Chapter 2
They went out to the Yukon and packed the tent and several important items for the hike. Frank looked at Chet with a smile as they walked towards the hollow edge.
"Sorry we couldn't bring that nice looking gas grill. But with Joe and I getting weighed down by these giant tents, and you carrying fifteen more important items, I'm afraid we don't have the ability to move it. Lest we forget you didn't buy an all-terrain off-road utility vehicle with full size bed to move it! Hell, what does that thing weigh, Chet? Four hundred pounds?" he laughed. Chet smiled defensively.
"It has wheels." Joe smiled.
"Chet, they loaded it with a fork lift! That should have given you a clue it wouldn't be portable." he needled, looking at his chum with an expression suggesting he was clueless if he really thought they had a chance to move it. Chet squirmed a bit uneasily.
"Alright, Alright. So, I wanted it for my patio at the townhouse. Sheesh. Anyway, I have the pots and pans to cook over a camp fire. We won't starve." he said. "Though this meat packed in ice is sure heavy. And they could certainly make coolers lighter." Frank looked over to him.
"Already complaining and we haven't even started." Joe grinned as he reached the edge of the hollow and looked down.
"Pretty steep guys! We better be careful." He said taking out a length of rope. He secured one end to a sturdy tree and threw the rest down into the hollow. Frank took a breath as he looked down as the end of the rope disappeared from sight.
"This will be fun alright. Ok, guys, let's scale down the hollow wall." They went down one at a time and scaled down about twenty foot to the bottom. This wasn't bad, as it was far deeper in other areas. Upon reaching the bottom they tried to get used to the excess darkness. It was dusk, but on the floor of the hollow it seemed like it was midnight. Frank pulled out a flashlight.
"Ok, Joe, take the rear. I will take point." He pulled out his Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver and checked it over. Chet checked his Smith & Wesson .44 and holstered it. They proceeded into the hollow. Progress was slow due to their large loads. After an hour of walking Frank signaled to stop. He looked to the others.
"I am getting beat. These packs are extra heavy." he said with a pant. Joe nodded resting on his haunches.
"Me too. I say we pitch camp when we find a clearing big enough to pitch these tents of Chet's." He suggested with a sideways glance at his pal. Frank looked up.
"How big are they?" he asked realizing he hadn't bothered to ask. Joe smiled.
"Big enough!" he gave half a chuckle between breaths. Chet looked over to him.
"At least we will have a little room in these. Unlike those tiny things you wanted." Joe smiled and stood up.
"Well, let's get moving. I want to settle camp before it gets too late." The others nodded and they continued their trek into the thick brush. About forty minutes later they came to a good sized clearing and Joe dropped his pack.
"This seems good to me." he said. Frank dropped his pack also and flopped to the ground.
"Me too. So far not a sign of the captain. Which isn't too surprising with the limited vision we have tonight. I still think this is the best lead we have." Chet nodded agreement and he also fell to the ground.
"I'm beat!" he said looking up into the darkness. He dug around in his huge backpack and pulled out a set of small camp lights. He lit them and soon had the area well illuminated. Frank and Joe rolled out the two tents. Frank looked shocked upon seeing the dimensions. He looked over to Chet incredulously.
"Hey Chet? Are we expecting a football team tonight?" He asked with an air of sarcasm. Joe gave a chuckle.
"Really Chet, if not, we could probably play an official football game inside this thing. Ah well, guess we better get it up." he grumbled as they went to their task. Thirty minutes of hard efforts brought the two tents up. Frank gasping, sat back on the ground. He took out a bottle of water and drank. He let out a huge laugh as he sat back and surveying the work.
"You know, we could start a circus Chet. I think maybe just a little overkill on the tents. But hey, at least we have them now. They should come in handy down the line...in case we start a circus!" Joe smiled.
"Well, this isn't exactly discreet, but we can make this our headquarters. All we really need to make it a town is a few stone pillars and a post office." Chet cracked up.
"Your sarcasm knows no limits, guys. But, I will be a good sport whip us up something to eat." Frank looked up.
"Now your talkin, pal. Get to it." Chet smiled and went about making up a makeshift grill and soon had a fire going under it. He took some of the steaks out that Mrs. Hardy had packed and put them on. He then went about assembling a small table and chairs and set them up in the screened tent. He brought out some dinnerware and set the table. He put out some candles and lit them then returned to the grill to retrieve the steaks and carried them on a plate over to the table. Frank and Joe had sat down and were looking amused at the formality. They were impressed by all that Chet had managed to fit into his pack. He placed the grilled steaks before them and turn the glasses right side up. He retrieved a bottle of wine from his pack and walked over and sat down. Frank looked at him with a feigned annoyed expression.
"Chet? I see salt and pepper, and I see garlic powder, and I see seasoned salt. But I Don't see steak sauce."
"Damn!" Chet said. "I knew I forgot something!" He said. Joe smiled and tore into the steak.
"It's ok Chet, we will make do here." Chet opened the wine and poured it. Frank took a drink. He looked up impressed.
"Very nice. My compliments. A fine meal you have created in spite of not having an actual grill." He said sitting back. They discussed the case at hand and enjoyed a peaceful meal. After eating, Chet looked about the eerie darkness.
"One thing for sure. If there is something afoul, I think we should be on our toes. Let's keep a watch on tonight. This camp may attract unwanted attention." Frank nodded.
"Probably a wise idea, Chet. Joe and I will clean this up while you see about making the inside more comfortable. I assume you got some blankets in that deep pack of yours?" Chet smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I can do that." He got up and went about laying out sleeping bags, kerosene lamps, extra cleaning supplies and their portable two-way radio. He placed extra bottles of water in the tent. After making the inside livable he returned to the screened in tent where Frank had just made some coffee. Chet sat down and took an offered cup.
"Just what I needed." he said thankfully. "So, who takes first watch?" Frank smiled.
"I will. Let's see, it's ten now. I will wake Chet at one and you can wake Joe at four." Chet nodded.
"Good deal to me. Joe, shall we get some sleep?" Joe nodded affirmatively.
"Sounds like a plan." He said sleepily getting up. The pair walked into the tent. Joe was taken a little aback by the setup. The sleeping bags, lamps, supplies and radio all laid out nicely. How you got this all in your pack I will never know." Chet smiled.
"Trade secret. Pack yourself down like a mule." he said. He took out his revolver and laid it under his pillow. He then fell into his sleeping bag. He and Joe were soon asleep. The camp was in darkness aside from a small portable lamp Frank had next to his sentry post. He looked about the darkness. No sounds could be heard aside from some of the local wildlife. Frank found himself dozing slightly.
A moment later the peace was disrupted by a hideous scream!