I Escaped The Gold Rush Fever: A California Gold Rush Survival Story by Scott Peters & SD Brown

Author:Scott Peters & SD Brown [Peters, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Best Day Books For Young Readers
Published: 2022-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

Hudson sat on the edge of the canoe kicking patterns into the sand. Her father looked almost peaceful as he slept.

Two small children peeked at her from the tall grass a dozen yards away.

What was taking Ned so long?

The village was nothing like she’d expected. Instead of a cluster of teepees, it held three houses made of split redwood planks weathered to a smoky grey. Even weirder, the houses stood only about four feet high. The doors were round holes placed at ground level, and they faced upriver.

Hudson stretched to ease her sore muscles. The two Indian boys mimicked her moves.

She waved. They waved back.

She stretched. They stretched.

She squatted. They squatted.

“Hello,” she called to them.

They yelled something, laughed, and jumped up and down. Smiling, she copied their movements.

The game went on for some time. Then it suddenly stopped.

An Indian woman appeared with a basket on her back. She wore a deerskin shift, was barefoot, and had three dark-blue lines tattooed on her chin. They reminded Hudson of the tattoo on Ned’s arm.

One clap of the woman’s hands sent the children scooting into the nearest house.

Distraction gone, Hud’s mind raced to the dangers hanging over their heads. She knelt by her father and stroked the damp hair from his forehead.

Judging by the sky, it had to be less than two hours until dark. Was it true what Ned said—that they’d traveled far enough to be safe? Her stomach churned.

Father’s skin was hot.

Why was Ned wasting precious time?

The woman stood outside the nearest house. She watched Hudson, then turned and headed to the center building. That’s where Ned had gone earlier. Instead of entering, the woman set her basket outside, called through the round door, and left.

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