A strange fog grew and covered the land around the canal. The small canal seemed like a black ribbon in the midst of grayness. Neither Joe nor Father could make out any distinct shapes on land. Thankfully, the lake was so near, one could hear the water lapping up on the sides of the crescent-shaped body of water.
The shape of the water had baffled scientists for years. The lake was exactly a hemisphere, so perfect in dimensions it seemed to be man-made, but it was natural. The fact that this canal just ended in this lake also seemed odd, as archaeologists had found no trace of human habitation around the lake which one would expect from the end of a barge canal. After the last bridge and lock, the canal just merged into the lake, which was bound on three sides by steep forested hills marked with granite. In fact, because of the tree line, there would have been no room for houses or shops or the type of hamlet one would expect on a canal.
When the trial run had been made, Joe was shocked at the odd outline and surroundings of the lake. And, that it was virtually impassible, with a public canal draining in, or rather out of it, made the scene even more strange. It was as if the canal had been dug just to come to this quiet, almost private place, full of beauty and mystery.
Father James, having grown up in this area, did not find the site disturbing, but took it for granted, as people do who are familiar with geographical phenomenon.
After the last lock, Father steered the boat to the far side of the lake. The fog around the east and west boundaries, (as the canal had turned north gently over several miles), hid the tall pines and firs. But, Father James knew, that tucked in-between the giant trees, was a small path, which led to his property. In fact, the land surrounding the path was his as well.
The canal boat moved across the still, dark water in silence, as the group had decided on oars, not the motor. No one could hear anything except water lapping on the small, thin beaches, mostly made of rock, only about two feet before the tree lines met the water.
Docking the boat was easy, as a small clearing had been made years ago, just the size of the barge. The women had filled the knapsacks, rolled up bedding, and emptied the cabin. Everything which could be taken was fit into the large sacks. Even the two children carried medium-sized knapsacks.
The group did not talk, as any sound would be magnified by the water, which was so still at this point, it resembled a black mirror. Father James hopped off the boat the led the women and children to a small side clearing about twenty feet into the woods. A very old wooden bench without a back provided a temporary seat.
Then, he took the torch and the three men punched holes in the canal boat, Casey jumping into the boat and moving it out into deeper water just before it sunk out of site. Casey being the best swimmer, made his way back to shore just as the chimney disappeared under the silky water. Then, the three men stood there for a moment, knowing that they had cut off all present from the past, from home, from the familiar. All except Father James, who felt absolutely at home, experienced a strange excitement. A new life would be made here.
Quickly, the three men joined the women and children and Father James took the lead through the dense woods. It seemed unbelievable, but the usual darkness of the woods looked a bit lighter than the inexplicable darkness of the sky. The fog covered the lake now, as the group filed through the trees and up into the foothills. No one felt afraid, but all were alert, even the two children, who, thankfully, had rested and eaten well.
Father James then turned due east, finding another smaller path, barely perceptible even in ordinary daylight. Joe looked at his watch. They had been traveling for only twenty-six hours, but it seemed like the chaos of the city, martial law, the sounds of violence, were in another world.
After an hour, the path led to a small circular clearing, and there to one side, on the north side of the grassy circle, was an ancient cabin. Father James walked faster. He was at his old, childhood summer home.
to be continued...