FOILING THE ROBBERS
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Type. Treasure-Hunt. |
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Numbers. Two |
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Patrols. Ground. Adaptable. |
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Gear. Copies of instructions; compasses. |
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Time. 1 hour. |
Instructions (for all).
Last night some thieves broke into Gilwell House and stole some goods, which are easily recognizable as they bear the sign of the log and axe. The thieves were disturbed before they got away, and in their hasty flight they dropped two papers giving details of how to find the spot in Epping Forest where the booty was to be hidden.
A copy of one of these papers is given below, so that you may follow the trail and retrieve the booty. A copy of the other paper has been given to another Party who will set out at the same time that you do. The Party that retrieves the booty first will gain much " kudos." You are, at the same time, to make a sketch map of your route so that it will be easy for anyone else to follow it.
I. (For 1st Patrol.)
From the Main Gates go due South over the three-plank bridge. Follow the path for 50 yards, then follow a bearing Of 240 for 25 yards. Follow this path until you get level with the western boundary of the Boys' Camping Field. From there move on a bearing Of 210 for about 30 yards, and then on a bearing Of 245 to the top of the hill. From this point walk due South towards Hawkwood House until the chestnut fence is reached. Then follow the stream in a north-easterly direction to the footbridge. From there move on a bearing of 105 until you enter the wood. Walk due East along the bottom of the wood until the fence of a new house is reached. Continue along the South side of this fence to the lamp-post. Move through the woods in a north-easterly direction until you reach an open plain, at the North end of which is a white cottage. From the stile by this cottage the trail is laid by means of signs.
LEAVE ALL SIGNS AS YOU FIND THEM.
II. (For 2nd Patrol.)
From the white field gate near the N.E. corner of the House, walk on a bearing of 50 until you reach the road gate. From the gate move on a bearing of 80 until you, reach the house with the iron gates. From there follow the lane in a north-easterly direction for about 100 yards.
Then walk on a bearing of 30 degrees, until the cross lane is reached. Take the lane which runs in a north-easterly direction and follow this until you reach the road.
Follow the road uphill until the sign of the " Owl " is reached. Cross over the stile and follow the path for about 50 paces. Then move on a bearing of 200 until you come to another stile. Move downhill to the next stile and so continue to a white cottage, at the end of Forest Plain. From the South fence of this cottage, the trail is laid by signs only.
LEAVE ALL SIGNS AS YOU FIND THEM.
Comments. This is a straightforward treasure-h including the use of a compass. For Scouts who have not yet learnt the use of bearings, compass points can be substituted. The Scouters must of course go over the ground very carefully beforehand to get the facts for the instructions. A few nature-trail signs should also be used, the number varying according to the experience of the Scouts. If possible each Scout should have a copy of the instructions ; it is rather difficult when only the Patrol Leader has a copy.
