Dividing up the search

Shade from the overhanging rocks Just before noon they reach the spot on the mountain which Ben thinks should be close to the mine entrance.

Brad tells them to rest and eat. They squeeze into some shade under overhanging rocks.

	“How big an area will we have to search, Ben, to find the mine entrance?”
	“A pretty wide area - about 41 square metres, plus or minus a margin for error.”
	“Is that a technical cop-out – a margin for error?”
	“How far is 41 square metres in square yards?”
	“Slow down guys. It’s about 50 square yards. Yes, it’s a big area. But I used a simulation, so it can’t be accurate.”
	“We could be poking around here all day!”
	“Not if we plan how we search. Laura, what do you think we might be looking for?”
	“A hidden opening big enough to walk through, with a marker of some kind. Maybe a crack in a rock that doesn’t look natural, or a rock that looks different.”
	“Oh that’ll be easy to find with all these rocks around.”
	“Shut up Linda and finish your sandwich.”
	“We should split up and spread out. See that straggly bush over there? That’s our left boundary. And those rocks there, with the cactus in the middle, that’s our right boundary.”
	“Good idea. Let’s walk out slowly, away from each other for about 22 metres, then turn and walk back. I’ll measure the distance and call out when its time to turn.”
	“Check all round big groups of boulders and use your flashlight in shadows.”
	“Is everyone ready? Walk slowly and don’t forget to drink water. Check out any cracks or rock shapes that look different. Let’s do it.”

A cactus growing in the rocks The detectives and Laura stand back to back in the middle of their imaginary square on the mountainside.

Then Ben calls “walk” and they move off, eyes watching the rocks around them.

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	Ghost Mine Episode 10
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Ghost Mine Episode 10