Christopher Dinsdale's Historical Adventures 4-Book Bundle. Christopher Dinsdale

Чтение книги онлайн.

      While the sun was still glowing red in the eastern sky, they packed up camp and began to follow the flow of the gurgling creek. While walking, Uncle Matthew demonstrated to Jesse the proper use of a compass. He explained how to find north with the needle and then how to use landmarks to ensure a proper heading. Jason also pointed out that moss could be used to find north, as moss tended to grow on the north side of a tree to avoid the harsh light of the sun. Using his new-found knowledge and checking his compass every so often, Jesse figured that the creek was taking them in a northwest direction.

      It was well into the afternoon when Uncle Matthew slowed the pace and began to look around. He approached a small mound only a stone's throw away from the meandering creek. He then brushed away some leaves and lifted up an egg-shaped stone.

      “For making corn flour,” explained Uncle Matthew, crouching once again and placing the stone back into the dirt.

      “What is this place?” asked Jesse, looking at the large mound under the leaves.

      Uncle Matthew spread his arms out. “This whole area used to be a small village. A Wendat village.”

      Jesse's eyes widened. “Wendat? Really? Our ancestors used to live right here? So where are all the scientists who like to dig up this sort of thing?”

      “No one knows about it.”

      “Wow, that's even better! You could become famous, Uncle Matthew. We should call up Discovery Channel or something.”

      Uncle Matthew frowned. “Why disturb this place? Look around, Jesse. This is the way it should stay, as it has for centuries. There are people buried here, resting in peace with the Creator. Think about it. Would you like it if someone started digging up your father's grave, just to see what was in it?”

      Jesse shivered at the thought. “No.”

      “Just because this site is hundreds of years old doesn't mean we should disrespect the dead.”

      “You know what?” Jason chimed in, smiling. “Your dad and my dad were the ones who found this place. Now, only the three of us know of its location. I guess you can call it a family secret.”

      Jesse had never been given the responsibility of keeping such an important secret. He felt honoured and proud to be included. He looked once again at the mound.

      “I promise that I won't tell anybody about the village.”

      Uncle Matthew smiled. “Thank you. Actually, it's amazing that no one has come across this site before now. We aren't that far away from Midland and the Ste. Marie site.”

      “That's why we don't mark it in any way,” explained Jason. “The more natural it looks, the less chance of anyone else discovering it.”

      Jesse looked at the large mound beside Uncle Matthew and the several other now suspicious humps and bumps in the surrounding area. If he wasn't actually looking for them, he would have simply walked right by, thinking they were part of the natural surroundings. Uncle Matthew bent down and brushed away some more dirt. Within minutes, he pulled from the ground an arrow head, a broken handle off a piece of pottery and several small beads. Jesse was fascinated by the objects and the detailed explanations of each supplied by Uncle Matthew. Before moving to the next object, Uncle Matthew reburied the artifacts exactly where he had found them. Finally, he stood up, stretched and grabbed his pack.

      “Time to go.”

      Jesse looked over his shoulder. Jason was sitting cross-legged on the ground, his eyes gazing out into the distance.

      “Is Jason going to stay here?”

      “That's why we made the hike. He wanted to meditate and fast in the village of his ancestors, just like your father and I did many years ago.” Uncle Matthew picked up his pack. “We'll move further down the creek and give him some privacy.”

      Uncle Matthew led Jesse around a bend in the creek to a small stand of immature trees. Guarding the nursery from the creek was a rocky outcrop covered in small, leafy blueberry plants. Jesse's mouth began to water as he looked at the hundreds of juicy berries. Uncle Matthew grinned, lowered himself to one knee and pulled out a folded orange sheet from his pack.

      “Go ahead. Eat yourself silly. Blueberries don't get any better than this. And after you're finished, string up this tarp between those two small trees.” His uncle looked up and soaked in the sudden calm echoing within the forest. “It'll help protect the kindling.”

      While Jesse stuffed himself with the delicious snack, Uncle Matthew quietly took his rifle and disappeared into the woods. Only fifteen minutes had passed when a crack as loud as thunder made him jump. Frightened, Jesse looked around for his uncle. He suddenly felt very alone.

      “Uncle Matthew?” Jesse yelled. There was no answer. Jesse turned and began to run back towards the ancient mounds and his cousin.

      “It's all right, Jesse,” a distant voice called. “I'll be back in a few minutes.”

      Jesse tried to relax. He didn't feel like eating blueberries any more. The gunshot had made him feel lonely and exposed. His fear of the woods stormed back into his thoughts. He decided to take his mind off his fears by stringing up the tarp. After tying the first two corners to the trees, he then angled the loose edge of the tarp down and staked it to the ground. Next, he gathered firewood as he had the night before.

      It was beginning to get dark when his uncle finally returned. Uncle Matthew was surprised to see a pleasant fire burning in middle of the campsite, next to the secured tarp. The fire pit had been properly cleared of dead leaves, and a water-filled coffee pot stood nearby, in case of emergency. Jesse sat on one end of a big log that he had dragged to the upwind side of the fire. Pride tingled within him when his uncle gave an approving nod.

      “I can see you are a fast learner,” he СКАЧАТЬ