by Ron Foster
“The game changer was when militias started forming up from the neighborhood watches and this event will be the starts of a civil war of sorts mark my words and mark them well. Not only will you have to deal with all the marauding hordes of resource deficient people, you could also very well be caught in the crossfire between two, or more warring armies and those supposedly representing government or local authority.” Grim would tell them about folks dividing more on racial lines etc. he decided before taking another sip of his drink.
“Let’s put it this way folks, that is when I seriously knew it was time to leave but water is the great equalizer of us all. When the water shuts off its time to move to water or die. The pumps shut down intermittently on day 10 and then turned off completely by day 16. I still had me some water stored and what was left in the hot water tank but the writing was already on the wall for most folks it was find water or die. They started migrating towards waterways or used what little gas they had to go collect it for awhile from close by ponds and such. At first we had so much military and National Guard around it looked like the city was blockaded by the army. They left the city to its own mostly a couple days after the water failed but they still have a force that hangout by government buildings now doing nothing much. If any food ever gets through again to the city that food will undoubtedly be used to control the unruly masses, despite the DHS and their new found friends in the Chinese and Russian personnel which are on our soil supposedly as an international relief effort. Oh yea! Did you here that nutty president of ours has allowed the UN in? They are here to help assist people to get to the relocation camps they say. You may as well call them relocation centers detention camps from what I hear. The government has already declared that they in their infinite wisdom and non constitutional emergency powers acts are taking control of all food and food production. Executive Order 13603 grants the Obama minions the authority to seize our food and water, but they do not have the manpower to seize most of it and folks are fighting back when and where they can. Anyway we stayed bugged in for about 7 weeks before deciding to risk moving to the country. I was up for trying to stay a bit longer in the general area and my buddy Moc come up with a pretty good solution. You got to remember the only way to survive was to depend on strength in numbers. It didn’t take long at all to figure out that a man living alone would soon be getting killed or robbed; you knew it would be just a matter of time, even if he was well armed. The whole city started dividing up into communities along streets and commerce sections. Our street (about 20 homes) had patrols (five armed men and women every 4-8 hours) to watch for gangs and for anything else that posed a threat. Nobody much used automobiles in the city: after awhile, a lot of the streets were blocked by wreckage and by abandoned cars. The chances of you getting car jacked because someone needed your car to escape to somewhere else rose exponentially. Gasoline was non existent but occasionally if you could find a gallon or two it was very expensive. If someone needed to go somewhere, this was done normally at night. We learned to never travel alone or be seen in groups that were too big, too organized looking. It was better to always stick to maybe around two to three men or so in a party. All of us armed and aware, making sure that we traveled swiftly in the shadows when we could, not far from cover, cross streets through backyards, in-between empty buildings, very rarely did we blindly travel along open streets.” Grim said telling harrowing tales of running gun battles and how unsafe it was just to be out going any where at this time.
“There were many gangs seeming to form up from other neighborhoods to threaten us containing anywhere from 10 to 15 men strong, some groups were seen in adjoining areas as large as 50 or so if a good looting proposition or riot was going on. But in amongst all these threats there were also many normal men and women, just Joe and Jane citizen like you and me, fathers and grandfathers, mothers and matriarchs who killed and robbed to feed themselves and their families. There were no “good” and “bad” people per se left. Most folks were in the middle somewhere you might say and ready for the worst as things spun out of control. Shooting was constantly heard in the city. At first, the weak soon perished or had moved on to camps or other places. Then, the rest of us that were left fought over what was left in the city before we left that too.” Grim said ominously
“Without electricity for cooking and heat, we burned anything that burned. Furniture, old boards, doors, fences, flooring you names it. Some parts of the city had several uncontrolled fires start up that thankfully a hard rain eventually dampened.” Fire was the biggest fear for those that had bugged in Grim had decided long ago.
“We used to have us a little trade going amongst ourselves for ammunition, candles, lighters, antibiotics, gasoline, batteries and food but it just got too dangerous and risky to pursue any further, well that and nothing left to trade. People died foolishly quite often and for dumb reasons. A lot of people simply didn’t understand that simple diarrhea will kill you in a few days without medicine and with limited amounts of water to purify your system you have to be extra careful of suspect food or drinking bad water. Many a person died when they went out only to gather information and satisfy their curiosity for example and got more than they bargained for. It’s important to remember a lot of folks had no information, no radio, no TV, only rumors of rumors and nothing else. The need to go out and ask for help or something got a lot of folks in all kinds of troubles. Martial law is defined as when the “Military government engages in the suspension of ordinary law.” By the time that started it was already pretty much law of the jungle and didn’t help much.” Grim explained
“I believe that after the initial chaos Americans will rediscover solidarity for one-another, much like they did after 9/11, but this time it will be more sustained out of absolute necessity if folks can get back together as a community.” Bohanson said
“Well I seen the Fed working folks here and there and it worries the hell out of me. I guess you already know the Civilian Inmate Labor program grants the government the ability to forcibly conscript, any citizen, healthy or not, with no age qualifiers, into various labor camps and even into the military. Further, Executive Order 13603 grants the government the same authority.” Cleatus Grimm said sternly.
“Ah I knew they had that order on the books but I never thought they would try to use it.” David said
“Well I don’t know if it was convicts, citizens or a mixture of both but I seen a few labor gangs outside the city.” Grim said and went on to explain what he had seen on his way here.
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10
THE APOCALYPTIC RIFLE
“David come on over here a minute if you would, I got a bit of business with you possibly that I think you would be real interested in.” Clem said indicating he wanted David to follow him a distance away from the group and discuss something of importance in private.
“Sure Clem whatcha got on your mind?” David said following the old man over to his pickup.
“I hear that you like to trade sometimes David, I got a little business proposition and trade for you.” Clem said while fishing under his truck seat for a whiskey pint bottle.
“You want some? Good for your gizzard” Clem said offering the dented silver flask to David.
“I will take a bit on top of this orange beverage powder stuff I am drinking. I ain`t the man you are Clem sucking that stuff out of the bottle straight the way you do. David said chuckling at the man’s ability to drink a shot of white lighting or whiskey like it was water and not bat an eye.
“Help yourself but make it just pour out a swaller size” Clem said watching David carefully, He had said the same thing to Lowbuck the other day and lost about half a pint because Lowbuck figured he meant how much could he swallow all at once.
“I appreciate that Clem, now what’s on your mind? What is it you want to maybe horse-trade me for?” David said relishing his now palatable drink.
“I see how you like to tote around that old .357 six shooter of yours and how much you
admired Coyote’s Henry mares leg rifle rig they other day.” Clem said referring to a very cool setup David had seen the old biker wearing.
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“I got me something just as fine as or finer than that weapon back at the house to discuss with you if you’re interested.” Clem said referring to what looked like a shortened lever action rifle David had only seen in movies and on a Steve McQueen movie poster
One of LowBucks motorcycle buddies had shown one off the other day and David had been fascinated by it.
He was also impressed by the first motorcycle holster rig he has ever seen that Coyote had fashioned upon his motorcycles seat.
“I am all ears Clem, what do you have back at your house that you are wanting to dicker for?” David said instantly interested.
“The Boss man gave me awhile back a fine Henry Big Boy rifle in 357 for caretaking this place for over 10 years as sort of an anniversary present, I should of got something also for being born and raised here as well considering all the time I spent working in these here fields but I ain`t complaining much, that was the finest present I ever did see but I ain`t putting it to its full use and figure me and you might come to some terms that satisfies us both.” Clem said regarding David’s evident building interest and desire for such a gun and then his carefully guarded response.
David instantly knew exactly what kind of rifle Clem was speaking of and fondly remembered what he had thought personally the first time he had ever seen one of these rifles gracing the wooden rack at his favorite gun shop.
He had thought to himself.. “Damn that’s a pretty weapon, That is the type of a rifle you hope you will be able to leave to your children, but not until you’ve hung it over your own mantel for a few decades because your friends and neighbors—-shooters, hunters and even anti gun folks will gaze at it in appreciation thinking DAMN!, that is one beautiful fine rifle.! They will marvel at the hardened brass receiver, its fine lines and beautiful wood stock and ask in vain the inevitable question of would he consider selling it, knowing all the while that there was no way he would ever let it go.
David also considered that the ability to chamber both .357 Magnum and .38 Special rounds makes the gun incredibly versatile, especially when used in conjunction with a revolver of the same caliber. When paired together in a bug-out situation, a shooter could share ammo between the two and use any .38 or .357 Magnum round he finds. Although the Big Boy’s weight and solid-brass receiver would make carrying or hiding the gun very difficult if he was walking around in a city he thought it wouldn’t be very much different than carrying any other long arm.
“Clem I cant tell you how much I really appreciate you asking me to dicker on that firearm but I don’t have the money for such a fine rifle as that. Besides, its sounds to me like you are still awful fond of it yourself and I just wouldn’t feel right trying to make any kind of trade to you for it.’ David said sounding a bit discouraged this trade wasn’t going to happen before it even got started.
“Well you ain`t even asked me what it is I wanted for it or nor how much I was asking yet so don’t sound so down in the mouth. I bet me and you will be able to work something out to our liking David. As for depriving me of that jewel don’t worry yourself about it, I am a practical man and I have had more than my share of enjoyment out of it already and I think that if you traded me for it that it would be going to a good home and in the hands of someone who can truly appreciate such a fine example of American gunsmithing. That old man of a gun is more than just pretty, it’s as fine of a shooter that you could ask for Davy boy, let me tell you.” Clem said with a whistle.
“That gun might be the handsomest weapon you ever saw but it is all about functional strength as well as beauty and you won’t find a better fit and finish anywhere of precision machined metal, even on a spaceship. That’s the problem for me David; it’s just too durn pretty for plain old me. I think I might have been misguided in my love for that thing all these years and ended up mostly enjoying it as a wall hanger. I hardly ever take it down from its factory wall display plaque to do more than show it off occasionally or when it needs dusting off and admiring occasionally it before returning it to its frame” Clem declared watching the excitement in David1s eyes that he thought he might have a chance at the fine lever action rifle.
“I will throw its display also if we make us a trade, it’s quite a handsome thing itself and I love reading the logo. It has gray nylon velvet backing and an engraved brass plaque with the Henry logo that reads “Load on Sunday, Shoot all Week Long,” It hangs in its little place of honor over the bureau in my bedroom and I haven’t taken it on a deer hunt in years. Don’t get me wrong David, I have laid many a deer down with it but every time I take it down I feel like I would cry if I scratched up its fine finish busting through one of these briar patches around here. Seeing how Coyote wears that mares leg of his everyday and the beautiful nice worn patina that thing has acquired has got me to thinking I ain`t doing that fine rifle any good or justice just looking at it and the memory of me and why I got it don’t always sit so well, so its time to trade her off to somebody who would use it for what its made for and get me something else I might be needing more.” Clem said not sure if he was reassuring David or himself that it was alright just for this one instance to consider exchanging the rifle.
“It’s the regular stock version right? Not the deluxe version we are talking about Clem, is that correct?” David said thinking it would be priced to the moon if it was one of the ones exhibiting the finest in the engravers art. Henry was one of the few fine rifle makers to offer factory engraving as well as custom engraving at a more than reasonable price but David couldn’t hope to be sp lucky enough to acquire such a treasure. But he was still mentally drooling at the possibility.
“ No it’s the regular one, I never seen the deluxe you are asking about but I cant imagine anything prettier than how the old boy sits right now.” Clem replied.
“You can’t but I sure can, David said to himself dreamily but he wasn’t disappointed in the least. The jeweler in him had a fine appreciation of the complexities and beauty that a master craftsman could bestow on such fine metal but he was already mentally cherishing a plain one with a dreamy glint to his eyes that he hoped wouldn’t make Clem too hard to trade with. ”
“Well if you’re really sure you won’t miss it entirely too much then I game to talk to you about it, but like I said I doubt I can afford it at this particular time. Are you certain you won’t be trying to trade me back for it someday? Because you know once its mine it’s going to stay that way.” David said pondering.
“There you go again, you just poor mouthing me trying to get the price down some or are you trying to kill this deal before we even settle on a price. If we trade then the rifle is all yours to keep and yours alone. I already know you are going to want to keep it forever, that’s a given.” Clem said irritably.
“I ain`t trying to do nothing of the sort Clem. I am j just saying that I am a poor man Clem and I know the price of good craftsmanship like that rifle. Hey can we go see it or do you want to talk some more first?” David said trying to quickly run through his mind what of value he might have on hand to trade for it if anything.
“Well we can go see it now if you want to, but I can tell you right off the bat that its still pretty much as pristine as the day I got it and it shoots as straight as the day is long if the operator behind the trigger does his job. I have taken damn fine care of it like I said and they always been built to last even if you give them hard use. This is the type of gun you pass down to your boy to be cherished and hunted with for generations. My favorite thing about it has always been no matter who you show it to from an avid sportsman to a visiting city gal they all end up saying say “that’s a sweet looking rifle and getting a special smile!” Clem said proudly.
“Oh I know all about the rifle you are speaking of, I have drooled over one or two at a gun store several times before. They seem to just reach out and say please
touch me or hold me for a bit which I am sure drives the sales people nuts. Somebody can come in looking to buy an AR 15 and stop what there doing to look at and handle one of them fine Henry Big Boy rifles. Before they are done looking for whatever it is they came in for or making a purchase you always hear folks say “That’s beautiful, can I just look at that rifle just one more time ?’ coming from one of the customers. The salesman will be like sigh “ ok, it sure is nice isn’t it” and then carefully hand it to someone and get his rag out to wipe off the finger prints if they were careless handling it when they returned it to him also with a sigh that it wasn’t going home with them.” David said envisioning how many racks of guns he had seen that held a few fine gleaming brass examples of Henry Repeating Arms legendary lever actions.
“Some people calls this type of a gun a Winchester but they`s wrong. Henry was the first one to come out with a working lever action and sell on the market. Lots of other manufacturers tried to make one but only Henry figured out what it took to get it done right and functioning the first time around. Lots of folks don’t know Henry rifles were used in the Civil war, Confederates called them that “Danged Yankee Rifle you load on Monday and shoot all week.” I bet if the South would have had them some Henry rifles we could have put a whooping on them blue coats!” Clem said heightening David’s interest with a few historical facts.