The entrance to the mine was so overgrown that we had missed it even though we had walked past this spot before. We cleared away the bushes and cut branches off the small trees that had grown up in front of the entrance. It was very crude and did not look safe to enter, but I walked in a short distance anyway. With the sun shining directly at the entrance I could see right to the back wall which was only about 40 feet or so from the entrance.

What was interesting was the skeleton I spotted. Obviously the fourth prospector. He must have injured himself and was not able to make it back to the cabin, so he died here. I decided we may as well leave the bones in place. That explains the sudden end of the journal. They had come here back in the late 1800s looking for gold, and obviously did find some.

Probably the lack of proper food during the winter is what killed his friends, he just mentioned they died after getting sick. It was their only winter in that location. They did come in with mules, which they ended up eating. It took them 4 months to get here and the trip was rough all the way. I wonder how Carnival managed to find this cabin.

He did leave us enough to help us survive the summer. He even left us a roll of screening to cover the windows which only had wood shutters. Obviously they did a little repair work before bringing us here. Maybe Carnival was planning to use this place for a hideout if he ever needed it. No one would find him here, that is for sure. He was nice enough to leave us a good supply of soap too, which was nice.

And there is an old metal bathtub here, which, amazingly, holds water. And he did leave a lot of clothes for us too, though nothing warm exactly. There are lots of T-shirts, which could be layered for a bit of extra warmth, though our arms might get cold. We have lots of blankets too. More food would have been nice. In all our time here we have not seen any large animals, not even a sign of them.

That part is not so good, though it can be safer. But it was time to talk about some things. It is now 2 weeks and I need my medicine within the next 2 weeks, or I will go back to “nowhere” again. And if that happens, I likely will never return to normal. So, we have our meeting. “You will have to be prepared for the fact that I may go back to “nowhere”,” I said to them, “and that means I could get violent, which has happened before, or I might get fearful and try to run away from all of you.

Either way, you will need to restrain me at times for your safety and for mine.” We talked about different things, but Sigurbjorn had been thinking about this since we got here. She had found some nice leather straps that were both soft and yet very strong. “We can use them to tie you up to the bed at night,” she said, “so you cannot run away when we are sleeping.”

“Good,” I said, “I was wondering how to do that and those straps will be perfect.” “I just hate the thought of restraining you Steve,” said Sky sadly, “but I know it would be best. However, the other girls will have to do it.” “And make sure that the gun and knives we found are hidden from me,” I said, “we just do not know what I might do. Just remember, if I fight you it is only because I do not know who you are and I am frightened. But do what it takes to stop me, short of killing me please.”

“Now Steve,” said Sky, “I want you to be honest with us. Is there really a chance we will be rescued?” I had to pause for a moment. “That is a tough question,” I replied, “unless our team can find someone willing to talk and let them know where we are, there is not much chance. But it is never impossible. We have a mirror to signal a passing plane, if one comes along.

If we are still here in the fall, we will consider starting a forest fire on the other side of that mountain over there, although there will still be danger that it could come our way.” “Yes, I was thinking the same thing,” said Sigurbjorn, “but it would be worth the risk at that point.” Meanwhile… “I just got a call from someone who has information about Carnival,” said John, “but he will only meet with me and no one is to follow or he will leave.”

“Do you think it is safe?” asked Rock. “No idea,” said John, “but we have to start taking chances, we are getting nowhere right now.” So off he went. Carver and Ralph did not know about the call, but they spotted John leaving on his own which was unusual, so they followed. Carver knew how to tail without being seen. When they saw who John met, Ralph immediately called the Major.

“Really?” he said, “that is interesting.” Then he turned to Rock and continued, “do you know someone named Toledo?” “Yeah, he is responsible for the death of Steve’s first wife, we have been looking for him,” said Rock. “Keep an eye on them,” said Major, “but do not intervene unless John is in trouble.” “Got it,” said Ralph, “hmm, looks like John is getting ready to leave…”

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.