After a quick breakfast of coffee, bread, and fruit, West and Julia resumed their search for the hidden cave. After two hours, Julia pointed to a possible direction they might follow.
West shook his head. “No, I see trees and the tall bushes, but there aren’t any shorter bushes which might be berry bushes or something. We need to ride further.”
“Let me see the map,” Julia said, holding out her hand.
After scanning the map, she said, “Why are you looking for berry bushes?”
“Look at the map. Father Dominic said there were bushes and trees. He drew where they were to the best of his recollection.”
“I know that, but I don’t think these are berry bushes on the map. Did you ask him what they were?”
“No, he said bushes and trees,” West insisted.
“Look at the map again and look in the distance. I don’t think those are bushes, I think they are rocks, and if so, the map matches the pile of rocks there between the trees and the tall bushes. I think you’re reading the map wrong,” Julia insisted.
West grabbed the map from Julia and stared at it and then off into the distance. After he did that three times, he smiled at her. “You may be right. Let’s look.”
As they drew closer, West commented, “I see rocks and some short scrubby bushes. Maybe Father Dominic didn’t think the rocks were important.”
“Possibly,” Julia answered. “When he rode around looking for a place to hide the chest, he might have been more concerned with the hiding place than finding it again. He has the place in his mind, and if he were here, I’m sure he could point it out easily.”
“I think you’re right,” West answered as he rode up to the trees. “Look, I can see rocky terrain behind the trees. Maybe we’ll find the cave. Let’s leave the horses here where they can rest and drink at that small pond.”
Julia dismounted and followed West into the tree line. When they emerged from the other side, they saw that Father Dominic’s second map of the cave opening was nearly perfect. There behind some more scrub brush and a large boulder was an opening to a cave big enough for them to walk into without hitting the top of West’s head.
Chapter 11
“Before we enter, let me look around a bit,” West suggested. “If Kate has been here, she might have left a clue behind.”
As West searched near the cave entrance, Julia walked off in the opposite direction when she heard a horse whinny. Hidden in the trees, Julia found a horse tethered to one of the larger trees complete with saddlebags, bedroll, and a rain slicker. She hurried back to where West was searching and told him of her discovery.
“It could be that Kate left her horse and might be in the cave,” West suggested. “We’ll have to search it carefully.”
West found a used torch near the cave’s entrance and lit it with a match from his pocket.
Julia asked, “What is that smell?” as soon as she entered the cave.
“Most likely, this cave was used by some animal last winter,” West explained.
“Do you think any person would come in here and hide something valuable with the smell and the possibility that whatever made that smell might return?” Julia asked, trying not to take in deep breaths.
“I think this would be an ideal hiding place. Who else would want to come in here?”
Julia had to admit that it made sense and followed West further into the small cave.
The torch didn’t cast off a lot of light, and Julia stood still in the center of the cave while West searched for any possible clues.
“Look here,” West said, and Julia took small steps to reach him afraid she’s trip on the cave’s floor that she couldn’t see.
“What?”
“This cave has been inhabited by something other than an animal. There’s a small remnant of a fire over here and a couple of empty food tins.”
“You think it was Kate?” Julia asked.
“Could be, but then again, I’m not sure how many people might be aware of this cave. It looks like a good place to spend a cold or rainy night as long as the animal that calls it home has left.”
Julia shuddered. “I’m not sure I’d want to sleep in a cave where a bear might come wandering in at any moment.”
“That’s why you build a good fire and keep your rifle close,” West explained.
“But,” Julia stammered. “I don’t have a rifle, and neither do you.”
“I didn’t expect we’d need one.”
“I intend to buy one as soon as we get back to wherever I can find a store that sells them,” Julia insisted. “I don’t ever want to be out in the middle of nowhere with who knows what walking around only armed with my handgun.”
West wanted to reassure her. “Don’t worry. I don’t think whatever lived here will be back for a while, and if it does come back, we have two guns, and that’ll be enough to take care of any problem.”
Julia wasn’t sure about West’s statement but nodded her head in agreement and then realized he couldn’t see her in the dark cave.
“All right, I’ll trust you on that,” Julia finally said. “Now what?”
West lifted the torch higher and saw the cave split in two directions. “We have a decision to make. Do you want to go left or right?”
“You want me to go into one of the tunnels alone? I don’t have a torch. How will I be able to see?” Julia questioned.
West chuckled. “No, I’m only asking your opinion on which way we should go.”
“Don’t laugh at me.”
“I’m sorry. Truly I am. It’s just that you can be so cute when your confused,” West admitted.
Julia huffed. “I am not confused. I merely asked
