The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer Page A

lightly.”
    â€œI have heard there is trouble in Mexico City. Is that where you were going?”
    The bandit grinned. “Sí. There is work there, for a man who knows how to fight.”
    â€œThen go there. Give me your word you will not harm these people and we will let you pass.”
    El Pantera glanced once more at Micah and his twelve gauge, rock steady, bracing himself against the wagon wheel.
    A casual shrug. “All right.”
    â€œYour word, Aguilar.”
    El Pantera took off his hat and swept his arms wide in a mock bow, though his lips sneered. “You have my word, son of Ehekatl. I swear on your father’s grave we will harm no one and we will not look back . . . this time . And will you give Gomez a burial befitting an old soldier?”
    Domingo chuckled. “I will be happy to do that if you wish, only Gomez is not dead. He just has a little headache.” He turned his head and shouted up into the woods, “Kyra! Bring the bandit down here!”
    A minute later, the rustling of leaves grew louder as Gomez stumbled down out of the trees without his sombrero, his hands tied behind him and three young women following close behind with shovel and axe.
    The bandits mounted their horses and started down the road with El Pantera bringing up the rear. At the last, he turned the big Appaloosa around and glared at Domingo.
    â€œI will not forget this day, young one. Mark my words—we will meet again, and you will pay .”
    Then he spun about and spurred his horse to catch up. Miriam’s German shepherd, still bristling and snarling, gave chase for a hundred yards before she came trotting back with her tongue hanging out. Micah kept the shotgun trained on El Pantera’s back until he was completely out of sight.
    â€”——
    Miriam stayed back, watching from the edge of the woods until the bandits were gone. She was shocked to see Micah pointing his shotgun at them, but she was utterly stunned by what happened next.
    Ira Shrock stalked quickly over to his eldest son, who still held the shotgun cradled in his arms, and slapped him. Hard. Ira’s jaw was working, his face beet red, his whole body twitching with rage, and there was fire in his eyes.
    â€œ What did you think you were doing, boy? ” Ira bounced on his toes, his fists clenched as he fired the words at Micah’s face. “Why on earth would you even think of threatening a man’s life like that? Would you really want to spend eternity in hell ?”
    Micah, a head taller, looked down at his red-faced father with a blank expression, his feelings hidden but for a trace of thinly veiled indignation in his eyes.
    â€œThey said they would take vengeance on us,” he answered quietly.
    Ira drew back and slapped him again, harder. “They said ? TALK! A heathen’s words are mostly lies , son! Did you see them harm anyone? Did they ever take their guns out of their holsters? NO! You come mighty close to casting yourself into hell forever when you point a shotgun at a man who didn’t do nothing but eat some of our soup ! Would you become a murderer over a bowl of soup ?”
    Domingo had apparently heard enough. He turned and slipped quietly up into the woods.
    Micah had not moved, the shotgun still cradled in his arms. “I could have repented of it later, and they—”
    Ira slapped him again. Micah’s head swiveled and came back to where it was, only now his mouth was closed tight.
    â€œAnd what if they killed you? Did you think of that, boy? What if they shot you down even as you murdered one or two of them? Would you face Gott with blood on your hands? FOOL!”
    Ira railed and fumed for another minute or two while Caleb and John stood some distance away with their arms folded and their backs turned, pretending not to hear. Miriam understood this, too. She did not agree, though it did not escape her notice that she too had declined to speak up. Ira