Disclaimer: Just borrowing them, Janet.
Wet is Wet
Miles later they came to a fast flowing stream. It was early summer and the spring run-off was in full force. The banks were steep and the water fast. Stopping to consider how best to cross the stream, they spied a duffle hanging in a tree. Maurice took it down and looked inside it. There was a long length of rope coiled inside the bag. Taking it out, he tied one end to a tree. He tied the other end around himself. "OK, I'll wade across and tie it to another tree across this water. When I have it ready, come across one at a time holding the line. If something happens and I slip, grab the line.
He gave his pack to the person next in line, Stephanie. Gingerly he slid down the bank and entered the water. He was a large and muscular man. The current was very strong and he was having trouble keeping his footing. Almost losing his balance a number of times, he slowly crossed and scrambled up the far bank. Quickly tying off the line, he motioned for them to come across.
Stephanie was first. She had put her arms through Maurice's pack backwards so that it sat in front of her. She grabbed the line and slid down the bank. Stepping into the water, she was almost sucked away. Holding very tightly she slowly crossed the stream. Clamoring up the bank, she handed Maurice his pack. They fist-pumped. Next was Eddie. Even across the other side, Maurice and Stephanie could see the terror in his eyes. He set his mouth firmly and moved down the bank. He had a firm hold on the rope. Stepping into the water, he slowly moved across. Suddenly his feet flew out from under him. His head went under water. Everyone held their breath. Eddie surfaced sputtering. He slowly got to his feet and continued on. Reaching the other side, he also scrambled up the bank. Maurice and Stephanie fist bumped him. He sat on the ground and rubbed his face with his hand. He shuddered. Stephanie squatted down and looked him in the eye. "Proud of you," she said softly. He smiled.
Terry was next. He gingerly sat on the ground and slid down the bank. He had hold of the line and slowly walked through the water to the other side. He crawled up the bank. He also received fist bumps from Maurice, Stephanie and Eddie. Last was Teddie. He grabbed the line and slid down the bank. He stepped into the water and walked carefully to the other side. Pulling himself up the bank with the use of the rope he also accepted fist bumps from everyone.
Quickly they continued. The sun was getting lower. They had to find their next checkpoint. It was going to be dark soon. Taking few breaks they travelling as fast as they could to the next rendevous. Finally, just as it was getting dark, they came to a grove of trees. There was another duffle bag.
Teddie took the bag down. He dumped the contents on the ground. Inside were blankets, shelter halves, more food, water, folders and tokens. This time, everyone grabbed a shelter half and a blanket. They would read later. First they had to get their campsite set up before nightfall. Teddie had scraped the ground of vegetation with his boot. It was close enough to the grove of trees to provide fuel for the fire, but far enough to keep sparks from erupting a forest fire.
Everyone spread out finding dried grass, small twigs and branches to start the fire. Eddie spied some small rocks close by and made a circle of rocks in the cleared earth. Teddie already had the dried grasses in small tight circles in the middle of the stones. He lit the grass with one of the matches in his pack. Blowing gently he soon had a small fire started. Adding tiny twigs slowly he built the fire up. He had taken the file folders in his pack and had ripped them into small thin slices. He fed them into the fire slowly. Meanwhile, Stephanie had found armloads of branches and deposited them by Teddie. He was breaking them up and feeding the fire. Pretty soon, there was a nice fire flickering in the ever darkening night.
Stephanie noticed that this time there was no additional canned heat provided. She looked at Teddie. He pointed to two of the branches she had found. They were about two feet tall and had a Y. He pushed them into the ground on each side of the fire outside the stones. He took the pot and strung a sturdy branch through the handle. He then put one end of branch on one Y and the other end on the other Y. The pot hung over the fire. Pouring in two bottles of water, he watched the water heat up. He took the food packets and put them in the boiling water, watching it carefully. Once again, when the packages started to swell, he opened the tops slightly.
Sitting down, everyone grabbed a meal package and commenced eating. Stephanie lamented silently that there were no chocolate bars, cake or other delicious desserts. She longed for a s'more. Once again, there was tea to drink. It was nice and hot. She sighed and leaned against Maurice. His broad strong back made an excellent back rest.
Teddie cleared his throat. "Let's get some sleep. It's been a long day and it will be even longer tomorrow."