They were making good progress on the trail, which according to
the map, should bring them to Mt. Freeling, there they would
stop a while, and water up, before moving on to Mt. Fitton, then
The Illusion Plains.
The temptation to stop, and seek out the many old abandoned and
sombre dwellings scattered along the way, was a tantalising and
constant thought, however they were concentrating on arriving
at the promised destination within the next two hours.
One hour had passed of the two, when in the distance rose the
hazy outline of a high ridgeback spur, barring their way.
slowing down, lofty let the lads come up either side of him, so
he could explain, that these were the outer walls of the Maree
Man's protective circle. and that when they arrived at it's base
he would let them ascend the trail to the top, and greet the old
Maree Man in person.
The excited look of the two young men was unmistakable, as they
thanked Lofty untold times. He reminded them, they had to be patient, as carelessness in this country could be tragic, so all
excitement had to be allayed, until they reached the top within
a half hour.

The half hour passed quickly, and they gathered at the entrance
to the track that led up to the top. Lofty invited the lads to lead them onwards, but they would do so umounted,
Both Chooka and Sandy were lost in their imagined thoughts of
meeting an obviously important man, and receiving permission to
explore this ancient valley.
Then suddenly, they were at the top, but no one was there that
they could see, both turned to look down the valley, and were so
taken aback, neither could speak as Lofty and Jack arrived next
to them, all the lads could do , was point downwards.
They were stupified by the giant etching carved on the valley floor, which stretched off into the distance for four kilometers
It was the image of a Maree Man Aboriginal Warrior with spear.
From this height, it was spectactular.
Eventually. the excitement settled, and Lofty explained of how
it was carved by some American Engineers, who were engaged in
war manouvers back in the early sixties. They were based in the area, and decided to leave something other than their foreign footprints.
This carving is reported as the largest in the world, larger
even, than the famous Andean carvings of Peru.

When all reached the bottom of the valley safely, they sought a
place to set up camp, and to gather wood, while Jack looked for
a safe water supply, and the animals were secured, all this had
to be done before the lads even thought of prospecting.
Jack returned later, with the good news of water seeping from the rock face off to the north, about a kilometer away.
They would camp here for now, and reset camp over there in the morning.
The lads wanted to explore, while there was still some daylight
left, but were informed that they would all have to explore as a team, for safety's sake. Who knows what may lay around here, as
live ordinance was a possibility.
They soon located what looked like the old barracks, so they did
a cursory inspection, before beginning a detection sweep of the
immediate surrounds. Jack was to look inside, while Lofty took
up a position overlooking the area the lads were sweeping.
What would fifty odd years offer up!