by Chris Blake
And as the mist lifted them up, Tom caught one last look at the Mohawk village, sparkling under a layer of white snow, before they began their journey through time and space.
They landed safely in Tom’s garden, only moments after they’d left. Tom’s mother was still in the potting shed, searching for a bag for the leaves.
Zuma, back in her blue paint and feathers, stood up in the middle of the vegetable patch. She brushed off the soil from her bottom and said, “At least it was a soft landing.”
Tom looked round and saw the mess that Tlaloc had made stomping about with his enormous feet. “We’d better clean this up quickly!”
Zuma and Tom raked the leaves back into a pile, while Chilli raced across the garden chasing squirrels.
“It’s nice to be away from all that snow and horrible weather,” Zuma said, lifting her face to the sun.
Suddenly, a rumble of thunder sounded.
“Spoke too soon,” groaned Tom.
Once again, Tlaloc appeared before them. His blue skin was even brighter than the cloudless sky.
“Got it!” Zuma said, holding up the coin with a cheeky grin.
The rain god scowled and snatched the sun coin out of her hand.
“Only one more to go,” said Tom.
“That may be so. But your final quest will be the most difficult yet.” Tlaloc sneered, showing his fangs. “There may be only one more coin,” Tlaloc reminded them in his rumbling voice, “but don’t expect to find it. EVER!” Then he stomped his feet and vanished in another crash of thunder.
“Do you think he means that?” Zuma asked, biting her lip.
“I’m afraid so,” said Tom. “Although it’s hard to imagine what could be worse than warring Native American tribes and a blizzard …”
“I can think of one thing that would be much worse,” said Zuma. “Not finding the last coin and never being free.”
They were quiet for a moment, wondering what Tlaloc had in store for them next. What would Zuma do if they failed?
No, Tom thought. We won’t fail. I won’t let that happen. I’ll do everything I possibly can to help Zuma win her freedom.
“Whatever Tlaloc sends our way, we can handle it if we stick together,” Tom said. “One more adventure, and then you’ll be free.” He grinned. “But in the meantime, let’s do something fun!”
“Like what?” asked Zuma.
“Like getting ready for Halloween!” cried Tom. “We can start right now, by carving our jack-o’-lantern.”
He ran across the garden to the vegetable patch and chose the biggest, most orange pumpkin he could find. Then Tom and Zuma went inside the house.
“Dad!” Tom called.
Dr Sullivan wandered into the kitchen, holding a thick book called The Native Peoples of North America. On the cover was a picture of a stern Mohican who looked a lot like Chief Tall Oak.
“Can you help me carve a jack-o’-lantern?” Tom asked.
Dad put down his book and got a knife from the kitchen drawer. He carefully cut a circle out of the top of the pumpkin and removed it by the stem. Then Tom and Zuma reached inside and pulled out the slimy seeds.
“I used to have to do this all the time when I was a slave,” Zuma said, wrinkling her nose. “I guess pumpkins are still as fiddly as they were hundreds of years ago!”
“Did you know that the Native Americans used to eat pumpkins?” Tom’s dad asked him.
“I did, actually,” said Tom, grinning at Zuma, as Dad set to work carving out eyes, nose and a mouth.
Mum came in just as they were finishing.
“My goodness!” she cried. “That’s terrifying.”
She fished around in a kitchen drawer and pulled out a candle. Lighting it carefully, she passed it to Tom, who placed it inside the jack-o’-lantern.
“There,” he said. “All done! Let’s put it on the front steps,” Tom cried, as he and Zuma took the glowing pumpkin outdoors. “That will really scare the trick-or-treaters.”
They put it on the front porch and smiled proudly at their handiwork.
“That’s the thing about these adventures,” he said. “No matter what tricks Tlaloc has planned for us, some parts of time travelling are a real treat!”
WHO WERE THE MIGHTIEST MOHICAN BRAVES?
Crazy Horse was a real Brave. Find out more about him and other famous Braves!
CRAZY HORSE was a Native American war leader who fought to keep the Lakota tribe’s traditional ways. He had a vision when he was young that told him that he would protect his people. He even saw the lightning bolt that he would wear as face paint in battle! When the Lakota people were ordered to move on to reservations, Crazy Horse refused. In June 1876, Crazy Horse bravely led 1,500 Sioux warriors to victory against the US cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
GERONIMO was born in 1829 in what is now New Mexico. When Mexican soldiers raided his camp and murdered his family, Geronimo vowed to get revenge. For the next ten years, Geronimo and a small band of Apache warriors attacked Mexican towns. When the United States took over Mexican land in 1848 and pushed the Apache people on to reservations, Geronimo and his followers fought them, attacking American troops across the American Southwest. For years he famously avoided being captured, but in 1886 he surrendered. In later life he became a celebrity, attending fairs, publishing his autobiography and even getting to meet the president.
SITTING BULL – one of the most famous and powerful Native American chiefs – was born around 1831 in the Dakota Territories. A skilled hunter, he killed his first buffalo aged only ten. At a Sun Dance Ceremony in 1876, Sitting Bull danced for 36 hours straight! He fought alongside Crazy Horse at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, defeating General Custer and his men. After the battle, Sitting Bull fled to Canada. Years later, he returned to the US and joined Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West show. While performing in the show he became friends with the sharpshooter, Annie Oakley, and eventually adopted her as his daughter.
SHABASH was a Mohican chief who lived in what is now New York. He had a very hard start in life. When he was only four years old, his mother was killed by Mohawk warriors, then he lost his sister and brother to smallpox. Shabash sold his family’s lands to the government and began drinking heavily. However, a vision told him he must find a way to help his people and to please God. Shabash converted to Christianity, and became a respected leader, who worked hard to protect his people from exploitation.
WEAPONS
Crazy Horse was a demon with a tomahawk! Find out what other weapons were used by Native Americans.
Bow and Arrow: The most common weapon used by Native Americans. Good for long range, and accuracy.
Tomahawk: An axe-like weapon with a wooden handle. It could be used in close-contact fighting, or it could be thrown.
Spear: Used both for hunting, and in battle. They could be long or short.
Rifle: After the European settlers came, the Native Americans acquired their weapons, most famously – the Winchester rifle, used in the victory against General Custer in The Battle of the Little Bighorn.
MOHICAN BRAVE TIMELINE
In MOHICAN BRAVE Tom and Zuma meet some NATIVE AMERICANS. Discover more about it in this brilliant timeline!
TIME HUNTERS TIMELINE
Tom and Zuma never know where in history they’ll travel to next! Check out in what order their adventures actually happen.
FANTASTIC FACTS
Impress your friends with these facts about the Wild West.
Mohicans and other Native American people lived in structures made of wood, grass, bark and cloth called wigwams. These are often confused with tent houses called tipis. ‘We-ku-wuhm’ is wigwam in Mohican!
Mohicans wore fringed boots called moccasins, breechcloths and leggings. Men and women often wore their hair in two long braids and wore feathers in their hair on special occasions. I might try that!
The ‘Mohawk’ hairstyle was worn by tribesmen hoping to intimidate their enemies in battle. Instead of shavi
ng the sides of their heads, they would pull out hair in clumps. Ouch!
The Mohican tribe were famous for their beautiful beadwork. They crafted ‘wampum’ beads out of white and purple shells, often weaving them into belts given as gifts or used as money. That’s some belt!
Native Americans used canoes made by digging out and shaping trees. They were used when fishing or travelling by water. Almost as fun as a lilo!
Who were the Aztecs?
How did they live?
What weapons did they fight with?
Join Tom and Zuma on another action-packed Time Hunters adventure!
As they travelled back through time, Tom could feel his heart thumping in his chest. They had already gone to some very dangerous places, from the Wild West to the harsh Australian outback, but what was in store for them now? The god was cruel enough to send them anywhere – to the inside of a volcano, or the bottom of the ocean!
So he was relieved when the sparkling mist faded and he felt solid ground beneath his feet. Tom looked around quickly, and gasped. It looked like some kind of paradise. All around were tall trees and thick bushes of emerald green. Flowers blazed in every colour of the rainbow. A waterfall poured over rocks into a crystal-clear pool.
Tom wiped his forehead. Wherever they were, it was hot. He was already sweating.
Zuma squealed with delight. “My old clothes!” she said happily. “The jungle! I’m home!”
Tom turned to see Zuma dancing for joy. Chilli was scampering happily around her feet. The slave girl’s headdress and blue paint had disappeared. Now she was wearing a loose white blouse with short sleeves and a white skirt, both with bright red bands sewn along the bottom. Her dark hair was loose and shining. Only the gleaming black pendant she always wore round her neck remained.
Zuma stopped dancing and looked at Tom. “Nice clothes,” she giggled.
Looking down, Tom saw that his football kit was gone. Instead he was dressed in a blue cloak, with a white cloth wrapped round his waist like a short skirt. “Thanks,” he said, blushing. He pulled the cloak round himself to hide his bare chest and legs.
“You’ll get used to it,” Zuma smiled. “It’s too hot here in Mexico to wear lots of clothes.”
Tom would have preferred a T-shirt and shorts, but Zuma was right – it was hot and steamy, even beneath the shady trees. “So we’re back in Aztec times?” he said, looking around. “Cool!”
“Wait until you see one of our cities,” Zuma replied. A dreamy look crossed her face. “There are pyramids shining beneath the sun, great squares …”
“… and human sacrifices,” Tom reminded her. “It may be your home, but don’t forget how dangerous it is. Tlaloc said it would be our toughest challenge yet.” He pointed at the black stone hanging round Zuma’s neck. “Let’s ask your necklace for help.”
Zuma’s pendant was magical and gave them clues to where Tlaloc had hidden the coins. “OK,” she sighed. “But it will only be another silly riddle.”
Tom grinned. Unlike the Aztec girl, he enjoyed trying to work out the pendant’s clues. He watched with excitement as Zuma held up the black disc and began chanting softly:
“Mirror, mirror, on a chain,
Can you help us? Please explain!
We are lost and must be told
How to find the coins of gold.”
Tom and Zuma leaned over the pendant as ghostly white words appeared on the stone:
Find the city on the eagle’s path;
Use the stream to escape a god’s wrath.
Beware the man who bears a disguise;
A false face hides the ultimate prize.
When fur and feathers fight for control,
The ring of stone is your ultimate goal.
Climb up to the house of rain;
The flying spear will end your pain.
As the words faded away, Tom saw that Zuma had gone pale. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“For once I understand some of this,” she replied softly. “I think the house of rain means Tlaloc’s temple in the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. That’s where I was nearly sacrificed.”
During their adventures together, Zuma had proved her bravery time and time again. This was the first time Tom had seen her look nervous. Then again, it wasn’t that surprising. The last time she had visited Tlaloc’s temple, the slave girl had only just escaped with her life.
“Don’t worry,” Tom said. “I’ll be with you this time.”
Zuma smiled as Chilli jumped up, putting his front paws on her knee. “I know, little doggie, you’ll be there too.” She grinned at the Chihuahua. “And we got out together last time, didn’t we?”
“The sooner we find Tlaloc’s coin, the sooner you won’t have to worry any more,” Tom said firmly. “So let’s get started. The riddle said we have to find the city on the eagle’s path. Any idea what that means?”
Zuma shrugged and said, “I got the bit about the house of rain, but the rest is gibberish to me. Anyway, you’re the brainbox. I don’t see why I should have to solve it all—”
The slave girl froze. Following her gaze, Tom saw that a nearby bush was rustling. He crouched down and peered through the leaves. A furry, cat-like creature was hiding in the undergrowth!
Tom gulped. He had read about the dangerous animals you might meet in the jungle. Without weapons, he and Zuma wouldn’t stand a chance. As the bush rustled again and the creature emerged, he realised there was no time to run …
“Oh no,” hissed Zuma. “It’s a jaguar!”
They were going to be a big cat’s dinner!
THE HUNT CONTINUES …
Travel through time with Tom and Zuma as they battle the mightiest warriors of the past. Will they find all six coins and win Zuma’s freedom? Find out in:
DISCOVER A NEW TIME HUNTERS QUEST!
Tom’s first adventure was with an Ancient Egyptian mummy called Isis. Can Tom and Isis track down the six hidden amulets scattered through history? Find out in:
Go to:
www.time-hunters.com
Travel through time and join the hunt for the mightiest heroes and villains of history to win
brilliant prizes!
Copyright
First published in Great Britain by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2014
HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollinsPublishers
77-85 Fulham Palace Road,
Hammersmith, London, W6 8JB.
www.harpercollins.co.uk
Text © Hothouse Fiction 2014
Illustrations © HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2014
Cover design by HarperCollinsPublishers 2014, Cover Illustration by Dynamo
Chris Blake asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Source ISBN: 9780007550029
Ebook Edition © 2014 ISBN: 9780007550036
Version: 2014-04-11
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