BILLY STEELE: KID RANGER, CHAPTER THREE

"That crazy old White Eagle has brought some kind of monster spirit to rob settlers, I think he called it The Lightning Warrior," Lester concluded.

The grizzled old trapper and prospector, Cactus Andy and George also ran into Slade’s office to give credibility to Lester’s claim. "We saw White Eagle and this spooky monster called The Lightning Warrior rob a wagon train, killed some settlers, too."

"Hear that Sheriff Whipjaw," the devilishly dapper Slade yelled to his greasy, snake-slick henchman. "It’s been my plan to get rid of White Eagle for months, now. With him gone, I can manipulate these worthless Injuns to my advantage for their rich lands. And if they got some crazy new idol, well let’s send this Lightning Warrior and his old medicine man Indian buddy to the happy hunting grounds. Get a hanging posse organized, Sheriff."

Within minutes, the corrupt politician, Slade, his con man sidekick sheriff, and their saloon smelling, vicious posse rode out of town with blood in their eyes, ready to hang White Eagle and riddle the Warrior with their bullets.

Back on the trail, an injured White Eagle had a horrible vision appear to him as The Lightning Warrior used his belt to wrap the Indian’s wound. White Eagle in his mind’s eye saw Supervisor Slade, Sheriff Whipjaw and their hanging posse galloping towards them like mad dogs. "You must become Billy again," White Eagle cried to the Warrior. "More evil men with guns are coming to kill us. They want to execute me and the Warrior. But they will leave the young Billy Steele in peace."

"Where can we go and how can I help you, my teacher," The Lightning Warrior asked as he assisted White Eagle to his feet.

"We cannot go back to my camp, the posse will be looking for me there," White Eagle deduced as the Warrior gently walked him to his mount.

The Lightning Warrior as per his sage’s strong suggestion, then used the ancient magic of the sacred black arrowhead to revert back to Billy Steele, kid ranger. The boy raced over to White Eagle’s side to examine his wound. "It’s only a flesh wound," Billy said with great relief. "Where can we go for help," Billy asked his mentor.

"We need not give up your quest, Billy Steele," White Eagle confided to the boy. "We must go to your destiny, the old mission you call The Alamo. My spirits have told me that within those walls, the great puzzles of your life will be solved, answers to all your questions will appear and a great treasure you will find, but for others, there will be a day of reckoning."

"But you are hurt, White Eagle, I must get you to safety before the hanging posse arrives. Your life is the most important thing to me," Billy replied with sheer intensity.

"This is why you are destined for greatness, Billy Steele," the ancient medicine man said to his chosen one. "Your putting others ahead of yourself makes you worthy of all that will happen to you. I am not hurt badly. We must go to The Alamo as you had planned. For there, is both our destinies."

Billy Steele and White Eagle rode quickly through the sagebrush trails on to The Alamo just a few yards away from the hanging posse hunting them. Billy and White Eagle could hear the merciless hoof beats and howls of the hanging posse.

As Billy and White Eagle rode to the Alamo, they passed the unkempt old prospector, Cactus Andy and George, the seemingly unsuccessful animal trapper. "Where you headed in such a rush," Andy shouted.

"To The Alamo, Andy," Billy replied. "Gotta find something important."

White Eagle frowned in disapproval at Billy’s divulging of their destination. "It wasn’t wise to speak about our journey.