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."
Siem, frowning at Victor, "I'm not too keen on the idea of separating. Are you sure you won't get lost?"
"Oh no. I spent a lot of time hiking in the bush here. I know my way around. There's no chance at all of getting lost."
Bertus, "I think it'll be alright. But meet us back here in three hours at the latest. Everyone agree?"
They all nod their consent and the three men go down the trail while Jack and Victor soon find a path and follow it, disappearing quickly between the trees.
"Victor, going up the trail we'd probably only see a closed gate. I wanted to get away from the others so we can go around to the right here and get above the monastery. We can look down on it from a cliff. That way we can see right inside."
"Great! Good idea." The two boys scamper along. As they leave the trail and start climbing, it gets rougher, rocks and boulders make the footing treacherous and they keep slipping off the mossy rocks. It's hard on ankles and shins, but the leggings they wear to keep out leeches help some. Thickets of rhododendron are becoming more frequent, obscuring the path and limiting visibility.
