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Since Errol and I have already proved that Kincaid's meager instructions didn't provide all the details, we should continue following our instincts and the maps. I doubt Kincaid created the boulder map, but he knew it existed.
We draw closer and closer to our goal every minute. I know it. I can feel it. But Errol needed to risk his life to dive into the river just so we could find the next clue, and that makes me wonder. How many times will we need to risk our lives for my quest?
And will we survive it?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Errol
The new map we found suggests we haven't overshot the mark and missed the cavern. A few miles down the river, we cross under the Kaibab Bridge, a suspension bridge that takes foot traffic across the river. We need to stop to discuss the new map, but we bypass the Phantom Ranch Boat Beach, the first landing spot we see, because tourist boats like to stop there. We don't want to explain to anyone why we don't have a permit.
Instead, we stop just past the Boat Beach, on the opposite bank, and haul our raft onto the rocky shore. Here, we have time to consider our next move with a measure of privacy.
Munro lies down on the ground, clasps his hands under his head, and seems to go to sleep. No, I donnae believe he's sleeping. He wants us to leave him alone, that's all. Or maybe he prefers to listen in on our conversation without having to participate in it.
Ashley and I pore over the map together, our heads almost touching while we discuss what I found under the water. The new map doesn't include anything that resembles a suspension bridge, but I imagine it hadn't been built yet at the time the Havasupai gave Ellsworth their map. But we do see two blobs that lie near us.
"Must be those boulders," she says, pointing across the river.
I glance in that direction. There are indeed two large rocks. "Aye, those could be the ones shown on the map."
"Someone's coming," Munro says, while keeping his eyes closed.
"How can you tell?" I ask.
"Listen."
I close my eyes and listen. At first I hear nothing, then I notice the faint rumble of a boat engine. I stand up and look around. "Could be a tourist boat."
"Tourists don't stop on this side of the river."
I don't know how he could possibly tell which side of the river that boat is traveling along, but Munro is an expert on the Grand Canyon. Maybe he can tell that just from the sound of the boat approaching.
A white raft comes into view, motoring toward our little rest stop, piloted by one man alone. A wide-brimmed hat conceals his face. Even as he shuts off the motor and jumps out to pull his raft partway onto the shore, I still can't see his features. He walks toward us, removing his hat, and at last I can see he has dark hair and a weathered face that suggests he spends a lot of time outdoors. He might also be older than I am, if his wrinkles provide an accurate gauge.
"Who's the new guy?" Ashley whispers to me. She just stood up and now studies our visitor. "Why is he alone? And why did he want to come over here?"
"No idea."
As the bloke reaches our wee expedition party, he smiles at Munro. "Wake up, lazy head."
My cousin stands up, then yawns and stretches. "About bloody time ye got here. Should I have shot off a flare gun?"
The stranger, who Munro seems to know, strides over to my cousin and grasps his forearm. "It's been a long time. Where have you been hiding? The best river guide in the Grand Canyon vanished without a trace."
Munro grasps the bloke's forearm, which seems like some sort of handshake. "I didn't vanish. I retired."
"Who's your mate, Munro?" I ask.
"This is Joseph Butler. We both used to be river guides, and technically we were rivals since we worked for different companies. But I decided to let Joey have a chance without my brilliant skills overshadowing him." Munro slaps his friend's arm. "You can thank me later."
"Same old goat, eh? You even brought your girlfriend with you."
Munro chuckles. "That's my cousin's girlfriend. Joey, meet Errol Murdoch and Ashley Hartman."
Joseph approaches us to shake hands. Then the bloke turns toward Munro. "What are you guys doing out here?"
"How did you know we were here?" I ask.
