No Name Key, (Part 6)
In this part, Manuel and Hector are experience military training with the three guys they met on No Name Key.
Morning came and went. The meager share of K-rations wasn’t any feast. They filled the canteens and cleaned up the camp to look like it hadn’t been used.
The day consisted of a traverse of the entire island, military style. They were always on the lookout, always moving slow. Sometimes they were on the beach, then on mangrove trails and other times open pine woodland. They grazed on berries and edible plants, chewed bark, and located more limestone depressions with either fresh rain water or surface water. Occasionally they had to use the chlorine tablets. Traversing a one-mile wide by two-mile long island adds up to at least six to seven miles of hard walking, but never in a hurry and constantly cautious.
The late afternoon found them on the northeast side of No Name, close to the shore, tired and dirty.
“All right guys,” Roy said. “Joe, Manuel and Hector will net us some fish. Slim, get some coals burning. I’m going to keep a watch for boats and fishermen. We’ll do the same tonight, same watch order, and we’ll break camp early.”
Luck was with them, and they netted some fish. Slim covered them in mud and baked them in the coals.
Morning came. “Guys,” Roy said, “We’ll split up the remaining K-rations. Manuel, Hector, it’s been short but fun! We’re going down the beach a short distance. The cabin is right over there past those pine trees. You can get your oars, and we’ll pick up our sleeping bags. Keep a watch on your way back. Don’t be seen if possible, and you never saw us!
They moved out and Roy was right, just over there was the cabin! The three picked up their bags and took the rucksacks. Hector shouldered the oars.
“Good luck guys,” Roy said.
They all shook hands and then headed in two different directions. Manuel took the lead on the 4-A trail back the way they had come in. They walked along not saying a thing, each mulling over the last couple of days and nursing their aches from the hiking and rucksacks. Suddenly they heard the start-up of an outboard motor, and then the sound of it racing across the water.
“They had their boat and motor hidden somewhere close!” Hector said.
“Yea,” Manuel agreed, “They will be back, loaded and gone before we ever get back to our boat!”
They broke out of the brush. There was their boat, and they were glad to see it.
“You will have to row half the way back,” Hector said. “I’m sure I won’t be able to go all the way.”
“OK,” Manuel said.
They got back across to Big Pine, returned the boat to its hiding place and then the oars to the old man at the store.
“Did you ever see those three guys on No Name,” he asked. “They just left. Boy they were sure hungry! Bought a couple of sandwiches each! Then left with a rush.”
“Nope, didn't see them. Thanks for the oars and the boat, old timer,” Manuel said.
“Let’s get back to Key West,” Hector exclaimed. “I need to get some sleep in my bed!”
They drove the 30 miles back to Key West. Hector pulled up in front of Manuel’s parents’ house.
“Still thinking about joining up in Miami?” Manuel asked.
“I’ll get back to you in a couple of days. How about Friday at the docks?” Hector answered.
“See you then, Hector,” Manuel said.
Early Friday morning found Manuel on the docks in his usual place.
“Hey buddy, how you doing?” Hector said.
“Come on over and sit,” Manuel said.
“Catch anything?”
“A couple,” Manuel pointed to his bucket.
“Think any more about Cuba?” Hector asked.
“I’m ready if you are,” Manuel answered.
“How about I check on the bus to Miami, and call you tonight. I was thinking, we have got to get our stories straight. Let’s say we’re catching the bus up to Miami to go to work for, what you say, three months. It shouldn’t take more time than that to kick Castro out of Cuba!” Hector exclaimed.
“Sounds like a plan, compadre! Give me a call, and I’ll see how much money I can come up with,” Manuel added.
Ring! Ring! “Hello, yes he’s here,” Manuel’s mother said. “Manuel, it’s for you!”
“OK, Mom, thank you. Hello.”
“Manuel, it’s Hector. I checked on the bus to Miami. It’s $27.50 each. We don’t need to think about round trip, because we will be coming back from Cuba. We’ll need plane or boat tickets!”
“OK wise guy. But you’re right! We should take some extra cash, for food and whatever,” Manuel said.
“Manuel, I got about $60...what about you?”
“I can match that, compadre.”
“We’ll pack light and walk downtown and catch the 9:05 tomorrow. Tell your folks our story, and I’ll do the same. See you at 8 am sharp! At your house tomorrow.”
“OK, I’m with you. See you then.”
“Mom, that was Hector. We’re going up to Miami tomorrow on the Greyhound. Going to work three months or so.”
“Manuel, Hector and you aren’t in some kind of trouble are you?”
“No Mom! Just that we haven't found any work around here, and we thought we would give Miami a try.”
“Now Manuel, don’t let those Freedom Fighters talk you into joining up! Stay out of trouble!”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Don’t forget to call me!”
Manuel went upstairs to his room, got his money out of his top drawer and took a small gym bag out of the closet. He folded a couple of t-shirts, a sport shirt, a couple of socks and boxers, and stuffed them into the bag.
In the morning, he was up early. His mom was in the kitchen.
“Mom, I need a couple of tacos for a lunch.”
“Don’t worry, here they are. I have them packed for you, mi hijito.”
He ate fast, kissed her, grabbed the paper sack and his gym bag.
“Bye, Dad.” Out he went.
From the Author: My second full-length book , Florida Keys’ Watercolor Kapers is composed of 336 pages. There are 12 stories running from 6 pages to as many as 72 pages. It is fully illustrated with 88 watercolors and sketches. The watercolors I made roaming around Key West after I finished my 750 mile hike from Georgia to Key West. (See book or Don Browne’s South West Florida Online records, A Walk Across Florida.) As you read these stories you will experience Key West, the Keys, and the Caribbean. These stories span the time of the early 1800’s to 1969. bkranich.wixsite.com/bobkranich
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