by John French
After reaching my new home I cleaned and skinned the squirrels. The tails I kept to see if I could use them to make a lure for fishing. I filled the pot with water and put in the squirrels. A new fire was kindled and the pot placed beside it to slowly cook. I added a few things hanging around to give the stew a little more zest, then set to work scouting for wood. The old axe head that came with the cabin was all I had, besides the hatchet head. I had made a new handle for the axe, and would do the same for the hatchet as well. There was a blade to a bow saw in the cabin, but it had no handle of any kind. I imagined I could try to fashion one and maybe I could find a couple of screws to fasten the blade to it. If anything I could head back to the camper. I’m sure there were useful items such as screws or nails I could salvage from it. The thought of returning to that area though wasn’t very comforting. Emotions aside, if I needed something I was going to have to return. Especially if it meant the need of survival depended on it.
The afternoon went by rather fast. Cutting and chopping what wood I brought in, and adding a stick here and there to the fire was the length of it. After chores were done I checked on the stew. It was ready to be eaten anytime now, so I emptied it into bowls to cool and took the pot and my canteen to the spring. I rinsed the pot out at the spring, and drank some water before topping off both containers. Then I hiked back to the cabin to settle in for the evening.
Squirrels chattered and birds chirped away outside the cabin as I ate my meal. It was an incredible experience living here. Best part about it was no one knew I was here, and there wasn’t anyone living within miles of me. Or at least that’s what I was assuming. You couldn’t be sure, and after that last run in I didn’t want to make myself feel too safe. It was going to be an important thing to stay alert and to be prepared for any unwanted guests. Funny how I use to wish someone would visit me, now I find myself hoping that no visitors show up at the door.
After dinner I cleaned up then took out the radio. I hadn’t tried listening to it since I got it back. I cranked it up then turned it on and listened to the static playing. It was a horrible scene to witness. I was standing there in a now darkening cabin at sunset, listening to a radio with no music and no words. When I was done listening to the static play reminding me of my need for human interaction, I ran the dial up and down until I was sure I had attempted to listen to every station. Unfortunately the only thing coming through the speaker was that annoying sound.
Just before I shut off the radio I thought I heard something. A break in the continuous static that played its song of doom. I must have been imagining things. I hadn’t heard anything coming from this for what seemed to be an eternity. There it was again though. The sound wasn’t clear and it didn’t sound like a voice or music, but there was something sort of signal coming through. I wondered if a short wave radio would interfere with my radio somehow. Maybe someone was close by? I kept moving the dial slightly trying to catch the signal. Then I heard it. Plain as day I heard a gurgled voice. The radio wasn’t tuning into the signal, but it was there just the same.
I jumped up and down in celebration! It was crazy, but I couldn’t help but celebrate the possibility that things might be returning to order. I ran outside and brought some wood into the cabin to use in the stove. Coffee was in order, and I would spend the rest of the night drinking a few cups and listening. Listening intently for any message that could possibly come across the airwaves.
Chapter Nine
Searching for Answers
“Ask, and it shall be given
you: seek, and ye shall find:
knock, and it shall be opened
unto you:”
- St. Matthew 7:7
A blue jay was squawked outside as I opened my eyes. I got out of the bunk that I had finally become comfortable sleeping. That is I was comfortable knowing I was sleeping on a platform that served as someone’s coffin for years. There was a bedding of grass underneath a blanket for a cushion, but it was exactly the type of mattress you would want to purchase. Then again I was lucky to even have had blankets at all. Bringing a couple blankets and my sleeping bag to the cabin the other year was the best move I had ever made. All the blankets including my comforter had been taken or burned at the camper. I’m sure I would have been forced to take a trip to town if I had none. There was no way anyone would survive the winter without any.
The cabin was very bright inside which told me it was later in the day. Heat was beginning to fill the main room in the cabin, and the stuffiness was almost too much to bear. After cracking some windows that opened with swinging hinges, I walked to the door to open that and let the air in. The cabin began to finally breathe as I stepped out into the front and walked over to the look out. The sun was not yet high noon, but it was very close to it. Apparently I had slept the whole morning away. No wonder though, as I had been up most of the night consuming coffee and listening to broken signals on the radio. I hadn’t been able to get a strong hit on the signal, but I was determined to continue trying until I did. Today’s agenda was returning to the camper and stripping wire from it to use as an antenna. I think if I got enough wire together I could run it between some trees to cover a greater area of reception. My only hope was that there was enough wire at the camper to do it with.
Grabbing the canteen and coffee pot, I headed to the spring to get water. I had used all my water supplies last night during my celebration. Things seemed different today somehow. Maybe it was because I finally had a run of luck where I had been living nothing but a bad streak. It didn’t matter what the reason was, I was feeling better than I had in a long time. I was now on a mission and driven by purpose. Probably one of the strongest allies you could have in a survival situation. Retrieving the water from the spring, I returned to the cabin where I started to warm water for a couple cups of coffee. The coffee was definitely nearing its end now, and I was going to have to go without sooner than anticipated.
As I waited for the water to boil I got my cup and filter system ready. I didn’t have the filter I had been using anymore, so now I used the basket from the percolator and lined it with a bandanna before adding the coffee grains. It wasn’t the smoothest of inventions, but it worked and saved me from brewing an entire pot. Laying the coffee basket on a rock after I was finished, I then went into the cabin to retrieve a chair and place it out front by the lookout. Sitting here with my coffee was a peaceful experience that I enjoyed greatly. Taking advantage of anything that made you feel good out here was extremely important. It provided an escape from what otherwise would be a miserable experience. Before the water began to boil the radio was checked to see if anything had changed. Nothing was coming over the airwaves now. Not even the distorted signal could be heard. Placing the radio on the table in the cabin, I turned and walked outside to check on the water. It was now piping hot and ready for my morning cup.
Steam rose into the air as I slowly added water to the basket. I had to tilt the basket a little to ensure the water came out in a steady stream and got a greater concentration of grains. The coffee was actually pretty good made this way. I could make it as strong or as weak as I wanted to. Clouds moved by slowly as I sat in my chair staring out across the southern expanse. Somewhere out there over the horizon there was a message being relayed. My only hope was to get the hardware needed to be able to receive it. It was so late in the day that I knew I had to make a decision about how I was going to go about this. I could make it to the camper, but I wouldn’t be able to make it back to the cabin before dark. I don’t even think I’d be able to get to the small pool which was about half way back before sunset. The wiring would have to wait until tomorrow morning. I would have to get an early start. It was worth bivouacking tonight as the air was beginning to chill at night. Inside the cabin was still warm, but I knew outside would be an entirely different story. Fall was coming now, and with it the need to hustle before winter. Today would be spent gathering for firewood and finding something to eat in order to spare my rations from vanishi
ng any further.
When the coffee was done I ate a few berries then started working on the wood situation. I had been gathering much of the branches that had been on the forest floor, and had found a maple a ways downhill from the cabin that had fell over years before. It would serve as a great supply of needed wood. I worked at chopping the branches away, but would need to get that bow saw in order before tackling the main section. I did what I could then spent the rest of the afternoon into the evening carrying it up to the camp. After finishing for the day my stomach was growling horribly. It was time to hunt down something I could fill my belly with. Taking the gun in hand I walked off down the mountain a ways until I came across a few squirrels. I was getting a little tired of this entrée, but unless I took time to hunt below the mountain this would have to suffice. As I approached the little rodents running from branch to branch, a sudden drumming noise caught my attention. I instinctively turned to my right raising the .410 and shot at the grouse that was making a quick get away. A smile ran across my face knowing that I was eating chicken tonight. I picked up the bird and held it proudly in my hand. The squirrels silently stared on hiding in the trees, and I wondered if they were aware that this grouse had saved their hides for another day.
Returning to the cabin, I put away the gun and cleaned and plucked the bird. I normally cut the meat down and cook it in the coffee pot as I didn’t have a cooking pot. This time however, I made a spit and roasted my bird right over the fire. Berries and a can of green beans would accompany this meal tonight. While preparing the green beans I thought it might be smart to check on the garden at the camp tomorrow. Some of it had been trampled down, but I was betting on there being some food there. Not to mention I would be able to harvest some seeds for next year. Drool watered up in my mouth continuously as the grouse cooked over the fire. I was looking forward to a change in menu tonight, and a large meal that I have been in dire need of.
* * * * *
The forest was quiet this morning as I worked my way amongst the trees in the dawning light. I had left the camp the second I could begin to make out the shapes of the trees. Probably an earlier start than I had originally planned, but I now knew I had plenty of time to accomplish my mission and return to the cabin. I carried my rifle, the large pack, and twenty rounds of just in case ammunition. My stomach was still on tilt from last night’s gourmet meal. The grouse had given me the energy uplift that my body had truly needed. It probably wouldn’t have been a bad idea to have brought the .410 in case I ran into another bird, but that wouldn’t have sufficed if I found myself in a firefight so it remained at the cabin with the rest of my gear.
I passed by the pool during the early morning, and thought I might try my luck at some crayfish on the way back if time permitted. That would make a great treat for tonight and another needed change in menu. I kept moving through the forest listening and watching my surroundings. You had to constantly be on the alert now for any movement that could potentially be a threat. I highly doubted I was going to run into anyone here, but you couldn’t let your guard down. Not after what had transpired at the camp. The days of walking carefree through the world were definitely gone now, and danger could be lurking just about anywhere. I wasn’t seeking trouble, but if trouble was seeking me I wanted to be first to react. Being just a fraction of a second off in this new game could be the difference between life and death.
Continuing to move in the direction of camp, I kept to the woods like last time when I got near. Walking along the old logging road was asking for trouble. When I got to the edge of camp, I scanned the area then moved south along the road to insure no one was near. I checked the road itself for tracks too, and didn’t see any sign of human activity. It looked like I wouldn’t be having anymore visits near here anymore. At least not any time soon anyway. I walked back to camp and carefully checked the area before slowly approaching the camper. I kept an eye on the raised shed as well for anyone who might be hiding in attempts to make a shot from there. The camp was cleared and after deeming it safe to work, I began at stripping wiring from the camper.
When I got all the wiring that I could possibly get I then searched for screws and nails. I was able to find enough to complete the bow saw project and have extras on hand. The garden was next and I was pleased to find it flourishing. Luck had multiplied this day with the harvest I was now reaping from my work in the spring. Working as fast as my hands could possibly pick vegetables, I loaded the bag with everything I could. There was a lot of squash, some cucumbers, tons of peas and beans, and a few ears of corn. The corn really didn’t take, and the cucumbers didn’t do so well either, but I it was more than I could have hoped for. These newly added resources would definitely see me through the winter when combined with what rations I already had at the cabin. I had planted zucchini as well, but it appeared something liked that because every one of them had been chewed on. I was a little surprised nothing had gotten to the squash. Must not like summer squash, I thought to myself, but I did so it worked out in my favor.
Now having what I came for and being on a time frame, I quickly geared up and headed back to the cabin. I made it to the pool at the brook with ample time to attempt to catch a special dinner. My skills must have been improving, because I was able to gather a half dozen of the little clawed critters in no time at all. I placed my canteen in my bag and the crayfish in my canteen pouch. My only regret was that I didn’t have a container for them. Hoping they would survive the journey back, I wasted no time in traversing the rest of the way. This time I decided to take a different route and attempt the western slope of the mountain that led to the spring. It was a lot more gradual their and would save me both time and energy.
Checking on the still living crayfish as I neared the base of the mountain, I heard that familiar drumming noise nearby from a grouse. I turned to look in that direction, but could not see it. It didn’t matter anyway, because I wasn’t going to shoot one with the rifle anyhow. Something else caught my eye though. There appeared to be an open space with a few trees where the bird was hiding. I walked over to investigate, always curious as to new spots that may provide resources. As I walked over I found myself walking through a stand of crab apple trees. I couldn’t believe it! The apples weren’t ready yet, but they would be soon. I made a mental note of the area so I could return for some fruit, and also to try my luck a deer here. This would definitely be a great spot for the future.
After satisfying my knowledge of the immediate area I again started my hike to the cabin. I had been right about the western side of the mountain. It had been an easier hike up than the torturous way I had been taking all this time. When I got back I placed the crayfish in a bowl of water and covered it with a plate. I had only lost one along the way so that wasn’t too bad. I made a fire and started to boil water for dinner. While the water was boiling I laid out my harvest on the table in the cabin, and put aside the wiring and hardware for later. The vegetables were fine for now, but I was going to have to figure out what to do with them tomorrow. I needed to try and preserve most of them for the winter. Tonight I would definitely partake in some along with my catch. Soon the crayfish were added to the boiling water, and I was able to enjoy a miniature lobster meal with freshly picked green beans. It had definitely been a great day, and it wasn’t over yet. I still had the radio to work with.
Spring water was retrieved after dinner and boiled for a couple cups of coffee. Caffeine was definitely a top priority for this project. Grogginess was overcoming me from the day’s adventure so I was in need of a pick me up. While the water was warming up I started to work on the antenna. It would be dark soon so I decided to try rigging something up in the cabin first. If it didn’t work I would bring the set up outside in the morning. When I stepped outside to retrieve the pot of water I noticed a sudden drop in temperature. Summer was definitely coming to an end now and I would soon need to start scrambling for winter.
I made myself a cup of steaming hot coffee then started on running the w
ire in the cabin. Being satisfied with the current layout I wound the radio and turned it on. The tuner moved around as I tried to find a signal. I couldn’t hear anything though emitting from the speaker other than static noise. After spending a good deal of time on it, I gave up and decided to try later well after dark. Maybe whoever was attempting to broadcast last night was only able to in the night. It was a possibility anyway. I know I couldn’t spare time in daylight hours to attempt anything like that. So I set aside the radio and sat sipping my coffee and staring at my harvest.
As the cabin started to darken from the oncoming night, I lit a candle and once again picked up the radio. Winding it again and turning it on, I tuned it to the general area where I had received the signal last night. Then after placing the radio down I made another cup of coffee. The water was just warm now, but that really didn’t matter to me right now. With a new cup of coffee in hand, I sat down and listened to the static playing on the radio. When my cup was about half emptied I put it down and started to move the tuning dial. Nothing but that swooshing sound filled the silent cabin. An owl was hooting outside the cabin and made me laugh. It seemed as though we were both asking “who’s there?” Soon I became frustrated and stopped playing with the dial. I sat with my elbows on my knees and my hands covering my face. Anger got the better of me, and I sat up straight needlessly slamming my hand on the table. Just then a voice came over the radio. Just a quick second, but it was there.