Chapter 3

[Protection – Robby on the Road]

All four of us were nervous, as were the horses. We had made very good time and I called a halt a bit earlier than I might but we could see a fine house with a good barn. We pulled in the drive and were met by a man with a rifle at the door. He looked more worried than belligerent. He said, "Have you seen the lions?"

Pam answered, "Yes, sir. They were around us last night. My name is Pam. With me are my spouses, Melissa, Robby, and Charles. We were going to stop here for the night. Can you tell us where a house and barn are located where we might safely stay the night?"

He replied, "Let's talk a bit, Pam. Perhaps we can work something out. I'm Darryl and my wife, Cindy, and children, James and Doris, are with me. Where are you folks from and why are you here?"

Pam continued, "We are from a new community near Henderson, Tennessee, named Protection. We were sent here after our preacher, Abe, had a vision that people to our northwest needed some help. Abe didn't know what the problem might be. Our elected leader, Doctor George Andrews, asked if we would go and help or determine what was needed and report back.

"It looks like you have need of a lion tamer." She grinned up at Darryl.

He grinned back and set his rifle down. "Why don't you tie your horses and come sit a spell on the porch?" He looked back into the house and shouted, "Cindy, it's okay."

He picked a chair on the porch and sat down. We dismounted and joined him. Charles sat with his arm around Pam and Melissa sat on my lap. Darryl said, "What did you mean spouses, Pam?"

Charles said, "We're all married to each other. Protection allows plural marriage. We're the first quadruple and, while most are regular couples, there are some triples. It just worked out that we realized we loved each other and Abe and George went along with the situation. It isn't for everyone but it works for us."

I spoke up. "We have been followed by a pack of lions for a few days. They get close at night but distance themselves from us during the day. There has been little game, also. What's the situation with all that?"

Cindy came out followed by two children aged around ten or twelve. She said, "It's terrible. The lions appeared about six months ago. They've wiped out the game and most of the farm animals. We still have a few cattle and horses but have to watch them when they go out to pasture. If you go into the woods, the lions will get you. They're smart and we've only been able to kill a few. Our best shooter was killed by them a month ago."

I said, "Perhaps, that was why Abe wanted us here. I am a good shooter and my three spouses are close to me in ability. If nothing is done, the lions may become a threat to Protection. I think now's the time to deal with them. Darryl, how many people live in the area?"

"I think there are six or eight families left. A couple of families were wiped out by the lions and five or six moved away. The ones left watch out for the lions and each other. We have hunted in the past but never tried to hunt hunters. Deer don't eat you."

I chuckled, "Unfortunately, I have hunted men in the past as well as have been hunted. It's not fun and takes some getting used to. I've noticed that they close in at night and back off during the day."

Cindy said, "They will try things at night. They know we have guns and will go after them in daylight. No one has ever been able to track them at night. We're afraid to shoot at them at night. One family did and they were wiped out. The lions came into the house and took them all. It was terrible."

Charles said, "If we were prepared, I think we could handle them. We brought well over a hundred rounds each on the wagon along with a few other surprises the lions might not like."

He looked at me and said, "Robby, why don't we set up a trap in an empty house and see if we can take them out?"

Pam said, "I want to be sure we're all safe before we do that. That includes you, Robby."

I feigned surprise, "I'm always careful. I'm the most cautious person I know." That resulted in a laugh from my spouses. I pretended to be hurt, "You all know that I'm cautious. I'm just sometimes quick to assess a situation."

Melissa said, "Robby, I think that's true but sometimes it's quicker than anyone else in the world can comprehend."

Pam said, "Back to the initial subject, Robby. What do you think about a trap?"

I responded, "We can do something. I'm concerned that they have invaded a house as a result of an overt offensive maneuver against them. We will need to plan this carefully with a safe room of some kind and the ability to stay there for some time. It will take some thought and planning to find a place and prepare it."

Darryl said, "You're serious about doing something! I'll help and so will others. None of us know what to do or how to do it."

I said, "We were sent up here to help and I have some skills that will be of use. Darryl, are most of the farms around here like yours in layout?"

"Umm, yes, I guess so. Most of them are about the same size and a good layout for a farm is a good layout."

"Darryl, I have some questions. Have you seen or heard of any of these lions in trees?"