Summary: Something is destroying farmer’s crops. A Halloween Story.

Rating: G, Word Count: 806

The Pooka

 

Hoss sat in the saloon listening to the men talking about their farms.

“We’ve got something ruining our crops this year. It’s at night so we don’t see who it is,” Ira McMann said.

“That’s been going on with ours too,” Mack Larson replied.

“I’ve told the sheriff, but he and his one deputy can only do so much with guarding the town,” Ira said.

Hoss looked out the door and saw it was nightfall and figured he’d better get home.

Mounting his horse he headed home, tossing an apple he’d been eating by the side of the road. He rode by a few of the farms and could barely see the damage made by the mysterious assailant. The wind picked up as he neared another farm. Lightning flashed and he saw a horse running from the farm to the canyon. Hoss knew he had to follow and catch it. He pushed Chubb into a run. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed, and rain poured on him. He got off Chubb, tied him up on a bush and climbed the rocks where the horse had run.

Drawing closer to the horse he saw that it was black and had yellow eyes. He thought that was interesting that a horse would have yellow eyes.

“Come on, boy. I won’t hurt you,” Hoss said softly.

The horse reared up and Hoss backed up.

“Hoss no!” a voice called out.

Hoss looked to see who was there. Just then the horse reared up again and kicked Hoss knocking him down the rocks.

“Hoss, I’m sorry. Are you all right?”

Hoss opened his eyes and saw Angus McTavish standing over him with a lantern.

“Hoss, you shouldn’t be near that horse. It’s a Pooka.”

Hoss frowned then passed out. Angus roused Hoss and helped him to his wagon. Hoss climbed in the wagon bed and passed out again. Angus climbed on his wagon after tying Chubb to the back, and took Hoss to the doctor. Angus went to the Cartwrights to tell them what happened to Hoss. Ben, Joe and Adam left as fast as they could for town.

“Paul, what happened?” Ben asked.

“Ask Angus, he brought Hoss in.”

Ben turned to the older man.

“Hoss was up on the canyon going after a Pooka that had taken the shape of a horse and was kicked by him.”

“A Pooka?” Ben asked.

“It’s a goblin that causes problems. It’s been going around the farms and destroying their crops.”

“What a load of nonsense,” Ben scoffed.

“Pa, it’s an Irish folklore, and not something to be taken lightly,” Adam explained.

Ben rolled his eyes.

“Where was it at? Will you show us?” Adam asked.

“Sure.”

“I’ll stay here,” Ben said.

“You should come with us, Pa. Hoss will be all right until we get back,” Adam urged.

Ben sighed and followed them.

They had climbed into the wagon and Angus drove to the canyon. It was still storming and there was a flash of light that lit up behind the horse.

“That’s it?” Ben asked skeptically.

“Yes. His eyes are a fire yellow and he causes troubles,” Angus said.

Ben looked at the old man, his tawny eyes reflecting a sudden flash of lightning. Adam and Joe jumped out of the wagon and headed up the rocky trail.

“Be careful boys! He’ll get ya!” Angus said and followed the boys.

Ben decided to follow them. Thunder crashed in the air which made the horse jump along with the men. It ran off into the darkness but made no sound. Adam and Joe climbed the rocks as best as they could without slipping.

“I don’t see it anywhere. Do you, Joe?” Adam asked.

“No,” Joe replied.

“Let’s get out of here,” Adam said and they made their way down.

“Come on, Angus, I’m sure you want to see Hoss too,” Ben said.

He turned to Angus but the old man wasn’t there.

“Where’d Angus go?” Ben asked.

“I don’t know,” Joe shrugged. Adam frowned as he scanned the area through the rain.

Puzzled and soaking wet, they took the wagon back to Paul’s office.

“How’s Hoss?” Ben asked.

“He’s fine. Just a broken arm,” Paul said, then looked beyond the Cartwrights. “Where’s Angus?”

Ben looked at his sons who shrugged. “He’s not here?”

The Cartwrights looked at each other again.

“Um, I think we should check on Hoss,” Ben said in an uncertain tone.

Adam and Joe nodded and followed Ben to the back room. The dark room brightened from the hall light, and Hoss opened his eyes when his family walked in.

For just a second, the three Cartwrights each thought they had seen Hoss’ blue eyes reflect a golden color before closing again. No one shared their thoughts as they backed out of the room to let Hoss sleep.

 

From the Brandsters.  The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site.  Brand is happy to offer this story a new home.