Caedmon Comma

My Son,

A man and his son were riding along in a creaking horse-drawn wagon. The plodding horse kicked dust into the air all around, as the sun beat down to warm the plain.  They were on their way from some where, and on their way to somewhere, all at once.

'What's that, Pa?'

They were passing by a rocky rise with what looked to be the opening to a small cave. Around the hill were crosses marking graves. There were at least fifty crosses jutting from the ground, encircling the cave's opening.

'Long time ago,' the father explained, 'there was a rumor started going around about a huge vein of gold that could be got to in that there cave.' He paused to spit and wipe his brow. 'I guess people just went kinda crazy.'

'Well, what happened, Pa?'

The cave was now behind them as the horse continued its oblivious progress.

The father was quietly thinking before he spoke. 'People showed up from all over the place. Of course, the owners of the land wanted it all to themselves, so they was there waitin'. The Indians even showed up 'cause the cave was sacred or some such. One thing led to another and the killin' started. People were shot, stabbed, or beaten til they were dead.'

'Who won? I mean, who got the gold cave?' the boy asked, excited.

'Don't know,' the father answered. 'Far as I can tell, the dead own it. I suppose they paid enough for it.'


A buzzard or some other large bird soared over them turning slowly on the wind, waiting for the death of some living thing to feast upon; by which, it might subsist for another period of time.

'I can't imagine all that killin' for gold.' The boy looked off in the distance, imagining the human depravity conjured by wealth. 'What a bunch of awful people.' 

The boy's father focused on the road ahead, gazing through the dusty forthcoming road. After a few moments he said, 'Five of those grave crosses back yonder are there because of me.'

His son looked over at him, incredulous. His father did not return the glance. The boy looked away and focused on the road ahead.

'It's the damnedest thing,' the man finally said. 'Insanity and murder are just a rumor of gold away.'

Dada