CHAPTER THIRTEEN
_The Man with Cat's Eyes_
Unless she kept her wits about her, Cindy told herself, this whole daymight very well be lost. A little wisp of black smoke curled up from theskillet in which she was cooking bacon. Alec, standing beside her,shouted, "Hey! It's burning!"
Hastily Cindy slid a fork under the burning bacon and flipped it over.Alec said, in true big-brother style, "You've burned it and we have nofood to waste."
"It's only burned a little," Cindy said.
"A little is too much. We may have to get along with what's here untilDad and Mr. Brent come back from Plains City."
Cindy said, "Now, as I told you, Alec, the cave--"
"And as I've told you at least fifteen times," Alec broke in, "there'swork to be done."
"Father didn't say so," Cindy reminded her brother.
"Father doesn't have to tell me every move to make," said Alec. "Don'tyou know we have a farm to build up?"
"Of course I know," Cindy said. "But do we have to spend every singlesecond building it?"
"We do until it's ready. Right now we need a corral for the mules andSunshine. I'm going to start cutting fence posts."
"But it will take such a very little while to reach the cave."
"How long?" Alec demanded.
"Oh," Cindy said lightly, "somewhat more than fifteen minutes."
"Fifteen minutes there, fifteen back. I can do a lot of work in half anhour."
Cindy gave Alec his biscuits and bacon and lost herself in thought. Eversince yesterday afternoon, when the two youngsters had returned to thehomestead, she had been scheming to get Alec out to the cave for a gameof Indians. Alec was equally determined to stay home and work. Cindyset her jaw. The faint-hearted never got what they wanted. She firedanother round.
"You know, Alec, I think it's a genuine Indian cave."
"Really? Gosh now!" Alec stifled his flash of interest. "No, sis. Thework comes first."
"Why, of course it does," said Cindy, who knew very well that she hadfinally succeeded in putting at least a small dent in his armor. Alecwould not be able to stop thinking about a genuine Indian cave. "And ifyou're finished with breakfast, you'd better get at it."
Carrying a double-bitted axe, a maul, a buck-saw, and three iron wedges,Alec went into the oak grove. As she washed the dishes, Cindy heard himchopping. There was indeed, she told herself, work to be done, and workwas a noble thing. Reverend Thomas, back in Missouri, had always saidthat labor was blessed in the sight of the Lord. But Cindy was sure inher own heart that the Lord might look with understanding upon those whoyearned to explore caves too.
_Alec went into the oak grove_]
Cindy bided her time. In his own way, Alec was stubborn as any mule. Hismind had to be changed in much the same manner as a mule's. Cindythought of the five big fish still trapped in the pool.
Alec liked fish. Today, as a special treat, she had intended to catchone and cook it for him. It would still be a good idea, Cindy thought,if it were changed a bit. There came the scrape of Alec's saw as hebegan cutting a tree into fencepost lengths.
Cindy wandered down to the creek, and now she didn't have to worrynearly as much about being seen. Almost all the men were in Plains Cityawaiting a chance to record their claims. Cindy stripped to herunderwear, waded across, snared another fish, and took it back to camp.Alec came in for a drink of water, and he used a handkerchief to wipethe sweat from his face.
"Getting warm," he said.
"We mustn't mind," said Cindy. "After all, we do have a farm to buildup. If you've had enough water, you'd better get right back to work."
Cindy cooked the fish and nothing else for midday dinner, and shepurposely did not put any salt on it. She called Alec, who took one biteand made a face.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Fish," said Cindy, "and I'm so ashamed because I burned the bacon thismorning. We do have nothing to waste, and I thought that fish cooked theway Daddy and Mr. Brent and I ate it would sort of make up for the baconI nearly spoiled."
"That's right," Alec said, but he did not say it enthusiastically. "Uh,just happens I'm not hungry."
He ate only half his fish and threw the other half in the fire.
"If you're finished, hadn't you better get back to work?" Cindyquestioned. "There's no time to waste, either."
"Uh," said Alec, "guess I'd better."
There came the thudding of Alec's maul as he drove the iron wedges intoa section of tree and began to split it into fence posts. Cindy walkeddown the steps into their dugout, banged a pan up and down two or threetimes to make Alec think she was working, and lay down on her bed. Shedidn't know how long Alec would work, but he should be in any minute.However, he held out longer than she thought he could, and it was pastmidafternoon when he finally came. Hearing him, Cindy leaped up,grabbed the broom, and was sweeping furiously when he appeared. Cindymanaged to look surprised.
"Alec! Why have you left your work?"
"I've been pretty selfish, sis." He also sounded pretty tired. "It isn'tright to keep you here all the time. Let's go look at your cave."
"Oh, no!" Cindy protested. "There's so much to be done and only us to doit!"
"Now, Cindy, Dad wouldn't like it if I let you overwork."
"Do you really think we should go?" Cindy questioned.
"I'm sure of it," Alec said. "Come on."
Cindy allowed herself to be persuaded. She saddled Sparkle, Alec tookSunshine, and they started out. After forty-five minutes Alec said,"Thought you said the cave was fifteen minutes' ride?"
"I never did!" Cindy exclaimed. "I told you it was somewhat more thanfifteen minutes!"
"We're wasting a lot of time." Alec worried.
But after another fifteen minutes he forgot about all the work that hadto be done and gave himself entirely to this adventure. He liked therough and broken land, was enchanted with the hill, and fascinated bythe little trees. He shivered, and because the place was dark andmysterious he whispered instead of talking out loud.
_He liked the rough and broken land_]
"Where's the cave?" he asked.
"Through the trees," Cindy whispered back, "but we'll have to tie ourponies and crawl."
Cindy leading, Alec following, they crawled among the closely spacedtrees toward the arroyo. Just before they came to it, they crossed alittle clear space beyond which was a fringe of trees. Cindy crawledthrough the fringe and flattened herself on the ground. Very plainly,because the cave was a sounding board, she heard a voice she had heardbefore.
"I no like," said Tom LaMott. "I no like to fool weeth weetch girl."
"I tell you she's no witch girl, Tom," a second voice said. "She wasjust doing some simple tricks."
"I see her keel herself."
"She did not kill herself. That was another trick."
Cindy and Alec crawled just far enough forward so they could see.Sitting side by side in the cave were Tom LaMott and one of the two menCindy had seen with him in Plains City.
"You sure she no keel herself?" Tom LaMott demanded.
"Look, you--"
"No say 'look, you' at me!" LaMott growled.
"I didn't mean it, Tom. I'm sorry. Now, we heard Simpson say he wasgoing to record in the afternoon and bring his wife up the next day. Weboth know that he won't be able to record before ten days or two weeks,and he sent the kids back. Why, it's like stealing milk from a baby!"
"You sure she no weetch girl?"
"I'm sure. Now, we've sent Bum to grab her and bring her here, and Bummay have her by this time. You and Bum keep her here. Tomorrow I'll rideinto Plains City and manage to let Simpson and Brent know that, unlessthey turn their claims over to us, they'll never see the girl again.It's as simple as that."
_"Unless they turn their claims over to us, they'll neversee the girl again."_]
"Why no get boy, too?"
"We don't need 'em both, and I'm sure Bum will know how to handle thatkid if he gets fresh."
"S'pose Bum bring wrong girl?"
"He won't. He had a good enough look at her in Plains City so he'll knowher again."
Cindy and Alec slipped back to their tethered ponies. Alec was pale andshaken.
"Gosh, sis!" he breathed. "Am I ever glad we left! They intend to kidnapyou!"
"We must let Dad and Mr. Brent know right away!" Cindy whispered. "Let'sride past the claim just to make sure everything's all right before wego into Plains City."
"Suppose we meet this 'Bum'?" Alec objected.
"We'll run away from him. He won't have any horse able to catch Sparkleand Sunshine."
The sun went down and the moon rose, big, round, and shiny. The childrenrode in the moonlight, keeping their ponies at a walk or trot. When andif they met Bum, they'd have to ride fast enough.
When they reached the homestead, the mules, Pete's pony, and Pete's bighorses raised their heads to look. But so did two other mules and twoponies that hadn't been there before. There was a second wagon and thehouse's window was aglow.
Cindy and Alec looked questioningly at each other. Then, leaving theirponies rein-haltered, they bounded down the steps into the house.
"Mother!"
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
_Spirits Walk_
Mrs. Simpson and Granny Brent sat side by side on chairs that they musthave brought with them. Both looked pale, but the children's mothersmiled and held out her arms.
"Hello, children!"
Cindy and Alec rushed forward, and hugged and were hugged, and kissedand were kissed by their mother. Cindy asked anxiously, "Where's Mindy?"
"I wish I knew," and Cindy and Alec discovered why their mother andGranny Brent were pale. "She's lost. She went for a walk two hours ago,shortly after we arrived, and she simply hasn't returned."
Cindy and Alec looked at each other. But, though both had the samethoughts, to voice them would really worry their mother. Granny tried tobe very calm.
"Mindy must have got herself turned around and just didn't know how tofind her way back," she said. "Gramps and all the other men we couldfind around are hunting for her, and I'm sure they'll find her."
"Of course they will," said Mrs. Simpson, but she sounded as though shewere trying to convince herself.
Alec said, "Dad and Mr. Brent are in Plains City waiting their turn torecord, Mother. They may be gone for almost two weeks more."
"I knew there was some good reason why your father did not come to getus," his mother replied. "But I just couldn't stay away from my familyany longer. I'm here and I'd be so happy if only Mindy weren't lost."
Cindy said gently, "Mother, exactly how was Mindy dressed?"
"Her blue jeans," Mrs. Simpson said. "Her red-checked shirt, her brownshoes, and her hair caught at the back of her neck."
"Did she have a hair ribbon?" Cindy asked.
"No," said Mrs. Simpson, "though goodness knows she should have hadone. I'll be glad when you girls dress like girls again instead ofrunning around in boys' clothes. Why do you wish to know how Miranda wasdressed, Cindamine?"
"Alec and I are going to look for her." Cindy tried very hard not tosound excited. "If I know exactly how she's dressed, I'll spot her moreeasily."
"No," her mother said firmly. "One lost child is enough. You and Alecstay right here."
"But, Mother, we won't get lost," Cindy assured her. "We've been herelong enough to know this country pretty well. Why, we're almost sure tofind Mindy."
"That's right, Ann," said Granny. "Young eyes often see what older onespass by. The child speaks sensibly."
"Sure, Mom," said Alec. "We'll find Mindy and bring her back."
"Do you think so?" Mrs. Simpson asked worriedly.
"I know so," Alec said, "and nothing will happen to us. The moon's 'mostas bright as day. Everything will be all right."
"Well, you're level-headed, Alec," his mother said. "If you can watchCindamine, you may go."
"I won't be a second," Cindy called.
She scooted into her room and put on a red-checked shirt and brownshoes. Since she already wore blue jeans, and her hair was alreadycaught at the back of her neck, she had nothing else to do. She dancedup to her mother and kissed her, and before Mrs. Simpson could changeher mind, Cindy grabbed Alec's hand.
"Be careful, children," their mother called, "and don't stay too long."
Alone in the moonlight, Cindy faced Alec.
"Bum thought Mindy was me and kidnaped her!"
"That's right," Alec agreed.
Cindy said, "They don't know about us being twins!"
"It looks that way."
"Get your bull-roarer, Alec."
"Do you have an idea?" her brother asked.
"Yes," said Cindy. "If there were any men with guns, I'd take them withus. But all the men who aren't in Plains City waiting to record are offhunting Mindy, and there's no time to lose. Get your bull-roarer."
Alec got his bull-roarer from the wagon. Cindy sprang on Sparkle. Alecmounted Sunshine, and they raced away. With the ponies running so fast,it took less than an hour to reach the little trees and tie theirmounts. Cindy turned to her brother.
"When I raise my hand, start your bull-roarer!" she said.
Alec said, "Count on it."
They wriggled back through the trees, bumping trunks here and therebecause, though it was almost as bright as day in the open country, itwas black night among the trees. But the blackness had its advantages.The little opening they had crossed earlier in the day, where Alec wouldhave room to swing his bull-roarer, was moon-sprayed and easy to find.Cindy whispered to Alec, "Stay right here until I raise my hand. Thengive us as much noise as you can."
"Sure thing," Alec whispered back.
Cindy crawled through the final fringe of trees, looked down on thecave, and saw three men in it now. They were cooking around a smallfire. Back of them, standing all by herself, was Mindy.
"Better eat something, girl," called the man who had been with TomLaMott.
"Eat it yourself, you big baboon!" Mindy said fiercely.
Cindy gasped. The gentle Mindy, in a situation as terrifying as this,should be wilted and nearly hysterical. But instead she sounded fightingmad.
"Mind your tongue, girl!" the man said threateningly.
"When my father gets through with you," Mindy flared, "_you_ won't haveany tongue to mind!"
The man rose angrily, strode over to Mindy, and raised his hand to slapher face. But before he could, Mindy kicked him smartly in the shin. Theman said, "Ow-w!" bent over to rub his shin, and Mindy kicked him in theother one. The man straightened to advance grimly.
"Leave her 'lone!"
"I'll teach the little spitfire," the man started angrily.
"Leave her 'lone!" Tom LaMott repeated.
The man said, "She's no witch girl, Tom!"
"She may be weetch. You don' know for sure."
Cindy raised her hand. Alec went into action. The bull-roarer gave outwith a moaning "Owoo-ooo-ooo!"
The startled men leaped up and peered into the moon-sprayed arroyo.Cindy rose to her feet and cupped a hand on each side of her mouth. Shetuned her voice to the bull-roarer.
"I'm-m-m-m the spir-r-r-i-i-t!" she sobbed. "Gi-i-i-v-ve me mybod-d-d-y-y!"
All three men saw her at the same instant.
In the cave, Mindy heard and understood at once. She began to dance.
"Come, spirit!" she cried. "Come and get me! Come, spirit!"
"She here! She there too!" Tom LaMott yelled. "Weetch girl sure!Aaaaa-hhhh!"
With a shriek of mortal terror, Tom LaMott raced out of the cave andstarted scrambling up the far side of the arroyo. The other two menwere only a split second behind him, and if there were horses waiting onthe far side, there was no sound of galloping hoofs. Probably, after afright such as this, horses were much too slow. Mindy came to the mouthof the cave and called, "Hi there!"
"H-h-hi," Cindy gasped.
Weak and trembling, she sank down and buried her face in her hands. ThenAlec was be
side her, and Alec's strong arm was comforting her.
"We're here, Mindy," Alec called. "Come right across and up."
"I'm coming."
Three minutes later she climbed out of the arroyo, sat down beside hertwin, and hugged Cindy tightly.
"I wasn't afraid!" she said happily. "I _like_ being a tomboy!"
"G-g-gosh!" Cindy shivered.
"What's the matter, Cindy darling?"
"I was just th-thinking that, from now on, I'll never be anything but al-l-lady."
"Let's rest awhile," said Alec, wise beyond his years. "Then we'll goback."
They rested, but their rest was broken by Mindy's "Ee-eee!"
"What's the matter?" Cindy asked hurriedly.
"Look!" Mindy pointed.
A big brown beetle was crawling up her shirt, Cindy plucked it off andthrew it away.
"It was nothing," she assured Mindy. "Just a beetle."
"Shall we start back now?" Alec asked.
"I think we'd better," Cindy and Mindy said in the same voice. Mindyadded, to Cindy, "May I sit in the saddle and hold the reins?"
"Why, of course," Cindy said.
Mindy climbed into the saddle and took Sparkle's reins. Cindy climbed onbehind and put two loving arms around her twin's waist. "We're ready,"Cindy called.
"Let's go," said Alec.
He grinned as he followed his sisters. He did not realize exactly whathad taken place. But it seemed to Alec that, from now on, each of hissisters would be a pleasing mixture of lady and tomboy.
Considering everything, Alec decided, the Simpsons just couldn't havedone better.
_About the Author_
Jim Kjelgaard was born in New York City but spent his childhood andyouth in the Pennsylvania mountains. There he learned to hunt, fish, andhandle dogs. He still likes to hunt and has done so in most parts of theUnited States and Canada, though he has exchanged his rifles andshotguns for cameras. After graduating from high school, he spent twoyears at Syracuse University Extension. Since then he has held a varietyof jobs ranging all the way from trapper to factory superintendent, andhas been writing professionally for twenty years. Of some twenty-sevensuccessful books, all but one are for young people--particularly for asixteen-year-old daughter who, according to Mr. Kjelgaard, is a lotsmarter than her daddy.
_About the Artist_
Chris Kenyon was born and brought up in Phoenix, Arizona. While in highschool, he won many art awards, including seven first prizes in theNational Scholastic Art Contest. In 1950 he went to the Art CenterSchool in Los Angeles, California. The Korean War interrupted his workthere, but he returned after spending two years in the Army and in theFar East. His work appeared in _Stars and Stripes_ while he was in theservice. The great outdoors is Mr. Kenyon's first love, and he has madenumerous pack trips into the Southwest and Mexico. He spent two yearswith the U. S. Forest Service in Montana, and a year with the ArizonaFish and Game Commission.
_About the Historical Consultant_
Savoie Lottinville was born in Hagerman, Idaho, and now lives in Norman,Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1929 and wentto Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. When he returned to the UnitedStates in 1932 he became a reporter on the _Oklahoma City Times_. Thefollowing year he became an editor for the University of Oklahoma Pressand later its director. His lifelong study of history has resulted inmany articles and papers written for leading journals and reviews. He ismarried and has two daughters.
We Were There at the Oklahoma Land Run Page 13