The Search for Shiloh

Between the rocky cliffs that fell off to the ocean and the tree line of the Westport woods, deep in the lonely shadows where not even the dogs would go, there was alleged to be a cave that Shiloh called home.  He had, so folks said, retreated to it in childhood and had never left.  He lived in complete isolation and independence, talking to the trees and befriending wounded animals but, Nana assured me, it was only a legend - no one had seen him in decades - and despite the dire threats of what could happen to a foolish soul venturing into the dark, no one had ever turned up dead or even gone missing for long.  The children knew better, of course, but their tales of a wild eyed man in rags who walked with wolves and sheltered injured creatures of all kinds were written off to imagination and childish fantasy.  No one paid them any mind but no one attempted to prove them wrong either - a fact the children were well aware of though the grownups preferred to overlook it.


Is he real? I asked Sparrow one evening as we watched the sun setting behind the Westport skyline, Is there really a man who keeps the woods safe?


There was once, the old man answered gruffly, But it was a long time ago.  Now it's just a story to keep the lil' ones out of trouble.


Is he real? I asked John Sullivan as he and his brother baited hooks in the early morning sunshine.


He is if'n you want him to be, John allowed with a shrug, but it ain't a good idea to go lookin'.


Is he real? I finally asked James one Sunday after church, thinking that a preacher would give me a straight answer.


But the minister just smiled and gave me a quick hug.  


Adults were clearly not going to own up to knowing much of anything, I decided, so I would go to the source.  Cap agreeably let me and Ruthie make the crossing on a sunny morning - we had thought it would be safer in daylight, though of course we reassured each other, there was nothing to fear - and once across the passage we walked hand in hand through the village and to the woods.  There, as we stood uncertainly where the sun didn't quite reach, we hugged, took deep breaths, whispered the words of a last minute, just in case spell we'd gotten from Glenda and sprinkled the path before us with magic herbs we'd pleaded for from Rowena.  Then with all the innocence and resolution of eight year old girls trying to be very brave, hoping for the best and as prepared as we could be for the worst, we crossed the line together.