A SPOOKY NIGHT

I doused the fire and we put all the stuff in the car.  As it was dark, we could see the red glow in the distance..the fire was still going.  The fingernail Moon was rising and as we were both tired, we immediatly crawled into our sleeping bags.  I was almost asleep when I noticed a beam of light sweep across the trees down the hill.  I crawled out of my sleeping bag and went outside.  A spot light was coming through the trees...pausing in places and swept around. I suspected Forest Rangers.  We were camping illegally and I worried about what might happen.  I heard a car or truck engine start and the crunching of material under tires.  It seemed to be approaching us..using the same tactic we used to drive in.  If they found my car, they would find us.  They might have it hauled out and then where would we be.  I decided to not tell Bob and just keep my eye on things. We had some dense brush and trees all around our site, so we had a chance.  I heard the engine go off and two doors slammed shut...they were on foot.  Then, the beams of flashlights stabbed through the darkness as well as the sound of footsteps crunching the material underfoot.  I could hear the footsteps growing closer and the sound of low voices.  Then the walking sound would stop and the lights went off.  The growing Moon gave a little light once the eyes became accustomed.  The soft sound of footsteps began again and it sounded like  the pair had splitten up..one going one way, and the other separating from his partner in a widening gap.  More stabs of the flashlights.  One of them was getting closer and the other was getting further away.  That closer one was so close, I could see him from his sillhouette when he shined his light behind him.  Now, he was stooping down and shining his light straight down.....tire tracks....oh God.  He shined his light straight at the tent and held it there.  Evidently he could not tell what he was looking at as it was a green tent.  I heard the squalk of the truck radio and the close one turned and started back for the truck.  Then, I heard him call his partner back...and in a minute or two, the truck engine started and I saw red tail lights...They  were leaving.  I did not know how long they would be gone.  All I knew was that I was dog tired and crawled back in my bag.  Bob was fast asleep and I intended to join him.  (to be continued)