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1:05:00 AM EST
Feeling Hopeful
new opening chapter....
In microsoft word this is in Italics but the only way I know to get it from there to here is to copy it to an email to myself and then copy it here. It loses a lot..but here it is.
CHAPTER1:
Suddenly the ululating screeches of Apaches on horseback came from every hiding place behind the outcroppings on the sides of the mountain, and descended on the unsuspecting band of men and mules.
The Indians clearly had the advantage. The men had nowhere to turn on this unfamiliar trail. Some of the men cut the packs that held the gold and tried to flee with a mule, but the men were no match for the swift arrows of the Apaches. There was no place to hide.
Many of the men were killed by the kicking hooves of their own mules. Others were trampled by the fear-crazed animals attempting to stampede, and still others were smothered under the weight of gold and animal when their wounded mule fell on them. The dust was choking man and beast. There would be no escape.
Diego felt the pumping of his heart as the fresh spurts of warm blood gushed over his chest. He could detect the faint smell of iron and the stickiness on his hand as he felt the gaping hole in his neck. He was sure it was a mortal wound.
He strained to lift his head but could not. He wanted to see if his sons who rode behind him were saved somehow from the attack.
All he was sure of, was that none was left standing. The tangled mass of human and animal lay twitching and groaning its last dying breath.
Diego thought how foolish of him to think a band of that number would go unnoticed by the Apaches. They had surely watched them from the beginning. They were cunning, these Apaches.
And now, who would tell those back at home of the fate of their number. How many wives would wait forever in the hope that someday they would see their loved ones return.
The thought was more than he could bear and a tear began its journey down the hot and dusty cheek.
It was becoming harder to breathe not only because of the pain but also because of the sharp odor of innards, pierced by the arrows, releasing the putrid stench of bowel gasses.
The glare of the blazing sun made it impossible for him to keep his eyes open. He squinted at the sky for a moment through the slit he was barely able to manage, and could make out the silhouettes of the buzzards that were already circling above them.
As the blood drained from his body, he prayed for the souls of all that lay with him in that carnage. He crossed himself and breathed his last sorrowful breath. Diego Peralta was dead.
Silence returned to the site of the ambush. Even the vibration of the thundering hooves of the Apache horses as they pounded homeward in victory had dissipated in the now far away cloud of dust.
No gold would leave the Sacred Mountain of the Thunder Gods this day.
Written by bhpcr Blog about this entry |
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Wonderful, wonderful!!
Good for you!
I thoroughly enjoyed that little peek into your novel.
Thank you for sharing.
When can I buy one???
Im hooked on page 1. Im just a "lurker" browsing the blogs and I came across your blog. You must have written lots before.
Thanks again,
Stephanie -
You're welcome. I'm glad I could be of assistance.
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Healthy blood is iron rich. Iron deficiency Anemia is a common condition caused by insufficient amounts of iron and is treated by giving iron supplements or iron rich foods in the diet. This substantiates my claim that it smells like iron to me.
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Every little bit helps. Thank you bklover (don't know your name) and Patrick. Your comments have led to improvements that I am now happy with. And have uncovered a new way to present material via the visions. Can't thank you enough. ~Barbara
2/4/05 12:08 AM