Earthbound: Science Fiction in the Old West (Chronicles of the Maca Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

reckoned time differently than Thalians. Would his reaction be indignation or would he agree to go partners and become a rancher? MacDonald relished the idea. In Thalia, Don had supplied the kine to all of the Houses. It did nay matter that kine were called cattle here. It twas the same brown-eyed beastie.
    “I have been thinking, Friend Rolfe. I like this land. Most of it tis open grassland and cattle do well here. They are running around free since the turmoil of the Mexican War and Texas claiming the Spanish land grants here and the United States in California. How would ye like to become a rancher?”
    “Have you gone stark, raving mad? What the hell would we use for money?”
    MacDonald glanced up. “Before I met ye, I stumbled on a cache of uh, well, it tis gold. I twas new in this land and did nay ken how to use it or where. It remains hidden, and the location tis near here; about four days ride at the most. Without yere teachings, I twould have died in this land or been reduced to starvation. Tis more than willing I am to share it with ye.”
    “And this isn't a way to keep me silent if it's been stolen?”
    MacDonald stood. “Friend Rolfe, ye canna believe that!”
    “Well, was it stolen?”
    “Nay by me. The owner twas nay there.”
    “How much gold?”
    “I am nay sure. It seemed a great amount, but then I did nay ken the currency of this land.”
    Rolfe looked at him and weighed his choices. “Coins or bars?”
    “They are bars, ingots I believe ye call them.”
    “What did the marks on it look like?”
    “There twere nay marks that I recall.”
    “Mac, I've not been in church out here, but that don't mean I don't believe God's Word. You show me this gold, and then I'll decide.”
    “I ask only that ye nay divulge its location. I have kept it secret all these years.”
    “If it's stolen from some bank or company, I can't keep it a secret.”
    “How can ye determine that from looking at it?”
    “The marks on it, dammit, they tell where they are from.”
    MacDonald gave a tight smile. “I told ye, there are nay marks.”
    * * *
    They had ridden for three days through gently swelling prairie, the grass high, green, and sweet smelling. On the fourth day they were into the foothills of an almost mountainous area covered with pines and scrub oak that rose above the prairie. They had ridden past a small spring in a flatter area surrounded by trees.
    Damn, thought Rolfe, a perfect place for a camp. He had noted the abundance of game, wild cattle, and signs of wild horses. This was verging on perfect land for ranching. Water flowed here and there were trees for felling, trees that could be used for building or for heat. They continued winding their way upward until they rounded a large rock and entered a small flat area between the piles of beige and rose-beige boulders. This side was hidden from view by the tumbled rocks and hilly terrain. One small tree tried to battle its way heavenward from the rocky soil. The stunted vegetation growing out of the cracks in the rocky face looked as though they were trying to overcome some type of contamination.
    “This tis where the gold tis hidden.” MacDonald dismounted and tied his horse to the tree.
    Rolfe eyed the area and looked at him. He spewed out his chaw. “Mac, this place doesn't look natural. Everything is too stunted. Why did you even stop here? And how the hell do you intend to get into any cave?” He pointed at the large, almost round boulder.
    MacDonald gave a half-grin and walked to the boulder. He put his back to it, set his legs and began to push. The boulder moved slowly scattering the small stones that had gathered or fallen in the ensuing years until an opening wide enough for a man became visible. MacDonald straightened and took several deep breaths. His face had reddened during the exertion and sweat poured down from his forehead and temples.
    “If ye prefer to wait, I twill go in and bring it back. It twill take a few minutes as tis