Page 3 of Shelter for the Mountain Man
I signal Marble to howl a couple more times.
The taller of the two turns, looking in the direction where I’m hidden. He studies the tree line a little longer before he motions to his buddy. They take-off up the mountain in their ATV like the gutless wannabe’s they are. Once they’re out of sight I move toward the rock cropping and glance down.
A hiker lies on his belly, on a narrow ledge below. Dressed in woodland camo, there’s a rifle strapped to his backpack. Even if I could get him to his feet, the path is too narrow for me to walk side by side to support him back up the incline.
Pulling my rope from my backpack, I secure it to a rock, then rappel down to him. Checking for a pulse, I’m relieved he’s still alive. Un-hooking his backpack, I carefully pull it off so Ihave more room to maneuver him. Wrapping the rope under his shoulders, I shift him to a sitting position and secure him to the rock behind him. There’s a narrow, bloody tear on the upper left arm of his jacket and an egg-sized bump on his forehead. Nothing I can do right now. The clouds are darkening, and the temperature is dropping. I need to get him out of here.
With his backpack over my shoulder, I head up the narrow trail and the summit less than fifty feet from where he sits below. He’s too heavy for me to pull. I need my ATV.
“Marble, guard.”
He gives me a look then ambles back the way I just returned. When I glance over the outcropping, Marble is lying next to the hiker his big paw on the man’s leg.
Running the three miles back to my cabin, I grab a blanket from the house and jump on the ATV. I pray the storm holds off until I can get him off the ledge.
Back at the outcropping, Marble has his head and one paw still on the man’s thigh. The man is stroking Marble’s neck. He’s awake, that’s a good sign. I whistle and Marble shifts, running back up the trail.
“Don’t move, I’m coming down to you,” I yell.
Once I get to him, I’m struck by his intense stormy blue eyes. “We need to get you out of here, storm is gonna hit hard any minute. Anything broken that you know of?”
“Nope. Dizzy. Probably a slight concussion. Had one before.”
“Your arm?”
He gives his head a shake and stills, closing his eyes for a minute. “Nothing to worry about. I’ve had worse.”
“Okay, I’m going to secure this rope around you, then pull you up with my ATV. The path is too narrow for two of us to walk safely.”
“Know what you’re doing?”
“I’ve done some mountain climbing,” I reassure him.
He half-ass grins. “Just checking. My backpack?”
“It and your rifle are already up top.” After getting the rope ready, I help him stand. “Lean here until I call down. I’ve already got it hooked up. We’re almost done.” He doesn’t say a word just leans against the stone and closes his eyes.
“Here we go,” I yell down.”
Once I get him up and over the edge he lays limp on the ground. Oh shit! What have I done? Did I cause more damage? What if he had a back injury. I rush to his side and as gently as possible roll him over. I glance at the name on his army jacket.
“Spade, look at me. Spade, are you okay? Spade!” Marble pads over and licks his face.
“Forgotten how much I like solid ground,” he groans.
Exhaling for the first time in what feels like forever, I slump back on my calves. “We need to get back to the cabin before the snow makes it hard to see. Rest while I get us loaded up.”
Once everything’s secured, I find him sitting up with Marble by his side.
“Ready?” I ask.
He nods and slowly climbs to his feet. He staggers and I slip under his arm, wrapping my arm around his waist. Together we stagger-walk to the vehicle. Once he’s seated, I secure his seatbelt and cover him with the blanket. “We’ll get you inside soon.”
Stopping to pick up Chia from where I tied her earlier, I secure her in the rear seat with Marble. By the time we get to my cabin the snow is coming down hard. I’m not going to be able to get him to town.
After securing Chia in the barn, I go to my visitor. Leaning heavily on me, I finally get him inside.
“Bathroom,” he says.
