Going Back

Brother Andre has said his goodbyes and thank you's, and all is ready. He offers to bring up the rear but the two Dutchmen won't hear of it; he is constrained to take the lead, and Siem falls in behind. Waving cheerily, they depart.

Conversation is difficult in single file, so they ride mostly in silence. The cool tall oaks add an air of gentle mystery, fostering the musing mood they slip into. They stop several times where the woods open into clearings, and pick the tart barberries along the edges. At one of these quiet spots they watch a hill fox stalking mice, its rich red coat and black points vivid against the gray rocks.

A couple of hundred meters from the monastery, Brother Andre pulls off the trail, and jumping down with a sigh, scaring off two hoopoes, ties his horse. "Well, how shall we do this? Any ideas?"

Bertus, "We could just walk up the trail till we get in sight of the buildings and see what's happening."

Brother Andre, "If you're thinking of going right up to the gate I would stay back, myself. I don't want that officer to get any idea of finishing what he started, up here."

"To be sure. Why don't we just go up the trail to get the lay of the land before we decide anything."

Jack pipes up, "Could Victor and I go through the woods? I'd like to find some of the spots I used to go to."