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Yahaa, Yahaa! Come on horses, let's go! Damned rain. Yeaahaa!
Well gentlemen, we couldn't pick an uglier night to travel, ha ha...
And it seems like it'll be rainy and windy for a while with no chance of stopping.
Yeah, so it seems. Do you really want to get off at Tubac? Why? What's so strange about Tubac?
We hate to disturb you Mister, but lately everybody says horrible things about that place.
That's right, Tubac is a place where strange and scary things happen, things that make your skin crawl.
I thank you for warning me but I have to confess that I'm not a guy easily impressed.
And in any case Tubac is the destination of my trip and I don't see how I can change my plans at the last minute.
Oh, certainly! Each of us has his own business.
If our work requires us to go to Tubac, then we have to get off there, no question. But listen to me...
...stay there for the shortest possible time!
Here we are, you've arrived Mr...
Ferguson, Henry Ferguson.
Here's your luggage. That in front of you is the guest house.
Knock if you want them to open the door, and knock hard. The doors in this place stay closed and locked from sundown to sunrise.
And make sure they recognize who you are or you run the risk of getting shot.
I'll do as you say. Thanks for the advice.
Let's go little lambs! Go, go, yeehaaa!
Hey guest house, open up!
What happened? Who is it? What do you want at this hour?
Excuse me, I'm really sorry to disturb you in the middle of the night but the stagecoach arrived late. I'm looking for a room and I can pay whatever it costs. You can put away the rifle. I'm a doctor.
Just a moment.
You have to pardon me for having welcomed you with a shotgun in my hand, but in times like these you can never be too careful.
Well, on the stagecoach they said people around here live in fear and you have confirmed those words.
My wife will bring you a plate of meat and beans. It's stuff leftover from dinner but at this hour we can't offer you anything better.
Can I ask you a question? Sure Mister.
Do you know where to find the house of a doctor from the east that came to settle here about two years ago? Is he your friend?
Yes, we've been friends for many years. I came to Tubac to meet him.
He built a house in the desert, but I don't have the slightest idea how you get there. I know where it is but don't even think about me taking you there.
God, I broke it.
You won't find anyone able to accompany you to your friend's house. You'll have to hire a horse and buggy and go there yourself and I don't know, sir, if it's a good idea.
I take it from your words that my friend is not well accepted in these parts? No, that's right and with good reason.
Why do you say this?
Because all the troubles that afflict this place started after that man had the bright idea to build his damn house at the foot of the Mesa de los Pimas.
What kind of trouble are you talking about? Every kind of trouble, Mister.
Isn't it true Esperanza? You tell him. My husband is right, this place used to be peaceful.
Once upon a time the farm animals slept easily in their stables and hen houses. But now in the middle of damned night they cry out as if they're being butchered.
I don't understand, what is it you're trying to say?
I haven't even mentioned the wild animals that go around town making growls and howls so scary that people keep themselves locked in at night so they can sleep.
It wasn't like that before that "brujo" constructed his damned house. All our misfortunes started after his arrival!
Brujo? It means sorcerer. That's how people think of your friend, and everybody is hoping that one day he's gonna pick up and leave just as unexpectedly as the day he arrived.
All this is incomprehensible to me. My friend, Dr Stevens is a doctor, not a sorcerer. I think highly of him. Unfortunately, as often happens to men of science, I think he is the victim of prejudice and superstition.
I feel you've misunderstood our words and I'm sorry sir but if you have the chance to stop here again you'll know soon enough that we haven't invented anything.
That's enough. I beg you. Take me to my room. For this evening I've had enough of silly superstitions.
As you wish, sir, but you'll see. What we're saying will be confirmed when you see that the windows are barred shut and I advise you to leave them like that as long as the sun isn't shining because the worst things always happen in the night.
I thank you sir, good night.