Crow's Bridge

It is an early spring morning that Brad Peppers and Jerry Cooley, find themselves traveling along the northeast end of Crows Crossing Road. They are parallel to the Saddle Horn river, in fact the Saddle Horn is the reason for their visit to the land of Crows. They have heard tales of the legendary Trout and Bass fish that call the Saddle Horn home, and they have high hopes in stealing a prize or two, from its freezing depths. It is on this morning that Brad Peppers is driving as his life long friend Jerry Cooley is relating to him a highly regarded fish story as Brad Pepper’s truck approaches Bane’s Bridge.



He sees in the distance a man standing on the side halfway across. He cautiously moves the truck around him as the man shoot a menacing glance at Jerry Cooley, when they reach the opposite end of the bridge Brad Peppers looks into the rear view mirror to see the man climbing over the guard rail of the bridge as if to jump. He slams on the Brakes and yells to Jerry, “He Jumped!” both men get out of the truck and look back in disbelief, a light rain begins to illuminate the two lane blacktop of Crows Crossing at Banes Bridge, both quickly run to where the man took his almost certainly fatal plunge into the Saddle Horn.

Bane.




It is at the time of late winter early spring of nineteen hundred and thirty nine, and the fifteen miles that separates the two small townships of Settle and Colville are experiencing some unseasonably warm weather for the time of year. The grass seems to roll into spring early as its green hues return in preparation for summer, along with the early bloom of the wildflowers that grow along the lengths of Crows Crossing Road. It is here along this fifteen mile strip that Melford Bane calls home. He is a sullen withdrawn drifter that lives between the two townships and can often be seen walking from Colville to Settle and back, searching for food and a nights shelter. While the citizenry of both townships seem to tolerate the drifter for the most part, and even though he is anything but unruly, he is often looked upon by many individuals with great disdain because of his unkempt appearance. His hair is long and dirty and he seldom finds the opportunity to bathe unless it is in the freezing waters of the Saddle Horn River. It is in the early evening in late march when Jennifer Walken is driving several children home from evening services at the Colville church.



She is three miles from the turn bridge where Crows Crossing switches the raging Saddle Horn from its right hand side to its left. The storm clouds seem to appear from out of nowhere and within seconds she finds herself driving in a heavy down pouring rain, just one mile behind her, there are two other vehicles on their way to Settle. As she approaches the bridge in the distance she can see Melford Bane walking in the opposite direction, she tries to slow down on the treacherous bridge when disaster strikes. Her brakes do not respond and the large motor coach that she is driving veers out of control, and careens over the side of the bridge and into the raging Saddle Horn. Both cars behind her stop and people are frantically trying to decide what to do. Melford Bane without hesitation, leaps over the guard rail and into the waters of the Saddle Horn River to give aid to Jennifer Walken. Slowly one by one Jennifer and the children are pulled to safety, each time with Melford Bane returning to the waters to pull another child from its clutches. The last time he dives into the freezing waters, Melford Bane is never seen again. At least, not while in the world of the living.

Present Water.

The water is high here, it almost reaches the bottom of the bridge, cautiously, Brad Peppers and Jerry Cooley slowly look over the edge of the guard rail, along its edge they can clearly see the hand print left by someone who appeared to be hanging onto one of the girders down the side of the bridge, someone who had long since grown tired of waiting for someone, anyone to pull them free from the dangerous currents of the angry Saddle Horn. This is Banes Bridge, a place endeared by Crows of all kinds. A place where human character and unquestionable courage still dwell, and still serves as a reminder to all residents here, that it isn’t what’s on the outside that makes a person worthy of respect. Its what every good crow knows, here on Crows Crossing Road.

Scratch. A.B.T. Copyright© 2007