title: Beneath the Ashen Veil of Darkness: A Post-Apocalypitic Tale of the Midwest
author: Robert Bartlett
description: Robert was born in northern Virginia and spent much of his early life traveling around before settling down just outside of Charlotte, NC. He is a happily married father of four that enjoys motorcycles, sports, and nature. A career dental technician he has also been fortunate enough to enjoy short exciting experiences as a personal trainer and as a fugitive recovery agent.
zlib_text: **CHAPTER 9**
  
  ![](flin_0345495470_oeb_006_r1.jpg)
  
  _New Antrim, Arkansas_
  
  AUGUST 6, 1824
  
  Sam loved coming to Arkansas. Whatever open hostility or veiled antagonism he
  ran into these days in the United States, he encountered none of it in New
  Antrim. His entrance into the town--city now, really--had turned into
  something of a triumphal procession, once news of his arrival started to
  spread.
  
  Another window filled with women, waving at him. Just the latest of many in
  the second and third stories of the buildings that flanked New Antrim's main
  street.
  
  He waved back, grinning. True, all of them were black, and only one of them
  was young and pretty. But those days were behind him, anyway, and the broad
  smiles were enough to cheer the gloomiest curmudgeon in the world.
  
  Chester was riding next to him, leading their remounts. "This too shall pass,"
  he murmured. "This too shall pass."
  
  Sam never stopped grinning, though. "I deeply regret having urged you to read
  the Romans. Besides, you're