Canyon of Danger by Susan K. Marlow

Author:Susan K. Marlow [Marlow, Susan K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8254-7980-9
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

A Clue in the Dust

Jem grasped Shen by the shoulders. “You sure?”

“Yes, I remember. Rider call insults at me. Say I block his way.”

Jem whirled on Nathan. “I bet the thief was using China Alley to sneak out of town. Hardly anyone ever goes over there. Maybe we can find some tracks.”

“If it was even Copper he was leading.”

Nathan’s remark yanked Jem back to earth. “There’s only one way to find out.” He turned to Shen. “Will you show us where the rider went? We’ll help you push your cart back to Jiang’s.”

Shen bobbed his head in quick agreement. The boys pushed the laundry cart along Pacific Street then turned onto Stockton. The cart jerked and bumped another half block until China Alley came into view. The boys entered the narrow passageway, which was lined on both sides with small shacks and Chinese shops.

Jem let go of the cart and leaned over the mound of dirty washing to catch his breath. Nathan stood bent over, his hands resting on his knees. “I thought …” He swallowed and looked up. “I thought we’re supposed to rest on Sunday.”

“Later,” Jem said, straightening. “The clock’s ticking, and we can’t be late for church.”

Shen abandoned his cart and motioned the boys to follow him. He led them past an herb shop and an open-air market. Live chickens squawked from cages. The odor of charcoal wafted on the breeze. Sunday was not a rest day for the Chinese. A handful of men mingled, conversing in high, singsong voices. A small group of boys playing tag rushed past.

Jem bit his lip. Were there any hoofprints left?

Shen stopped in front of his uncle’s laundry, which stood near the far end of the alley. There was less foot traffic here, and Jem’s eyes scanned the ground for tracks.

“He go that way,” Shen said. He pointed down the alley, past Broad Street and out of town.

Jem nodded his thanks and kept his eyes on the ground. Hoofprints were everywhere. Jem knew very little about tracking, but he could tell more than one horse had passed by. “Copper lost a shoe,” he said. “It should be easy to tell the difference from any shod tracks.”

Nathan shook his head. “It doesn’t look easy to me. All these tracks look alike.”

Jem let out a breath. Nathan was right. It wasn’t easy at all. The tracks were mixed together, one horse smashing out the prints of another in a confusing muddle. Jem squatted next to three or four prints that looked more distinct. All were shod.

“Here,” Shen called. He crouched several yards away.

Jem shot to his feet and ran over to his friend. He looked down. One track stood out. It showed a clear impression of a horse’s frog—the middle part of his bare foot. To Jem, it looked beautiful. “It’s Copper,” he said softly. “Let’s see how far we can track him before the prints give out.”

He ran two more blocks to the edge of town. The prints showed clearly. They led in the direction of a little-used road Jem knew ended not far out of town.

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