CHAPTER 8 - The Gate Keeper and Epilogue

True to his word the young elk hunter pulled up to the gatekeeper's cabin the day before elk season. The note on the door told the Kid to come in and make himself comfortable until the Gunney got back from town. Knowing the routine he went in and started the coffee that he knew the Gunney would be expecting on his return. He got down two of the thick white mugs from the shelf. Each still had the dark blue US Navy markings on the bottom and had the slight waist to them that made them easier to grasp. The Gunney had some lighter mugs and cups for guests but he always used the heavy Navy mugs. The Kid felt incredibly comfortable in the cabin. It was quickly becoming the place that he regarded as home. Some day he would be able to settle down and he hoped in would be in a place as welcoming as this.

When he heard the Gunney stomping snow off his boots on the porch he quickly poured coffee into the two mugs on the worn table. There was no sugar or cream on the table, the Gunney wouldn't allow it. The door swung open as the Gunney carried in a box of cigars and his dress blues in a plastic bag from the dry cleaners. He always kept his uniforms in great shape. A hard habit to break after 20 years in the service.

Their conversations that day centered around the best place for the Kid to find elk the next day. The snow in the high meadows was about two foot deep so it wouldn't be long before the elk would start moving to lower ground. The Gunney got down a pair of snowshoes for the Kid along with a white parka. The next day's hunt would start early so the Kid hit the rack early.

0400 hours found the Kid rolling out of his rack as he quietly gathered his gear. He made enough coffee for his Thermos then left the warm cabin without waking up the Gunney. Out on the main road he headed up the hill to the turn off for the upper most gate on the ranch which lead to the high meadows.
He had to leave the truck outside the gate due to the deep snow and adjusted the bindings on the snowshoes before he shouldered his pack. The hike into the rocks where his uncle's blind was located went smoothly in the powder snow.
He had crossed several elk tracks on the way and they converged just below the rock pile and in front of the blind. Curious he made a circle around the meadow and found more elk trails in the snow also headed for the rock pile.
Back at the pile he could see where the elk had milled about and then headed down hill making one wide track in the snow. The elk droppings were still steaming indicating that the last elk had left less than half an hour ago.

He had never witnessed such an apparently organized action by elk herds but he was new at elk hunting and had a lot to learn. Knowing that hunting there was useless he decided to return to cabin to consult with the Gunney. His trek to his truck was made easier by following the trail he had made coming in.
He thought of the elk behavior all the way down the mountain and was not surprised when he saw herds of elk out in the fields near the cabin.

He approached the cabin and noticed there was no smoke coming from the chimney.
It was 0800 hours and the Gunney would normally be up stoking the fire. Well it was a good morning to sleep-in he thought as he opened the cabin door. He stirred the banked coals in the fireplace and put on a few logs before he put the coffee pot back on the burner. The smell of fresh coffee would soon rouse the Gunney.
He took his mug from the sink and got a fresh one down for the Gunney. He decided to further entice the Gunney with bacon and eggs. When the bacon was sizzling he decided to check on the Gunney since he had heard no sounds from his room.

He slowly opened the Gunney's door and then froze where he stood. His heart sank and he heard himself scream "Gunney!". Stepping closer he realized that the Gunney would never again hear the call to morning chow. His face was calm but he looked like he had aged 100 years overnight. He checked for a pulse and the cool touch told him the Gunney had passed many hours ago. He clumsily stumbled back to the door. Looking the room over he noticed the dress blues were carefully hung on a wooden hanger and a note was pinned to the blouse.
On the floor were a shiny pair of spit polished shoes and hanging from a close by peg was his dress sabre. He realized then that the Gunney knew that this was his last revelee. He reached out with his numb fingers and removed the note from the dress uniform. With great respect and caring he slowly closed the bedroom door so he wouldn't disturb his friend's final sleep.

Before he sat down at the table he turned off the fire under the iron skillet knowing that breakfast would wait. He had a task to do for a friend first.
Opening the note he found brief instructions followed by a short personal note and then the signature of simply "The Gate Keeper".

He dialed the phone number and a heard the gentle voice of a woman answer.
He told her he had a personal message for the "old Man". She said "Just a moment and I will get the General." He was wondering if he had dialed the wrong number when a firm voice on the phone said "Speak." He did as the Gunney's note had instructed him and simply said "The gatekeeper has died." The line was quiet except for the sound of glass breaking probably on a floor. The voice finally returned and said "You must be the Kid.". He replied "Yes General, I am trying to find the Gunney's family." The General replied "You just did. He told me all about you in his last letter. Put him out in the barn where it is cold and the coyotes won't bother him until we get there in two days. I'll take care of everything. All you have to do is have the coffee hot." The line went dead and the young elk hunter stood there in a daze.

After moving the Gunney to the barn and wrapping him carefully in an old tarp he headed into town. His mind was blank but he knew he should tell the folks in town about the Gunney's death. His first stop was the restaurant. He passed along his grim message and it took a few minutes before anyone in the restaurant would move or make a sound. He hated being the bearer of bad news but was impressed by the regard that everyone had for the Gunney.

After a few more stops his unpleasant duty done. He was loading up the groceries into his truck when the General Store owner came out with a case of coffee and explained that with all the folks that would be coming he would need plenty of coffee and no, there was no charge for the coffee. When he got back to the cabin he realized that the Gunney's morning chores would not have been done.

He got the stock fed and grained up the horses. He noticed the horses were acting odd and would not leave the barn. He guessed that they must sense the Gunney's passing. He looked out into the pasture to check on the cattle but saw more livestock than the there should be. Then he realized the fields were full of elk and mule deer.

On the morning of the second day he felt more than heard the arrival of the General and his men. He was amazed at the sight. He had no idea where the General commandered the old 6x6 trucks or the howitzers that were rumbling into the barn yard. The General's Suburan pulled up to the cabin and the "old Man" stepped out. After a firm hand shake and pleasantries the General asked if the coffee was hot. He showed the General, his wife, and staff into the cabin and poured coffee for all. A specialized detail was given the Gunney's dress blues before they headed for the barn to prepare him for the afternoon's ceremony. A casket made of American walnut was uncrated and carried to the barn by its blued steel handles. Even the USMC emblem inlaid into the top was finished in dark oiled bronze. The General had definitely taken care of everything as he promised.

The town's people and other friends of the Gunney showed up at 1400 hours as asked. The military equipment had been staged on close by low hills leaving the barn yard open for the mourners. At the appointed time the crowd walked the hundred yards up to the small knoll behind the cabin and gathered around the waiting grave site. Solemly and slowly the honor guard brought the flag drapped casket from the barn to the knoll. The ceremony was typically military until the former Commandant stepped forward to make his remarks.
The gist of them were that although we cannot speak of snipers and their activities publicly, we can privately honor them for saving countless fellow Marines who were in harms way. He then explained how the Gunney had earned the nickname "gatekeeper" on foreign soil. The remarks were concluded and then the entire ranch echoed with the twenty one rounds of Howitzer ammo that sailed out across the fields. After the reverberations finally faded away the crowd slowly broke up. Many of the crowd stopped at the cabin to share stories of the Gunney or express their loss. A few old marines and hunters stayed later for coffee and Jack. The sounding of Taps by a cold bugler standing on the knoll signaled the end of the day.

The next morning dawned cold and bright. Rolling out of bed at 0600 hours the Kid was going to honor the Gunney's routine. He put the coffee on and headed out to the barn to tend to the stock. On the way back from the barn he heard a vehicle coming up the gravel lane crunching through the snow.
A couple of young men bailed out of the pickup and came over to him. He noticed the short cropped hair and asked if they were in the military. They said they were in the Navy and on leave to go elk hunting. The closest one asked "We were wondering if we could get permission to hunt your meadows?"
The Kid said "Yes, you are welcome. Come on in the cabin and I will show you where to go on a map." In the cabin the maps were unfolded on the old table and the directions were given to where the elk had probably returned.
The Kid told them that he would lead them up to the gate and unlock it for them.
At the gate the young hunters thanked him and then asked what his name was.
He replied "I would be honored if you would just call me the gate keeper".

EPILOGUE

This concludes my summary of some of the people I have known. I have found that military men and experienced hunters are similiar. Their quary are different but their reliance on and bonding with each other are similar. When you introduce a young person to hunting and other outdoor experieces you are giving them something that will last a lifetime. Think back on all the people you have known and see if your hunting buddies are not some of the most significant.

Yes, in my library above my fireplace mantel there are two crossed sabres. Resting below them on oak pegs is a very special Winchester Model 70 with Unertl scope. On the mantel below lays a worn brass key ring and an old gate key. Glancing at them brings back a flood of memories, some of which I just shared with you.

Good Hunting,

Old Elk Hunter