“Yeah,” Bub added, “butt bombs, fanny beeps, rump thunder, tush ticklers, bottom blasters, flatuaters.”
“Oh,” Sonny finally responded, “You mean it gives you gas.”
“A yeah,” Hub replied. “I believe we just said that.”
“We gotcha, “Merle assured, “don’t eat the berries, but more importantly, what does it look like and where does it grow?”
“It is a bush type foliage with red berries.” Hub informed them.
“And it grows out of the ground.” Bub concluded.
“Well that sure clears it up.” Hunk retorted,
“You’re welcome.” The cubs responded.
“Maybe we should still talk to your mom.” Sonny suggested.
“Okay,” Hub said, “But I don’t think she will know anymore.”
“Yeah,” Bub added, “we taught her everything she knows.”
“I see,” Merle replied, “I think we should still ask her. She may have learned a few things on her own.”
“Okay, you can try.” Bub said as he rolled his eyes. “Follow us and we will take you to her.”
As they headed in the direction of their cave the cubs jumped, tackled, and rolled over each other. They boys joined in on their fun and they were all breathless by the time they arrived at the cave.
“Mom,” the cubs yelled when they got there, “we got company.”
Clair came to the entrance to the cave almost immediately. Her soft brown fur shone in the sunlight, and even though she was massive in size, she was as gentle as Sonny himself.
“Well hello boys, what are you doing in our neck of the woods?” She inquired.
“We have a riddle we are trying to solve, and we are hoping you could help us.” Merle explained.
“Well I will sure give it my best since you came all this way.” Clair said with pride. “No one else was able to help?”
“Actually, we haven’t asked anyone else,” Hunk replied, “We think we got part of it, but the last line is about bears.”
“Oh, I see, well let’s hear it.” She requested.
Merle recited the riddle slowly and then waited for Clair to respond.
“They are referring to a fire bush.” She informed them, “It is a bush with red branches, purplish to reddish colored leaves and bright red berries. They call it a fire bush because from a distance it looks like it is on fire. The berries are very sweet, but you don’t want to eat them.”
“Yeah,” Merle assured her, “We got that warning, air biscuits, butt bombs, rump thunder, fanny beeps, we know.”
“Where do these bushes grow Clair?” asked Sonny.
“Well I have been all over this mountain and the only place I have ever found them is about half way up the mountain.” Clair admitted, “They are extremely rare; they don’t grow where there are a lot of other plants. They grow out of cracks in the rocks or hard earth, and they seem to like it where there is lots of sun and heat. They only grow about six months and die off when the weather starts to get cold. I have only seen about fifteen bushes on this whole mountain. Most of them were on the south side of the mountain. That’s about all I can tell you, I hope that helps boys.”
“That helps a lot.” Hunk informed her. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Clair replied, “Just be sure you are careful over there, humans like to hike in that area.”
“We will.” They assured her.
Using all the information they had they headed out in the direction of their goal. All the info they had sent them on a path to a general area. Unfortunately, the area was large and vague. Even if all their answers to the riddle were correct they were still going to need a lot of luck.
“Hay we have to go right past Sarah’s den,” Merle realized, “I wonder if she had her pups yet?”
Sarah was a timber wolf who lived in Coyote Canyon. She and her mate, Crush were expecting pups any day. The boys liked Sarah, she often told them stories like Clair did, and she was a great explorer. Her and Crush traveled all over the mountain checking on everything and everyone. There wasn’t very much that went on that they didn’t know about.
“We could stop and say ‘Hi’ and check.” Sonny suggested.
“Okay,” Hunk agreed, “but we can’t stay long.”
“We won’t.” Merle assured him.
Merle was happy to see that Hunk was as excited as he was now. He knew if his grandpa said it, it was true and it kind of upset him that Hunk didn’t believe him at first.
“I think I’m getting low on energy guys,” Hunk announced after a while longer “and you know what that means.”
Merle and Sonny knew exactly what that meant. It meant Hunk was hungry. They were used to Hunks unusual appetite and snacking needs. They thought some of the stuff he ate was a little weird, like bugs and grub worms but that was okay too.
“Yeah, we should probably eat here, before we head up the mountain.” Merle said, “The further up the mountain we go the less food there is.”
“Now why do you have to go and say stuff like that?” Hunk asked, “You know my tummy has ears…I think it wants me to eat some more now.”
“Oops sorry.” Merle replied with a smile.
They spent a few more minutes of snack time, grabbed a cool sip of water and then headed on their way again. They had only traveled about the length of sixty oak trees when they heard a familiar voice.
“So, what are you three up to today?” came a voice from above them.
“Sarah.” Merle exclaimed “How did you spot us from up there?”
“Actually, I smelled you.” She informed them as she leaped and bounded towards them.
“Awe.” Sonny replied as him and Merle glanced at Hunk.
“Hey,” Hunk retorted, “why are you looking at me? I just don’t get it, every time someone says something about odor, or smell you both look at me. I’m going to end up with a complex or something you know. I may be a skunk, but I have great self-control.”
“Sorry,” Sonny apologized, “just habit.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry too buddy.” Merle added, “We didn’t mean anything by it.”
“It’s okay,” Hunk replied with a smile, “I’m just the strong, smart, good-looking, sensitive type.”
“So, have you had your pups yet?” Merle asked trying to change the subject.
“Not yet.” She replied, “But any day now. I miss being able to go around and check on everyone. How about you guys? What have you been up to?”
The boys knew they could trust Sarah so they each took a turn giving her details of their new adventure. Merle told her about the legend his grandfather told him. Sonny recited the riddle and what they thought it meant, and Hunk relayed what they had learned from Clair and her cubs. Sarah not only listened closely but also reaffirmed what the boys had gotten out of the riddle.
“What smart boys you are.” She replied, “I really think you are on the right track. You will have to let me know if you find your treasure. You boys be really careful though. There are a lot of loose rocks and boulders on this side of the mountain. You should really take your time, stay on the inside by the mountain, and not run on the ledges.”
“We will be careful.” Sonny assured her.
They followed the path of the riddle and did as Sarah had told them. It was hard not to run and scurry along. The higher up they got the quicker they wanted to move. They had skirted along the mountain for almost two hours before one of them spotted a fire bush. They became so full of excitement they couldn’t keep from yelling out.
“It’s a fire bush,” Hunk exclaimed, “we really found one.”
Quickly and with all their might they pulled the bush apart in hopes of revealing the cave. Unfortunately, they had no such luck. Four more fire bushes revealed the same disappointment, just hard rock and solid stone. By now half the day was behind them and they were feeling frustrated and tired. Two more bushes ahead, Hunk checked out the first one with no success while Merle went ahead to look at the
next one.
“Over here guys!” Merle hollered, “I think I found something.”
Sonny and Hunk ran to where Merle was standing. They were so excited they could feel their hearts pounding in their chests.
“It’s behind this bush.” He said, trying to pull the branches to one side, “See, look behind it.”
As Sonny and Hunk peered between the branches they could see the opening in the cliff wall. It wasn’t very big, maybe three feet high and two feet wide, but it was big enough for them. More importantly it was big enough for a badger.
“It’s a cave!” Sonny exclaimed.
“No,” Hunk corrected, “it’s THE cave. It has to be. It fits the riddle.”
“Yeah it does.” Merle agreed.
For a short while they all just stood there having their own thoughtful thoughts. Merle was still in awe that they had actually found it and couldn’t wait to tell his grandpa. Hunk was imagining what kind of treasure they were about to discover. He had heard many stories about stuff that had been taken from the human camps. Sonny, of course, was wondering what kinds of danger could be inside and if maybe they should just turn around. He wanted to see if there was really a treasure too but once again his cautious fur was being raised.
“Maybe we shouldn’t go in.” Sonny spoke up, breaking the silence, “We don’t know what or who else may be in there, and nobody knows where we’re at.”
“Oh no!” Hunk declared, “We didn’t come all this way just to walk away when we are this close.”
“I agree with both of you.” Merle informed them. “We definitely can’t turn around now but we need to take every precaution that we can. Sarah knows where we were headed so we will set out arrow markers made out of stones to lead her and our families to us if they have to come looking for us. Then we will first yell into the cave and see if anyone responds and then we will enter the cave slowly and carefully together. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Hunk responded anxiously.
“Well, okay.” Sonny added after giving Merles plan some serious thought.
After the markers were in place the boys returned to the opening behind the bush. Merle and Hunk both yelled into the cave several times. Each time they waited a few minutes for a response or some type of noise. None came.
“Okay, I have the light stick so I will go first.” Hunk said.
“Slowly.” Merle instructed.
“Cautiously.” Sonny added.
Hunk retrieved the flashlight from his pack and turned it on. Before entering the cave, he shone it inside and looked around as far as he could. It was a lot bigger on the inside then it looked on the outside. He felt a little nervous too, but didn’t want Sonny and Merle to know it.
“What do you see?” Merle asked anxiously.
“Nothing yet.” Hunk reported, “It looks pretty empty and I can’t hear or smell anything either.”
“That’s good. Right?” Sonny responded.
“I’m going in.” Hunk announced as he moved forward.
“We’re right behind you Hunk.” Merle stated as him and Sonny moved forward also.
“See anything?” Sonny asked.
“Nope.”
“Hear anything?” Merle inquired.
“Just you guys.”
“Smell anything?” Sonny asked.
“Nope.”
Slowly they all moved forward in unison. Stop by stop they explored the newly discovered area. Hunk moved the light first one way, then the other, spanning the whole width of the cave at a time. Suddenly there was a rumble, followed by a loud crash and three piercing screams.
“What was that?” Sonny yelled.
“I don’t know. I tripped on that vine and a bunch of rocks come tumbling down.” Hunk explained.
“Umm Hunk,” Merle asked as he covered his nose and mouth, “do you smell something now?”
“Yeah, that be me.” Hunk admitted, “I’m sorry, it kind of scared me and I sprayed a little.”
“Well, so much for your great self-control, maybe Sonny and I should lead, and you should follow us for a while.”
“No, it’s okay, I got it under control now.” Hunk assured them.
“You sure?” Merle inquired, “Because that really stunk.”
“Yeah, I know, sorry but I got this now, I promise.” He stated.
“Okay, but I think we need to be more careful though, it looks like those vines and rocks could have been a trap. It may have been something Baldy set and if so then there may be more.” Merle advised.
“A trap?” Sonny squealed, “I don’t like the sounds of that, maybe we should turn around.”
“No, I’ll be more careful.” Hunk promised, “I have a feeling we are close to something really big.”
Slowly and cautiously the boys moved forward again. This time they were sure to step carefully over any vines or loose stones. There was a faint squeaking sound, but it wasn’t loud enough to make out what it was. Hunk shone the flash light around but didn’t see anything. It sounded like it was coming from above them, but the ceiling looked black. They had walked about another thirty feet when they heard loud squealing sounds
“Do you guys hear that too?” Sonny whispered.
“Yeah.” They whispered back.
The words no sooner left their mouths when they felt as if something was flying around them and then took off. The boys all dropped to the floor in a frenzy.
“What was that?” Hunk and Sonny yelled.
“Well the first sound was made by the bats flying by us because Hunk disturbed them when he shined the flashlight on them.” Merle explained as he buried his head in his fur. “The second sound was us screaming and the third sound was Hunk spraying us again.”
By now Merle had gotten to his feet, had grabbed the light stick and was pushing ahead of the stench.
“Ooops, my bad.” Hunk replied.
“Yes, really bad Hunk, really bad. Are you alright Sonny?” Merle inquired as he noticed Sonny’s stunned appearance.
Sonny didn’t say anything. Sonny didn’t move. Sonny just stood frozen in place, staring off in the distance as if he had seen a ghost.
“Way to go Hunk.” Merle stated, “You paralyzed him.”
“I didn’t mean to, it was an accident. Do you think I should slap him?” Hunk asked.
“No, just give him a little shake.” Merle instructed.
“Wait,” Sonny spoke up as he held up his paw, “Nobody touches the bunny. We’ve talked about this. Just turn around and look.”
Hunk and Merle turned and looked in the direction Sonny had instructed them to. There before them was the very treasure they had been seeking. There was a mound of assorted items under a layer of dust and rubble. They had talked about it, looked for it, and even dreamt about it and now there it was right in front of them.
“We did it. It’s true. The legend is real.” they exclaimed.
Chapter Four
hey were all filled with excitement and pride, but Merle was also filled with anticipation. He couldn’t wait to tell his grandpa. He had told his grandpa he and his friends would look for the treasure when he first told him the story, but it was obvious his grandpa didn’t think it was possible.
For the next few hours the boys removed one trinket after another from the pile and passed them around. Some of the items they recognized and others they had never seen before. They knew most of them had to have been taken from the human camps. Some of them were shiny and smooth. Others were colorful and odd looking. Some made noises and had movable parts. It was bigger and better than they had even imagined.
“Oh, look at this.” Sonny said, “It looks like a small human habitat and when I shake it, it snows inside.”
“Wow.” the other two exclaimed.
“Do you think there are little humans in there?” Hunk asked.
“I don’t know,” Sonny said thoughtfully, “I’ve never seen humans that little, but why would they make a habitat for them if there wasn’t.”
“That’s true,” Merle agreed, “So maybe you should quit shaking them up.”
“Oh yeah.” Sonny said as he gently set the snow globe down in a place where it wouldn’t get disturbed. “I hope I didn’t hurt any of them.”
“Look at this.” Merle said holding up a pair of reading glasses.
“Oh, I know what those are,” Hunk offered, “I’ve seen humans wear them on their faces. Those glass parts go over your eyes.”
Merle followed Hunks instructions and tried the glasses on.
“Uhg, they make everything look funny and appear bigger and closer than it is.” Merle announced.
“Why would humans want to do that?” asked Sonny, “It seems like they would fall down a lot wearing those things.”
“I know.” Hunk responded, “It’s for looking at the little people in the human habitat.”
“Well that does make sense.” Sonny agreed while giving it a try.
He held the glasses on his face with one paw as he got closer and closer to the globe. After several moments of examining the contents he had come to the conclusion that all the tiny humans were hiding in one of the little buildings.
“They are probably afraid of us.” Sonny offered, “We are a lot bigger than them and they don’t know us.”
Hunk and Merle shook their heads in agreement.
“Here’s another pair of glasses but the part that goes over the eyes is dark.” Merle said holding them up.
“Yeah, it’s probably what they wear when they want to take a nap during the day.” Sonny explained.
“Oh probably, although, I don’t know why they don’t just shut their eyes.” Merle said.
“I don’t understand a lot of things humans do,” Sonny replied, “and I’m not even going to try.”
“What do you think this is used for?” Hunk inquired as he held up another item. “It makes a clicky sound when you push on this end and then a pointy thing comes out the other end. Then when you push on the clicky end again the pointy thing goes back in.”
The boys took turns passing it around and pushing the end. It was an interesting little gadget, and required a lot of thoughtful thoughts.
“Maybe it’s a weapon.” Sonny said.
The Legend and Land Battle Page 3