Page 108 of Lost In Kakadu

Abi laughed. “Well, don’t go getting lost, or I’ll have to save your ass again.”

“I’ll follow the wall markings. Hansel and Gretel, remember? You just relax … enjoy the view and see if you can spot any planes.” He pointed out at the sky, scanning the vast stretch of blue, but saw only clouds. Determined not to show his disappointment, he crouched beside Abi and kissed her forehead. “I’m off then.”

“Yes, you are, you big stinker.”

“Mmm, I agree. Get used to it, baby. Can’t see a decent shower any time soon.” He turned, gathered his backpack and the other two fire sticks, then held his torch over the flames until it ignited. Marveling at his creation, he walked with purpose to the back of the cave.

The cave narrowed to a point where an opening formed a natural doorway. When he stepped into the tunnel, both the drop in temperatureand dampness that hung in the air were noticeable. The glare from the torch made it difficult to see into the darkness. White flames danced across his eyelids each time he blinked.

The tunnel was surprisingly consistent in height and width, giving him the eerie feeling it was somehow man-made. Images of an old mine shaft crossed his mind. The light from the cave behind him weakened with each step and he held the torch low to the ground worried about what he might tread on. He approached a right angle turn and imagined he was now travelling parallel to the cliff face. But the tunnel floor sloped downwards and not toward the cliff top like he’d hoped.

A marking on the wall caught his eye and as he brought the torch up, his breath caught in his throat. The smooth rock was decorated in hundreds of small dots and lines.Cave drawings. He recognised many of the creatures—goanna, crocodile and kangaroo. There were also dozens of handprints stencilled in white paint and his excitement grew.

I could be the first person in centuries to see these.

I have to show Abi.

He retraced his steps and was stunned that he hadn’t gone very far. When he stepped back into the cave, Abi visibly jumped.

“You scared me, you idiot.”

“I’ve got to show you something.” He helped her to her feet. “Come on. It’s not very far.”

She draped her arm over his shoulder, and he held the torch ahead as they hobbled along. “Check these out.” He raised the torch.

“Oh … wow!” She reached up to touch a painting. “Aboriginal drawings.”

“Aren’t they amazing?”

Abi freed her arm from Mackenzie’s shoulder and braced the wall to stand. “A kangaroo and look, a crocodile,” she whispered as if relaying a secret. She pointed further down the wall. “Look at this one.” Her voice filled with awe. The scene depicted a creature with a body of a man and an oversized crocodile head. His torso was decorated in white tattoos and in one hand he held a spear, poised to throw at an enormous goanna.

“These are beautiful. So intricate.” She ran her fingers along the wall, barely touching.

A gust of wind tousled the flames as it whistled through the tunnel,convincing Mackenzie the passage led somewhere outside. He stepped around her, but even with the torch it was impossible to see more than a metre in front. Mackenzie found himself holding his breath as he walked toward a black hole.

Abi’s voice followed him into the dark. “Wait for me.”

“You’re supposed to be resting.” But even as he said it, he knew Abi wouldn’t leave him now. He hooked his arm around her waist and helped her along the narrow tunnel. “You’re a naughty girl.”

“You can spank me later.” She giggled and the echo of the musical sound in the tunnel had Mackenzie laughing with her.

The Aboriginal art continued to decorate the walls and he caught glimpses of elaborate drawings of men, animals, weapons, the sun and the moon. Suddenly the tunnel opened into an enormous cavern that extended so far, the torch light failed to find the opposite side.

“Wow!” Abi’s voice was full of awe.

“Look at that!” Mackenzie pointed at the sunlight that shone through a hole in the cave roof creating a natural skylight.

“This is amazing.” Abi’s voice echoed about the room as she hobbled toward the middle.

An unusual shape against the side wall caught his eye and Mackenzie crouched to examine it more closely. He was unprepared for the discovery. Clay crockery, pots and plates varying in sizes, some shattered into small pieces but some in near perfect condition, were stacked against the wall.

These must be hundreds of years old.

He reached for one of the plates. “Abi, you have to see this.” The weight of the plate surprised him.

“No,youhave to come here.”

Mackenzie placed the plate on the ground and as he walked to Abi, she held up a long, curved bone. “Dinosaur bones.” She laughed.

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