By Enrico Maso, translated into English by Ruth Stephens
Chapter 7 – An Indian trick
Mattia is worried. He can’t see a thing; the forest is completely white and it’s impossible to hear anything because of the noise of the wind. He tries calling “Riccardo!” but his words are lost.. Meanwhile, Giulio’s ankle has swollen and it’s impossible for him to walk.
After ten minutes have passed, Riccardo appears with some large sticks.
“What the devil….?” begins Mattia.
“I was thinking… if Giulo isn’t well, we can’t stay here,” Riccardo explains, “If he sleeps here, in the open….”
Mattia nods quickly. “And so?”
“So I had an idea,” says Ricardo “I thought of what you said: this is an adventure like when we were kids.”
Mattia doesn’t get it. He shakes his head.
Riccardo persists. ”But don’t you remember? When we were at scout camp and I fell out of that tree?”
Mattia‘s face clears. “Wait…. you want to make an Indian stretcher? One that you pull along the ground?”
“A travois, exactly.” Riccardo pauses “Have you got any rope in your backpack?”
“Ye-es,” says Mattia, his voice doubtful, “ I’ve got a couple of ropes….”
“Well come on then, let’s get moving!” exclaims Riccardo. “I’m really cold. I don’t want to stay here and freeze to death!”
Driven by desperation and by the cold, the two get to work. It’s years since they were at scout camp but Mattia hasn’t forgotten how to tie knots. And so, in the space of half an hour, the two manage to get Giulio onto the stretcher.
“OK, let’s go,” says Mattia, beginning to drag the stretcher, “Stay near me, Riccardo. Let’s try from this side.”
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