They continued walking, Katka following Paul, down a narrow deer trail. Eventually, they came to a place where an oak tree had been struck by lightning. It fell across their way and landed exactly in the middle of another oak, splitting it in two, about four feet off the ground. Katka was trying to decide if she should climb over or under the tree when Paul stopped.
"We call this the slingshot tree. Follow the slingshot." They turned in that direction until they came to three giant granite stones, positioned by nature in a triangle. Paul walked toward them until they were standing directly in the middle. He picked up a stick from of the ground and hit one of the stones in code. They heard the code returned from underground.
Paul brushed away some sticks and grass, revealing a wooden door. They opened it and a man appeared, crawling up a ladder. "Paul."
Katka climbed down with Paul close behind. The cellar was four times as large as the one in Anton's kitchen. It was loaded with crates holding guns and ammunition.
Seven men and one woman were assembled. Katka recognized Andre the Bulgarian, Milo and Mrs. Sherek, the midwife, who greeted her warmly. There was a small table, a few cots and five chairs. In the far corner, she saw a bedroll and a sleeping bag. This must be where Paul was staying. He never told her. Said he needed to keep his distance, to be on the safe side. No one knew he was Lily's cousin. Katka sat on a crate. Paul sat across the room, next to Frank Little, who was part Ojibwe and also spoke French. The Bulgarian introduced himself as Andre Kristeva. She recognized him as the company man who helped lead the walkout.
