the scar long enough to make the Antiguan uncomfortable.
The young man quickly tied his shirt closed, rifled through his hair to massage his scalp and said, “I’ll be ready soon enough.”
Jacob finished readying the old horse and rolled a short handled spade in a blanket behind the saddle. “Go on in and get some vittles from Hephzibah. It looks like you will be travelin’ far today.”
Tobey shook off the chill from the cool morning air as he took his piss behind the barn. He buttoned his pants and wondered what was ahead. Several days had passed without knowing what was expected of him. He reckoned he would find out today.
Jacob cautioned Tobey not to forget anything that he might need. He pointed to the bed. “Take that blanket with you for the nights. Carry your food safe…on your own person.”
“Yes, sir. I’m grateful for your words.” Then Tobey checked to make sure his knife was strapped tight to his calf and hidden under the bottom of his loose pant.
Within the hour, Davis and Tobey began their journey to Eastham. Tobey followed on foot behind the constant swish of Davis’s horse. They stopped once for a short respite. Tobey relieved himself and crouched against a tree to eat, distancing himself from Davis. By evening, they reached Higgins Tavern, where Tobey found himself relegated to the barn behind the inn with the horse.
Davis went into the tavern for the night.
“Good evening, sir,” Mr. Higgins greeted the weary traveler. “How may I oblige you this cool night?”
“A room, sir.”
“That I am able to accommodate you with. Your name?”
“Thomas Davis, from Yarmouth. My servant resides with the horse outside.”
“Follow me to your quarters. When you’re ready, I’ll provide a meal for you and your man.”
“Thank you,” Davis answered and trailed the proprietor up the narrow steps.
Soon he was enjoying a fine meat stew and a pint of ale. When near to completion, Davis asked Higgins, “Might I inquire your expertise in a matter that’s a mystery to me?”
“I’m at your service.”
“Do you know of a large rock or stone aberration close by?”
“Let me think, now.” Higgins wiped the sideboard in careful thought.
Davis waited.
“I can think of only one place that holds such a description.” He came closer to where Davis was sitting. “Not far from here, on the other side of our small settlement and near the shore, lies a large outcrop. You can see it from a distance.” Higgins sat down on a chair opposite Davis. “The good settler, David Doane, named the massive protuberance after his ninth born son, Enoch. Some call it Enoch’s Rock.”
“Thank you for your kindness. I’ll set out before the sun rises, as per your directions. I bid you good night.”
“Best be careful. The land is private and belongs to Doane.”
That night, Davis examined John Julian’s map once more. What was asked of him seemed an impossible undertaking; but now, girded with the knowledge of the whereabouts of a large stone similar to the one on the map, his task was proving feasible. Davis retired with eagerness for the morning and foresaw a possible advancement for more riches in his life. He would need a new strategy.
***
By midmorning they arrived at Enoch’s Rock, which rose eighteen feet above the ground and had a width almost the same. Only the eastern face was slanted for a safe footing; the southern–most facade was a straight vertical from top to bottom. Davis dismounted his horse and walked closer to further inspect the task before him. He placed his hand on the granite surface to steady himself as he kicked away leaves and sticks from its base. Then, walking around the rock’s circumference, he glanced up and down, side-to-side, looking for any aberrations in the ground that would reveal where Julian’s treasure might be located. Tobey watched and waited for word as to what his role was in this venture. As Davis rounded the southern side, he came across a pile
The young man quickly tied his shirt closed, rifled through his hair to massage his scalp and said, “I’ll be ready soon enough.”
Jacob finished readying the old horse and rolled a short handled spade in a blanket behind the saddle. “Go on in and get some vittles from Hephzibah. It looks like you will be travelin’ far today.”
Tobey shook off the chill from the cool morning air as he took his piss behind the barn. He buttoned his pants and wondered what was ahead. Several days had passed without knowing what was expected of him. He reckoned he would find out today.
Jacob cautioned Tobey not to forget anything that he might need. He pointed to the bed. “Take that blanket with you for the nights. Carry your food safe…on your own person.”
“Yes, sir. I’m grateful for your words.” Then Tobey checked to make sure his knife was strapped tight to his calf and hidden under the bottom of his loose pant.
Within the hour, Davis and Tobey began their journey to Eastham. Tobey followed on foot behind the constant swish of Davis’s horse. They stopped once for a short respite. Tobey relieved himself and crouched against a tree to eat, distancing himself from Davis. By evening, they reached Higgins Tavern, where Tobey found himself relegated to the barn behind the inn with the horse.
Davis went into the tavern for the night.
“Good evening, sir,” Mr. Higgins greeted the weary traveler. “How may I oblige you this cool night?”
“A room, sir.”
“That I am able to accommodate you with. Your name?”
“Thomas Davis, from Yarmouth. My servant resides with the horse outside.”
“Follow me to your quarters. When you’re ready, I’ll provide a meal for you and your man.”
“Thank you,” Davis answered and trailed the proprietor up the narrow steps.
Soon he was enjoying a fine meat stew and a pint of ale. When near to completion, Davis asked Higgins, “Might I inquire your expertise in a matter that’s a mystery to me?”
“I’m at your service.”
“Do you know of a large rock or stone aberration close by?”
“Let me think, now.” Higgins wiped the sideboard in careful thought.
Davis waited.
“I can think of only one place that holds such a description.” He came closer to where Davis was sitting. “Not far from here, on the other side of our small settlement and near the shore, lies a large outcrop. You can see it from a distance.” Higgins sat down on a chair opposite Davis. “The good settler, David Doane, named the massive protuberance after his ninth born son, Enoch. Some call it Enoch’s Rock.”
“Thank you for your kindness. I’ll set out before the sun rises, as per your directions. I bid you good night.”
“Best be careful. The land is private and belongs to Doane.”
That night, Davis examined John Julian’s map once more. What was asked of him seemed an impossible undertaking; but now, girded with the knowledge of the whereabouts of a large stone similar to the one on the map, his task was proving feasible. Davis retired with eagerness for the morning and foresaw a possible advancement for more riches in his life. He would need a new strategy.
***
By midmorning they arrived at Enoch’s Rock, which rose eighteen feet above the ground and had a width almost the same. Only the eastern face was slanted for a safe footing; the southern–most facade was a straight vertical from top to bottom. Davis dismounted his horse and walked closer to further inspect the task before him. He placed his hand on the granite surface to steady himself as he kicked away leaves and sticks from its base. Then, walking around the rock’s circumference, he glanced up and down, side-to-side, looking for any aberrations in the ground that would reveal where Julian’s treasure might be located. Tobey watched and waited for word as to what his role was in this venture. As Davis rounded the southern side, he came across a pile
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