Shadows of Caesar's Creek by Sharon M. Draper Read Free Book Online Page B

his bare legs, which were cut and scratched from the bushes and briars. “I wish I knew where the camp was,” he complained as he ran.
    â€œWe’re good and lost” gasped Jerome. “Plus I think we’re going to be dinner for that bear”
    The noise in the bushes behind them got louder and closer. The animal had tracked them and was only a few feet behind them. It was just a matter of time.
    Ziggy broke a speed record. He ignored branches and scratches; he didn’t know where he was headinganymore. In the moonlight he could see the shadows of the trees ahead. He ran for the tree straight in front of him, hoping to try to climb it, hoping this bear didn’t know it was supposed to be able to climb up after him.
    Suddenly the tree moved Standing straight and tall in front of him now were the shadows of two trees—and one of them was moving toward him.
    Ziggy screamed and tried to turn, but the branches of the tall tree-shadow reached out and grabbed his wrist. Then the tree spoke to him in a powerful voice. “Where are you going in such a hurry in the middle of the night?”
    By this time Rico, Rashawn, and Jerome had reached Ziggy and stopped, panting and gasping, almost too tired to scream. “Help” breathed Rico. “A bear is chasing us”
    The shadows of the clouds moved from the moon, and for a moment the boys could see clearly. It was not a tree that held the trembling Ziggy, but a man, tall and strong. “I see no bear,” he said quietly. “And all I hear is the silence of the night, that is,now that you young men are quiet. Even my ancestors could hear all that noise you were making from miles away,” he said with a chuckle.
    The four friends looked at one another in amazement. The night was dark, the breeze was cool, and all was silent except for the forest voices of the night.
    â€œWho are you?” Jerome wanted to know as the man gently released Ziggy’s wrists.
    The man did not reply immediately, but for some reason the boys felt no threat from him.
    â€œWhere are we?” Now that the immediate danger seemed to be over, and Rashawn had started breathing normally again, he was ready to find out.
    â€œCan you get us back to our camp?” asked Rico. “We’re in big trouble.”
    â€œWhat happened to the bear, mon?” Ziggy asked finally. At that moment a large raccoon waddled slowly into the clearing. It glanced at the strange group that was disturbing its night and moved on into the forest.
    â€œOur bear was a
raccoon
?” Rico said in disbelief. “If I wasn’t so scared, that would be funny”
    â€œMaybe it was
makwa
, the bear, my young friend, and maybe not. Perhaps because of your fear of the darkness and your lack of knowledge about the
forest, the night spirits let you
think
you heard a bear. Perhaps it was only your own fear that was chasing you.”
    â€œCould be, mon,” replied Ziggy thoughtfully. “We were pretty scared.”
    â€œWe’re on a campout. Can you help us get back?” asked Rico, who worried enough for the four of them.
    â€œI know that campground; it is on the other side of the lake. How did you get here?” the stranger asked.
    â€œWe found a canoe. We wanted to try a night challenge—like Shawnee boys. At first it was fun, but then the canoe started floating away, so we jumped in, and then we couldn’t get back because all we had for paddles were a board and an umbrella, then our canoe turned over, and we got wet, then we were really lost and got scared and started running—and we ran into you” explained Rico all in one breath.
    â€œYou never told us who you were, mon,” said Ziggy quietly.
    The stranger smiled. “My name is Hawk. Come, young friends. Let me give you food and rest. The journey back is long without a canoe, and
Keelswah
, the morning sun, will soon erase the shadows of the night. I will take you safely