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and was astounded. He could barely believe his eyes once again as he made out the images of Mr. Tom Horton who was holding his crying wife in his arms. As the ghostly strangers closed in, Ronnie felt certain that this was his last intrusion into the past.

    Chapter Two
    Located in the basement of the Coosa Valley History Museum is a small archaeological laboratory. While it is well lit, the uninitiated visitor first notices an earthy smell from the artifacts that are harbored in this repository. Whole pots line the shelves while trays along counter tops are covered in lithic debris. One large table is dedicated to dusty ceramic sherds embellished with intricate designs stamped into them centuries ago. The lab’s appearance of chaos is just that: an appearance. Upon closer inspection, labels from designated locations adjoin each grouping of artifacts. Grid maps with meticulous notes are within arm’s length for those who work here. The only disarray to be found is located behind the cabinets where some cobwebs flutter whenever the lab door is opened.

    Archaeologist Paul Brody sat at an empty table hovered next to a lamp inspecting a faded parchment. At age 45 he was showing some grey in his longish hair. He had accepted his fate in regards to needing glasses this year much to his chagrin. He had often mused that it was difficult for an archaeologist to realize that he was turning into an artifact in his own right. Brody was in deep thought as he squinted at the parchment oblivious to the visitor at the doorway. A young woman’s voice called out” Brody….they’re locking up the museum…it’s quitting time ya know.” Brody looked distracted and replied “Is it already?..Jeez I got caught up in these manuscripts and lost track.” Darwin Maddox rolled her eyes and laughed. She had seen this scenario working at the history museum all summer. Darwin was the museum’s graduate student who was on loan until her fellowship money ran out. At only 23 years old, Darwin was a good looking young woman with an athletic body and dark chestnut colored hair. Her looks got her noticed but her grades allowed her to graduate much earlier than her peers. Already this young lady’s accomplishments in graduate school had gotten the attention of archaeology’s elder scholars.

    Darwin continued to chuckle “Hey you might want to think about living here in the present…you do have a life in the here and now.” Brody stood and looked at Darwin. He smiled and cleaned his glasses. “Well I do remember my graduate school years so watch out you don’t become crusty like me when you get out of school.” Darwin smiled and then smirked “Yeah…yeah…so how’s it coming on that translation? Do you really think Horton’s Bend could have been a stopping point for the Spanish expedition?” Brody stood from the table and walked toward the stairs where Darwin was standing. Holding the document, he looked at her “It seems to fit and we know they were further downstream into Alabama…but still I need to find something conclusive.” Darwin’s face had a puzzled look “But why would they have stayed such a short time? I mean…both their encounters with native groups east and west of us indicated they stayed for at least a week according to the chroniclers that were with them.” Brody pinched his nose between his eyes “I know…what made them move on? And that’s if they were even here.” He reached for his day bag and looked at Darwin. “I’m going out to the old King place tomorrow morning to see if Mrs. King can help me. She seemed hesitant last time we met and maybe I can convince her to tell me more about her sons and what they found.”

    Darwin’s face showed concern. “You know Paul you might want to let this obsession go. I mean you got a nice name for yourself with that Indian mound find and it brought a lot of attention to the museum. You’re in their good graces, got a permanent position here.” She spoke again