in particular , the austere cretan countryside brought to mind an evening five years ago when he 'd traveled this little-used route with his father , michael vance , sr. that occasion , autumn brisk with a first glimmering of starlight , they 'd laughed and joked for much of the way , the old man occasionally tapping the packed earth sharply with his cane , almost as though he wanted to establish final authority over the island and make it his , once and for all .