BILLY STEELE CHAPTER FIVE: MENACE OF THE MOLE PEOPLE

Billy's heart and the land he loves would become one as the boy traveled the winding trails deeper into the West's golden heart.

Pristine, sparkling rivers, that refreshed men's souls and bountiful green prairies that seemed to be caressed by an extra helping of God's love, greeted Billy as he happily rode towards his destiny. But beneath the greatness of the frontier, Billy envisioned an unseen power of the West-a power that came with his vivid imagination.

The American frontier was a wonderful playground-for behind every cactus, sagebrush and tumbling tumbleweed a fabulous adventure was waiting to be had. Billy has had many and he knew there countless more to enjoy. Legends that lived on the land for thousands of years would manifest themselves and challenge Billy's bravery and skills. Outlaws and villains, real, fanciful and fantastic would stimulate Billy's soul and satisfy his craving for high adventure.

But more importantly, Billy's mind saw his golden west become a great kingdom, heaven on Earth for the courageous settlers and valiant pioneers who built their homes and sanctuaries in the land's bosoms. Billy and the pioneers knew the West provided unlimited opportunities-one's golden dreams could be fulfilled and fueled by one's imagination and drive. The thought that Billy would soon lay claim to a mine full of the power that would shape the frontier forever, raced joyously through his young soul as he happily galloped on his golden pony towards his legacy. Where iron men and women used their bare hands to build their lives from the rugged terrain, Billy knew that the power from his mine would lead these settlers to create their utopian civilization and enable them to make their dreams come alive.

Billy once again stared proudly at his shimmering black coin, the key to the mine, as he wondered whether its legendary power could ever be used for evil as well as good.

Would Billy's lost mine destiny be one of promise or one of regret? Would the magnificent power Billy has been searching for be used to build the West, or destroy it?

Billy could see the bright, orange sun drop behind the purple mountains and he next heard Col. Tim order the riders to halt. Here the journeymen would camp for the night. A roaring fire was soon built and the Col., Sgt. Big Boy, Cpl. Jubilee and Salvation McCoy ate their evening meal of beans, pan-fried biscuits and side meat with the big, bright stars as their guardians.

The warm glow of the fire cheered these super troopers and their adopted son. Only a coyote's howl could be heard through the darkness. Before Billy could eat, he had to care for his golden pony, Swifty and once he watered his steed, Billy fed his pup, 'Lasses, some of his bacon rations.

Billy was so happy to share this marvelous adventure and its forthcoming rewards with his Ranger family, he ran to fetch the Col.'s bedroll and prepare it for him. As Billy carried the saddle from the Col.'s chocolate mount, he lost his glove. And Billy's tattoo, the flaming black arrowhead that mysteriously appeared on the boy's hand and was a clue to his dual identity, was in plain sight.

"What's that mark on your hand son," Col. Tim asked the boy with a tone of concern.

Billy stood quietly and thought carefully. He knew that if he revealed the tattoo's connection to White Eagle, the source of his super powers and his Lightning Warrior alter ego, he would become a betrayer to White Eagle's magic and lose his power to become the phantom protector of the plains. Even worse, Billy's confession could unleash a terrible curse upon the land and people he loved-a curse that could obliterate everything and everyone he held dear to his heart.