"Michael? Bob, what are you talking about? There's a large group of men headed this way. I left Busby and a couple of others to keep an eye on them, but they will be here by morning." Ferguson said.
"I would say that is exactly what Michael was talking about. We've been instructed to move out within two hours."
"I hadn't heard about that, but I'm not surprised by it. There have to be close to two hundred heavily armed men out there. They are on foot, but they are moving steadily in this direction. Looks like a recon in force, I'd say. If we are bugging out, I need to get Busby and the others back here."
"Go ahead and pull them in. We need to get a move on."
The word to pack up and be ready to move passed quickly through the camp by word of mouth. A number of people had taken advantage of the extended stay at this camp to unpack, and use numerous items. Now that the word came to leave in a hurry, somethings couldn't be repacked in a short such a short time. What couldn't be quickly packed up, was abandoned. It took less than the two hours that they had been given for everyone to be ready to go. As the last of the people finished their preparations, Lieutenant Busby and three others came trotting into what was left of the camp. None of them even asked what had happened, they simply swarmed onto the wagons and trailers as everything started to move.
While most items had been loaded onto the trucks, wagons, trailers and even horses, there was still obvious signs of recent occupation. However with such a short time to get ready, it couldn't be helped. They knew that if the men that were coming happened on to the spot there was no doubt they would realize what was going on and give chase.
"Major? I think we are ready. Can you think of anything we can do to cover our tracks on such short notice?" Bob asked.
"There is one thing. We should cut branches from these trees, and tie them to the back of each vehicle or trailer, so that they help wipe out our tracks. We can also try weighing them down a little so that they do a better job of it. The American Indians used tricks like that to elude the Army in their day."
"See to it." Bob said as he scratched his back.
"Yes Sir."
Looking at his watch, Bob spoke to Ferguson one more time.
"Major. I want you to bring up our rear. Should anything happen that might cause problems like a vehicle break down, do whatever you feel is needed to keep things moving. I don't care if you have to hog tie someone and throw them over the back of a saddle, keep them moving."
"Will do. Look don't get me wrong, but why me on rear guard?"
"It is a matter of authority. People might feel like they could argue with Lieutenant Busby or one of the others. They won't argue with you."
"Roger that."
Bob went to the S.U.V. to find his wife.
"Honey. I need you to drive for me. I assume you can handle a stick shift."
Maria smiled at him.
"Bob, I lived in those mountains for a long time. I was married to a trucker for over twenty years. I can handle it. What are you going to be doing?"
"Intense prayer, what else?"
With almost fifteen minutes left to their time limit the people gathered in the central portion of the former camp and waited for the word to move. Bob joined them with Pastor Jim at his side.
"Folks, I know this was unexpected, but there is no need to panic. The forces headed this way are on foot, and even now at least two to three hours behind us. Not only that we can move faster than they can with our vehicles and horses. We should be able to stay well ahead of them. Just the same, I've asked Jim to say a prayer for us before we leave. Pastor."
What followed was a short but highly sincere and heartfelt prayer for guidance and protection. Once everyone had said amen Bob raised his head and said,
"Alright. Lets' do it."
Lieutenant Busby led a mixed squad of Special Forces men and civilians that had been trained while in the town, including some of the women that the Major had been training to fight, took the point position and immediately moved out. Their job was to stay about a quarter of a mile ahead of the main group and through maintaining radio contact, scouted in whatever direction they were instructed to go.
Next, men and women were placed on each flank a hundred yards out to make certain there weren't any forces that would spring an ambush.
As the column moved out Major Ferguson and the people with him did what they could to erase all sign that the group had passed this way. He knew that if the men coming towards them were any good they would know within half an hour of finding this place they would have a good idea of just how many people they would be following. He stopped for a moment just before ordering his people to move out. Looking skyward he said,
"Father, we've done all we can. Please blind their eyes so they don't see this place. Thank You. Amen.
Then he and his people followed the rest.
Captain Rutherford's' men found the camp a little under three hours after Ferguson had pulled out. With the lateness of the day, he decided to set up camp for the night. Whoever had been here, they wouldn't get very far before it was to dark to travel. He knew that he and his men could probably catch up with them in the next day or so. Once they did, they would know what was what. There was no telling who had been here. He did know it wasn't a military camp. Tents had been pitched here and there, instead of in neat rows. So this had to be a group of civilians.
The question was why so many would be sneaking through the back country like this? If they were running from renegade Russian or Chinese troops, where were their pursuers? If not then why were they here? It was all explained to him when one of his men came to him later in the evening.
"Sir. Look what I just found." The man held out a small book for his inspection. It was a New Testament. Obviously dropped by one of the people that had just left this place.
"Sargent. Pass the word. Christians ahead. It is going to be a short night and an early start in the morning. Everyone has to be ready for action at any time. Once we get to them, the loot will be shared equally, and any women found are for our pleasure. We don't have to worry about prisoners."
The Sargent smiled coldly.
"I think they'd like that Sir."
"I'm sure they will. You have your orders."
The Christians went as far as they could that evening. When they finally stopped for the night, they were in a small valley that had a stream running through it. Unusual for this time of year. Normally it would have been frozen nearly solid. The Christians individually thanked God as they filled water jugs and barrels.
However the people that had questioned Bobs' leadership now had fresh ammunition to us against him. In their minds clearly Bob wasn't doing his job right. If he had been, they wouldn't be running for their lives now. Another thing they didn't like was the place they had been told to stop for the night. They had just come down a narrow dirt road that wound back and forth in switchback fashion into a kind of valley, that was almost bowl shaped. Around them on three sides the ground was higher than the position they were in. They knew enough to realize that it could well be a death trap.
Maria for her part, had followed Bobs' instructions to the letter. As they traveled she listened to the instructions given by her husband to the teams on each flank, and the one on point. She didn't know why this place was chosen, but if this is where The Lord wanted them she wouldn't question it. She knew he was doing the right thing. When he wasn't talking on the radio he had been deep in prayer, and she didn't say a word for fear of disturbing him.
Things started to worse later that evening when Lieutenant Busbys' team came in. In no time at all word spread around the camp that there was another, and larger group of men directly in their path. They were trapped between to forces and totally outnumbered.
During the night Maria would wake from time to time. She looked over to where Bob had been the last time, and he was still there, praying. It was about four A.M. when she woke again, but this time Bob was sitting next to her.
"Hi. Been sitting there long?"
"About fifteen minutes."
"Any answers yet?"
"Maria, listen very carefully to me. I need to tell you something."
At this, she sat upright, wide awake.
"Sweetheart, you have to promise me something."
"Anything Dear. You know that."
"This is different. I don't know what is going to happen. What I have been told is that our enemies will catch up with us some time tomorrow morning. When they do we must not provoke them in any way."
"Bob, are you alright? Those people want to kill us all, and you say not to do anything?"
"If I thought it would help, I'd be laying mines and booby traps this instant. But they won't help this time. We must trust The Lord."
Maria could see the earnestness in his eyes. She answered. "Alright. I won't even give them a harsh look. But I can't say I like it." The she smiled at him and pulled off her night clothes. "Come to bed. We still have time before the sun comes up."
"Are you sure?"
"What's the matter? Afraid you're going to get me pregnant?"
"I guess it is a little late to worry about that."
"So, come to bed."
It was a little after six A.M. when Bob woke Major Ferguson.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Major, I've gotten instructions about tomorrow. I know this sounds crazy, but you must follow these orders exactly."
"Yes Sir. What are my orders."
"I've written a statement, that I want you to read to the camp at about eight o'clock. Then I want you to round up ever firearm in camp and place them under guard. Use any force you feel is necessary. Understand?"
"The order, yes. The reason, no."
"Read the statement, and all will be made clear. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get ready myself."
Ferguson lit a small lamp and began to read.
'My friends, we all know the situation. The enemy is both before and behind us. The Lord knows the spot we are in, and wants us to trust in Him. He wants me to remind you of what Moses said to the Children of Israel when they were at the Red Sea.
Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD,
My friends, we must all stand still and watch. For that reason, I've ordered Major Ferguson to collect every weapon in camp until this days events are past. I have gone to pray and make ready for what I must do, but I will be with you before the enemy comes. Give the Major your weapons, then stand still and watch.'
It was shortly before eleven A.M. when Captain Rutherford's men reached a ridge line just above the camp. All of the Christians stood in a group in the open. All but one. A man stood out in front of them. He called out to them.
"HALT! In the name of the Most High God, I command you to drop your weapons and leave here now. Fail to do so, and you will never leave here. So says The Lord."
"You see men." Rutherford shouted. "They are Christians. Kill that one first."
Most of the weapons along the line fired at Bob at nearly the same instant. At only fifty yards, they didn't miss. Bob was hit by so many bullets, his shirt was shredded into rags. The impact of them lifted him off the ground and threw him backwards. He hit the ground, and remained motionless.
"Now men lets' get them all. Charge!"
BW, Vietnam Vet