"Hi, Rod, want to hike to the Indian Caves?"
"Sure, Jenny, soon as I finish my yardwork."
"Let me help,"
Together, the two friends raked the back yard leaves, stuffed them into bags, and put them by the woodpile.
"Let's get out of here before my dad comes home for lunch and has more jobs for me," said Rod.
"You're lucky," Jenny replied. You guys get to live in a big house because your dad's a ranger."
"You're right, and having a meadow for a front yard's pretty cool, but there's a lot of work here in the fall."
Rod lived in a Yosemite National Park Service house which faced a large, native-grass meadow, nestled near the base of sheer granite walls on the north side of the Yosemite Valley.
Jenny's family lived on the outskirts of the park and she usually came in on Saturdays with her electrician-dad.
They put food into backpacks, told Rod's mom of their plans and started off.
Jenny looked up, "Looks like today the only clouds are . . . "I know," answered Rod. "On Cloud's Rest."
And he looked up to see fluffy cumulus clouds hovering over the 8900-foot peak. "My dad and I are going to hike that tomorrow."
"Maybe my dad'll come back to the Park tomorrow and we can go too."
"Okay!" Come early though; it's a killer."
As they neared the huge granite boulders that nature had formed into caves, they quieted. No one else was around on this fall Saturday and the awesome size of the boulders impressed them once more.
"Just imagine what this was like when the Ahwahneechee lived here." Jenny said.
"I know. Come over here and I'll show you where they ground their acorns."
Up on a large, standing rock they felt a hollowed-out indention where the Native Americans had used stones to grind acorn meal.
Jenny asked, "Do you think you'll be a ranger someday? I might."
"I don't know yet . . . wait, do you hear a clinking noise?"
Jenny listened and shook her head. "I have a funny feeling though."
"Hmmm." Rod hopped down from the rock and began to climb the boulders which led to an overlook above the biggest cave. Jenny followed him and soon they were as high as the oak tree tops.
"Boy, they probably used this spot for spying," said Jenny.
"Sure. Nothing to spy these days, though."
And then, all of a sudden, Rod pointed and whispered, "I could swear I hear a noise that's not a squirrel. . . could be a brown bear, though."
Jenny looked down, started to say something and then put her hand over her mouth. She saw someone in sweatshirt and jeans come out of a cave below them, look around and then run toward the trail.
Rod and Jenny climbed back down. They looked around the cave but could see nothing but athletic-shoe footprints in the soft dirt.
"Maybe someone slept here all night."
"Don't think so," said Rod. There's no evidence of a camp."
"I don't know. Something seemed funny about that person."
"Yeah . . . Anyway, let's eat lunch. I'm hungry.."
That night, when Rod's dad came home, he said, "I'm sorry, Son, but we won't be able to make our hike tomorrow. How about next week?"
"How come, Dad?"
"A problem. Someone stole money from the deli early in the morning and we're all on alert."
"Are there any clues?" asked his mom.
"Just one. A guy was fired from his job the day before for an 'attitude' and we think it could be him."
Rod didn't say anything at first but then, "Dad, how did he get into the deli?"
"The manager realized he'd forgotten to have him turn in his key so he must've used it and walked right in."
"Do you think he got out of the park?"
"No, because one of the employees thought she saw him leaving the employee cabins and heading for the Mirror Lake area when she was on her way to work. Of course she didn't know anything about the robbery at the . . . "
"Dad."
"Yes?"
"I may be able to help you. Today when we were at the Indian Caves . . . "
His father listened carefully to his story. "Wow - up to now we've given you freedom around the park. I should have guessed something like this could happen. Guess we'll have to be more careful from now on. But thanks a lot for the info. I'd bring you with me to investigate, but he might come back if he's hidden the money there. He could possibly have a gun."
"It's okay, Dad. You be careful."
His mom seconded the motion.
"Should be no problem. There'll be backup rangers involved."
After he left, Rod asked his mom, "Okay if I call Jenny? I have to tell her the hike's off."
"Not yet. Just cross your fingers for now."
He did, wishing he were older.
When his dad finally returned much later, he said, "Rod, I'm glad you guys were in the right place at the right time."
"What do you mean, Dad?"
"We recovered the money. We found it with flashlights and metal detectors, buried fairly deeply. He must've had a small shovel with him. We also took footprint impressions."
"Think you'll catch him?"
"All of the park exits are being watched and everyone's on alert, so we should have good luck. And of course we're watching the cave area. He can't go back to the cabins and we think we got to the trailheads early enough to keep him from heading to the back country."
"Dad, maybe someone could watch from above. Someone he'd never see if he tried to come back to the cave."
His dad thought awhile, then looked carefully at his son. "You may have something there."
Just then Rod's mom chimed in. "Is it okay if you guys go to the store for me?"
"Sure," answered his father, "That area's okay.
Grab your jacket, Rod. It's turned cool since it got dark."
Rod ran for his jacket and they were off.
As they were entering the village store, his father's cell phone beeped. "What, right now? I----All right, we'll be there.
We? - wondered Rod.
His dad turned to him. "We've got to hurry; I don't have time to take you back home. In fact, I may need you. You're going to be the lookout man you suggested earlier. There isn't time to arrange for anyone else. But, listen Rod, this isn't kid's play. Do you understand?"
Rod, nodded. "Yes, Sir."
"Okay, just follow every instruction I give you. Got that?"
"I will, Dad." Rod knew this must be a serious time-pressure situation or his father wouldn't be including him like this.
It didn't take them long to reach the parking spot closest to the caves. Before they pulled up, his dad cut the engine of his jeep in order to park it quietly. Then they began their silent hike through the dark trees, relying only on occasional shafts of wan moonlight to guide their way as they climbed up along the familiar trail. They avoided tripping over roots or loose rocks as well as they could.
"Okay," whispered his dad when they reached the caves. Almost immediately, Rod quickly climbed up to the lookout position, making double sure he could not be seen, his flashlight at the ready to give the signal if needed.
His father crouched behind a rock, with his flashlight, also ready to summon the backup rangers who should be surrounding the area soon.
For Rod, the wait grew long and cold. He began to fight sleep but, luckily, the sound of a coyote startled him to wakefulness. He resumed his watch, After what seemed forever, while looking down, he sensed a sudden movement across a large, flat granite rock. Could it really be a dark figure moving into the cave? Yes! He quickly blinked his light.
Another light flashed from behind a rock and instantly, from three directions, armed rangers on horseback blocked the cave entrance. Rod lay flat on the top of the cave, holding his breath. Would there be gunfire? His teeth chattered even though he pulled his jacket tightly around him as he waited, keeping very still.
Stern voices repeatedly called out to the inhabitant of the cave. Finally, with no guns fired, much to Rod's relief, there he was, coming out of the cave with hands up. He was quickly handcuffed and helped up onto one of the horses and led away along a bridle path, followed by the other mounted rangers. Perspiring, in spite of the cool evening, a relieved Rod waited for his dad's "all clear". He scrambled down the rocks, guiding his descent with his flashlight.
At the bottom his dad welcomed him by throwing his arm over his shoulder, though Rod could feel it shaking through his shirt sleeve. This told him how rough this whole business had been on his father.
"Thanks, guy. That was cool work. I was in a real spot. I'm just thankful it turned out okay . . . Hey, your mom is still waiting for the groceries; she's probably really worried about us. We'll have to tell her what happened, but it won't be easy. Anyway, we just have time to get to the store before they close. Maybe we can grab some ice cream bars. Maybe she'll feel like celebrating with us that it's all over. Let's go."
Heading back along the trail it was great this time to be able to use their flashlights and shine them at the dark trees and then up to meet the stars taking over the night sky.
The next day, finally at the top of Cloud's Rest, Rod told Jenny the results of their detective work, finishing with "Guess I'll be a ranger too, after all."
Copyright 2000 by Evelyn Sichi
Return to Children's Story Index for "Cottage Industry: A Literary Potpourri".