Riding the Flume by Patricia Curtis Pfitsch

Author:Patricia Curtis Pfitsch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

• Chapter Thirteen •

By the next afternoon, Connorsville was buzzing with the news. A giant sequoia—the biggest on earth—had been found just over the top of Connor’s Pass. Francie was changing the sheets in room 30 when Charlie stuck his head around the doorjamb.

“Don’t say a word about it,” she said quickly, taking in his raised eyebrows and sparkling eyes. She bent to tuck the ends of the bottom sheet neatly around the end of the feather bed. “I’ve heard more than I want to already. I think every single guest in the hotel ordered a box lunch to take up to Connor’s Pass.”

Charlie came into the room, dusted off his pants, and sat down on the chair. “The photographer’s shop is doing a whopping business. John’s set up his camera by the tree and is charging seventy-five cents a photo.” He shook his head. “He’s getting it, too. They all want a picture of themselves beside the oldest living thing in the world.”

“Why aren’t you working?” Francie spread the blanket over the sheets and plumped up the pillows.

“Got the day off.”

Francie gave him a sharp look, and he nodded, answering her unspoken question. “We’re moving to the north end of the basin tomorrow. Gonna start logging around the big one, Granger says. Clear everything out around it, and then see if we can bring it down.”

Francie plopped down on the newly made bed. “You can’t. It’ll shatter. It’s too big.”

Charlie stroked his chin and shrugged. “Some think that,” he agreed. “But Granger says it’s worth the risk. If we can bring it down whole, think of how much lumber we’ll have.” He closed his eyes. “Not quite a city’s worth—but close. Think of it, Francie, an entire city built from one tree. It’ll put California on the map for certain.” He stood up. “Nobody will be able to argue that we don’t grow things bigger and better than anywhere else in the whole United States of America.”

Francie watched him, feeling numb. “Is that what you think?”

He looked at her. “Truth?”

She nodded.

He scratched his head. “Truth is . . .” He paused, took a breath, and began again. “Truth is, I don’t know what to think. Think of a whole city built from one tree.” He thumped his chest. “One I could help bring down. It’s a chance in a lifetime. And it’s only one tree. There are hundreds more.”

Francie sprang to her feet. “But such a tree!” she cried. “It isn’t only one tree. There is only one tree as big or as old as that one. How can you even think to cut it down?”

“But trees grow back, Francie.”

Francie gave a short laugh. “Yes, they grow back. In three thousand years. I counted the rings on that stump, remember? And besides,” she said sadly, “Granger isn’t cutting only this one tree. He’s cutting all the trees.” She turned, but not before Charlie saw her tears.

“Okay,” he said. “It’s too bad. But it’s not your fault. It’s not you cutting the tree.

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