Chapter three

Carlos Diego


Carlos Diego was a young man born of a small fishing village on the East cape of Baja California, he was born in the same year as Jake in conditions not too different. He too spent his youth working around the local area. He learned the skills of brick making, thatching, fishing and working stock. As fate would have it Carlos ended up working on his uncle’s boat as deck hand and was one of the very first to be involved in charter fishing. Mostly his uncle’s clients were the ultra wealthy “patrons” from Mexico City. This is how Carlos came to know Don Jose’. The Don came to fish for the great game fish of the Sea of Cortez, the Marlin, the Dorado, and the Tuna. He also hunted the few big game animals of the desert, the Big Horn sheep, and the Mule deer.

Don Jose’ Ortega was one of the extremely wealthy landowners in Old Mexico, he operated numerous businesses and industries around the world. Don Jose’ was a great sportsman and had hunted and fished in lot’s of places but his as yet unfulfilled dream was to hunt the giant Brown Bear of Alaska.

When Don Jose’ was in Baja fishing he watched the young man Carlos as he went about his duties. After several trips there sprung up a friendship between the elderly statesman and the young peon boy. In the evenings after a day of fishing the two of them would go into the hills to hunt desert quail. A few times Carlos was asked to accompany Don Jose’ onto the mainland to hunt sheep or deer. This is why Don Jose’ thought of taking Carlos along with him to Alaska.

Carlos had no idea where Alaska was or even what it was for that matter. He had no idea what snow was and of course had never been on an airplane. He was not completely ignorant of the outside world but it was a pretty close thing.

Following a full day of fishing and a pleasant meal Don Jose’ called to Carlos, “Miho, come hear I have something to speak to you about”. Carlos looked up from mending a net. A brief look of irritation crossed his face at the term “miho” meaning my son, as this is usually a term of endearment for small boys and Carlos was a grown man. But the Don was getting old and he meant no disrespect, only that he had known Carlos since he was a boy.

“What is it Patron”? Carlos asked. “Come on over here and have a beer with me, I have something to discuss with you” The Don, although he had known Carlos and his family for many years, still considered himself to be of a different class and rarely ever made requests, more like orders. Carlos shrugged and dropped the net onto the ground and walked over to the Don’s table.

“What can I do for you Patron, do you need another beer”? “No, no I wish to discuss something of importance with you, sit down. Do you remember the last time I was here we talked of hunting the great Bear of Alaska”? “Si, yes Don Jose’, I remember well what you told me of the huge bears, the Oso Coffee. Why do you ask”? “I finally heard from one of the guides in the far north and have made plans for the hunt. I would like you to come with me and help me out on this hunt”.

“Patron, you want me to go with you? All the way to Alaska? Don Jose’ I do not know anything about Bears, I have never seen a bear in my life”. “Do not worry Carlos, you do not need to know anything about bears, that is the job of the guide. You will need only to assist me with my baggage and rifles as you have done for me before. My legs are not as strong as they were and the miles are longer”.

Carlos thought for just a moment, it seemed to be only another hunting trip like he had done many times, he thought a few days or a week and he would be able to finish the net he was working on. Besides Don Jose’ always paid very well and he would be able to see some different country. “Sure Don Jose’, I would be glad to go hunting the big bears with you, when do we leave”?

Carlos had no idea that he would have to travel by boat to the mainland, then by bus and train to Mexico City to catch an airplane. Carlos was the typical “country cousin” and was completely fascinated by the sights and sounds of the city. In Carlos’ village there were only two old cars that ran on the dusty roads and everyone knew everyone else, hell most of them were related to each other.

He tried to appear nonchalant as he sat in the deep luxury of Don Jose’s limo and watched the masses of people milling about on the streets. He saw fountains of polished stone, concrete pavement, cars and trucks of all description. All things that were completely new to him. The next morning Don Jose' and Carlos loaded their gear and were driven to the airport. The shock of the day before was entirely eclipsed when Carlos looked at the jet airplanes. He nearly lost his composure completely when he felt the huge airliner charge down the runway and lift off.