A Clue

When Ronald woke, at first he could not remember where he was. Then he recalled the incidents of the day before. Getting up he checked on the man, who was still asleep. Ronald made breakfast and then began washing the dishes. Soon after the man awoke. He stared at Ronald in amazement. Then he whispered, “Who are you?”

Ronald smiled, and said, “My name’s Ronald. What’s yours?”

The man frowned, “That’s none of your business. What are you doing here?”

“I heard you shout and found you. You broke your leg when you slipped and fell. I fixed it up for you, and I’ll stay until you are well enough to walk.”

“No! You won’t! You leave, now!” the man said, his voice rising to a shriek. The man tried to leap up and strike him, but Ronald firmly pinned him down. “Why do you want me to leave?” Ronald asked.

The man glared silently. “Here, drink this, it will make you get well sooner.” Ronald said, holding a cup up to the man’s lips. He pushed it away.

“Where did you find me?” the man said, scowling.

“In a cave nearby.” Ronald replied.

“What! You know!” the man began screaming again, “Go! Go!”

“Calm down!” Ronald said sternly, “Why do you want me to leave?”

“You know about the gold! Oh! Oh!” the man cried, struggling.

Ronald stood there, puzzled. What was the man talking about? Suddenly, Ronald caught on, the cave wasn’t a cave; it was a gold mine! Turning to the man, Ronald said, “I don’t care about your gold, okay?”

The man stopped struggling.

“Is your name Kelton?” Ronald asked.

“How do you know?” the man asked, in astonishment.

“So, you are.” Ronald mused.

“Why do you want to know?” Kelton asked.

“Well, I’ll make a deal with you. I won’t tell anyone about your gold mine if you give me the clue.”

“The clue? What clue?” Kelton asked, his eyes growing hard.

“You know what clue, the secret to the ancient Shironian treasure.” Ronald said, “You have it, don’t you?”

“What if I want it for myself? Kelton asked.

“Well, you have the gold mine, and you’re getting too old to climb the mountain.” said Ronald.

“Well, I’ll give it to you if you say nothing to anyone about my gold mine. And you mustn’t tell anyone where I live.” Kelton said.

“Why not?” asked Ronald.

“Because I like peace and quiet. I don’t want people visiting me.” Kelton said.

“If I do that, you will give me the clue?” asked Ronald.

“Yes.”

“It’s a deal!”

They shook hands. “Now I want you to settle down and drink this.” Ronald told Kelton.

Kelton obeyed him, and soon he fell asleep. Ronald busied himself around the cabin.

Later that afternoon, Kelton awoke, and he lay watching Ronald. When Ronald was finished with what he was doing, Kelton called him over. “Get the box in the corner and bring it to me.”

Ronald went to where Kelton was pointing. A black metal box sat on a shelf. Ronald picked it up and carried it over to Kelton who opened it. He lifted out a small leather bag and handed it to Ronald.

“Open it.” he said.

Ronald carefully opened it. He could feel something inside. Pulling it out he saw it was a folded piece of paper.

“Unfold it.” Kelton directed.

Ronald did as he was told, he saw that it had writing on it.

“Why, it’s a poem!” he exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes.” Kelton said, “Read it out loud.”

“Mountain so high, Top in the sky.

Go to the peak, If it’s treasure you seek.

Find the valley so green, A palace shall be seen.

Here are the treasures of old; Jewels, silver and gold.

Do not take all in greed, But share with all in need.

For you shall have great wealth, If you keep not all for yourself.”

Ronald finished reading. “The treasure is at the top?” he asked.

“Yes, that’s why I never searched for it myself.” Kelton said, “I was never able to handle the thin air long enough to find the treasure. Perhaps you will have better luck than I.

“The treasure!” exclaimed Ronald, “Do you mean the Shironian treasure?”

“What else?” Kelton said.

“May I copy this?” Ronald asked.

“You may have it.” Kelton said.

“To keep! Don’t you want it?”

“No, as you pointed out, I can’t use it, so you may keep the clue.” Kelton said, “Now, tell me, why do you want it?” he asked curiously.

Ronald told about the Princess and everything else that had happened along the way.

“I’m glad you’re using it for a good purpose. I wish you luck and hope you win your Princess.” said Kelton, “By the way, the Indian that gave me the clue, also told me more. There’s a trail behind the cabin. It’s hard to find and still harder to follow but it’s faster. Also, if you come to a fork in the trail, always take the one with three large trees in a row. The tree in the middle should have a small bird carved in the trunk about three feet above the ground. That’s all I recall at the moment.”

“Thank you!” said Ronald gratefully.

“You’re welcome, lad.”

“I wish I could leave soon, but I can’t go with your leg like this.” Ronald said.

“Oh, if you give me about two weeks I’ll be fine.” Kelton reassured him.

“Are you sure?” asked Ronald, doubtfully.

“Yes, just stay two weeks.”

Fourteen days later, the day came that he was supposed to leave. Kelton could move about on crutches by now. Ronald was getting ready to go. Kelton sat watching him. Ronald headed for the door while Kelton carefully walked over, and leaned against the doorframe. “Ronald, I remembered something. You have to go through a passage way in the rock to get to the valley. It looks like a shallow dip in the rock, but it really a cave. That’s all the Indian told me.” Kelton said.

“Thank you!” Ronald said grasping Kelton's hand.

“Good luck! And remember, no matter what, stick to the trail!” called out Kelton as Ronald went down the path. The last that Kelton saw Ronald, was him lifting his hand in farewell, and then he disappeared. Kelton gazed after him and went back into the cabin.

End of Chapter Nine