him?”

     “I have not only heard of him, but we have been companions and friends through many lives.  We were once high school friends, many lives ago.  In one life I was a frog and he was a turtle.  But in the last life I was a guinea pig and he was a lama.  I would ride on his back in the Peruvian mountains.  We were such good friends and had so much fun together, until one of the natives caught me and had me for supper.  I haven’t seen him since, but I’ll know him by his lama looks.  And he’ll know me by my guinea looks; you see, when you are born again into this world, you take with you a resemblance of who you used to be.  It will be good to see him again.” said Mr. Popper as they rode on into the day.

     The journeyers rode for the better part of three weeks.  The land had gradually begun to change.  They were now out of the tall mountains and into foothills.  The trees began to change colors, as early fall was setting in, and they started to see great vineyards of dark purple grapes and beautiful pale green ones.  

     They made their way to the top of one of the largest foothills, and there below them, in the distance was Honeoye lake, as the natives called it.  It was beautiful to behold.  The lake was maybe five miles long and a mile across.  The reflection of the fall colors made it look as if it were on fire.  The trees had begun to turn dark reds, and vibrant yellows, and deep oranges.  Then there were the blue and purple trees mixed in that gave it a sort of story book look.  Like a painting.  They were all overwhelmed by such beauty.

     The girls had all gotten down from their horses to look.  Far off in the distance there appeared to be a large bird floating on the breeze.  No one noticed it except Una who was fascinated by the way it seemed to rest on the air currents.  She walked closer to the edge of the foothill to get a better look.  It now seemed as though the bird had seen her and was moving in her direction.  Still no one else had noticed it.  As the bird got closer Una could see just how big it really was.  It appeared to have a wing span of maybe twelve feet.  Polly was getting a drink from her water bottle and enjoying the cool breeze in her hair when the sky suddenly went dark.  She looked up, expecting a rain cloud, but instead saw the underside of a huge bird.  It had its talons splayed and before she could scream, it swept down and lifted Una up in it’s claws.  

     “Una!”  screamed Polly, as the bird lifted her into the air.  “Someone do something!”  she cried.

     But all they could do was look on and cry, as the giant bird carried her off in the direction of the Toe lake.

     “I’m sorry Polly, but all we can do is ride after her.” said Mr. Popper, who was physically shaken.

     “Where will we look?”  asked Lao Hu, “We need to know what kind of bird this is and where it nests.”

     From behind them a voice said, “That’s a Koi hawk.  They usually just go after the Koi fish, but they’ve been known to carry off a child every now and then.  We should look for her at Sandy Bottom.  It’s a stretch of beach on the lake.  The Koi hawks have nests there.  There’s no time to lose.  Follow me.”  the man said as he turned his horse and began to gallop after her.

     Mr. Popper and the rest turned to follow, and as they did so, Mr. Popper could see the cane in his saddle bag, the wild hat made of peacock and ostrich feathers, and as the man turned and smiled, he saw the face that still resembled a lama.

     

Chapter 14

    Just got back from doing a hardwood job in Oxford Ms.  It was eight plus hours down.  The town is very cool.  A lot of old historic buildings, built in the 1800's, that boarder an old court house on all sides.  Some of the best soul food restaurants anywhere.
     So, nothing new on the guitar front, but chapter fourteen, with a special guest illustrator, my son-in-law, Nathan Roberto.  I think you'll agree that he and Martha should be illustrators for children's books.  I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Fourteen

Old Friends

     It was dark.  Mr.Popper couldn’t see a thing.  Where was he?  Where had the escape door taken him, and most importantly, where was the tiger who had jumped through the door with him?  With his hands he could feel walls on both sides of him.  The opening, or more like a tunnel, was very narrow; just wide enough for one person.  He could feel overhead.  The ceiling was just a few inches above his own head.  In front of him, maybe 100 yards or more, he could see a dim light.  “That must be the way out,” he thought to himself.  

     Just then he heard a rustling behind him, then the sound of panting.  He could hear the click of claws on the floor and the smell of sweat and cat fur.  It sounded as if it were fifty yards or so behind him, but it was too dark to see anything.  Mr. Popper stayed very quiet and counted the steps of the large beast behind him.  The scratching of toenails let him know that the feline was heading his way, but going slowly.  He guessed that he hadn’t been detected yet.  There was only one chance.  Mr. Popper would have to beat the tiger to the exit.  

     He braced himself and took a deep breath, realizing that as soon as he ran, the tiger would hear him.  With everything that he had, Mr. Popper took off as fast as his feet would carry him.  As soon as he began to run, he could hear the tiger racing behind him.  He figured he had maybe a sixty yard head start, by the time the tiger heard him, but he knew that a tiger could easily out run a man.  He hoped and prayed it was enough.  The light in the distance grew brighter as he approached it.  He could feel his heart beat in his throat as he breathed hard.  His lungs began to burn and sweat ran into his eyes.  He could now hear the tiger coming up behind him in the dark.  It sounded as if it was maybe twenty yards behind and the light appeared to be, not much less than that in front of him.  Now he could see the opening.  A round hole in the blackness.  Just big enough to get through.  He ran with all his might.  He could hear the tiger approaching behind him.  At the last possible moment , he jumped for the opening, just as he heard the sound of claws on the floor stop, as the tiger jumped for him at the same time.  Mr. Popper hit the floor on the other side of the tunnel, and all in one motion, turned  picked up the escape door, folded it and stuffed it in his pocket, before the tiger could make it through.

     With his heart still beating like a humming bird, he wiped his brow with his hand and sank to the floor, trying to calm himself and catch his breath.  He looked around at his surroundings.  There were huge rocks all around him and a straw floor.  Above him he could see the early evening sky.  “This must be the Tiger’s den,”  he realized.  As his heartbeat slowed, he raised himself up from the floor and began to walk deeper into the interior of the burrow.  Mr. Popper had come here with a plan.  It had seemed reasonable, all be it, a long shot, when he had come up with it back at the Savage village.  Now it seemed like a fool’s mission.  He had one chance, and one chance only.  With every step he took, the one chance seemed to fade from his grasp.

     He turned a corner to see two huge tigers standing outside an opening to, what looked to be a grand room.  He quickly ducked back around the corner before the tigers saw him.  “This must be the home of their leader.”  Mr. Popper reasoned.  He picked up a large rock and threw it down the corridor.  The two tigers heard the sound and took off to see what it was.  Mr. Popper hurried around the corner and into the room.  As soon as he was inside, he saw a large round table.  Sitting around the table were beings from every corner of Middleland, and creatures from places he could only imagine.  There were bears, wizards, magicians, and lizards.  There were gargoyles, minotaurs, priests, and things he had no words for.  Things, almost beyond description.  And there, on a throne of wormy chestnut and laurel, was the master of the race of Tigers.  He was huge.  He had paws bigger than Mr. Popper’s head.  His eyes were vibrant yellow, and his fur was magnificent.  Orange like the most beautiful summer sunset, and black like the most divine secret.  The majestic creature slowly turned it’s head and gazed straight into Mr. Popper’s eyes.  Every creature in the room turned to look at Mr. Popper.  The imposing Tiger stepped down from the throne and let out the most blood curdling roar, bared his teeth , and set off at a dead run straight at Mr. Popper.  He leaped into the air and with both paws landed on top of Mr. Popper, who fell to the ground under such an enormous weight.

     He had his paws on Mr. Popper’s arms and was sitting on top of him.  He opened his huge mouth.  Mr. Popper could see his massive, bone white teeth.  Out came his enormous tongue and he began to lick Mr. Popper’s face.

     “I thought you would never find us!” said the tiger, “I had almost given up hope.  I pray the other tigers didn’t interfere, but I couldn’t alert them until I knew you were really going to make it.  There are just too many things that could go wrong with our plan if too many other’s found out.  It is so good to see you again, my old friend.”  he said as he licked Mr. Popper’s face with his large sandpaper tongue.

     “Lao Hu, my dear friend!  You are a sight for sore eyes.  I was beginning to think I’d be eaten by one of your citizens, before I could find you.  The Music Water has provided   the way for us to meet again after all these years,”  exclaimed Mr.Popper.

     “Let me let you up and you can take your place at the table.  I will explain our relationship to the others and our plan.”  Lao Hu said as he helped Mr. Popper up from the floor and showed him to his place at the table.

    “You all know me, Lao Hu, chief of the Tigers.  This is my good friend Mr. Popper of the tribe of Savages.  We were raised together when we were quite young.  Mr. Popper’s father found me in the woods when I was very small.  My mother was shot by hunters and I hid in the brush until they were gone.  Mr. Popper’s father, who became my father, raised me until I was old enough to go back to my own tribe.  Mr. Popper was just a child like myself at the time, and so we grew up together for many years.  We are like brothers.  No, we are brothers.”  he said as he smiled at Mr. Popper.  “We hatched this plan, by sending messengers through the thin spots without letting anyone else know.  We kept our communication secret, so as not to let the council find out.  Now, to explain our plan to you all, I shall call on Nahtan Rubbertoe, Mr. Popper’s son-in law.  He was instrumental in devising this strategy.”  he said as he sat on his throne and waved to Nahtan.

     Nahtan rose from his seat.  He was a young handsome man, with dark eyes and short cropped hair.  His face was unshaven and he had the look of a fifties movie star.  Nahtan had always distrusted the counsel and their control of the Music Water.  After all,  why should they be the ones to decide who gets the Music Water?  He felt that the Water was mean’t for everyone, and it was up to everyone to use it as they see fit.

     “Ladies and gentlemen, tribal chiefs, sectarian heads, priests, shamans, and other distinguished guests.  I am Nahtan Rubbertoe.  I have long been among you and have made my distrust of the counsel known to all.  You know my character and have seen my commitment to the tribes and to bringing the Music Water to everyone, regardless of tribe, social or economic status, or even spiritual ability.  I have felt that the Music Water must be  placed in the hands of the people, and so do many of you and your tribes, or you wouldn’t be here.  I have devised a plan to make this happen, but it will be dangerous.  It may cost some lives and will most certainly label all of us, in the eyes of the counsel, as traitors.  We will become outlaws and, as such, will have to work underground.  But if this is what freedom requires, then I say, ‘Let it be so’!  If any of you  feel differently, now is the time to leave.  You will not be held responsible for anything that is shared here today.”  With that he paused and looked around the room.  Everyone remained seated in agreement.  He took a deep breath and continued.  “I have worked on this plan with my father Che Rubbertoe, and with Polly, Mr. Popper, and Lao Hu.  The idea is to put the vile of Music Water in a place where it can assimilate into the earth and seep into the very channels of living water beneath the ground, thereby affecting the whole of this planet’s water system with the Music.  I realize this is only a temporary solution, being that even this vile of Water will not last forever, but at this time it seems to be the most expedient thing to do.  This place we have found, is far away.  Many people feel it is just a myth, but we must try, or die doing so.  There is a tree on the island called Varguss in the land of the Adnaca.  This tree is the oldest living thing in our world.  Some have called it the tree of life.  No one here has seen it or the land of the Adnaca.  I know, this has been a story handed down from generation to generation and many think it nothing more than a fairy tale, but now is the time to prove it’s existence.”  

     “Let’s suppose this place does exist.  How will you find it, and having found it, how will you get the Music Water into the channels under this great tree?”  interjected a strange looking creature sitting at the table, who represented a tribe that Nahtan had never seen.

     “We have a general idea of the location of the island.  It is in the Western Ocean beyond the plains and the great mountains.  When the chosen party gets there, they will have to find the old man known as Cliffrat.  He is the keeper of the tree.  Somehow we will have to convince him to take us to it.  This will not be easy.  As for getting the Water into the underground channels, we will have to find a man named Percy Toeringer.  He lives in the land of vineyards and rolling hills, in the area of the Toe lakes.  These are five lakes in the shape of five toes.  Percy lives on the smallest one, called “Honeoye” by the natives.  The name seems to mean rotten sneakers, or stink foot.  At this point we don’t know why.  Percy Toeringer runs a farm that raises deforestation frogs.  These are frogs that have been biologically breed to clearcut whole forests.  They are used by the local population to clear house sites and roadways.  They are foul, evil creatures with razor sharp teeth and metallic claws.  We will need one frog.  We will let it go at the base of the tree of life.  It should chew it’s way all the way to the bottom of the great tree’s root system.  Then we will pour in the vile of Music Water which will seep into underground channels, and feed all the wells of all the earth, distributing the Water to everyone on the planet and immediately healing the tree of life.

     We already have our team, which will consist of Polly and Mr. Popper, Keona, Thea, Una, and Bon Bon, and one more.  Lao Hu has graciously chosen to go along.  I will meet you all in the land of the Adnaca in a place yet to be chosen.”  Nahtan said in closing.

     “This sounds like a good plan,”  said Mr. Popper,   “I only have one problem with it.  Where are Polly and the girls?”  he asked with a worried look. 

     “I will send some scouts out to find them and bring them back safely.”  said Lao Hu,  “I will call for my staff to make you comfortable for the night.  You, Nahtan, Polly, and the girls, and even Little Tee, will be my guests tonight at supper.  I will have your horses fitted with whatever supplies you might require.  We will discuss our plan and map a course for the Toe Lakes, and when you are rested, you can be on your way.  I adjourn this meeting.”  he stated, addressing those sitting at the table.  “We will have time for questions in the morning, but for now, please make yourselves at home.  My help will show you to your rooms.”

     Everyone got up from the table and headed out the door.  Mr. Popper was happy for the help of his old friend, but wouldn’t rest easy until he saw Polly and the girls again.