Cole was a young lad growing up in a small community at the north tip of “the island” which it was known. Outsiders called Vancouver Island. Being the only adolescent in his village Cole grew up exploring area as a source of entertainment. Unfortunately for Cole the village’s north side was open ocean and the south side mountain was too steep and he was forbidden to climb on its slope by his father. On the rare occasion his father would invite him to go on a day of fishing. His father owned and captained the vessel. Its name was the albatross. The main industry was fishing. It was also the only industry, except for the general store that was owned by the Hudson’s bay company. That was it. There were no schools or anything. In fact he was one of four children in the entire village. The others were the young age of three. He knew from a young age that exploration was limited. His father made that clear. He was forbidden to hike around the mountain. For the most part he did what he was told. He visited the town elder often. That was another favorite activity. The elder would tell him stories about the village and about the mountains and ocean. Spiritual things. He was also told that many years before the village was much larger. It housed over one hundred people. But with the closure of the old coal mine most of the people left.

His father announced to him that he would be leaving for an extended fishing trip which would last two days. He informed him that he would have to be left behind and that maybe next year he could come along. I will be leaving tonight in fact tonight. But late tonight. So after dinner I want you to go to bed and tomorrow I want you to visit with the old fella. The elder? Yes. None of this bothered Cole. Cole had plans of his own. He planned to hike to the top of the mountain.

Cole woke up early the next day and found that his father true to his word was gone. Cole quickly ate breakfast, grabbed his rain gear and was out the door. He was headed for the mountain. On his way there he stopped by elder’s house. He knocked but got no reply. With a piece of newspaper from his pocket he wrote the elder a letter. He stuck it in the door, and then ran towards the mountain once again. Cole came upon a trail, “probably a game trail” he though. It led in the direction of the summit of the mountain so he took the trail. As he walked down small pathway a graveyard came into view. It was obviously unused and unvisited. Curiously Cole walked along the single row of gravestones. The only one he could read was one of a man called David Paul. The date read 1890 to 1905. Oh he was only a boy. Wait as minute he was my age! This frightened Cole and he quickly ran back towards the village.