early dawn provides enough light that we can see the outline of trees in the
distance and here and there a member of the group rising to stand and stretch.
When it is clear that they are all awake, Martha has an announcement.
I’ve nothing for breakfast. I’m sorry. Here’s what I
suggest we do. Each of us keep our eyes out for
something edible during our walk today. Maybe by
nightfall we can have a feast.
Frank pats his shirt pocket and smiles when he feels a familiar friend there.
He draws out a pocket sized guide and holds it aloft.
I’ve got a book, a book on edible weeds and mushrooms.
Take it camping every time just in case I get lost in
the woods or something.
Then, under his breath to himself as he realizes for once he, Frank, is the
hero. A slight smile touches his face. Alive again, with a role to play after
the loss of his wife Jane.
How about that.
_______________________________
The group is limping along with less energy than the day before. Clara, who
is middle aged, is frankly dragging, and Netty comes up to her to take her
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sack. The group is strung out in a line. Big Tom and Colonel Cage are at the
front of the line, approaching some low rolling hills.
Frank is walking side by side with Billy, who is leaning close now and then to
look at a picture in Frank’s small pocket sized handbook on wild edibles.
Frank is gesturing, and Billy glances up now and then to look at Frank in the
face, to be polite, but clearly would rather just have the book.
. . These are safe, but there’s some others in here
that we don’t want ..
Martha and Tammy are scouting as they go, only stepping off the trail for a
moment to pluck a likely weed, then sampling a leave or flower as they pick up
the pace to return to their place in line. Martha has grabbed a purple flower
off a thistle, takes a nibble and hands a bite down to Tammy for her to taste
test too. They smile at each other.
_______________________________
A large black rat snake has been startled from its nap in the sun and has
started to wriggle into the protection of some tall grass. A military boot
suddenly stomps down on the snake toward its tail, nailing it to the ground.
One of the soldiers drops a rock on the snake’s head and the snake stops
wriggling.
_______________________________
A creek, gurgling through the woods, is under both sunlight and shade as it
winds it way past tall trees and dense woods. Red has stepped into the water
on one side, scooping up a lacy light green plant growing in the water along
the bank. Red loads his left arm with the harvest while grabbing handfuls with
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his right hand, oblivious to the fact that his left side is getting muddy and
wet. He has a smile on his face. Water cress is a find on a day when even a
plain salad will be appreciated.
_______________________________
Netty and Danny are walking together, Netty almost on top of Danny who is in
the lead. She is earnestly explaining something to Danny, who has a worried
look on his face, not wanting to hear, and seems to almost be trying to put
distance between the two of them to avoid it. Netty keeps closing the gap,
though, talking nonstop.
. . All over the world. We’re about the only culture
that doesn’t do it. Lots of fat and protein. . . Well
what else are we going to bring to the pot tonight?
Got any better ideas?
They round a large tree and find a fallen tree trunk at the side of the path,
moldered halfway into the ground, the bark falling off. Netty points and
strides over to the trunk.
There! Lets check this for grubs.
Danny has a horrified look on his face, but stops to watch as Netty kicks at
the trunk, pushing it over and dropping to her knees in the soft wood chips,
digging with a piece of bark. She pulls another, larger piece of bark toward
her and is putting white grubs on this, working quickly so the grubs don’t
escape into the soft ground. She looks over her shoulder at the reluctant
Danny, tossing him a smile.
Oh for heaven’s sake! Get over yourself, city boy!
_______________________________
Big Tom and Colonel Cage are at the head of the line. Big Tom looks over his
shoulder as they walk along a tree line and sees that many in the group are
not keeping up as they are taking time out to hunt and gather. The group is
stretched out at least a half mile long, with a gap between those following
and the two leaders. Big Tom says,
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I know there’s trout in these streams, and I’ve been
trying to think of how to catch them. No time for a
hook and line, that’s for sure.
Big Tom is shucking off his jacket and hands it to Colonel Cage while he
shucks off his long sleeved shirt. He ties a knot in each sleeve and buttons
the neck as high as it will go. Not missing a stride as he does this, he veers
toward the stream that they have been following as it runs along the tree bank
and steps into a pool.
You go upstream a bit and chase them toward me. Lets
see if this works.
Big Tom straddles the stream at a narrow point at the end of the pool, holding
his shirt bottom like a net between his two hands. His fingers are splayed
open, holding the shirt open, and his feet are braced on either side, blocking
the way. Colonel Cage can be seen in the background, stepping gingerly into
the stream and turning to move toward Big Tom.
_______________________________
The group has taken shelter for the night against a rock outcropping, in part
for shelter against a threatening rain storm and in part to hide a small
cooking fire they plan to light. Hungry and weary, they ease themselves into
the soft dirt, looking discouraged and dusty. Big Tom has hung his wet shirt
on a branch, and jacket open is laid back with eyes closed, a sleepy child in
each armpit curled up against him.
One of the soldiers has arranged a fire pit – a circle of rocks with all
litter cleared away for several feet. He is using a branch as a brush,
sweeping the ground clear. Next he moves quickly through the woods nearby,
grabbing at kindling. He kneels and starts twirling a sturdy branch against a
flat piece of bark, and within a minute a spark forms, which is quickly fanned
and fed with dried moss.