The moon shone full upon my bivouac, Down, down crept its light - down to the valley's depths. And now the great lone playa gleamed whiter than ever, like some gigantic skeleton laid bare-all bleached and barren under the moon.
Suddenly I heard a twig crack in the darkness. Then another, nearer, I watched and waited. What was it walking at this time of night on that wild mountain? Who could it be approaching so quietly?
Yes, those were footsteps. Footsteps on the trail. The fire was almost dead, but I peered out into the darkness beyond the nearest trees - darkness made even blacker by the brilliant moonlight on the steep slopes above.
The steps came closer. There, between the trees, a human figure. Walking toward me. There it was again. I shivered inwardly. It kept on coming closer. There it was, just beyond that tree.
"Who is it?", I cried.
For a moment no reply. Than round the tree came a familiar figure into the dim firelight.
"Why, Bill," I exclaimed, sitting up, "I thought you were asleep long ago."
"Nope," he replied, "Keep thinking about poor fellow there on pass."
He came closer and stood by the fire, his shadow flickering dimly on the rocks above me.
"Look," said he, reaching his hand toward me, "I had it in my camp. See.."
He held the object closer, It was a locket, dangling on a chain. I took it in my hand.
"See, open it." he said.
I help it up before the fire, the old gold gleaming with a ruddy light. A sharp pry at the catch, and it flew open. There, in the firelight, she looked out at me - young, and smiling, and very beautiful in her old time dress.
"Where did you get this, Bill?"
"My father." said he, "He take 'em off that feller with broken leg - that boy with bullet hole in forehead out there alone on the pass."
Now doesn't this make you want to find out just what this place is like?
Maybe we can schedule it again at a more opportune time.
Bob Greenawalt
P.S. The profile map better describes the locale of the Ranch, and its relation to Sentinel Peak.
