BILLY BENDER "Ding Dong Donkey" (Part 2)

 “I’m sure you read this in our rules and regulations disclaimer back at the Canteen…  But I’m required to remind all participants this:” The Chief said.  “We don’t allow any alcohol, illegal drugs, or firearms on our excursions.  I’m sure everyone is aware of this, and is not breaking any rules.”

“No!  No, no,” we all said, following The Chief on donkey-back into the forest.  Our 3-day excursion into the Great Grand Canyon was underway. 

We hadn’t been on the trail long when the forest opened up to the Grand Canyon. Layers of colored rock ran down the canyon walls.  It was magnificent and enormous, like nothing I’d ever seen before. 

“We are 3,850’ above the canyon floor right here” The Chief said.  “Most of the Canyon is approximately 4,000’ deep, but is 6,000’ at its deepest point.  It’s also eight and a half miles across to the other side from right here.”  He pointed out across the great canyon.  “The widest point of the Grand Canyon is fifteen miles across he said.” Then proceeded to guide his donkey down a narrow trail that descended down alongside the canyon wall. 

Davinci followed right behind the Chief as the rest of us brought up the rear as our caravan headed down the canyon side. 

After about an hour of maneuvering our donkeys down the winding canyon trail we came to a plateau with a large cave. The chief told us of ancient cave drawings which were about a five minute walk inside this cave, and several other places along our tour.   

Because we would have had to get off of our donkeys and venture into the cave, we decided to keep moving down the canyon since it was getting dark already.  

As we started to head down the trail, a fury of bats flew out from the cave. 

Some of the donkeys were startled and freaked out a little bit. The Chief hollered at us to hang tight for a moment and they would soon relax.” 

Well it was true for all the donkeys except Davinci’s young stud.  That donkey bucked and jumped and totally freaked out.

   As we all waited and watched, that crazy white donkey took to galloping down the trail at a pretty good pace then disappeared out of site with poor Davinci holding on for his dear life. 

It was almost totally dark outside by the time we found Davinci and his great white donkey standing beside the river at the bottom of the canyon. 

“What took you all so long?” Davinci asked us, while sipping from his canteen, and staggering around aimlessly. 

He already had his donkey tied up to a tree and several things unloaded off of it. 

Haybale looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. This was my first inkling that Davinci was intoxicated, and that we were going to have issues on our excursion. 

“Thank goodness you’re safe Mr. Davinci!” The Chief said.  “I am impressed with your handling of a difficult situation.” 

“How right you are Chief!” Davinci replied, “I just held on squeezed my legs and road her’ hard.” Davinci proudly shouted then took another swig off his canteen.  

“Let us join Mr. Davinci and retire here for the night.” The chief said to us, as he climbed off his donkey. 

***  Approximately 6 hours later  *** 

I awoke to the faint sound of a drum beating softly. 

The full moon shined brightly over the canyon as I slowly lifted my head and turned toward the sound.  

There in the moonlight was the chief, dancing while beating on a small drum between his legs and sipping from a canteen.   

Davinci was holding a canteen out in front of him as he danced to the flickering of the flaming embers of the campfire that was almost out. 

I looked at the others, all sleeping contently in the night, then back to Davinci and the Chief. 

Rooooooar!!   From out of the night not far off in the distance there was a screech which sent shivers down my spine. 

Davinci and the Chief both stopped their dancing immediately and turned toward where the screech came from. 

As Haybale and the others awoke they looked around sort of scared and confused. 

Boom!   The silence of the night which had just been broken by the cries of a wild animal suddenly gave way to a fiery explosion. 

The chief had pulled a pistol and fired it…   

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