THE ANCIENT PATH

By Tessa Harvey


CHAPTER ONE

Jim Nesbitt was the old man's name and he leaned on a cane as he watched Gabe planing a little off the main door, the shavings glistening dull gold in the late afternoon sunlight. Then Gabe sanded the wood and asked what paint the man had. "We could git some right now", Jim responded. "Come to the hardware, then we will bag some groceries. Sure hope you eat well, young un!" Gabe grinned. He did.

Later they sat, drinking coffee in the darkening twilight outside on the verandah. That too was rickety. They both agreed that Gabe would work a few days then go exploring for a while, returning now and then to sleep and to stock up on provisions.

"You ever thought of crossing the mountains?" queried Jim. "They say there is an ancient route through there, not much used now. Was a book, a sort of map once, but no-one knows where it went."

He paused, lighting a pipe that glowed redly in the darkness, shooting out a few tiny sparks that soared and fell. Gabe listened, tired.

"Sure, why not!" was the answer. "Still only summer's end."

A few days later he set off with thick boots, a full backpack and some rolled bedding - and food! Soon he was climbing, alone.

               -----------------------------------------------------