by Will Hobbs
Clay was fumbling with his shirt buttons, trying to get Curly safely tucked inside for the swim across the river. Uncle Clay, standing by with both horses, was ready to hand him Starbuck’s reins.
But before they could mount up, the torrent was upon them. Horses were streaming out of the Escalante and into the canyon mouth, riderless horses with their manes flying. In the lead, that mare blue as a mountain bluebird.
“Holy cow,” his uncle said.
Then came the black-and-white dogs, and behind them, the girl on that palomino horse with her long braid flying.
“Got some horses for you!” she called.
Author’s Note
While The Big Wander is a work of fiction, the idea of a boy, burro, and dog adventuring in the canyon country was inspired by the wanderings of Everett Ruess, a real-life artist and vagabond who has become a legendary figure in the Southwest. The tiny dog who rides the burro’s pack in this story is named after Everett’s dog, Curly, as a tribute to this remarkable young man who disappeared in the canyons of the Escalante in 1934. His fate remains a mystery.
WILL HOBBS
is the award-winning author of many popular adventure stories for young readers, including Bearstone and Beardance. His picture book, Beardream, illustrated by Jill Kastner, is a companion to these novels. Seven of his novels have been chosen by the American Library Association as Best Books for Young Adults. A graduate of Stanford University and former language arts teacher, he lives in Durango, Colorado, with his wife, Jean. Longtime backpackers and river runners, they have spent many years exploring the mountain and canyon settings of Will’s stories.
To learn more about the author and his books, visit Will’s Web site at www.WillHobbsAuthor.com.