“Come on,” he pleaded, “we really have to go…now!”
I grabbed my Barbour and pulled it on over the stuffing surrounding me. It would have to be sub-zero for me to get cold in this outfit. I certainly did not feel cute. He, however, moved with just as much maddening ease and grace in his fat suit as he did in his riding habit.
“Not fair,” I mumbled under my breath.
“What now?” he asked, smiling.
“I’m not feeling very cute in this getup,” I pouted.
“Well, you look adorable to me,” he grinned.
“Adorable is not where I’m trying to go with you,” I snapped.
“Adorable or not, get in,” he said as he held the door. Awkwardly, I had to lift my leg with my hand to be able to step into his truck. As I was getting in, I noticed we were pulling a dark green boat with a long shaft on it and a propeller at the far end.
“What’s that?” I pointed to the boat.
“That, dear Elliott, is a boat,” he said.
“I know that, you beast! What kind of boat, and DON’T say a duck boat. Why does it look so strange?” I snapped daring him to defy me.
“Oh, it has a Go-Devil on the back,” he said. “That makes it easier to go where the ducks are – to get over all the logs and through shallow water.”
We drove for about thirty minutes in the dark until we reached the edge of a black field. Once in the field, we drove, or rather, Griffen wrestled with his truck to get it through the mud and to the swamp. We moved very slowly, and I was amazed that he would even attempt to cross such slop. I held the sides of the truck as we slipped and bounced. There is no way we’re not going to get stuck.
Amazingly enough, we pulled in to some spot, but I had no idea how he could see through all the mud on the windows. He backed the truck expertly into place and left me, I supposed, to unhook the boat. I decided to stay in the truck until told otherwise, for I wasn’t sure I could walk unassisted – especially in all the mud.
Boat unloaded, he came around to my side of the truck and helped me step out. He guided me to the bank and then returned to his truck to release Panzer from his box. For a moment, I feared the great grizzly-dog would knock me over, but he bounded around me never considering jumping on me thank goodness. Griffen then pulled the truck and trailer away from the landing and helped me into the boat. Panzer waited patiently on the bank looking very much like the sleek labs I had seen in Scotland, just a good bit larger. I could have sworn that his amber eyes were glowing.
We negotiated the swamp without lights using the moon as our guide. I felt the ancient logs moan in protest beneath the boat as we slipped over them and heard the propeller lift from the water as Griffen raised it over each one as we passed. The rain had stopped, and the morning was now clear, but much colder than the night before. I was glad to be swathed in silk and wool. Panzer leaned his warm body next to mine in the center of the boat. I could tell he was used to this spot, and he stayed in place for the whole trip.
The moonlight sparkled on the blue-black swamp and cypress trees towered over us as we passed. I wondered for how many years the birds from all over the world had been coming here to escape the harsh, northern winters. Soon, we were in a half-acre clearing surrounded by cypress trees and some smaller, bushier shrub-like bushes.
Griffen cut the engine, and the silence was magical. We sat for a moment looking at the water, then he stepped over the bag of decoys he had at his feet, and sat beside me.
“We have plenty of time,” he said. “We’re here. Welcome to my favorite cathedral.”
“It’s…beautiful here,” I said, not quite knowing how to describe how I felt. “I never imagined a place, on the water, in the wintertime could be so…magical.”
“Are you cold?” he asked.
“No. That would be impossible,” I said. “I’m wrapped in at least six impenetrable layers thanks to you.”
“Well then, they’ll protect you from more than the weather this morning,” he grinned. “We are very much alone here, my dear.”
I broke out into a sweat in spite of the chilly air.
“Remember, I’m adorable, like a kitten, you said,” I teased. “Nothing you’d consider ravishing.”
“You have no idea.”
“Whatever,” I said. “Are you going to kiss me or make me sit here and just think about it all morning? I’m not exactly mobile, you know.”
His lips were instantly on mine, and he was pulling my face closer, his hands reaching into my hair beneath my hat until, of all things, Panzer whined. I opened my eyes and burst into laughter. Panzer was putting his paw gently on Griffen’s back as if telling him to stay focused.
“No, Panzer,” Griffen rumbled, but he, too, could not help but laugh. At Griffen’s rebuke, Panzer jumped back to the front of the boat. He pranced his feet eagerly as a flock of something flew nearby.
“Time to get ready,” Griffen said, and kissed me softly on the lips.
“On with the show, maestro,” I said and sat back to watch the spectacle.
He emptied the sack and tossed out about fifteen decoys – a group on either side of the boat. The moonlight flickered and shimmered as the decoy’s ripples spread out across the water. Another flock of something swooshed by the boat almost close enough for Panzer to catch. They plunged into the decoys, discovered their mistake, and exploded in the air leaving as fast as they arrived.
Griffen stood at the back of the boat and guided it into place among the trees with a long aluminum pole. I was to sit in the front of the boat by Panzer and Griffen in the back.
“Button your Barbour, lass,” he said. “Panzer will get you soaked when he brings in his prizes.”
Shooting time was upon us, and little black dots surrounded the spread like bats. I was still and quiet, taking in the whole amazing scene. I could hear the wings whistling in the air – softly, but ever so loudly in my ears. In the distance, I heard another sound. Mysterious, strange, almost like a distant dog…
“Gobbler,” Griffen said reverently. “Wild turkeys. Listen for the hens’ yelps, Elliott. You don’t hear that very often in a duck blind.”
A group of ten or so black dots were coming at us with purpose. Panzer tensed, but was motionless. I watched them leave, then return when Griffen chattered to them with his duck call.
“Keep your face down,” he whispered. “Try not to look at ’em.”
Around they came again, and I could see their reflection on the water. Griffen’s gun exploded twice, and three ducks splashed in the decoys.
“Back!” he cracked to Panzer.
Panzer launched himself as far as he could. He landed with a crash into the icy water. Griffen dropped the dog ramp and Panzer returned with his duck. He climbed into the boat, brought Griffen his prize, trotted back to the front, and, as promised, shook at least a gallon of water all over me. I forgot to look away and got a face full of swamp.
“Sorry!” Griffen laughed, not at all apologetically. “I thought I warned you!”
“Nice. Nice dog,” I grumbled, freezing water running down my face and threatening to penetrate my abundant layers.
Panzer retrieved the other two just as efficiently as the first. By the time he was almost in the boat with his third, Griffen dropped two more ducks into the water. These two had bright green heads, and I recognized them instantly as Mallards.
I remembered not to look at Panzer, but this time I was unable not to look at the missiles coming into the decoys. They sounded like tiny jets storming the swamp. There was a group of about twenty in this bunch, all miniscule, but moving very fast. Griffen’s gun cracked twice and one more duck slapped the surface.
“That’s it for the morning,” he said.
“Already?”
“Six ducks is the limit. We’ll have time for a real breakfast back at the camp, then off to meet William. It looks like we’ll make the hunt in plenty of time.”
“Unless there are complications,” I said, thinking about
all that mud and how unlikely it would be to make it across there again so quickly.
“Ah yes, there is always that,” he said. He walked over to my end of the boat and sat beside me on a box obviously not considering mud as the complication to which I was referring.
“What did you think about your first duck hunt?” he said, gazing intently into my swimming eyes.
“Griffen, I don’t think there is anything that I wouldn’t like to do as long as you’re involved,” I said. He…blushed, and my heart almost stopped beating. “You are so very good at taking care of me.”
Since he was so close, I took his chin in my hand and kissed him softly. At this range, there was little danger of me toppling over on him and swamping the boat. He kissed me back, and I started to worry again about balance even though I was sitting. Panzer whined again, but this time, Griffen ignored him and my laughter.
We stayed there looking at each other and the swamp until Griffen’s stomach and maddening sense of being on time got the best of him. We picked up the decoys and were back at the camp in no time. He helped me out of my waders so I could start breakfast while he changed trailers and took care of Panzer and the horses.
Griffen’s camp was smaller than the Hale’s. It was built on stilts to keep the River from sweeping it away every year or two when it decided to reclaim its swamp. Family pictures were everywhere in this camp, too, and it had a fireplace, a huge kitchen, and a central room where everyone gathered. A screen porch overlooked a bayou that was lined with huge cypress trees. I remember how inviting the room was last night with the fire roaring, but today I could truly see on what a lovely spot it had been built.
No one else was at Griffen’s camp, for the others went hunting in a group and had many more ducks to shoot than six. The wives had gone shopping for pottery at McCarty’s in Merigold, where the Mississippi River’s mud was shaped into dishes that adorned nearly every Mississippi and quite a few Tennessee homes. They all planned to join us after the hunt for a brunch.
The hunt brunch! I had almost forgotten. I put together some extra cheese grits and found a dish that hopefully I could use to deliver the food to wherever William was having us set up for breakfast. I grabbed a loaf of bread and whipped up some sandwiches as well in case there was no place to heat the grits.
Unlike most pre-hunt mornings, I was starving. I called Griffen and placed before him my first homemade feast. He hardly tasted the food, I am sure, for he uncharacteristically bolted it down. I could see that hunting camp life could be very dangerous to the waistline – some day. For now, though, I relished the venison sausage, eggs, cheese grits, French toast, biscuits, and bacon. We took the leftovers to Panzer and he, too, ate it without hesitation.
Later I would wish for that sausage like I’ve never wished for food in my life. It was going to be a lot longer than I thought possible in this day and age before I would see another meal.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Chapter 24 - Duncan
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
–Revelation 6:8
I loved seeing my family. This crazy foxhunting family I loved so much.
It had been an eternity since we had hunted, and I was even glad to see Lydia. Addy was beaming, and I noticed that she had ridden over with Ben. I wondered for a moment what Ashley thought about that. We pulled up with William, and he waved at us in surprise.
“No ducks?” he asked.
“Plenty,” Griffen said. “Just too many too fast!”
We were hunting the same land that the rest of the hunt thought we would never see again. The landowners assured us, however, that there would be no trouble this time and that the troublemakers had been sufficiently reprimanded. They had been embarrassed about the incident, so there was an unusually large turnout of spectators, and we were invited to hunt both days. They were cooking a pig and had even hired a band for the evening’s festivities. However, being New Year’s weekend, staff was slim.
“Griffen, I need you and Elliott to cover the south side again, just like last time,” he said. “Separately.”
“Yes sir,” he said, but I could see his disappointment. I don’t think William noticed, though.
“Your radios working?” he asked.
“Radio check, Elliott,” I said, hearing my voice in Griffen’s radio.
“Radio check, Griffen,” his voice cracked in the radios around us.
“Good. Elliott, try to stay out of trouble so Griffen can stay focused,” William said and gave me a hug. “It’s really good to see you little lady.”
“Yes sir, you too,” I said and hugged him back. “Happy New Year.”
No one here knew yet about our trip to Scotland, but everyone noticed that we rode in together. Especially Lydia. She was coiled to strike when I walked back to check on the hounds. I was ready. Bring it on.
Knowing I had the upper hand, I could not resist being overly nice to her this morning. Shoveling the sugar…
“Happy New Year, Lydia,” I beamed at her.
“Same to you,” she smiled her most dangerous smile. “Hope you can keep your boyfriend’s pistols in his holsters this time. I’d hate to get run off the property again.”
“He’s not one to be controlled,” I said. “I figured you already knew that.” I slipped past her before she could hurl something at me besides insults.
The day was beautiful, for the clouds were still at bay. The cold air felt marvelous. I walked back to the trailer to check on Viva having finished my hound chores. Panzer met me, so I was sure Griffen was back here, too, or somewhere close by. Viva nickered for her treat and I gave it to her, rubbing her ears when she lowered her head. Over her ears, I watched Jet untie himself and walk to me for his treat.
“You are so bad, Jet,” I said, taking his lead rope and leading him back to his spot. “It’s good you don’t have thumbs or you’d never be able to contain!”
I gave him a treat, too, and Griffen appeared.
“Damn, I wanted to ride with you today,” he snapped.
“Will just be all the sweeter when we meet again,” I batted my eyes playfully and looked up at him.
“This is madness,” he said.
“Oh?”
“I get only a few hours with you in a weekend and now I won’t even get to see you – from a distance!” he growled and closed the door of Panzer’s cave with a little more force than necessary.
I smiled and turned to get on Viva.
“Hold on a minute,” he snapped and bent down to kiss me. I grabbed Viva’s bridle for support.
“Be careful,” he said, gently. “I already miss you.”
“I know who to call when I find trouble,” I said and smiled at him.
He swung up on Jet, and my heart fluttered. He turned to go and then came back one more time, dismounted, kissed me again, then left – for good. My head spun, and I couldn’t contain my grin.
Viva and I trotted to our place behind William, beside Griffen, and I had great difficulty concentrating on the pack with them looking so magnificent so very close to me. I had noticed that Ben and Addy were the only ones in first flight. There were about twenty people in second flight and, of course, just the four of us whippers-in today. William had distributed the radios among landowners, and there was a lot of initial chatter and banter as he guided everyone to their places.
Lydia and Stephen headed north and William roaded the hounds south. Once in place, Griffen and I separated, silently acknowledging each other and wishing we could ride together. We’ll dance under the stars tonight and ring in the New Year together. With that thought, I rode away.
For nearly an hour, my side was quiet. I heard all the action happening on Griffen’s side and enjoyed the play-by-play I followed on the radio. He purposefully kept me in the loop, and I ap
preciated that. Although there was nothing more wonderful than being on Viva, I was glad to also know what was happening with my hounds.
Then I heard her. Unmistakable…Cora, one of the coyote strike hounds, was coming our way. With the pack, of course. Viva’s ears pricked and we waited…one heartbeat…two…ten…We were in perfect position at the end of a north-south lane to see anything that crossed. I had my monocular ready…to get a better view of who was doing what…and we waited.
There! He was moving really fast – due west – Cora about twenty yards behind him, then Pepper, and Rufus.
“Tally ho, coyote – heading due west. I am at the end of the north-south road right with him. Cora, Pepper, and Rufus twenty yards behind him!”
“Stay with ’em!” William cheered.
Viva surged with me feeling my excitement and responding to my every thought. We had a straight shot west for as far as we could see, so I held her back some in an effort to not outrun the pack. On and on we galloped, the pack on our right – beautiful music echoing in the swamp. They were turning north a little now, but I kept to the road and started looking for a trail heading north. No trail, so I slowed a bit and worked my way through the woods.
Hounds were screaming, and we had no trouble keeping up, the woods being open in this part of the property. Viva and I swept through the trees as if guided supernaturally – moving as one – leaning and turning and galloping, floating over logs, holes, splashing through the slews, and dodging vines. We sped like light beams for at least an hour until I no longer heard the hounds. They stopped and were most likely looking for the scent.
Most of the pack was with me, I could count five couple – and I was sure the others would not be far.
“William, this is Elliott, they’ve checked,” I said.
Silence. Then a low crack.
“If anyone can hear, please relay to William that the hounds have checked but I’m with them – in the west.”
Silence.
Oh well. I’ll give it a minute, and then I’m sure I’ll start hearing the chatter. A few more couple appeared. I counted seven with me. Four missing. We were moving northwest and the woods here were gorgeous. Great cypress trees surrounded us, and I felt so comforted by having “met” them early this morning with Griffen. So large, so stately, so serene.
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