Read Operation You've Got To Be Kidding Me Page 10

At last I arrived tired, and worn out, at the spot where everyone was going to meet. There were three tents waiting to be set up. Enough for one person to each except for the last tent that would be shared. The rain was still pouring. Even though I was wet through I decided to set up all three tents then start a fire and make some food. I soon was relieved to find out that these tents were simple to set up and they only took me a few minutes once I figured them out. When that was done I decided that it was time to start the fire. I went and gathered the driest wood I could find and made a large pile enough for a bonfire. I put some rocks in a circle and placed some wood inside it. I pulled out some newspaper and was relieved that my backpack was waterproof. I then took out the matches and started the fire best I could. The rain kept putting it out. After failing one to many times for my patience level, I sighed and gave up. That’s when I got an idea. I pulled out my parachute and found a few of the tallest straightest beam or pole resembling wood I could find. I then dug them into the ground and draped my parachute over the four of them and tied it, making a little sheltered area from the wind and the rain. It also kept the heat in better. Then I started a small fire. This time it blazed to life. Now all I had to do was wait. I stuck my sleeping bag in one of the tents so I wouldn’t have to later, claiming the best. Next I went to look for something we could eat. I had dried foods in my backpack but I knew it wouldn’t be enough. I used the knowledge my Grandfather had taught me about edible plants. He had taken me to a place a lot like this and helped me find them, then he showed me how to cook them. When we were done cooking them we ate them arguing about who’s was better. It wasn’t my favorite but it tasted alright and it was fairly filling and healthy. I found every plant that Grandfather had shown me and the ones I had tasted. I knew how they were cooked and how they were eaten. I had some dried meats in my back pack along with a pot I could boil water in. I got to work. I grabbed a stick and roasted the meat wrapped in plants then took what water I had left in my back pack and some of the rain water I had collected while I did all this. I slipped a bit of iodine and boiled it I would boil it again when they got here and use the hot chocolate packets I had in my back pack. I laid out a small tarp and then I got out the metal plates tin mugs and silverware and laid them out by the fire. I rung out my hair, brushed it then tied it in braids. Then I continued with preparing for them to get here. I knew it would be awhile so while the food cooked I pulled out a book and read.