His makeshift home was a marvel of ingenuity. Tucked away behind mossy boulders and their imposing shadows, Knight lived among discarded National Geographic magazines.
They coated the earthy ground like a patchwork carpet. But how did he obtain so many magazines to make them such a crucial part of his simple but functional architecture? That required quite a bit more cunning and a lot of stealth.
Knight was afraid anyone would find him. He later reported fearing even sneezing too loud. He had to be cautious about how he ventured forward, careful not to make any identifiable footprints in the snow.
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After all, unfamiliar human footprints so close to one’s own home are quite more startling than those of a meek rabbit or a cunning raccoon. Still, like a cunning raccoon, Knight managed to creep into kitchens and cozy living spaces without arousing any suspicion, at least for a while.
Knight’s intentions were never malicious. He never got greedy or too adventurous.
North Pond Vacation Home
He cherished his independence and never was one to accept help of any kind. But when hunger gnaws, desperation grows. And desperate times, as they say, call for desperate measures — even the possibility of having to face another person.
It is safe to say that a man like Knight, who had for a living helped people make their property more secure, could outsmart even the most robust security system with relative ease.
Maine Summer Camps
But he still refused to pounce too soon. Before making a move on any one cabin, he would observe the inhabitants the way one might study a flock of geese or herd of buffalo. He made note of when they came and went, for how long they were gone. When he was certain no one would catch him, he’d tinker with any visible security cameras just to stay safe.
Often, cabins would be left pitifully insecure: doors unlocked, windows open. After all, in a place as secluded and peaceful like this, what danger lurked beyond a couple curious squirrels, maybe a quarreling house sparrow or two?
Knight considered these raids easy enough. He’d simply wander into the cabin, as though its own resident who might have forgotten something, and then retreat back to his shadowy lair.
