The Renewal

by Joseph Ferguson

  Chapter 4

  Treyson was slightly winded when they reached the caves, but Big John was panting and sweat was beading heavily upon his forehead.

  "No wander you don't like coming here, climbing the hill does not agree with you," Treyson laughed while giving him a light push.

  "I don't like coming here because I find the caves boring; they're here mainly for the tourist. I am more entertained when I drop a line in the water," Big John said with a smile as he took a rag from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his head.

  The path to the first cave split the thick grayish brown grass that had small multi-colored wildflowers growing randomly and looking as if someone tossed a handful of M&M's onto the ground. The first cave they encountered had an odd shaped entrance; it looked as if was cut it out of the rock face with child scissors. With flashlight in hand Treyson had to duck as he entered the cave and after a couple feet in he almost stumbled as it had a steep downward slope. He found it to be rather shallow and disappointing with no places to hide a sword. He struggled to crawl back up the incline on his hands and knees, slipping a few times. Big John had to reach down and help him up. Following the unevenly faced crag the next cave they came across was small. Treyson was just barely able to squeeze through the moss covered opening finding a small spider webbed shaft leading to a large cavernous room. It took him almost an hour to meticulously search the entire area, but still coming up empty. He was still hopeful as he crawled out; there were a few caves to go. Big John looked at him and laughed, Treyson's head was covered with spider webs and his clothes were already filthy. Treyson took time to pull the webs out of his hair as Big John patted the dirt off his back.

  "Your grandfather was a lad when he supposedly hid that sword wasn't he, Big John questioned?

  "Yes, his parents immigrated to America about the time he was nine," Treyson answered.

  Big John pointed to his head, "well maybe you need to think like a lad then."

  Treyson gave Big John a confused look. "What are you talking about," he said?

  Big John said, "He probably knew these caves well right?" Not giving Treyson time to answer, Big John went on, "he would hide it where no one else could find it. Somewhere a tourist wouldn't venture, somewhere only he would know of, a place that maybe not even his friends new of."

  "So we should be looking for a cave hard to enter, one that would normally be off limits to people," Treyson said with a look of understanding.

  "I think I know the one," Big John exclaimed! "Follow me," he said with a wave as he headed down the path.

  They walked past a few cave openings and at each one Treyson felt the need to explore it, but instead he followed Big John. After about a half hour he stopped in front of a cave with a huge almost perfectly round entrance. Big John wasn't looking towards the large cave opening, but he was pointing down the rocky steep slope towards a small indent in its side. Treyson could see what looked like a metal grate built over a dark hole. "How do we get down there," Treyson asked? He knew it was a dim witted question that didn't need answered. There was no cleared path and the hillside was scattered with large odd-shaped rocks. He figured he could try sliding all the way down, but that would be dangerous. Treyson took the twenty foot rope from his bag and draped it over the edge finding he still lacked five or six feet.

  "Think you can hold the rope while I climb down," he asked Big John?

  "Sure, but you have to promise that no matter what after this we go fishing and if you can hunt for your elusive sword tomorrow, agreed," he asked.

  "Agreed, now hold onto this end and brace yourself against that rock. And don't let me slip."

  With Big John's feet against the boulder and hands gripping the rope Treyson rappelled down the slope avoiding the big rocks while firmly planting his feet on each step. He wished now he would have packed a pair of leather gloves his hands were burning from the rope sliding across them. He was nearly ten feet short of the metal grate and taking a chance let go sliding the rest of the way. He slid uncontrollably to fast and was unable to stop as his feet hit loose rocks making them come out from under him allowing him to hit the ground square on his back and knocking the air from his lungs. Big John was yelling down to see if he was alright as he lay there struggling to breathe, he could hear the sound of running water echoing up through the grate covered hole. With his breaths coming easier and though it was still painful to inhale he sat up. I hope I didn't break anything, he thought as his back seemed to be on fire and ached with every movement and breath.

  He looked up towards Big John, "I'm alright," he said as he gave thumbs up. Looking over he touched the large rusty metal grate that covered the gaping hole in the ground. He grasped one of its iron rungs to pull himself on top of it, the sharp stab in his back made him yelp as he found himself looking down through the grate. The grate looked to have been done onsite probably to protect people from falling in and getting hurt. It consisted of eight metal bars spaced a few inches apart welded to a metal ring and upon closer inspection saw that it was pinned on two sides to steel plates imbedded in the rock. He pulled on both of the pins but they wouldn't budge he would need something to hit and hopefully loosen them. He grasped tightly a rock about the size of his hand and struck one of the pins causing a spark to fly, but the pin didn't budge. How he wished for some lubricating oil and a hammer. He hit the pin a few more times, more determined with each hit, but to no avail, it wouldn't move. He turned to get a better angle on the other pin then with hope reared back and gave it all he had causing it to squeak as it moved slightly. He sighed triumphantly as he continued to pound it till it popped out. He stood forgetting his pain as he did a victory dance while pointing at Big John while crying "I did it" over and over.

  Treyson pulled up on the reluctant grate causing it to screech as it rose on the other pin acting as a hinge, but trying to be careful not wanting to fall in the now huge uncovered hole. With flashlight in hand he lay prone on the ground and looked down into the vertical cave. The cave's darkness was barely cut by the bright beam cast by the flashlight though its depth not visible, but just a blur. After about three feet the cave opened up to what looked like to Treyson a large chamber. He picked up a rock and dropped it in trying to judge how far down the floor would be. The noise it made was not what Treyson expected; it echoed a ploop as if it hit water. He figured that somehow he would have to lower himself through the hole but he wasn't sure how. I will need the rope, he thought as he called up to Big John to let go and he pulled it towards him. He made a loop and wrapped it around the bottom of the grate. After he tied knots every foot and a half he dropped it down the dark hole. He was beginning to wonder if his grandfather’s sword is worth this much trouble it would probably be something he would hang on the wall, just a conversation piece.

  He heard Big John yell, "Be careful," and noticed as he looked up Big John attempting to crawl backwards down the rocky hill.

  "It's you who should be careful," Treyson yelled back. He watched as Big John seemed to maneuver down the slope pretty easy avoiding any lose rocks and coming down beside him without falling.

  "How did you do that," Treyson asked with a look of bewilderment. "I mean, I used a rope and still managed to fall," he added.

  "I've been coming down here since I was a kid and I know all the tricks," Big John answered with a big smile on his face.

  "Then why did you make me climb down the hard way, if you knew an easier way that would keep me from getting hurt?"

  Big John lowered his head and his voice, “well I thought you would see how daunting the climb was and the impossibility of removing the grate that you would give up and go fishing instead. Sorry."

  "So, you have been down here before and through this grate," Treyson was thinking as he talked, "and for that matter all the caves and you haven't seen the sword?"

  "It's true I have been through all the caves as a boy and I have never seen a sword, but I have never been down this hole, the grate has been here a
s far back as I can remember. It's a crime to mess with the grate, didn't you read the sign?"

  "What sign," Treyson asked?

  Big John pointed where the sign used to be but it was gone, "well there used to be a government sign." He started searching behind rocks and in the grassy area mumbling, "I know there was a sign."

  "You mean that sign," Treyson said pointing at a piece of wood on a stake part way down the hill?

  Big John looked, "I think that's it, says it’s illegal to tamper with the grate."

  "Ok, well too late now. Besides you said you have been through all the caves besides this one that means the sword has to be here."

  Big John had a look of arrogance with a tone to match, "Oh, I've been in that cave too, only not through the grate. It has another entrance which I was going to show you... tomorrow. Besides maybe somebody else has already found it or it’s become a pile of rust."

  "It doesn't matter I guess, I am still going down the rope." he said as he grabbed his flashlight and got on his hands and knees.

  "Are you sure, I mean, It's a lot easier the other way," Big John pleaded.

  To late Treyson was already climbing down into the hole using the knots he had tied into the rope. He descended, with flashlight on, into a huge cavernous room. He hung there holding onto a knot with one hand while both feet straddled another as he shined the light on the narrow path below. The trickling of a stream echoed as it followed the path from one end of the cavern to the other. He noticed the rope was about eight feet shy from reaching the ground right above a small trickling stream. The rock strewn cave was wide but didn't offer much for hiding places for a sword. He shined the light on a couple of big boulders hoping for a glint of steal or some type of metal reflection, but found none. He decided to climb back out and give in to Big John and go fishing. He would come back tomorrow and go back through the caves he had yet to search. As he neared the top he noticed a small recess in the cave ceiling partially hidden by the shadows cast by the light. It wouldn't be noticeable from the floor of the cave, the perfect hiding spot. He was excited as he shined the flashlight into the thin crevice hoping to see his prize but saw nothing. He put the handle of the flashlight in his mouth gripping it with his teeth then reached with his free hand to feel inside the thin recess. His fingertips brushed something solid pushing it further back, making his heart race.

  "I think I found it," he shouted while removing the flashlight from his mouth, but wasn't even sure Big John could hear him. He would have to get closer if he was going to reach whatever was in there. He put the flashlight back in his mouth gripping the handle with his teeth. He grasped the ledge of the crevice pulling him closer, but he couldn't hold the position and still search, he would need both hands. If he was to get out he would have to somehow hang onto the rope probably with his feet. He decided it was now or never so he let go of the rope with his hand and grasped the edge of the crevice. The flashlight that was secure in his teeth bumped the ledge causing it to slip from his mouth and he watched as it fell shattering on the cave floor. He could still see a little with the faint light coming through the hole above him. He stuck his whole arm in the crack feeling again for the object he had touched earlier. Excitement welled up inside him as he felt the hilt of a sword then what felt like etchings on a scabbard. Treyson's hand grasped the sheath while pulling the rope close with his feet. Holding on with his arm pressed in the crevice he grabbed the rope by a knot and allowing himself to swing out, pulling the sword from his grandfather’s hiding place. He shouted, "Yes," as he held it up to the faint light. He couldn't wait to climb up and show Big John.