Mountain Vengeance

High on the mountain ridge, a person could see what seems to be forever. Any direction that you looked, there was no sign of human life. Snow caps covered the higher mountains, but on this ridge, the sun shine warmed the boulders and rocks allowing for some comfort to the pair of climbers. This was Biff Connors’ favorite spot in the world. Secluded as it was, the Pasayten Wilderness, in north-eastern Washington, was his home; home to him and ten other veterans and their families.

Ten years ago Biff had grown weary of war and civilization in general. The government had discharged him from the army after twenty-two years and he had found it hard to deal with civilians. His temper flared and he often found someone to take it out on. Because of this, he decided to go off the grid and live the free mountain life.

Why Sarah had wanted to come along was unknown to Biff, but now they were inseparable. They had married the day that they left Dayton, Ohio. Supposedly it was their honeymoon. They just never returned. Both of them had loved the outdoors and they had sought and found a place of total seclusion.

One mile below where they relaxed, was their cabin. Four rooms of rustic logs and stone, it was pure heaven to them. Everything they needed came from these massive forests. The food was abundant. What they did not grow in their garden, was hunted or fished for. Eight years ago they had bought twenty head of cattle, ten hogs, thirty sheep and 100 chickens. This gave them a source of income, but money was not a problem. His retirement from the military was far more than they needed. He did not know for sure how much money he had saved over the last ten years, but it had to be considerable. He may spend it some day when they could no longer live here in the mountains, but at 47 years old, that was a long time off.

Biff Connors was made for this life, and Sarah loved it as much as he did. With six other vets, they had bought a large plot of mountain country and formed the community they called Angels Roost. There were no city limit signs, no mayor, no streets or roads. The government that they operated by was simple, live your life free, but not at another person’s expense.

The children of the community had a school, as it was, that served also as a church. Their religion was very basic Christian in nature, having only the basic of Bible doctrine as their creed. The people were of many church backgrounds. However, they left all the denominational differences behind. The church and school allowed for growth according to the individual. They had found that many of their children operated far beyond the grade levels of the public schools. Some were far advanced because they were encouraged to pursue their strengths. The adults soon found that their children became far advanced in math and sciences.

Biff thought of their children. John the eldest was nine and was currently doing high school math and science. Paul, the middle child, was seven doing lessons of a child in the fifth grade. Mary was the youngest. At five years old she was already learning letters and numbers. Soon she would be reading and then writing. The boys were already excellent shots. Biff swelled with pride whenever he thought of his children.

“Biff, look,” Sarah said excitedly. “There’s a herd of doe on the lower ridge.”

Biff followed her hand to the ridge below. There were at least seven doe walking and grazing along the tree line. Some had yearlings following behind. He smiled when he saw them.

Everything seems to be prospering on their property. In the past, there had been hunters from the cities far to the south. But it was soon learned that this property was posted and the men here were serious about “No Hunting or Trespassing.” Only the ignorant or very brave would venture onto their property. If you were caught on this land, you were swiftly escorted off the land and warned not to return. One man did come back and found that the community had its own law and jail. The man had served thirty days in jail, and this jail was not a country club. He was treated fairly and fed well. After thirty days he had asked if he might join them, but he was escorted off the land and told not to come back unless invited. This land was private. Even the game warden only crossed the line when he was called.

Biff now watched Sarah as she watched the deer. She was still a beautiful woman who had no need for makeup or jewelry. Sarah had a natural beauty that never needed anything to enhance it. He still saw the young woman he had married, the vibrant love for God’s creation only served to enhance her beauty. At five foot seven and one hundred and thirty pounds of willowy muscle, she moved with the grace of the deer she was watching.

Sarah was a skilled hunter that only killed for food or self-defense. After all, this was wilderness that contained predators as well as prey. They never took sides against the animals’ normal life cycles. Bear, wolves and mountain lions all were granted their place in the normal cycle of life in this refuge for all animal life. God created it. They protected it. Only the domesticated animals were offered their protection.

Biff Connors was a real outdoors-man. He lived in perfect unity with his environment. Six foot four of muscle and very little body fat, he had a fluidity of motion that he had perfected by watching the animals of prey. When he wanted he could blend in with his surroundings, never making a sound as he moved about the forest. He had learned much while he served in the Army, but nature had made him the perfect mountain man. With a rifle, handgun, knife or bow and arrow he had few that could match his skill.

Suddenly the sound of a bell peeling came from below. This was the signal for everyone to come to the main compound. The bell was at the top of the church and could be heard for miles. This bell was rung for meetings, church, and school. Any other time that it rang, it meant there was some emergency within the community.

“Come on Sarah, we have to go.”

Sarah was already moving for the trail that led down to Eagles Roost, Biff moved quickly behind her. Sarah moved in this wilderness as agile as the deer she loved. Skipping over the rocks and crevices, dodging the trees and limbs as a deer in flight.

Though Biff could easily outrun her, he stayed close behind her. His large 44 caliber pistol and holster was strapped down on his right thigh. The large Bowie knife was strapped to his left thigh. They were always with him.

Biff tried to remember what day it was. It was Thursday. An emergency could be the only reason for the bell.

“I hope no one is injured,” he said to Sarah as they ran down the trail.

To most people, a mile run in the mountains would be far too hard a task, but to them it was just a little more than a walk in the park.

At the bottom of the mountain, they crossed the bridge and entered the cornfields just outside the main compound. Rounding the high fence that surrounded Angels Roost, they could see others gathering at the church in the middle of their small town. In total there were thirty-six citizens and most were already there.

John, Paul, and Mary were there awaiting them. By their side was Bear, their large German Shepard mix dog and constant companion. Bear was jumping around at all the excitement. One might say that he was their guardian angel. Nothing, or no one could get near them without his approval. No hunting, or walking outside the community was done by the children without his presence.

“John, what is it, son?” Biff asked his eldest.

“A group of men was spotted on the south ridge. They were coming this way,” John answered. There was a look of concern on his face.

Biff understood why. One or two men was the most that had ever wandered onto their valley, but a group of men could only mean one thing. Trouble.

A month ago, Biff had chased two hunters off the property. As they left, they had said they would be back. These men had not been average hunters. These were hardcore men that did not like rules. Now a group of those men were here. Was it in response to those two being ordered to leave?

Tensions were high as Major Bill Curby stepped onto the porch of the church. Curby was the senior man in the community. He led every meeting that took place. He talked to one of the other men, Sargent Carl Baker. Baker was a friend of Biffs and had been with him in Afghanistan. Then Curby stepped to the front of the porch.

“Brothers and sisters, it seems that there is a group of somewhere around twelve men that have entered our land. Bill Glass spotted them approaching the south ridge about two hours ago.” He looked around at those gathered before him. They could see in his eyes a great concern for what could happen.

Major Curby had seen war as the other men had. He knew that fighting for what you believe in could turn bloody in a hurry. If they could get ahead of these intruders, they might be able to turn them back. This was their home, and he knew they would by all possible means keep it pristine and wild.

“First, we must peacefully confront these men and let them know that this is private land. If they will not leave, we will disarm them and escort them off the land.” Curby paused and looked in the others’ faces.

“I have been with you from the beginning. This is my home, and no man or group of men will take it from us. I hope it can be done without violence, but if they resort to violence, they have come to the wrong place.”

In the distance a shot was fired. All heads turned in the direction from which it came.

“Slim!” someone shouted. “Slim Mathison was on the ridge watching the intruders.”

“Thomas, he was up there alone?” Beverly Mathison cried out. “How could you leave him up there by himself?”

Curby looked at her and said, “Slim is an experienced man, in war and in the woods. He knows better than to get too close. Biff, you and Carl scout it out and see what happened.”

“Yes sir, let’s get moving Carl.”

Biff ran towards the armory where their military grade weapons were stored. Unlocking the door, Biff entered and then handed out two AR15 rifles. Then he handed out two ammo belts with six magazines each. As he came back out, he was checking his 44 magnum to be sure it was fully loaded.

They both grabbed a rifle and ammo belt, then headed for the gate. At the gate Biff turned to find Sarah close behind. He took her in his arms and kissed her. Carl’s wife was right behind her.

“Be careful Biff,” Sarah said as he released her.

Biff looked into her eyes. “Take care of the kids, I will be back as soon as we find out what is going on. Till then,you know what to do.” Biff reached up and wiped a tear off her cheek. “This is our home, and we know this place far better than they ever will.”

Biff and Carl turned and at a slow run, headed for the south ridge.