Chapter 10

     Carl Harris was in the office when the new regime plain-clothes police arrive to arrest everyone.

     When he saw what was happening Carl quickly got on his cell phone and warned Sam not to come back to the ranch as the beast cops had arrived. No sooner had he finished the call than the officials entered the office.

     Carl's idea was to play dumb and try to stall the bureaucrats to allow Sam and the others to get to safety with the women and kids but the beast cops had other ideas and decided to arrest Carl on the spot.

     "Where are Charley Jackson, Sam Elliott and his sons?" Asked the man who appeared to be in charge.

     "They are at the cattle market and will likely be back anytime now." Carl told them.

     "I will tell Mr. Elliott that you were here." Carl said.

     "You'll tell him nothing as you are coming with us. We have a warrant out for your arrest Mr. Harris and we'll collect the others in time." The man in charge told him.

     Carl shrugged his shoulders and appeared to accept what the men were saying.

     "I think you've made a mistake. Why should there be a warrant out for my arrest? I am simply a ranch manager and I'm not interested in politics. I have done nothing and either has my boss, his sons, or Charley Jackson." Protested Carl.

     "We'll be the judges of whether or not you have done wrong Mr. Harris. Just come along with us and don't cause us any bother and all will be well." The man in charge told him.

     Again Carl shrugged his shoulders and started to get to his feet.

     "Ok but I need to get my stuff. I have medication to take and it is in my room back there."

     "Get it and be quick about it."

     Carl shuffled to the door of his back room and fumbled with the key.

     "I need to change my boots and go in the restroom." Carl told them.

     "Be quick about it them." Replied the man in charge looking impatiently at his watch. Carl grabbed his rucksack and a few things and his pistol. He changed his boots and put on his runners, grabbed a jacket and lifting his rucksack went into the bathroom. He frantically looked around for anything that he would need and stuffed it all into the rucksack. He started to open the bathroom window and cautiously peered out. The coast was clear. Without any more delay he climbed up on the cistern and climbed out of the window as quietly as he possibly could. He looked around and started to run towards his pickup. He knew the door was open and that his keys were in the ignition. Reaching the pickup he opened the door and climbed into the driver's seat switched on the ignition and started to accelerate. Before the beast cops realized what was happening Carl was pulling out of the courtyard and turning the vehicle towards the vast area of prairie land that lay behind the north field. When it dawned on them what was happening they started to fire their weapons at Carl. His passenger window was shattered by the gunfire and his vehicle was peppered with shattered glass.

     He grimaced as he felt a sharp pain on the shoulder. By this time he was well across the prairie land that he knew so well and was headed up into the hills.

     He could see in his rear mirror that the beast cops were attempting to follow him so he headed to the ford on the river and took a road that he knew that they would not know about. Carl knew the woods well and was familiar with the moonshine routes that his buddy Charley Jackson had often used.

     As Carl took a secret route to a series of underground caverns that he knew, he felt something sticky and wet inside his shirt on his arm and shoulder. On investigation he found that he was bleeding profusely. The amount of blood panicked the usually calm Carl and he Ambled to stop the bleeding and drive at the same time.

     He reached the cavern and drove inside. A feeling of intense cold and dizziness hit him like a ton of bricks.

     His clothes were sticky and saturated with blood and the pain in his shoulder became intense. This surely wasn't just a simple flying glass injury he thought to himself.

     Then it suddenly dawned on Carl that he had indeed been shot. Carl was suddenly hit by an overwhelming feeling of tiredness. He would need to rest.

     Something deep within Carl told him that he needed to contact Sam or Charley. He fought the feeling of weakness that was rushing to overtake him and started to fumble for his cell phone that was in his haversack. He would also need to try to stem the blood flow as he could feel it pulsating as it poured out of him. He struggled to get a necktie out of his haversack and managed with difficulty to stuff it inside his shirt as a crude pressure bandage. Weakly he dialed Sam's cell-phone number. Sam answered immediately.

     "Carl! What's happening?" Sam asked urgently.

     "Sam I have been hit on the shoulder and I am bleeding badly. Don't go back to or near the ranch. I am in the place we discussed that we would make for and ... .Gee Sam I think I am going to pass out." Carl managed his voice wavering and weak.

     "Buddy! Hang on! We know where you are!" Stay put and we'll get to you." Sam promised.

     "Just hold on. You have been through worse. I will get to you soon."

     Sam Elliott was deeply worried. He switched off his cell phone and relayed the situation to the others.

     Sam Charley and Young Will Elliott were inside Sam's van and headed for the hills down another one of Charley's secret moonshine routes. Most of the women and kids had gone off with Mary-Jo the day previous to the monastery, which was designated as a place of refuge.

     "He isn't all that far away from where we are right now." Charley told them.

     "I know a way we could get there but it is rough and the track is almost non-existent."

     "That doesn't matter. Let's get going." Sam suggested.

     "Will reach in and grab the first aid box to I see what we have in it." Sam ordered his son.

     "It has hardly been used dad. This was the new one we got." Will told him.

     "Ok guys! Hold on!" Charley announced.

     With this said he turned the van around and headed in the opposite direction and started to drive out and through the trees.

     "Go easy Charley! I don't fancy having a head on with a tree!" Warned Sam.

     "Oh now Boss and don't you worry none. Old Charley here is well practiced in this kind of stuff after all the years of running from the cops that I have done. Ain't hit a tree yet."

     "There's always a first time." Sam reminded him.

     Charley was however an expert driver and skillfully maneuvered the van through the forest and out along and on to another little known route.

     "Gee there's nothing like these old moonshine routes. The Rebs used them in the Civil War to smuggle guns and other commodities and after the war my great grand daddy took over them so as he could sell his moonshine." Charley proudly told them.

     "Some time later my great grand daddy took up the art of moonshine making and handed it down through the family." Charley continued.

     "Yeah and then you decided to carry on the family business." Sam remarked with a suppressed grin.

     "All laughing aside guys. Let's hope we find our poor Carl in time." Sam said.

     "Is he on foot or in a vehicle?" Asked Charley.

     "He's in his pick-up." Sam replied.

     After sometime they came to the part of the forest where the old caverns were. Sam told Charley to stay and keep watch and he and Will would go and have a look for Carl. Charley sat back to keep watch armed with his pistol and a rifle. Sam took his first aid kit and his pistol and he and Will cautiously left the van and went forward to the caverns.

     Sam knew every inch of this place and knew the woods like the back of his hands. It wasn't long until he found Carl's pick-up with Carl slumped forward in the front seat.

     Immediately Sam and Will went into action. Sam reached for Carl's pulse and on establishing that he was alive but in shock tried to rouse him and get a response from Carl.

     "C'mon buddy! It's Sam and Will. You're ok now. We'll get you out of here and get some help for you."

     Carl started to cough and groan. Sam put a liquor canister up to his lips.

     "Take a shot of this brandy Carl and let's get you out of here and into the van."

     Carl took the brandy coughed some more and opened his eyes.

     They got him to his feet and lifted his haversack. They led him out of the cavern and forward to the van. Charley had a blanket ready to cover him. They pulled down a seat at the back to make a bed and put Carl on it and covered him over. Sam sat in the back with him and proceeded to dress the wound.

     "Let's get out of here guys!" Sam ordered. Charley duly complied.

     "It's not as bad as it looks Carl. There is an exit wound. You are going to be mighty sore for a while though and you sure have lost a lot of blood."

     Charley turned the vehicle round and headed off in another direction.

     It was getting dark and a light rain started to fall. This did not however seem to make any difference to Charley and he drove on crooning away to himself as if he was out for a Sunday picnic. Sam and Will grinned knowingly at each other.

     Sam was worried about his son Will's young buddy Brent. Brent was like another son to Sam and he worried for him and hoped he had managed to escape the beast cops. So many of Sam's friends had either been killed or arrested and others he had no knowledge of their whereabouts or their fate. The whole world was in turmoil and nowhere was safe anymore. It was the same in Europe and everywhere else also. The beast regime had taken power almost overnight and everything was in chaos.

     Sam wondered what they were going to do. There was nowhere to go and they needed to shelter somewhere for the night. Charley headed up into the hills and into an area little known to most folks.

     "How is he?" Asked Charley glancing back.

     "In shock and weak." Sam answered.

     "We need to get somewhere to stay for the night." Charley told them.

     "He needs to sleep and we need to rest."

     At this Will seemed to be having bother with his breathing. He coughed and started to wheeze a bit. Sam and Charley looked at him in alarm.

     "Do you have your inhaler son?" Sam asked him.

     "Sure. It's nothing dad. I think I just got a shock seeing old Carl lying there." He answered as he used the inhaler again.

     "Uh I think there might be somewhere we could go for the night. I know the old guy that owns the place but he might not be here now. I ain't been up here for a few months." Charley said.

     "You don't mean the old African-American farmer? Old Man Ziek Stevens? Gee Charley! He'll remember the bad old days and fire both barrels at you." Sam said in alarm.

     "Oh I have done him some favors since then." Charley replied.

     They drove on for sometime and eventually the old man's homestead came into view.

     Charley knew most of the homesteads around this area and nothing seemed changed.

     They could see smoke coming from the chimney and everything else seemed normal enough. Charley told Sam to keep watch this time and he would go and see how the land lay. Charley parked at the side of the homestead and Sam got into the driver's seat to be ready to move if the situation called for a quick get away.

     Will sat in the back with Carl.

     Charley got out of the vehicle and went forward to the homestead gate entrance. There were two dogs in the yard and they immediately started to bark. Sure enough the door of the house was opened and the old man came out.

     "Charley! Welcome brother." The old man Ziek looked around cautiously and then beckoned Charley forward and hugged him.

     "Are you alone?" He asked.

     "Ziek. We have had a run in with the beast cops and we are now on the run. One of my buddies is injured and I have two other friends with me. One is my boss Sam Elliott that I talked often about, and his son Will. Will isn't particularly well and we need shelter." Charley told him.

     "You are welcome here anytime Charley and so is Sam Elliott and his son and any of your friends as long as they haven't taken the mark and are for the Lord Jesus Christ."

     "We sure are Ziek!" Answered Charley.

     "I will open the gate and I want you to drive into the barn and come in through the side door. You never know who might be watching. You will be safe here tonight but they will be up here after that."

     Charley moved quickly. He ran back to Sam and gave him a quick run down on what Old Ziek had said.

     Charley opened Ziek's gate and Sam started up the van and reversed inside and in through the now open barn door. Charley then closed the gate and joined the others. Ziek closed the barn door took Charley and went inside and opened the side door of his house that adjoined the barn. Charley and Sam then started to get Carl inside.

     "Put him on the couch here in front of the fire and get some warmth into him." Instructed Ziek.

     They put Carl down onto the couch and Ziek stuck a pillow under his head and covered him with a blanket.

     "What happened to him?" Ziek asked them.

     "The beast cops fired on him as he took off from them when they came to the ranch looking for all of us." Sam answered.

     "He warned us by cell phone to keep well away and get to safety."

     "Is it bad?" Ziek asked.

     "It has gone right through as I could see the exit wound. He has lost a heck of a lot of blood though and is badly shocked. I gave him some brandy to combat the shock and I guess there isn't much more we can do but wait and watch and get him to drink fluids to make up for the blood loss, keep him warm and let him rest." Sam said.

     "Do you have any pain killers in your first aid kit?" Ziek asked Sam.

     "Uh yes I think so but they are just for headaches and things like that. Common painkillers and headache pills and similar stuff like that. I think."

     "I have something a bit stronger that I was given by the doctor to back up my anti-inflammatory arthritis medication. I'll get you a couple of them. Get him to swallow them with some water. They will take the edge off the pain." Ziek explained.

     Ziek went away and came back with the medication and some water.

     "I don't normally hand out prescription medicines to anyone but these are different and emergency circumstances." He said handing Sam the medication and the water.

     "Have you guys eaten recently?" He inquired.

     "Uh no we haven't as a matter of fact." Answered Sam.

     "Ok. You guys help yourselves to some coffee and I will get some supper going."

     "Thank you Ziek. You are so kind." Said Sam.

     "You guys take it easy. The Lord has work for you all to do. Even for Charley here. Rest up here and get yourselves together." Ziek turned to Young Will.

     "How are you feeling now son? Is your breathing any easier?" He asked.

     "Yes sir." Will replied.

     "I will make you a hot toddy after supper and that'll help you."

     "Thanks very much Sir."

     "Just sit and rest and I won't be long."

     At this Ziek disappeared into the kitchen and began cooking some food. Sam Will and Charley helped themselves to the hot freshly brewed coffee and sat back exhausted.

     Whether it was the heat or the trauma that they had been through or both or just the fact that they were tired, the guys started to drift off. They were wakened by old Ziek calling them to come and eat. He had set out plates filled with food for them and invited them to sit down. They did this readily and their spirits were instantly lifted.

     Sam gave the blessing.

     Lord we thank you for the many blessings that You have given us and especially for leading us here to Ziek's homestead. We ask You to bless him richly and protect him and we ask You to bless our rest and this food before us. Thank You Lord for this food and this shelter. We ask for your protection and ask you to lay Your healing hands on our brother Carl and keep us safe from the forces of evil that surround us. Oh yes Lord could you please keep Will's asthma at bay? We make this prayer in Jesus' name Amen."

     "Amen." Answered the others.

     "I have put some food on a plate for your friend. He may feel hungry when he awakens." Ziek said.

     "Thanks. I'm sure he will." Sam said.

     "Now get tucked in and enjoy." Ordered Ziek.

     "What about you Sir?" Asked Young Will.

     "Oh I have eaten already son. I will settle down with a coffee, keep an eye on the young man and go watch the news to we find out what these evil people are doing to our country and our world now. They've murdered our President you know and the true Pope and other world leaders. You guys help yourselves and there is more there if you feel like seconds."

     "Thanks." They all said.

     The guys ate like there was no tomorrow. The old man had made a good spread for them and there was plenty of it. When they had finished Sam and Charley did the washing up and Will went to rest as he was feeling a bit light headed. Ziek put him on another couch and covered him with a blanket and gave him a brandy. Will started to feel better and settled back and talked to Ziek.

     Ziek had his bible open on the table and was reading a bible study book. He turned to the boys as they came back into the living room.

     "You know that all of these times have been predicted in the Holy Scriptures. We have seen the signs of the times for some time now and have been preparing for the coming of the great tribulation and the rise of the son of perdition." Ziek said.

     "I thought that the church was to be raptured before the anti-Christ made his appearance?" Will asked.

     "Oh some biblical scholars believed that it would be raptured in the middle of the tribulation and others before the tribulation. I myself now don't believe that at all." Ziek explained.

     "The Lord will bring about the end of the tribulation with a fiery cataclysm and then He will return for those who are still alive and have seen the great persecution through to the end." Ziek continued.

     "Old Ron down town at the street comer told us the same thing." Will said.

     At this Carl who had been sleeping started to stir. Sam went over to him.

     "How are you doing buddy? Feeling any better?" Inquired Sam.

     "Yeah just sore." Answered Carl.

     "You ain't out of the woods yet." Said old Ziek

     "So lie where you are."

     "Would you care for some supper?" He asked.

     "That would be good." Carl answered with a smile.

     "Coming up." Retorted Old Ziek as he went off into the kitchen to get food for Carl.

     Sam and Charley helped Carl to sit up and Sam stuck a pillow behind him to prop him up. They eased him up to a sitting position.

     "Y'all think you can manage?" Charley asked.

     Carl nodded and sat up.

     Ziek brought the food back and Carl started to eat hungrily. There was plenty of hot coffee and extra food and Old Ziek urged him to help himself.

     They all thanked God for his goodness to them.

     Sitting around the fire they talked and shared and naturally the discussion was centered on the state of things in the world. All over Fort Wayne clouds of locusts had been devouring the crops and fruit orchards and normal pesticides had been powerless to stop them. Also many people that had taken the mark were coming out in terrible rashes and sores. The authorities had tried to keep this quiet but 'Radio Remnant' had gotten a hold of it and was broadcasting it to everyone.

     Ziek told the guys that very soon the beast cops would come and demand his farm and maybe his life. All his assets would be seized. Ihey were in the process of doing this everywhere to those who would not conform to the new regime.

     Sam urged him to come with them.

     "Thank you but no Sam. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. Thank you for your kind offer to take me to safety but no. You watchmen of the Lord's remnant have work to do. Do you think you have gotten this far on your own? He has plans for you all. He needs you boys as

     so many have turned away from him and rejected His love. So many have taken the mark."

     "But isn't that all the more reason for you to come with us?" Charley asked.

     "No son. I was in Korea and just got out before Vietnam and I have seen many, many different things change and come and go through the years. This time I stay. I have had a full life thanks to God's bounty and goodness. I wouldn't have much time left anyway due to this dickey ticker of mine so what time I have left now is the Lord's. Don't deprive me of the Martyr's Crown that awaits me. They'll hustle me away to a detention center soon and kill me and then I can join the Communion of Saints on the sweet shore of deliverance. Heck then I will be in a better position to help all of you guys with my prayers." He told them with a laugh.

     There was a silence, as the guys knew that this was likely to happen.

     "C'mon you guys eat up and I will made up some beds for you in the basement. It is warm down there and you will be real comfortable. Oh and help yourselves to the beer in the fridge whenever you want."

     "You are very kind." Carl said weakly.

     The old man smiled, got them all some beer and went off to make up the beds.

     They were all so grateful for the comforts that Old Ziek had given them. They all trooped down to the basement and got ready for bed. It had got cold outside and that strange wind was howling again. It didn't take long for them all to drift off and get to sleep saying prayers of thanks as they did so. Sam wondered what this strange wind was heralding this time. It was a strange and uncanny sinister, chilling wind and well fitted for these strange and uncanny times that they were in. With these thought Sam fell into a deep sleep.

     The smell of bacon cooking woke the guys up the next morning. They hurriedly got washed and dressed and went upstairs. Mr. Stevens was bright and cheerful and bustling around apparently enjoying himself and doing more than one task at a time.

     "Morning! Sleep well boys?" He asked.

     "We sure did."

     "I slept like a bear in hibernation." Stated Charley stretching his arms.

     "How is Carl?" Ziek asked.

     "I am fine Sir thanks to you." Carl replied.

     "Sit down and help yourselves to coffee and breakfast will soon be ready."

     The radio was blaring away and some beautiful sacred music was being played.

     "This is radio remnant. It is the only thing that is safe to listen to. Try not to listen to any of the beast regime's propaganda and do not listen to the anti-Christ's voice, as it is demonic. Don't have any beast material around you and seek out the remnant refuges that have been prepared for you. Above all pray, hope and don't worry. These are the words of a wonderful saint of God, 'St. Padre Pio'. Remember it and pray together as well as on your own. Above all do not look on the beast or its image. Trust no one with the mark even if they be family members and relatives."

     Old Ziek then served breakfast to the boys and sat back reading his Bible as they ate.

     Later when the washing up was all done the boys went back into the living room where the old man was still praying. He looked up and smiled. Charley felt a pang of remorse for his former ways and looked down. Old Ziek seemed to know what he was thinking and caught him by the arm.

     "The Lord Jesus has forgiven you Charley and so have I." Ziek stood up at this.

     "Charley do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?"

     "Yes." He answered.

     "Do you repent of your sins and hope in the Lord? Do you renounce Satan and all his works and all his evil spirits?" He suddenly asked him.

     "Yes." Charley answered wondering what was coming next.

     Ziek then turned to Carl and asked him the same questions. Carl hesitated at first and then to Sam's astonishment he replied.

     "Yes."

     "Then come to the creek with me now and receive baptism. I am a lay preacher and I have the authority to baptize."

     Both guys stared at Ziek wide eyed.

     "How did you know that we weren't baptized already?" Carl asked.

     "Do you want to do this? Time is short!" Demanded Old Ziek ignoring Carl's question.

     "Yeah I do." Answered Charley.

     "Me to." Replied Carl almost in a whisper.

     "Then your must repent of your sins and ask the Lord Jesus into your lives."

     Ziek led them both outside to the creek and led both in till they were almost waist deep. He started praying in a loud voice. He beckoned to Sam to come help him. Sam readily did this. Ziek asked both men to open their hearts and receive the Lord. Both did this whole-heartedly.

     Ziek turned to Charley.

     "Charley! Do you accept the Lord Jesus now and forever?"

     "I do!" Answered Charley.

     "Do you reject Satan and all his evil spirits and all his works and empty promises?"

     "I do."

     "Then by the authority invested in me I baptize you Charley."

     At this he along with Sam pushed Charley back and under the water.

     "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! I claim you for the Lord Jesus Christ and for the Father and welcome you into His Kingdom of light, love peace and order." Charley was pulled back out. Ziek put his hand of Charley's head.

     "Receive you the Holy Spirit!"

     Old Ziek took a small bottle of special oil from his pocket and marked Charley's forehead with the sign of the cross.

     "Be you sealed with the Holy Spirit!"

     Charley was filled with the Holy Spirit and was shouting his praises to the Lord and was laughing and crying at the same time. His eyes shone and he was radiant and totally overflowing with joy.

     Ziek then led Charley out of the water and in that beautiful mountain stream he joyfully repeated the same process with Carl.

     After this the two guys had strange exhilarated looks on their faces. Sam Elliott stared in disbelief. He had never seen his two buddies like this. They prayed and praised out aloud as if it was second nature to them. Both were indeed children of the Lord now and were in wonderful blessed states of ecstasy. They looked radiant in the early morning light and the water seemed to sparkle and shine all around them. The drops of water in their hair sparkled like drops of silver. The birds were singing and the crickets were chirping so loudly that one would have thought they were aware of the baptisms that had just taken place. Just then the metallic sound of the locusts call rang out louder than those there had every heard it. The whole of God's wonderful creation seemed to be joining in the joy.

     "That is the locusts giving glory to God." Ziek told them.

     The guys all hugged each other in turn and tears of joy coursed down Charley's cheeks. He held on to Mr. Stevens his broad shoulders heaving with wonderful emotion. Old Ziek ruffled his dark hair and hugged him some more. He did the same with Carl and then led them inside to dry off.

     Sam and Will stared in disbelief at their buddies. The change in them was almost instantaneous.

     After they dried off, Mr. Stevens didn't waste any time. He went away to an old chest and came back with two bibles.

     "Carl. I want you to take this Bible and Charley I have this one for you also."

     "But we can't take your bibles." Carl started to say.

     "Boys there are more bibles in this house than you know. I want you to take them and make use of them. Start with the Gospel of St. John and then the other three gospels. Then start on the Acts." He went on.

     Now I've filled your van up with gas. I have also packed some ood and other things you will need. There is one more thing I want you to do though."

     "Just name it." Sam said.

     "I want you to go back to Fort Wayne and rescue some of the Lord's people. They are in dire need at this time."

     "Fort Wayne?" Retorted Charley and Carl together.

     "Yes. The Lord needs your help and you really have to go back."

     "Where to in Fort Wayne?"

     "Just park at the front of Main Street across from where Old Ron usually stands. It will then become obvious to you who you are to rescue."

     "Oh we are friends of Old Ron and would love to help him." Sam told Ziek.

     Ziek said no more either to confirm or deny that it was Old Ron that they were to help.

     "You got it." Charley said.

     "Try to avoid the main highways and stick to Charley's old moonshine routes."

     Charley was gob smacked at this.

     "How did you know about the routes?"

     Ziek just smiled and said no more.

     "From there you will be led and shown what to do. Have no fear but go now in His name." He hugged each of the guys in turn.

     "Oh there are three others after Fort Wayne that will need your help. You will recognize the Lord's people, as they will have the mark of the Lord's Cohorts on them."

     Sam had heard Old Ron talking about this and thought deeply.

     "You have the gift of prophecy? Haven't you?" Sam asked him.

     "We all have gifts brother and they will become evident as the tribulation progresses."

     He took them outside and helped to carry some of their things and gave them a few bags of stuff.

     "There are things there that you will need now go in His name and pray for me boys."

     Again he hugged each of the four in turn and they got quickly into their vehicle too overcome by emotion to say a proper good bye. Charley would drive. They waved and watched the old man until they turned a bend and he was out of sight. They left the old man with their hearts heavy and each prayed silently for help and guidance and thanked the Lord for Ziek. They traveled on in silence for sometime.

     They continued for a long time passing through smaller towns and hamlets on the outskirts of Fort Wayne. They were traveling through the mixed crop area of Fort Wayne when they suddenly became aware

     of something different about the fields. They stared for a moment wondering what it was.

     "Locusts!" Carl said.

     "Millions of them."

     "Look!" Shouted Will pointing.

     A thick black cloud of locusts descended on a fruit orchard and very soon they had stripped all the green foliage and even the bark of the trees. The guys watched in horror as all the green was destroyed by the minute.

     "Let's get out of here guys." This was Sam.

     When they started to near the town they could see evidence of beast worship. Charley drove on without stopping and soon they were crossing the bridge that led into the town center.

     "Be prepared for the unexpected. The anti-spirit is at work and we need to put on all the armor of our God." Sam warned.

     "Avoid looking up at these beast posters and pictures and don't read any of his writings as the whole lot are demon ridden."

     They continued through the town and could not believe how much the place had changed almost overnight.

     At the beginning of Main Street they were horrified to see the burned out shells of the Zion Baptist Church and the Catholic Church. Further down the street they saw the smoldering remains of the Salvation Army Citadel and the Jewish Synagogue. As they traveled on they also saw the remains of both the Methodist and Episcopal churches.

     The boys stared in silent horror. Across the street they could see the crowds queuing up at the chip implementation building near the park and there was old Ron berating the crowd and proclaiming the word of God. Charley pulled over and parked.

     "Gee Sam. This isn't a good place to be. We are illegally parked and we are outside the cop precinct. Gee it would just be our luck if someone like Joe Willard came and booked us and hustled us away also."

     They saw a black car pull up near Ron and knew that it had plain- clothes beast cops in it. Charley wondered if they should just start up, pull over and snatch old Ron in front of them and take him to safety. Sam stayed his action.

     "Let's ask the Lord to enlighten us."

     A few minutes later they were alerted by someone coming towards them from the direction of the side door of the police station. Sam looked around and started shouting.

     "Guys its Mike and Bobby." He threw the van door open. Mike spoke.

     "We need help Sam."

     "That's why we are here. Get in."

     Mike turned to someone who was standing in the shadows.

     "Please come to safety Bro."

     Without another word Gene Washington came out of the shaded area where was standing in. Charley Jackson spied him and his eyes widened.

     "Oh Lord! You've got to be kidding? Not Washington?" He prayed in protest.

     "What are y'all trying to do to Old Charley here Lord?" He added. Washington spied Charley and stopped in his tracks.

     "Jackson?"

     "It's ok Gene get in!" Sam urged.

     "You are safe!"

     Without saying another word Washington got in and sat down. Charley started the van up. For a minute they all stopped and started at the scene that was unfolding across the street. Old Ron was being led away by two men from the black car. He was still proclaiming the Lord aloud and admonishing the mocking crowd that was enjoying his predicament. Sam noticed that Old Ron seemed to glance over at them momentarily and then a smile spread over his face. He instantaneously went back to proclaiming the word of the Lord loudly as they led him away.

     "Can't we go help him?" Charley asked.

     "There's nothing we can do Charley. Drive on. Ron's arrest is detracting from us! They have an 'all points' out for you guys!" Mike Douglas informed him.