CJ was awakened by the knock on their cabin door. Glen in his most serious captain's voice boomed out through the teak panel.

"Wake up, sailors, a stiff cock and the tide waits for no man."

Pulling on his shorts, CJ gave Thomas a kiss and the boy came slowly awake with a smile.

"Come on, kiddo," CJ said, "the captain is calling all hands on deck. Smells like breakfast is ready too."

Thomas groaned and slid his naked torso out from under the sheets. His cock was stiff, needing that obligatory morning piss. Still half asleep, the boy tugged on his cock and then pulled on his shorts before looking for the toilet.

Up on deck, Glen and the boys were drinking coffee and admiring the rising sun.

"There you are, sleep well?"

"Sept like a baby," CJ replied," I think the boat's rocking had something to do with it."

"Sure, and maybe the comfort of something warm in your bed."

"There's always that to consider."

Juan brought him a mug and CJ helped himself to the strong brew from the carafe sitting on the table. Thomas came on deck and Juan poured him a mug. Hmm, CJ thought, the kid gets real service around here. It was about that time that Matt came striding down the pier.

"Good morning buddy, all ready for LA?" CJ asked.

"Yes sir. I spoke with Justin last night and we'll be meeting about 2 o'clock this afternoon."

"Know you're looking forward to that. How are we going to stay in touch?"

"Thought I'd call back here and leave you a number at the front desk. Don't imagine you'll be able to find a phone out in the desert."

"I'll give you my number on the marine radio band, you can call the station and they'll relay your call. Just remember that there will be a lot of ears on the line," Glen suggested.

"You better get a move on to catch that flight in Guaymas," CJ said. "You have a safe trip, dear. We'll be here when you get back. Give our love to Justin."

With hugs all around, Matt waved his farewell and sprinted up the hill towards the hotel and the taxi stand. CJ hoped Justin had his emotional antenna in operation. Matt was a bundle of contradictory feelings right now. Steven brought breakfast up on a tray, egg sandwiches with a large bowl of fruit, and their thoughts turned to food.

Glen had laid their course out on a chart that showed the Sea of Cortez and the Baja Peninsula. They would hoist sail and cruse out into the sea and catch the breeze back towards the small village of San Nicholas below Bahia Kino. From there hiking overland to one site he knew about and then asking in the village about others. The following day they would sail into Bahia Kino itself and stay for the Seri festival that should be just about to occur. There was a sea turtle festival they had just missed but the cactus fruit harvest was about to begin, they ought to be just about ripe according to Juan.

Thomas was thrilled at the promise of viewing a native festival and eager to be off. Juan and Steven cast off the boat and Glen used the motor to take them out towards the neck of the cove once again. The three boys hauled on ropes as a team and as the sails went up they caught a morning breeze off shore. The boat heeled over by the wind and picked up speed as Glen cut the motor. Silence now, punctuated only by the twang of rope and the slap of nylon in the breeze.

Thomas was right at home on the water, having spent his youth sailing along the shores of Massachusetts with the Sea Scouts. CJ too felt at ease in deep water, growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and fishing the Chesapeake Bay had taught him about sailing in small boats.

The boat threw quite a wake now and the spray came aboard as they hit fifteen knots and climbing. Glen at the wheel stared straight ahead as CJ watched the shore recede and the red tiled roofs of San Carlos disappear in the distance. Thomas came up behind him and gave him a hug.

"Don't you love it?" he asked.

"Absolutely, I love open water," CJ replied.

"Juan says we can fish anytime we want, he caught a marlin over the stern just last week. Maybe we can catch us some lunch?" Thomas said.

"Go right ahead but careful. Keep your shirt on or this sun will cook you in an hour and spoil your whole day," CJ warned.

The boys rigged poles off the stern and CJ moved over closer to Glen to get out of their way. The dark skinned Mexicans had already removed their shirts in the rising temperature and of course Thomas followed suit. He'll pay for that later, CJ mused. The three lads on the stern made quite a scene and he was envisioning their bodies entangled, naked, when his thoughts were interrupted.

"The Sea of Cortez is about a hundred kilometers or so across at about this point but gets much narrower up towards the islands around Bahia Kino," Glen said. "Plenty of sailing room around here."

CJ could see the sails of several boats in the distance but none close. There was a larger ship off towards the north and he asked Glen about it.

"Mexican patrol boat watching for smugglers. That looks like a Navy vessel in fact. I usually steer clear of that type. Besides, we'll tack in about an hour and it will carry us away from them."

"Have you found us a site to camp on the beach?" CJ asked.

"Sure did, picked out a nice spot about six miles south of San Nicholas. No access from the land side and plenty of driftwood for a nice fire. There are lots of sand bars up and down this side of the coast, so we'll have to arrive in daylight. If we find a good anchorage we can row ashore in the dinghy or swim. Chances are the waters too shallow for sharks, and there are some out there believe me. I keep a .30-.30 in the stern locker over there, just in case. Best you know where it is too," Glen said.

"Have you ever had to shoot a shark?" CJ asked.

"Yeah, about three weeks ago in fact. Steven was wading out to the boat from shore just up from Guaymas and I saw the fin. Plugged it right behind the gills, tasted mighty good too. Don't worry about Thomas; my boys haven't taken their eyes off him since he came aboard. They won't let anything happen to him, at least not sharks anyway."

"Suppose you're right, it isn't the sharks we should worry about. What a crew you have assembled on this trip. Three horny boys and me, can I be of any service?" CJ asked.

"Sure, tell me more about your trip. What are you guys planning from here?"

"Once Matt returns I'll know more but I think we'll stay through the end of the month, pack up our stuff then and head back east. The trip home always seems to go faster."

"Come to any decisions about Thomas?"

"He wants to live with me, how the hell do I pull that one off?"

"He's eighteen and has a strong head, guess he could leave home if he wants. Has to happen sometime. What about school?"

"He has to finish and get that diploma. I'll get a four month reprieve there but then I'll have to cross that bridge later," CJ said.

"What's the matter, I thought you guys were in a firm relationship?" Glen asked.

"Define firm for me, will you? Do I love him, absolutely, and he feels the same about me. But I have to get back to Blake; I have a commitment to him."

"But you love every minute of it, right?" Glen suggested.

"A direct hit, ouch. So I'm a masochist, shoot me," CJ said.

Glen looked at his watch and called out to Juan and Steven, "Time to come about."

They hauled on ropes and swung the sail off to the other side of the boat, bringing the bow around and heading off on a new course straight up the peninsula.

"Be about another two or three tacks and we'll be lined up for our beach landing," Glen said.

Juan called over to get their attention. Thomas had a big fish on his line and it was fighting like hell. After a ten minute struggle he landed a whopper of a sea bass. He whooped with joy. They had caught six fish, all good eating and Glen was sure that they would easily hit the beach in the early afternoon. Steven took the fish below to clean and Juan and Thomas stretched out in the bow to watch the waves and chat.

"What did you tell Juan and Steven about our plans?" CJ asked.

"Just that I wouldn't object to their having a little go with your boy. Are we going to wait until dark or do it in the daylight?"

"Maybe we do both? Can we build a big fire or will that attract attention?"

"Big fires do attract too much attention, maybe even our friend out there in his ship, not a good idea. Let's stick with the daylight, ok?" Glen suggested.

CJ took the bottle of sun block up to the bow and handed it to Juan.

"You better slap some of this on our boy there. Right now it looks like he might glow in the dark."

"Yes, sir," Juan replied. He looked like he had just been handed a ticket to heaven.

Glen and CJ watched, amused, as Juan worked the cool lotion across Thomas' back and shoulders as he lay on his stomach. CJ was really trying to evaluate his emotions while watching the brown hands roam. Poor Juan, his shorts were starting to bulge from a straining erection.

CJ was gratified when the sun block application was finished and he noticed as Thomas rose to his feet there wasn't the slightest swelling in his shorts. He kissed CJ and went down the ladder to help Steven with the fish. Juan was still sitting on the deck, trying to hide his arousal when CJ approached the boy.

"Thomas is such a good boy, don't worry Juan, all I have to do is look at him to get hard."

"I'm sorry, sir. I cannot help myself, he is so beautiful."

"On that we agree, is Steven jealous of your feelings?" CJ asked.

"Yes, he would cut my balls off if I tried anything. Please, I am just fascinated by his..."

"It's the blonde hair, isn't it?" CJ said," I'm not sure there's a word for it, but I sure know how you feel. That's what focused my attention on him the very first day we met."

"You are a very lucky man, sir"

What a polite boy, CJ thought, but he is going to get in trouble with his boyfriend.

The shoreline was again in view and Glen made the final maneuver that would take them to a safe anchorage off the beach. As they approached the curve of land, Juan was up in the bow looking intently down through the clear water for sand bars. He motioned several times and Glen steered this way and that to avoid the shallower areas. They managed to gain a good spot about a hundred yards off the beach and Glen dropped two anchors to catch in the sandy bottom.

The beach was covered in beautiful reddish sand, the low cliffs sitting back a hundred feet from the water's edge. Beyond them could be anything but Glen assured him it was only more sand and rocky scrub growth into the hill country beyond. Cacti could be seen along the rim of the cliffs and a great deal of brush.

Juan sat and surveyed the water in both directions before giving Glen the nod. Steven and Thomas lowered the dinghy and began to load it with supplies. Glen took the rifle out of the locker and slung it on his shoulder. The two boys began to row the small boat in shore but Juan stripped off his shorts and stood tantalizingly naked for a moment before flinging himself out of the bows into the water. With powerful strokes he beat the boat ashore. Glen laughed as the boat hit the beach and Juan ran to help unload, his cock swinging in the breeze. Not to be outdone, Thomas stripped off his shorts too, their naked afternoon had begun.

CJ packed his camera in a waterproof bag and laid it on the deck. No way was he going to let all this nakedness go to waste. Steven was rowing back now, his broad shoulders at ease with the pull on the oars. They filled the boat for one last trip and headed into the beach. Thomas and Juan had been busy gathering driftwood, enough to fuel to keep a small fire going all night. Glen and CJ set up a large awning at the base of the low cliff to provide some shade for their meal.

Steven decided to climb to the plateau above and CJ watched his bare buns traverse the rocks towards the top. Soon he stood above them and waved before disappearing. Juan and Thomas had made quite a pile of wood by now and Glen chose several small pieces to begin the cooking fire. Juan laid out a grill and other cooking utensils before wandering off to horse around with Thomas in the surf.

Steven returned with a hat full of cactus fruit, a good sign that the Seri festival would shortly begin. Thomas was afraid they might have missed the activity, one of the old cultural traditions he wanted to observe. With the fire going, Glen and Steven now grilled their morning catch and CJ relaxed under the awning with a beer.

It was hot now; maybe 90 degrees or so on the beach. The sand was scorching enough to require thongs on their feet. The sun had passed overhead and was heading west which left it glaring down on them against the cliff. First CJ followed by Glen shed their clothes for a dip in the sea. It was starting to look like a nudist camp as they ate their fish sandwiches under the awning. CJ was looking at the cocks on the two Mexican boys, not bad and fortunately not large.

Thomas seemed to have gotten past his shyness, although he obviously had the smallest cock in the group. Juan was starting to look at Steven and Thomas so CJ felt that it wouldn't be long before the horny boys gave in to their feelings.

He was pretty sure Thomas would perform well but hopefully a fight wouldn't ensue. But he imagined that if Glen slept with both boys it would turn out all right, as long as they shared.

Steven finally went and sat himself on the overturned boat, leaning back in the hot sun and rubbing himself. The width of his two hands together hid his erection and he began to rub that secret flesh until CJ had no doubt he was hiding a major erection. CJ went for his camera. Juan wandered into the scene as CJ took a photo of Steven's aroused state. CJ could hear Glen chuckle as he popped open a beer and joined the party.

"Lord, I remember how I first discovered these two naked on the beach. Wish I'd had a camera back then."

The two boys started kissing, sucking each others face, inhaling one another's breath. Their hands busy, caressing, groping each other's crotches. Thomas stood over in the shade of the awning licking his lips and watching the sex play turn rough. Steven had Juan pinned down now and was forcing his cock in the boy's mouth. Juan struggled rather weakly and then took the cock like he wanted it anyway, sucking deeply, trying to consume it. Steven arched his back in enjoyment, squeezing his nipples as Juan vacuumed that cock down his throat.

Thomas walked over to the action. Steven grabbed hold of Thomas and stuck his cock in the boy's face. But Thomas didn't hesitate; he opened his mouth and sucked greedily. Juan smiled and got behind Thomas, his tongue traveled up pale thighs and into the crack as his hands spread those muscular cheeks searching for that tight little hole.

Steven sat with his legs spread and the blonde hair spilled across his lap as he bobbed Thomas head up and down. The boy did a credible job of sucking on Steven's stiff little cock. But Juan had worked his tongue into that sweet hole, laying on a good deal of spit, preparing it for action. His thumbs were stretching the ring of flesh, and the smooth cheeks were spread real wide, as his tongue lashed in and out. Thomas was groaning real loud now, encouraging Juan even further.

With Steven fucking his mouth and Juan about to do him up the rear, Thomas reached under and pulled on his own cock. Steven quickly got the idea and rolled over with his cock still shoved in under that mop of blonde hair. He squeezed underneath, forcing Thomas to his knees. He took Thomas' cock in his own mouth and grabbed him behind the knees, the boy was now pinned with his butt in the air and his mouth glued to that insistent cock shoving into his mouth.

CJ suddenly remembered the camera and started taking shots. Juan had backed off but now appeared to like what he saw and spread the boy's buns as his cock moved closer. CJ guessed that Steven was a slender five inches long but Juan looked at least six and his thick cock was oozing juice for the thrust he was about to make. Steven and Thomas were sucking in rhythm when Juan made his penetration and joined their dance. His cock made contact, sliding in forcefully and deep, one move and it was halfway down. Thomas let out a major groan, almost a scream but he kept sucking on Steven. Bet that hurt, CJ thought.

"Lord, this is like sitting in the bar at the Mine Shaft in LA," Glen chuckled.

Juan was plunging deeply into Thomas, again and again, pushing ever further each time. Thomas was gasping between strokes, his mouth and ass full of cock. He was really taking it, and both boys were making it a little rough on him, slamming in without mercy. This action continued for almost three minutes with moans, groans and lots of slurping sounds until Juan stopped and said something to Steven in Spanish.

Both boys pulled out and Juan flopped over on the boat and motioned for Thomas to enter him. The blonde looked almost grateful, his straw colored hair made a wonderful contrast to that brown back as he pushed into Juan's bottom. Steven barely hesitated and began running two of his fingers in and out of Thomas' butt and slapping the boy's cheeks. When Thomas' buns were quite pink from the spanking, Steven lined up and plunged in, slamming it home in one stroke. Thomas let out a hiss of pain and pumped harder on Juan's hole. They lay mounted together now, Thomas into Juan who lay on his stomach and Steven into Thomas who lay on Juan.

The double fuck looked delightful through the lens as CJ clicked off more of his film. Steven plunged ahead, thrusting deep, pounding his cock to the hilt. CJ moved below on the sand and was shooting upwards between Steven's legs. He could see a lens full of balls, Steven's hand slapping Thomas' buns with each stroke. Thomas was sticking to Juan like glue, grinding his hips as he pushed forward with Steven's thrusts.

Steven kissed Thomas' shoulders and pinched his nipples, Thomas' teeth nibbled away on Juan's ear and CJ was ready to laugh at all the gasping and panting that filled the air around this great pile of youthful bodies. The waves lapping on the shore kept up a constant background to the sexual soundtrack.

Steven was the first to reach a glorious climax. He gave Glen a quick glance, gave a grimace of pleasure and pulled his cock out of Thomas, shooting his load all over the boy's ass and back. Long ropes of white cum shot through the air and splashed down on the fair skin beneath him. Dribbling out his last drops, Steven then reinserted, urging his spent cock to continue the game.

Thomas plunged onward, fucking Juan with all his might until it became apparent that he was about to shoot. He pulled out and immediately started to spurt, blasting his load on the boy's balls and cock. CJ could see the remains of both cum shots clearly as he shot off the last of his film.

Juan quickly rolled over now and jerked his cock as Steven and Thomas caressed the boy's body. In seconds his cum shot straight up in the air and landed on his belly. CJ counted as Juan pumped four, now five large spurts of cum out of his cock before settling back in pleasure and exhaustion. They were all spent and the boys ran off to the water and plunged in to cool off. Fucking amazing sex, CJ thought as he looked over at Glen who was also just amazed at what they had witnessed.

"Wow, not bad for a first time together. We could start a porno studio with these guys, don't you think," Glen laughed. "It gives me some ideas for later. Sure made my dick hard."

"I'm gonna enjoy these photos at some point," CJ replied, "Thomas is quite the performer, but I don't think they were acting, they enjoyed it entirely too much."

They both sat on the boat until the boys returned from their swim. The action had taken the edge off the afternoon and the boys had become individuals once again. Glen decided to lead them up the cliff and out along the rim towards the site he was sure might interest them. Thomas was anxious to go and urged CJ to come along, but Juan and Steven begged off and would stay at the beach to prepare dinner. CJ told the boys to put their clothes back on and picked up a coil of rope for the climb.

The climb wasn't as easy as Steven had made it look earlier, but they didn't need the rope. They pulled themselves up the hillside, sliding back every now and then but they finally reached the top. Rolling hills, cactus and brush greeted them at every turn but there appeared to be a slight animal trail they could follow.

After picking their way carefully across the rock-strewn landscape for several miles in this awful heat, CJ was almost ready to turn back until they came to a more defined path. It didn't look used very often but Glen assured them they were close now. Finally they came to a depression near the base of a hill and there they found ruins. There were some foundations of stone but there was also a path that led to several caves in the hill.

Thomas was excited and photographed the whole area with CJ's camera. They looked around for depressions that might have been fire pits, looking for clues and shards from the past residents.

"I found a Coke bottle left by some tourist litterbugs," Glen yelled over at them.

"In five hundred years that little green bottle might be an archeological find for some future scientist," Thomas yelled back.

"By then, my dear boy there will be millions of tons of trash covering the earth," CJ sadly

added. "Unless we put a stop to it we'll be covered in plastic trash. At least the glass bottles will wear out in time."

They came upon a spot where it looked as if someone else had been digging. The locals would be looking for pieces of anything to sell. They explored the shallow caves in the hillside which were quite empty but on their way back down Thomas pointed towards a gully at the edge of the site.

They approached the long slit in the earth and peered over the edge.

"Looks like some geological action here guys," Thomas volunteered. "Maybe an earthquake. Isn't there a fault line along the coast?"

"Yeah," Glen said, "but I haven't felt anything recently."

"This doesn't look very new," CJ replied," but stay back from the edge, it might crumble."

"It's only about a dozen feet deep," Thomas said as he leaned over the edge, "you could lower me with the rope."

CJ tied a cradle around the boy's waist, testing the knots before the two men took the weight. Thomas walked backwards over the edge and hopped down a few yards until he was too large to continue. They had brought a few tools for this purpose and the CJ could hear him

plunking away with his hammer down there followed by silence. The boy's weight was just getting uncomfortable when he let out a whoop of joy and yelled for them to pull him up. Hand over hand they reeled him in, until his head cleared the desert floor.

"In the side of the gully I found the remains of some broken pottery, really old clay fragments," Thomas said, carefully cradling some objects in the bottom of his shirt. "But I also saw some blackened bone material and pieces of wood. It has to be a trash dump, just what I was hoping to find."

They untied the rope from his waist and he sat on the ground, laying the fragments from his shirt carefully before him. The shards of old pottery pieces were covered in dirt but seemed very light in weight. The boy carefully handed CJ a piece. Blowing the dirt off, then brushing it with a finger, he turned it over.

There was a moment of shock and he almost dropped the shard. He yelped as before his eyes was the geometric shape of an eagle, etched deeply in the clay. The shape was exactly the same as he remembered it on the roof of Blake's secret place.

"Oh God," CJ said as he knelt there in the dirt. "Thank you boy, thank you."

Thomas and Glen were attracted by his actions and crowded around.

"What have you got there, CJ?" Thomas asked

"The colors long gone from this piece," CJ mumbled. "But there can be no doubt, they are the same."

"What's he saying?" Glen wanted to know.

"Don't know," Thomas said. "CJ, are you alright? Maybe the sun is getting to him."

CJ was too dumbfounded at the moment to think of what he must now tell his companions, especially Thomas. That would require a revelation about Blake's secret and he wasn't sure if he was supposed to tell anyone. But he knew the truth would help Thomas understand the significance of this small piece of clay.

"It's the eagle…I've seen it before."

"Yes, the Southern native people worship the eagle as a god, CJ," Thomas said. "You see it all the time in Inca and Mayan carvings, the Seri are their descendents."

Thomas had told them that the early Seri were known for their fine pottery but the old arts had been lost over time. These could be examples of their eggshell pots, so the dirt encrusted riches were carefully packed in whatever soft clothing they could spare.

"Are you alright now," Glen asked.

"Yes, fine…I was just stunned by what the boy found," CJ replied. "We'll have to examine these things later when we can really clean them up."

They had all been so focused on the pottery shards they were caught unawares by the squad of soldiers that had quickly surrounded them. CJ and Glen looked up and there were about fifteen combat ready troops with large nasty rifles pointed at them.

"Oh shit, very slowly guys. Just raise your hands in the air," Glen said.

They complied and the leader of the squad moved forward, holstering his pistol. Glen asked the sergeant what was happening in Spanish. The man didn't reply and the soldiers moved in and started going through their belongings. Thomas refused to yield the cloth bound shards and the sergeant turned back to Glen and spoke in English.

"The boy will have to open that package or we will arrest you all. What are you doing here?"

"Tell the gentleman we have a government permit to look for artifacts," CJ said.

"He speaks English, CJ. Don't argue with him."

"We're perfectly within our rights sir," CJ told the sergeant, "I have a permit from your government."

"Produce the documents and your papers or we will have to arrest you," the sergeant barked.

"I have them right here in my bag," CJ assured the man.

He reached in the bag and produced the paper from Inspector Juarez along with his passport, travel visa and the precious permit from the Museum director. The sergeant looked at the document from Juarez carefully and CJ could almost see the blood drain from his face before the man stepped back and saluted them. The soldiers now lowered their rifles.

"I am very sorry for this intrusion, we are searching for smugglers. I have orders to apprehend any suspicious persons. I did not know who you were, sir. How did you arrive here? I see no vehicle," the poor sergeant was really worried now.

"My boat is anchored offshore, sergeant, about four miles from here," Glen said. "We apologize for intruding in your patrol area without informing you. My fault entirely."

"Please, may we escort you back to the beach? It is not safe here for you. We have arrested several smugglers just yesterday below San Nicholas, there was gunfire and I had two men wounded. I am afraid you will have to forgo your search for relics today, maybe you can return next week."

"As you say, sergeant, we will gladly accept your escort," Glen replied.

Both sides had saved face in the confrontation and the tensions relaxed. Thomas looked disappointed but the soldiers put a different dimension on their afternoon and they all gathered their stuff quickly for the march back to the beach. CJ was wondering what would happen when they arrived back at the boat. Would Juan and Steven be dressed? Hopefully they wouldn't be fucking each other's brains out. He mentioned this quietly to Glen who shrugged. What could they do about it?

The walk was uneventful and the soldiers polite, offering them water in the sweltering heat. When they reached the cliff's edge they saw the two boys dressed in shorts and setting up for dinner. Steven started to wave and halted as he saw the group of soldiers surrounding his new friends and the boss. Glen and CJ thanked the sergeant for his patience and they proceeded to climb carefully down the slope. CJ looked back and saw the troops hoisting their arms and heading back towards the hills. It had been a close call.

"Thank God you had that paper, we were headed to jail for sure," Glen said, as they slid the last several feet to the beach.

"Are there really a lot of smugglers around here?" CJ asked.

"Not sure myself, but that's why I keep the rifle near to hand when I'm on shore."

"That scared the shit out of me. Did you see all those guns? I was afraid they were going to destroy these shards," Thomas said.

"You don't have to worry, Thomas," Glen assured him, "CJ has things well in hand it seems."

Juan and Steven crowded around, anxious to know what had happened. Should they pack up and leave? Did they think the soldiers would return? The boys had a fear of the military like many of their fellow countrymen.

"No, I think we stay right here," Glen said. "At least that way they know where we are now and that sergeant will probably keep an eye on us."

"I think that's sound advice, but I suggest we keep our clothes on and no more playing around, " CJ said.

The sun was headed towards the horizon and their little encounter with the military and the hike had put quite an edge on their appetites. Glen fetched a cooler of beer and handed out bottles of local brew. The lobsters were put in the pot to steam with the corn while Juan baked native bread in the coals. Steven had made a fruit salad and had it chilling on ice under the awning. It was quite a feast and they decided that today's discovery had to be toasted over and over. The boys decided on a walk to wear off the meal while Glen and CJ picked up.

"I'm sorry about the soldiers today CJ, I should have seen that coming."

"Naw, it means nothing. Just some poor slobs out doing their jobs," CJ replied.

"Seriously, if you didn't have that paper it would have been hell."

"We probably wouldn't be out here if I didn't feel confident that Colonel Juarez and his little document would protect us. Now I'm worried there might be other eyes watching us from above and the paper I hold won't cover us under those circumstances. This smuggler business is making me nervous," CJ admitted.

As the sky faded to black, they pulled apart the beach gear and rowed back to the boat. It seemed safer to be anchored offshore with the sharks running sentry duty around them in the shallow water. Later as they undressed for bed, Thomas hesitated briefly but then just had to ask.

"Were you ok with what happened today?" Thomas asked.

"You mean the film or the soldiers?" CJ replied.

"Those two having sex with me. Are you upset about it?"

"Not upset, I enjoyed watching, do you think I should be jealous? Maybe I was a little."

"No, that's not why I did it. I don't know, it was pretty bizarre…it was kinda funny."

"It was supposed to be fun, sweetheart…and to help you get it out of your system. It's kind of hard having you horny all the time and not being able to do anything about it."

"I feel committed to you, I love you and I always will," Thomas said.

"I know you do, but you have your whole life ahead of you and I'm just one man you love, the first but maybe not the last."

"Damn, now I'm depressed," Thomas said.

"Naw, you're not really depressed, it's reality staring you in the face," CJ suggested. "We're good for each other, let's enjoy that. Besides, you did good today, a real find that makes this trip all worth while. I'm proud of you Thomas, let's just enjoy the good feelings we share."

They undressed and slept naked, holding on to each other. CJ admired the boy all the more for this. He loved to be hugged to sleep. Not having sex was like an offering to the Earth Mother.

Dawn brought the sound of an engine, and not theirs. CJ heard feet rushing up the ladder and quickly donned his shorts. He hit the bottom of the ladder in time to hear a rifle shot, followed by two more. Cautiously he stuck his head above the level of the deck.

Glen was watching as a small powerboat headed north along the beach. The rifle was cradled in his arms and whoever was in the little boat was quickly running away from them.

"Good morning," Glen smiled. "Just fending off an unwelcome visitor. Two guys in a small boat, I heard them as they grabbed onto the anchor chain. I sleep light, ya know. It's possible they might have been after my boat but they'll leave us alone now."

"Did you hit anything with those shots?" CJ asked.

"Wasn't trying to, but they heard the bullets zing by. I didn't want to disable them, they might be armed. Better that they just run away," Glen said.

The little boat had traveled out of range now and showed no sign of turning back. The boys were on deck by now and so Glen decided to eat breakfast and pull up the anchor.

The trip to San Nicholas took very little time and Glen ran them in on the engine while looking at all the other craft for the boat that had approached them this morning. He didn't see anything suspicious and they tied up at the little dock.

Although still early in the day there were quite a number of people up and about. These were true natives, their faces different from Juan and Steven and their dress more traditional. Glen cautioned them about photographing anyone. It was not a good idea unless you paid them

The women wore long skirts and had bright colored scarves around their heads. The men wore a more typical Mexican shirt and pants but they looked old and threadbare. This was their first encounter with the Seri. It seemed a poor community and they looked around at the small cluster of run down houses, the remnants of the proud culture that helped forge Mexican history.

Thomas went with Juan and Steven, walking through the market area looking for fresh produce and artifacts for sale. Glen was tying up loose ends on the boat when CJ gave him a call.

"Well look here, it's our old buddy the sergeant coming across the square."

"I should tell him about this morning, don't you think?" Glen asked.

"Sure, it'll make his day."

The sergeant was pleasant and again apologized for the inconvenience of the day before. He was most interested in the morning's events and asked for a complete description of the two men and their boat. They left the dock and walked across the road together, the sergeant shaking hands with them both before departing. Not a bad guy really, CJ thought.

The visit was short lived once they discovered that there was little to see here and even less to purchase. Glen explained that this place attracted people mostly for the beaches but all the tourist trade was up the coast. The desert roads being what they were, CJ wondered how anyone ever came here at all. They rounded up the boys and they set off for Bahia Kino and the promise of a Seri festival gathering.

Rounding the point into the long cove they could see the town on the far side. Glen steered the boat towards the closest marina, he called it the gringo part of town. There were lots of boats, great hulking yachts from the States and so many white faces mixed in with the brown.

Juan pointed down the cove and told them that the majority of Seri lived in the old town. With the boat tied up, the boys decided to head out down the street and see what could be found in the Seri village. Just as they were about to leave, Glen's marine phone squawked. It was Matt on the line and Glen asked for a number where he could be reached. Thomas and the boys took off while Glen and CJ hunted down a real telephone for a private conversation.

Off the lobby of the marina's only restaurant they found a phone booth and CJ placed the call. Matt picked upon the second ring.

"Hey buddy, how's the boat trip?" he asked.

"I'd say productive and interesting are two words that come to mind," CJ replied.

"Justin sends his love. He's out at the movies so I thought it might be a good time to call. All is not the same here; he seems to have found a new boyfriend in the past month. I'll be back in Guaymas in two days, the first flight I could book."

"Shit, what a sad thing, sorry my friend," CJ said.

"Are you kidding? Do you know how relieved I am? Anyway, I've met his new friend, nice young man, good head on his shoulders. I wish them the best and I mean it CJ. I will continue to pay for this kid's schooling, that won't change, he's a deserving kid, we agreed about the tuition...and I still love him."

"Then I'm happy for you. I know there is one person in San Carlos that can't wait to see you again" CJ said..

"Yes, we talk about four times a day," Matt laughed. He sounded relieved.

"Look my friend. I'll see you back in San Carlos shortly. We're going to wrap this trip up fairly soon ourselves. Some really good things have happened. I can't wait to tell you. Have a good flight," CJ said as he hung up.

He replayed the brief conversation in his head. Suddenly Miguel was the sole focus of Matt's life, hope that doesn't put too much pressure on the kid. This gave him an idea and he just knew he had to place another call. The phone rang four times on the other end before it was answered.

"Hello, Blake is that you?" CJ asked.

"CJ, wow, I was just thinking about you. How did you know?"

"Don't ask, I think we're connected somehow. I called...because I miss you. Sorry to hear about your aunt, is everything ok now?"

"Yes, we completed the burial yesterday, I'm still very sad. But I miss you terribly. I'm alone here at the moment so I can say it, I love you, CJ...when am I going to see you again?"

"Soon, my little eagle, very soon in fact. I've been thinking about having you fly down here, do you think your father would approve?"

"I can ask him, why, what's up?" Blake asked.

"We found a cache of native artifacts, and you're not gonna believe this, I'm still trying to understand it myself. The eagle painted on the roof, your eagle...well the same figure is painted on these shards of pottery, and it's spooky. I thought you might like to see them and meet the boy who found them," CJ said.

"What boy, CJ? Did you find yourself another boyfriend?"

"Stop right there, my dear. No one will ever, I mean never will anyone take your place Blake. I think you're the most special young man I ever met, can you understand that?"

"Yes, we've shared these thoughts before, so who is the guy and where did you find the pottery?" Blake asked.

"Alright, you should know, his name is Thomas and he is quite the opposite of you. I want you two to meet and please, don't make any judgments until you're here. I love him too Blake, but not the same as I love you. You said before that you'd trust me and I need you both together for any of this to make sense, but I need you most of all.

"We took a trip out into the desert, me and two new friends. Glen is a new friend who's a doctor and owns the boat we are using for this trip. Thomas and I met by accident in a town called Hermosillo. We found Miguel's father, by the way, that all went real well and Matt is very happy. But look, this is too complicated over the phone, please come down here."

"Ok, I'll ask, but how will I get there?"

"I'll call the airlines, no wait. I'll have a plane pick you up in Flagstaff. You know me; I'll buy a damn plane if that's what it takes to get you here."

Blake started laughing now, CJ could feel tension and a little hysteria behind the sound, the boy was close to tears.

"I love you Blake, nothing will ever change that, I want you to know you have no fears about that in our lives. Thomas is no threat to us, far from it, he makes us complete, my little warrior, you'll see what I mean," CJ said.

"When should I come?" Blake asked.

"Ask your father and then start packing. I need to make a few calls myself and then I'll call you right back, ok? Remember, tell your father we made some archeological finds and we're digging with the permission of the Mexican government. If he has any questions then let him talk to me, you have my number. Good bye, Blake. Talk with you again later today. I love you."

"I love you too, CJ. Bye," the little voice said.

He sat in the confines of the booth and cleared the tears from his eyes, now what the hell triggered that? I got to be out of my mind putting Blake and Thomas together like this, but it had to happen and now we have a cause. He started to dial the airlines but then hung up. No, there's a better way. He called Danny.

Glen was waiting on the veranda of the restaurant, two bottles of beer on the table, one unopened .

"Is that one for me?" CJ asked.

"Yeah, how's your friend Matt doing?" Glen said.

CJ smiled and then told him about the conversation with Matt, and then Blake.

"Lord, what have you gone and done? Does Thomas know?" Glen asked.

"No, I've mentioned Blake to him but they've never met. I really want them to know each other; I love them both, just differently. Thomas is warm, lovable and smart and he needs me right now. Blake on the other hand is warm, lovable and smart...but there the difference begins. Blake is independent, comes from a loving family he's more, well...spiritual. You ought to understand him...he wants to be a medicine man, just like you."

"A doctor?"

"Maybe, he empathizes with others. Its plain spooky how I can tune in on his feelings and he reaches out to my thoughts. He has an aura, the same thing I see around Thomas sometimes only much stronger. Blake doesn't understand how he can manipulate situations by use of this inner spirit, it's a gift and he needs to learn the skill. Thomas just projects his aura, let's call it beauty. You know how it affects people, you've felt it yourself."

"Yes, I guess I have," Glen said, "I never thought about it until now. Damn, you're right CJ. There is something I feel when he's around, what is it?"

"I don't know, but shit, wait until you meet Blake," CJ said.

"Now you have me worried," Glen said, "can these boys really manipulate us?"

"Don't go spooky on me buddy, they're just ordinary boys with a gift for life that we both envy. I don't understand it myself but it doesn't scare me, it attracts me." CJ said, "Anyway, my pal Danny is flying out to Flagstaff tomorrow to pick up Blake."

"How do you think Thomas will react?" Glen asked.

"Not sure, but I'm about to find out."

He returned to the pay phone and called Blake once again, his father had said ok. Now the boy was excited, the mood swing worried CJ a little. Had the kid been getting stoned every minute since he left?

"How long will I be there with you, CJ" Blake asked.

"Maybe a few days or a few weeks, depends on what you tell us when you get here."

"Me? What do I know?" Blake asked.

"You have the answer inside, Blake. Trust me on this one. Your spirit has all the knowledge to guide us on this particular vision quest."

"I trust you…and thank you, CJ. I need to be with you right now and you kept your promise," Blake said.

"See you tomorrow, Blake. Bring your feathers but leave your pipe at home. Do you know what I'm saying?" CJ asked.

"Yes, sir…no pipe," Blake replied.

They would have to drive him home on the way back, CJ thought. We'll be together for a good while if I make this work. Just the three of us, shit, this isn't going to be my day.

CJ called Carlos Alvarez and his secretary answered, telling him that Carlos was out. CJ asked, could she arrange to have Blake admitted to the country at Guaymas airport? He was a member of the team...they needed him for a dig. She was most obliging, taking the information down and promising the papers would be ready. Carlos had told her to help them in any way possible. Thank you, CJ said over and over again.

That detail settled CJ and Glen went looking for the boys who could have wandered off anywhere. They actually weren't too hard to find because all they had to do was look for the crowd.

Over by the seawall on the harbor side of town, Thomas and Juan were entertaining a group of young people, mostly girls. So many of the native faces they saw were painted in bright colors, the festival had begun.

Juan could juggle four or five balls in the air at one time, this he now did with oranges from the nearby fruit stand. Steven sat on one corner of the long wall, laughing and clapping his hands, surrounded by the younger kids Thomas was his own attraction just standing there enjoying the colors and costumes of the children, absorbed in the culture he had studied for so long only in books.

The bashful girls were wasting their time with these three, but the boys seemed to be having fun entertaining the crowd. Juan had been trying to teach Thomas how to juggle it appeared; there was a small pile of busted oranges at his feet. CJ and Glen watched the act for a while and then CJ caught Thomas' eye and motioned him away. Glen stayed to watch the fun while CJ told Thomas that they had to talk.

The best place to converse was at the water's edge so they walked on the beach for a ways before CJ figured out how to tell him about Blake's arrival.

"I'm sorry to pull you away from teasing those girls, but I have to tell you something and it's long and involved," he said.

"Those girls were distracting me on purpose; I just couldn't learn the technique. Sorry, you wanted to talk, ok," Thomas said.

"When you dug up those pot shards yesterday, I recognized one of the etched figures, an eagle. It's a very important eagle."

"I remember that, strong southern god symbol. It looked neat but maybe a bit unusual in shape and size."

"Exactly, I thought so too, so I called Blake to come down here and help us understand the meaning of that symbol," CJ said.

"Really, so I finally get to meet him."

"It was his eagle I saw on that shard, Thomas. A northern eagle that flies over the Grand Canyon. I shouldn't be telling you this, but his eagle was painted on the roof of a holy place, put there by hunters or medicine men about eight to ten thousand years ago. I saw it with my own eyes"

"Shit, that's incredible. Why didn't you tell me about this before? No wait, I can guess why. You weren't supposed to tell anyone, were you?"

"Yes, I promised to keep it a secret, but this is just too important a find."

"Will he be mad at you for the telling?"

"I don't think so. That's why I want him here. You can talk to him about it. The two of you together will figure this out."

"Do you think we'll get along?" Thomas said quickly.

"I think it will be electric, you both have the same kind of energy, just opposite poles."

"I love you CJ, nothing will change that, not even Blake. I won't ask you anymore questions about him, I'll wait and see what he tells me, if that's alright with you. When is he due?"

"Tomorrow, sorry for the short notice," CJ said.

"You're a man just full of surprises, aren't you...but then I love you for that too."


On to Chapter Fifteen

Back to Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Index

Chris James Home Page