Free Skorpio by Mike Baron Page A

extensive notes in a leather portfolio, fixing landmarks by the light of the sun or with his sextant. It his desire to present Our Most Holy Father in Rome as well as King Philip with a map of this previously unknown land.
    At night we hear strange noises from the arroyos that cover the earth like a fisherman's net, but never a drop to be found. The men talk fearfully of devils and demons. Father Dominguez is sorely-tried and himself given to melancholy. He seems to have lost enthusiasm for blessings, prayer and consultation. I fear the Father may not last long without food and water and will be the first among us to go.
    My thoughts are never far from God Almighty and His Infinite Mercy.

    May 29. Father Dominguez fell off his horse. When we got to him he was dead. May God have mercy on his soul. We buried him beneath rocks and made a cross from driftwood left from long ago flood. I now carry the Father's Bible in my saddlebags. We are reduced to eating snakes.

    May 30. God in His Infinite Mercy has blessed us with a drenching downpour. We were able to fill all the canteens and satisfy the horses. Indeed, they had to be restrained lest they burst their bellies. Captain deGama has ordered us to rest for the day. In the morning we will head for an odd rock formation he spotted in his glass.

    May 31. We covered 18 miles today and are no nearer to the butte upon which Captain deGama has set his sights. At night we hear the call of coyotes and other beasts we are at pains to identify. It is up to me now to lead the men in evening vespers, those who are interested. I did not think that at the tender age of seventeen I would be called upon to minister to these hardened warriors, all so much older than me, but if it is God's Will so be it. May His Mercy continue to shine on us.

    June 1. Oh Horrible! Oh Demon from the darkest pit of hell! It is our brother in arms Paul Vatine whom we found spread-eagled in the sun, mutilated in the most horrible way! His blood was fresh! What manner of fiend has tracked us through this fearful land keeping Paulo alive until such time as they could torment him in the most vile manner, to taunt us, to warn us, to wish us dead! Captain deGama has ordered 3 men to stand guard throughout the night. May God have Mercy on our Souls.

    June 2. We came upon a village of the savages hewn into the walls of a canyon, like certain towns in Portugal. Driven by a Righteous Fury of Vengeance we attacked with musket and halberd, showing no mercy. We killed twenty-seven that day ncluding eight children and nine women. Captain deGama showed the survivors no mercy, as they had shown none to Brother Paul. Surely God in His Merciful Wisdom guided us in this endeavour for hidden among the pots in one of the cliff dwellings was twelve pounds of gold in the form of heathen images.

    June 5. The Fiend who has been stalking us has showed himself. At noon he stood atop a ridge a mile distant surrounded by lessers of his tribe. He stood for an hour as if deliberately giving each of us a chance to look through the Captain's glass, and so we did. This Fiend is a very tall Indian with long waving hair, broad of shoulder and stout of thigh. He and six or seven warriors are armed with bows and arrows, but stood beyond the reach of our muskets. Oh that we had brought a cannon! Yet no cannon could have made this journey. Captain deGama was prepared to order a cavalry charge were it not for the rough ground. The Fiend taunted us in the most vulgar and obscene manner. He and his tribesmen dance in merriment.

    June 6. The Fiend has agreed to a meeting. Through means of sign language, which I understand as well as some Zuni, Captain deGama will advance on foot with only three soldiers and his cavalry sword. Captain deGama has asked that I accompany him for my language skills and to judge for myself whether the Fiend and his tribe represent Satan. The Fiend will bring three of his tribesmen.

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