100 The push to Shipao

 

Xin and I watched the moon setting one last time. We were making the move today and we anticipated being through the pass by sundown. The journey should go without much trouble as most of the big cats and bears will be sleeping by now.

We’d noticed the herds had already started to move south, a sure sign bad weather was coming this way. You could feel it in the air, and see it on your breath, it was cold to the core and getting colder each day we delayed.

Xin poured out two cups of warm water and a piece of meat each. We sat, silently, just watching. The men had cleared the tents and everything was packed away. The animals were either already in harness and ready to hitch up, or were tied to the sides of wagons so they could walk freely without a man on their backs. We’d not heard from the Senior Master since his initial outburst, so peace reigned supreme.

I watched as Second Master assumed his role as head of the caravan and calling the officers forward, I watched as he gave out the orders. Xin and I would find out later, but we knew we were still chasing food of any kind and bringing it back. There maybe fewer men than we started with but there were still many hundreds and that was a lot to feed.

The pack animals had bundles of hay thrown onto their backs . They no longer carried sacks of grain, rice or flour, so it seemed sensible to use them as the pack animals for themselves and the horses. It meant the handlers could attach feeding bags to them as they walked, chopping up the hay into chaff. At least it would keep their guts working and we wouldn't have any gut problems.

Băo came over.

“We’ve been given instructions to move out, so I am going to ask you two to start scouting ahead of us. I’m going to send one group of eight under Zumò as well, so the ten of you can scout as well as hunt, and forage. We need a stopping point the other side of the pass, so they are also tasked with finding somewhere suitable and reporting back. Can you two concentrate your efforts on hunting?”

We nodded and knotting up our bundles, slung them on the half cart next to the rest of the bundles and left, jogging ahead to see what was in store.

Hàorán looked at Second Master, “When are you telling them?” was all he said.

“Not yet. I want to wait until we are back on our side of the mountains. This pass is the only thing left to negotiate and then the land opens up considerably. We know the chances of getting food are so much better, there’s plenty of water and there’s a town not far from the pass itself where we can gather supplies, if they have any spare, rest the animals and feed the men so they are ready for the fight ahead. Then I will tell them. Then we fight to get our land back and rebuild.” He stopped and stared ahead, “but today we focus on moving forward and keep what we know to ourselves for another two days. It won’t make any difference to the situation but it could make a great deal of difference to the men.”

“I understand, but don’t let yourself dwell on it either. As you say, there is nothing you can do until you arrive. If you want, I can scout ahead once we reach the town. I will stop and change horses, eat and then leave. I can establish exactly what the situation is,” and he touched Second Master’s arm, “find out about your wife and children and then return. We can make decisions then.”

Second Master smiled, “thank you old friend, thank you.” He then turned and walked back to the first wagon. Standing on its rear wheel, he called to the caravan to move forward, and the long march began, but this time, it was to a familiar land.

It as late in the day when the caravan finally came through the pass. The men were buoyed by the thoughts of home and were in better spirits than they had been for days. The animals, though tired, were in reasonable shape too. They’d not been pushed this time and were able to make the crossing easier than anticipated.

‘Not like that hard push through the night’, I thought to myself and then shuddered. That was tough. Not something I wanted to repeat.

I watched as the wagons slowly turned the corner and formed their circles around the various fire pits which would be dug. The soldiers took their tents and erected them ready to begin their activities; fire pit digging, firewood collection, hay and grass for the animals and of course, wood for the kitchen. The kitchen immediately brought out the big cooking pots and the knives. They looked at out deliveries and smiled, then getting together in a huddle, worked out their plans.

We had been busy and had managed to find a few large deer, a few hogs, albeit old ones, a buffalo which we think must have escaped from a farm, some wild birds and for the first time in what seemed like an age, fish. It was so much easier with a group of us. Not only had we covered more ground but had been able to co-ordinate in bringing the hogs down for a start.

The old man was, as before, placed to one side so as to give him peace and the men, less stress. He had begun to get vocal again, but no where near as much as he had before. His fight seemed to have left him and he was easily placated by his attendant who did a fantastic job.

I moved to one edge of the caravan and clearing space for a fire pit of my own, I reached inside my muslin wrap and pulled out a fish. This was a gift to me and I was going to enjoy every mouthful. I had already collected my bundle and had laid out the night skins. I knew it wouldn’t be long before my eyes would close and I would sleep.

First, fire, kettle, water, stake and fish.