Qualities

By Dan Ker

painting (no photo) by Eric Hotz

Sunrays were glittering on the flowing water, causing dancing shadows from the low hanging leaves nearby on its surface. Stones in the bed of the river generated little swirls accompanied by a soothing, gurgling sound.

In this peaceful surrounding there was a lonely man sitting on the bank of the river, obviously enjoying one of the last beautiful days of autumn, but his expression was grim.

Suddenly, there was a crack of a twig and a rustle to be heard from an adjacent thicket.

The man leapt to his feet.

A male emerged from the bushes, looking straight into the barrel of the gun the other man had drawn faster than most people could.

"Hold it right there!" he said in a firm voice.

Recognizing the intruder left him asking, astonished and unbelieving,

"YOU?"

"I'm honored you haven't forgotten me after all those years."

The man was old, his actual age hard to guess. He had longer white hair and a friendly face.

"You know, sneaking up on somebody like that is dangerous. I'm not as fast as my partner, but I can look after myself," answered the startled one, holstering his gun.

"It's been a while. You have grown into a handsome man, Han," replied the old man.

"It's just Heyes now."

The way the man looked at him made him feel uncomfortable. The way his life had taken since he had met the old man as a child went through his mind, not visible for anyone else.

"I see you really have developed a poker face, as I have prophesied," said the old man, " But you can't fool me, what's gnawing at you?"

"Nothing," the brief reply came a little too fast.

Heyes and Kid were the leaders of the DHG for several months now.

Leading those outlaws with their different characters and years of age was not easy.

He was well aware he was under observation and questioned in each of his actions. But at least he had his partner to stand at his side....well, most of the times.

At one of his last disputes with Hank and Wheat, Kid Curry had just leant against the door frame, with his arms crossed, saying nothing.

"Why can't those idiots see that despite my age I have better ideas than all the rest of them together?"

Seeing the old man smiling and looking at him the way he did, Heyes decided better to omit further unnecessary details.

"You do sometimes have an over-confidence that can be viewed as arrogance. Your prime need is to know yourself without equivocation.

Be always aware of, 'The greatest weakness of the stronger one is his arrogance'.(1)"

Heyes took a sharp breath. He instinctively knew the old man with the longer white hair was right with his reproach but hearing it was hurtful in its directness. He could feel the old man looking at him in his calm, friendly manner.

"Being a good leader involves more than coming up with great plans, even if they are successful," the old man continued, "You have to get them on your side, acknowledging their weaknesses AND their strengths. Christmas is the best time of a year to let them know."

Now Heyes laughed, "What do you think? We are a bunch of outlaws, just look at them, all dirty, most of them illiterate and dumb, but at the same time dangerous enough to stab you in the back. The only one I can rely on is Kid, that's what you foresaid back then. Christmas is a family celebration, not for us."

"You are the LEADER, you decide what's done.

Look, I've got you a book about a new invention and some interesting information. I think it will help you to consolidate yours AND Kid's position."

Said leader contemplated the words, chewing at his lower lip. Finally, with one finger, he tipped his black hat with its silver conchos back at a jaunty angle. A smile crept on his face.

"Why not?", the outlaw leader answered, "never wrong to take advice of on old, wise man."

"See? I told you when we met last time, you are smart!

Promise me you will respect them as they are, conversely you expect their compliance.

I'll help you get it started. That's a good deal?".....

The gurgling sound of the river in the background also seemed to voice its approval.

********************

Several weeks later a small carriage, loaded with much needed supplies and some smaller packages on top of them labelled 'Fragile - with care' beside 'TNT' and 'Explosives', wound its way on a road already suffering from the affectations of the winter weather. The cargo was only secured with a couple of ropes, and with all the muddy holes in the road, the packages and boxes slid back and forth alarmingly. With all the thudding and bumping, Hannibal Heyes, riding shotgun, turned around, eying the cargo apprehensively.

"Can't you drive a little more careful? I spent quite a fortune for those things."

With a side glance, his partner asked, "Do you want to drive? What's in those packages anyway? The whole time you been acting all secret like. Since when are you so cagey about your plans?"

The road made an increase and the horse pulling the carriage had a hard job. Kid shouted some encouraging words still, slowly but surely, the carriage moved backwards.

"Will you do something?!" Heyes shouted dismayed, "Sshhhh....you would think the fastest gun in the West could handle a carriage."

While slowly pulling the brakes Kid countered, " You are acting as if I am driving a full load of Nitro. And I’d starve before I would take that job! Now relax. Your precious cargo will reach DH safely."

Beside him, a tense dark haired one rolled his eyes.

**********************

Three weeks before Christmas Heyes asked Kid to gather their men in the leader's cabin.

Seeing all expecting eyes on his person, he took a deep breath and plastered a confident expression on his face.

After a reassuring glance to Kid Curry, he started,

"Boys, this last year was the beginning of our trip to become the most famous and successful outlaw gang in this part of the country.

"Our young, inexperienced upstart has to be careful not to stumble over his own feathers." said Wheat in a low whisper to Kyle.

For a short moment Kyle stopped to chew on his piece of tobacco chunk, but realizing others, especially Lobo, joined in the muted laughter, he grinned with a side glance to Curry, who had frowned and straightened having heard the comment.

Ignoring the provocation, Heyes carried on,

"We are at our best if we stand together and act as a unit with the Kid and me leading.

So, this year, we will celebrate Christmas like real families do."

After a short, stunned period of silence the members of the DHG started talking all at once, interrupted by Hank's remark, "And the two of you acting like mother and father?"

Now Kid interfered. Taking a few steps forward, he adopted an almost threatening attitude, saying,

"We don't have time for talking nonsense, only listening."

After all, it was his job to keep some of these man-shaped annoyances in line...and he was good at his job!

"We'll have a real Christmas tree?" asked an excited Kyle.

"Of course, after all, it's 'a bearer of hope for a new year.' " Heyes recited with a smug grin on his face.

**********************

Later on, in the leader's cabin, Kid said,

"A real family, Heyes? This bunch of outlaws? I hope you have a good reason for all this, or it could be the last year of our leadership."

"If you might have noticed, it's an incontrovertible truth they don't accept my authority yet if it wouldn't be for your gun. I want their attitude toward us to be of mixed fear, respect and reverence, beside or because of our youth.

Cheer up, Kid, this Christmas could be the end of all our troubles." To confirm his words, he slapped Kid on the shoulder.

"If you say so...let's do it your way and see if these putative festive measures will work. I'll be right at your side.", his partner said, although he had a real queasy feeling. Sometimes his partner was a master in obscuring facts...

**********************

On Christmas Eve the DHG found themselves gathered around a simply decorated Christmas tree. More than one felt awkward, especially after noticing several packages under the lowest hanging twigs with names on them.

"Gifts?" said a suspicious looking Lobo.

"Just let me outline our situation." Heyes started to pace. "We had a few communication problems lately. "I made you a successful outlaw gang...".

A humph of disagreement from five members was heard.

"YOU, Heyes?" At the Kid's raised eyebrows, Heyes rethought his words. There was his pride again...he started anew,

"ALL of us achieved a lot. Nevertheless, each of you has his place and talents in our group." Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Curry's agreeing nod.

"The show-off does the thinking and we're doing all the work for this greenhorn leader," Wheat said so low only Kyle standing beside him could make it out.

Heyes glared in his direction, then decided to ignore him.

"I had a little lead time to think about a way to appreciate your work. So, I tell you what we're going to do." He paused in front of the Christmas tree and faced his men.

" I have hid a green pickle in the tree, because I am the planner and prevent us from being famine-stricken. That's what almost happened to Hans Lauer on 24.12.1864 in captivity. A guard saved his life by giving him a pickle."

He missed Kid's glance heavenwards standing slightly behind his back. "Whoever finds it first, gets a gift."

Now something amazing happened - in anticipation of a Christmas gift, five rough, hardened outlaws shouted and ran around the tree, grabbing and pushing.

Hank got hold of Kyle's pants, in the course yanking them down, so everyone saw his pee-stained underwear.....

"A man of God should exercise deprivation," Lobo said while jabbing Preacher in the ribs with his elbow. "Take that back unless you want to eat your front teeth!", came the not so contemplative answer.

Finally, Kid's shot from his gun towards the ceiling restored order.

It turned out it was Wheat, the constant thorn of the group, who had found the pickle.

He opened his package and revealed two fragile figures in form of a trumpet and a dove, glittering in the firelight from the fireplace. Mouthblown, made out of glass...in his big, calloused hands almost surreal.

"They are Christmas tree decorations, each with a different meaning, pretty much like each of you with your different abilities. At a closer look I found a matching piece for each of you, which is a fitting comparison to your strengths." "Heyes explained to the members of the DHG.

"The trumpet is 'the symbol of proclamation news', which you, Wheat, are quite capable of....as well as working as a good link between me, Kid and the others, and...", he lowered his voice, "as well pointing out mistakes or challenging me."

"I don't have anything to apologize for," Wheat bristled.

"I take it personally when you criticize the job I'm doing!", came the immediate answer with a little more heat than necessary.

Casting a side glance to Kid, Heyes saw him frowning.....Well, he didn't intend to mess this up.

Heyes decided to conclude their conversation by saying, "The dove is a 'bird of peace'. Appreciate your loyalty. Good to have you here." The atmosphere relaxed.

One by one, they unpacked their respective packages.

Hank was gifted with a glass cone, representing 'fertility'.

Heyes and Kid often thought he was in the outlaw business because he wanted a big score so he can settle down with a wife and family.

Preacher got a fish, which was used as 'a symbol of his membership in the church', and its use of being 'the nourishing one', concerning his fondness of cooking and 'nourishing' his soul with whiskey....

The next one in line was Kyle. One glass figure was in form of a star, 'a sign of hope for a valid fate', which sure was important for his survival in the outlaw world. The second one was a small silver ball. His artlessness was unique within the group.

Lobo was not too fond to open his package. He found a nut in his box.

Heyes explained it was 'a mirror of his soul'. He was more of a withdrawn person, enigmatic and mysterious. The second figure was an owl - an 'animal of wisdom'. Lobo was like a weather vane, not predictable, drifting here and there with his opinion and loyalty.

Despite his young age, Heyes was eloquent enough with his words trying to focus on positives as the wise man had instructed him. More than once he had to bite back allusions on negative sides.....that was something for another day. He made a mental note not to forget about it.

Kid was the last one who got a gift.

He found a bell, which 'meant to prevent misfortune and a warning for vigilance'. In addition, there was a red glass apple. What could fit better, Heyes explained with a cough, to a man in his heydays, who loved female acquaintances, than the fruit of paradise?

They hung up their figures on the Christmas tree. Finally, to his delight, Kyle was distributed the task of lightening the candles, accompanied by Heyes' smug remark, these were 'the bright lights that come from heaven to earth at Christmas'.

At this time of the evening, his words provoked a collective sigh of the outlaws and a slight headshake of a blond, curled head.

Standing in front of the tree in an almost festive atmosphere, Heyes turned to his group of men, putting his hands on his hips in his typical way and proclaimed,

"Now, let's start the fun part! Before Preacher serves stuffed, roasted venison, there's a box full of fine whiskey from me and the Kid.

Oh, just in case I forget, under each of your bedrolls is an envelope with a bonus payment..."

His words were followed by a general big hurray of a group of men, who experienced a special form of Christmas Eve. Men, who were not supposed to spend Christmas in a traditional way.....as a family, kind of.

*********************

Back in the leader's cabin Heyes took a deep breath, releasing some of the tension. He put an arm loosely around Kid's shoulder. His previous stern- looking face turned into a big grin, revealing two well-known dimples.

"So, that was that. I think that was enough to repel further possible insurgencies."

A visibly proud Kid Curry said, "Heyes, I must admit first your idea didn't add up for me but you proved you've got a real big heart and a brilliant idea. Well, I've got a gift for you too."

He handed him a box covered in colorful paper.

Unwrapping it, it turned out to be a golden Christmas ball

"Where did you get that from?" his surprised partner asked.

"Well, Heyes, you weren't the only one who got an unannounced visitor...", now it was Kid's turn to smile broadly, "He told me about the meaning of some Christmas' ornaments.

Did you know the gift-wrap is a symbol for the wise men that gifts are a sign of commitment and charity'?

"He told me, too, that the form of the ball as a decoration was invented by a German glassblower in Lauscha in 1847. They were too poor to afford apples or nuts, so they produced a glass copy of apples. The golden color stands for 'clarity and the victory of good over evil'. Some even attribute it with 'magic power'.”

That was the keyword for the dark haired leader, who drew himself up proudly,

"All those signs emphasize I'm the perfect leader! Never forget the faith the old wise man has in me...."

A resigned sigh and drooping shoulders from the blond outlaw followed this statement. He thought, 'so much for the topic of modesty...'.

But of course, he was proud of his partner in crime and admired his ability to return to his good-natured and positive way of life despite so many hindrances they have had to face in the past.

"Well, some of your magic words might help as much as my gun. Come on, let's join the others."

(1) Martin Gerhard Reisenberg