by Magnus Mills
'Steve says he'd like to take you to the canyon today if you're interested,' said Jane, turning to me. 'He'll be here to collect you this morning.'
Before he arrived I decided to go outside for a look around in broad daylight. Patrick Pybus accompanied me. Having always been accustomed to the sight of lone structures in remote, locations, I found it most peculiar seeing all those houses in close proximity to one another. I gazed along winding passageways with tin walls no more than an arm's length apart. These widened out in some places to create streets and thoroughfares. Even so, there were very few people out and about.
They tend to spend a lot of time indoors,' said Patrick. 'Especially if they've been helping with the canyon for a few days. It can be quite tiring work, so I've heard.'
'You seem to have learnt a great deal,' I remarked. 'Considering you only got here a few hours ago.'
'Well,' he replied. 'I thought I'd better find out about everything since I'm planning to live in these parts.'
'You've definitely decided then, have you?'
'Oh, without question. Philip's going to show me the proposed site for my house today. They've all been most welcoming.'
'Yes, I've noticed.'
Patrick gave me a knowing look. 'It's you they're keenest to have here, though.'
'Is it?' I asked, slightly surprised.
'Certainly,' he said. 'Everyone's delighted you've finally turned up. It means a lot to them, you being one of the pioneers, so to speak.'
This was confirmed some minutes later when Steve Treacle arrived, attended by an entourage of fresh-faced followers. Suddenly there was a great kerfuffle, and they emerged from a nearby avenue. I could see instantly that Steve had considerable standing amongst these people, because as he approached me they held back a little.
This, I assumed, was out of respect for the pair of us.
'So you've come!' he declared, smiling and offering his hand. 'Michael will be so pleased.'
I ignored the latter comment, and instead greeted Steve and enquired about his health and suchlike. Then I explained the purpose of my visit. 'I want to see this canyon I've heard so much about.'
'And so you shall,' Steve replied. These are all the new helpers going there today.'
He motioned to those behind him, and they came forward at last, surrounding me and asking all sorts of questions about my life in a house of tin. I was practically mobbed, such was their zeal. The clamour of voices caused several doors to open in the adjacent dwellings, from where numerous onlookers watched the scene with interest. Soon we were joined by Alison, Jane and the rest of them, and Steve suggested we should depart immediately for the canyon.
Never before had I encountered such an eager stream of people. They seemed to flow in from all directions, and as we progressed through this burgeoning city I realized for the first time just how many travellers had crossed the plain to get here. Steve and I were at the head of a column at least a hundred strong, all talking to one another in excited, joyful voices. The exception was Alison. She walked along in comparative silence and only appeared to speak when someone addressed her. I'd learnt since my arrival that her full name was Alison Hopewell, but each time I saw her I was again reminded of Mary Petrie, whom I'd left so far behind. It was hard to believe that we had only parted yesterday. Here, in my place at the forefront of the surging crowd, it felt like an age ago.
Eventually the buildings began to peter out slightly, with empty spaces lying between them. At one such gap Philip Sibling was waiting to show Patrick where he and his friends might like to build their new home. We paused to let the main party move ahead, and then went over to have a look at the suggested site. Philip welcomed me and said he was glad I'd come, and that I would probably find all this most interesting.
'It's a good prime position here,' he told Patrick. 'One of the nearest there is to the canyon. We would recommend you built your house facing west, of course, then you'll catch a glimpse of the sunset.'
'Perfect,' remarked Patrick, measuring out the ground in long, even paces. 'Just perfect.'
'Don't mind me asking,' I said. 'But won't it be a bit cramped with all the buildings jammed so close together? Looks to me like there'll hardly be enough room between them.'
'These sites were laid out by Michael himself,' said Steve. 'There is actually sufficient space here for an entire house.'
'We have a similar plot set aside for you,' added Philip. 'Or, of course, you could have the first option on this one, if you preferred.'
At these words an expression of deep disappointment crossed Patrick's face.
'No, no,' I said. 'Let Patrick have it. I insist.'
'Well, if you're sure
'Yes, that's alright.'
'Thank you,' said Patrick.
When I again glanced at Steve, I noticed he was regarding me with a rather stern visage.
'Michael does know what he's talking about,' he announced.
'So I gather,' I replied. 'I've heard all about my house being built on sand.'
'Precisely,' said Steve. This settlement has been constructed under his specific guidance, and we don't question any of the decisions.'
'That sounds fair enough to me,' I said. 'Who am I to argue?'
Steve glared at me for a few moments more before giving me a curt nod.
'Very well,' he managed, in a firm but polite tone. 'Shall we go on?'
I said a hasty goodbye to Philip and Patrick, and then set off after Steve, who had already marched away. I caught up with him just as he passed between the last of the houses. Shortly after that we emerged once more onto the open plain, where I was relieved to find Alison waiting for us. Steve hadn't spoken for the last minute, so it was pleasant to have her company as well.
'What did you think of the site?' she asked.
'Very good,' I replied. 'Almost a home from home.'
'Should be just right for Patrick then.'
There was a clearly marked trail ahead, on which I could see remote figures moving. The volunteers for the canyon had now become strung out in a long line, many walking in single file, others travelling in pairs, and they never wavered from their steady course. I cast an eye along this determined procession, and then turned my gaze to the wide sweep of plain. Away to our right, about a mile distant, I noticed a house standing quite alone. I knew by its dull gleam that it was built from tin, and it also appeared to be positioned on a piece of land higher than its immediate surroundings. This made it look somehow elevated, as though set aside for some exalted person. I didn't bother to ask who lived there.
'How's Mary Petrie?' asked Steve, breaking his silence in an obvious attempt to resume normal relations.
'Fine,' I replied. 'It was on her insistence that I came, to tell the truth.'
'So she'll be joining us eventually, will she?'
'Well, I don't know about that,' I said. 'She's very fixed in her ways, you know.'
'And you're not, I suppose?'
'Of course I'm not. No one's more open to change than me.'
'Oh come, come,' he said. 'Surely you don't expect me to believe that. You're the only one who refused to move when the rest of us did.'
'That's because I was content where I was.'
'So what are you doing here then?'
'Answering your invitation, if you must know, but if I'd thought you were going to go on like this I wouldn't have bothered.'
'Will you two stop squabbling!' cried Alison suddenly. 'I thought you were supposed to be old friends!'
'We are,' said Steve. 'But—'
'Well, then!' she snapped. 'You've been continually pecking at each other since we set off, and it's got to stop! Whatever will Michael think?'
Personally, I didn't care what Michael thought, but all the same I was glad that Alison had intervened. The last thing I wanted was to fall out with Steve again, so I decided to change the subject.
'I'm really looking forward to seeing this canyon now,' I said. 'Do you reckon I should offer my assistance
?'
'I think it would be most welcome,' said Steve. 'Especially as you're so handy with a shovel.'
It was a simple exchange of words, but more than enough to get us talking again, and soon I was having the canyon explained to me in detail. I learnt that Michael Hawkins had begun the undertaking completely alone about a year ago. This was round about the time Simon Painter started making his visits. Other people journeyed in from different parts of the plain, and one by one they offered their help. Shortly afterwards Steve and Philip arrived, followed by yet more travellers. The numbers grew until eventually they had enough volunteers for operations to be organized on a larger scale. These were carried out under the auspices of Michael Hawkins, who seemed to have a genius for such matters. Apparently, it was merely a question of him suggesting that such and such a thing could be done, and within hours it would be achieved. By now the stage had been reached where a few hundred helpers were fulfilling the work of thousands.
As I listened to all this I began to wonder if some sort of trickery wasn't at hand, by which these people were being deluded. Indeed, I'd long suspected that Michael Hawkins had most likely discovered some natural fault, or fissure, out here on the plain, and then adapted it for his own use. The colourful account that Steve was giving me did nothing but confirm my scepticism. Ah yes, the canyon certainly existed. He'd not only seen it himself, but had actually taken part in its development. This, of course, was an indisputable fact, and the sight would no doubt be impressive. I was on my way to view a great work that offered purpose to numerous men and women. Nevertheless, I had a feeling it was being accomplished by hook and crook.
16
Steve was gradually quickening his pace.
At first I hardly noticed the difference and continued to match him stride for stride. Then I became aware that Alison was having to break into an occasional trot just to keep up with the pair of us. It struck me that he probably didn't even know he was doing it, and I was pleased to discover that in spite of some odd new traits, his inherent lack of patience remained intact. The slick smile with which he'd first greeted me had long since disappeared, suggesting that the original Steve Treacle wasn't far beneath the surface.
Eventually, though, the rate at which he was propelling us across the plain got too much for Alison.
'Can't we slow down a bit?' she demanded.
'Not really, no,' replied Steve.
'What's the big hurry?'
'I don't want to miss out on anything.'
'But the canyon's going to be there for ever!' she said. 'I'm sure it'll wait for you.'
Steve did his best to ease up a little, and we pressed on at a slightly slower speed than before. Ahead of us I could see that the first dozen or so volunteers had come to a halt, allowing those behind to catch up. For some reason, however, the leading bunch didn't appear to grow in size as the others joined it, but continued to number only about a dozen. All the rest were simply vanishing from sight. For a while I couldn't work out what was happening at all, and only when we drew closer did I realize that, having reached the edge of the canyon, they were now making their descent into it. Each individual would arrive at a certain point, pause for a moment, then drop out of view. The remaining group slowly dwindled, one by one, until all had followed.
Our small party still had a hundred yards to go, yet already I could see that the level of the plain had fallen away into nothingness. We carried on a bit further, and the far side of the canyon began to loom up into my line of vision. It was a sheer red wall, increasing in enormity as we got nearer. Finally we came to the precipice, where the sight that met us was truly unbelievable. I had never imagined it would be so deep and so wide, and I heard Alison gasp with astonishment. For several seconds I gazed down at the people, tiny as ants, moving around far below us. Then everything went hazy.
Next thing I knew I was sitting with my head between my legs.
'He'll be alright in a minute,' I heard Steve saying. 'He doesn't like heights, that's all.'
As I came to my senses again Alison put her arm round me.
'Well, well,' she remarked. 'I didn't think you'd be the type who fainted.'
'I'm not normally,' I said. 'But I don't think I can go down there.'
'Why don't you have another look and see if you feel better about it?'
She took me by the hand and led me back to the edge, where I took a deep breath before peering over. This time I managed to maintain some dignity by reminding myself that I was standing on firm ground.
'Isn't it amazing?' said Alison.
'Staggering, more like,' I replied.
How on earth had Michael Hawkins managed this? The canyon was of stupendous proportions, and I just failed to see how it could have been created by human toil, no matter how many helpers there were. As far as I could tell from this distance, all they had to work with was shovels. The latest batch of volunteers was still descending into these depths, by means of a series of ladders and earth ramps that formed a route down. Positioned at various places were rope-and-pulley hoists, on which laden buckets were being hauled up, emptied, and lowered again. At the bottom of the canyon were hundreds of workers, the men amongst them stripped to the waist, all digging or manoeuvring barrows along planks. Beyond them I could see an encampment of tarpaulins spread over poles. There were fires here, and people tending cooking pots, while others appeared to be resting.
After a while Steve announced that we really ought to get a move on, but by now I'd made my mind up.
'It's no good,' I said. 'I'll have to stay up here.'
'Don't you want to come down and help?' he asked.
'I do, yes, but I know I'll get into difficulty on those ladders, so there's no use even trying. Sorry and everything, but that's just how it is.'
Fortunately, Steve didn't press the issue. Instead he merely shrugged and said that I was missing out on a great opportunity. Alison seemed quite disappointed that I wasn't going any further, but at the same time insisted that she fully understood my position.
'Why don't you stay here and admire the view for a bit,' she suggested. 'You might feel more inclined to come down later.'
Although this was fairly unlikely, I decided that I would indeed stay where I was for a while. I felt a little empty as they started their descent, especially when Alison turned at the very rim of the canyon to give me a smile and a wave. Next moment she and Steve were gone, and I was alone once more.
One of the remarkable things about this canyon was the very redness of the earth. There was a lot of cloud today and the light was accordingly dim, but even so it was almost impossible not to be struck by the vivid spectacle. The sight of those towering walls was mesmerizing, and I must have passed a good hour gazing across the void. Presently, I heard voices coming from somewhere below me, and then two women appeared. Judging by their tired, slightly grimy appearance I guessed that they were helpers heading for home. When they saw me they smiled and asked how I was, before continuing on their way. The same thing happened a quarter of an hour later when a group of six men clambered out of the canyon. They, too, set off homeward after enquiring about my well-being. Another ten minutes went by. Next up was a young woman travelling on her own. She looked thoroughly exhausted as she completed the climb, but the moment she saw me her face brightened.
'Was it you who couldn't get down?' she asked.
'Yes,' I replied. ' 'Fraid so.'
'Oh, but you must try!' she declared. 'It would be most worthwhile if you could.'
'Why's that?'
'It's just wonderful there. Michael has organized everything perfectly, and the work is so rewarding!'
She had exactly the same kind of approach to life as Jane. Or possibly Sarah. Even her voice sounded similar to theirs. As she went on about how marvellous it was in the canyon, I couldn't help noticing how weary and dishevelled she looked. Nonetheless, she kept up her spirited appraisal of the place for some time, and I was impressed by her sense of conviction.
When
she'd finished enthusing, I said, 'You'll be going home for a well-earned rest now, will you?'
'Yes,' she smiled. 'It's always so nice to get back after a few days' service.'
'Is that what it's called then?' I asked. 'Service?'
That's Michael's word for it, yes. Well, bye then.'
'Bye,' I said.
This mass exodus of spent workers from the canyon began to acquire a certain fascination for me. I sat at the top for a couple of hours as various groups and individuals came by, all uttering some nicety before returning across the plain towards the city of tin. It was obvious from their step that every one of them was looking forward to getting back to the comfort of their own houses after several days under the tarpaulins.
I was engaged watching a jaded-looking couple wander away, hand in hand, when a man emerged travelling alone. He stood for some moments gazing into the canyon, then turned to me.
'Great view, isn't it?' he said.
'Yes,' I replied. 'But to tell the truth it's even more interesting watching the people go by.'
'A fellow after my own heart,' he announced. 'Certainly, we've got some fine men and women here.'
'I can believe that.'
'By the way, have you had anything to eat?'
'No, not for some hours,' I said. 'Expect I'll be given something back at Simon Painter's, though.'
They're just making some supper in the camp, if you're interested.'
Thanks, but the trouble is I can't get down.'
'Have you tried?'
'Er . . . no, I haven't, actually.'
'Well, why don't you?' he said. 'Who knows? You might succeed.'
I looked at this man and saw from the state of his clothes that he must have been working exceptionally hard. His hands were engrained with the red earth he'd had to shovel all day long, and he was probably keen to hasten home for a break. Yet despite all this he seemed most concerned that I should partake of the supper that was being cooked down below.
'I'm not very keen on ladders,' I explained.
'Well, they're all properly secured,' he said. 'I can assure you of that.'
