I was already in private property do not trespass mode and was keeping an eye on some neighbors hanging nearby when the highway department rolls up in a dump truck to load some gravel from the stockpiles under the bridge. My destination was the rail yards adjacent to the East Texas Seed Co. and I wanted some close up shots of the active switch engines in the yard.

I was heading for an old sand and gravel type contraption Im not even sure what it was but it was real old and offered an elevated vantage point. I shot a couple of pics and the highway guys just ignored me so I kept walking and shooting and seeing the world through my little view finder when I heard something. More like I felt it before I heard it.

As I turned and looked back behind me I saw this pile of roofing material raise up and out crawls this latino hombre maybe 35 or 40 years old. It scared shit oughta me because I had nearly stepped right on the pile just moments before. I think he was pretty scared too. We just looked at each other for a long minute. I finally broke the silence and said "que paso" waving my hand real friendly like. He was no more than 15ft away and I could see the anxiety level in his eyes. He kept looking over his shoulder back towards the neighborhood nearby.

He got up enough English to give me an answer and he said: "I get shot at!" I asked donde? ayi? He said "over there, some bad Mezukins shoot at me last night" I said "OK you all right"? he just nodded but he was real antsy. He kept his right hand in his pants trying to look like he was carrying and Hell, for all I know maybe he was. I didnt need to know I just said "well good luck amigo" and started to back away. I really wanted to take a shot (nooo with the camera) but I didnt think he was in the mood to pose for pictures so I just slammed down the shutter kinda point blank in his general direction a few times. The result was none too spectacular since I failed to adjust the exposure for the deep shade he was in.

Well OK this story aint all that spectacular either I guess you just had to be there. One of those fun u.e. type encounters that happens sometimes when you go it alone and theres nobody to laugh about it with you later so I thought Id share. Little events like this always add to the memories for me.