Excerpt from THE BATTLEFIELD GHOST
by Margery Cuyler
illustrated by Arthur Howard
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CHAPTER TEN -
A MEETING WITH A HESSIAN SOLDIER
On the night of January 2, John rolled over and looked at his clock. It was nine-thirty. His parent's wouldn't go to sleep for at least an hour. He switched on his light and opened his book, The Fighting Ground. It took place during the American Revolution. Even though the story was interesting, John had to struggle to stay awake. He got out of bed and tiptoed around his rug several times to keep from falling asleep. He waited until Mom and Dad came upstairs. When all was finally quiet, John snuck down the hall to Lisa's room. He opened the door and found her nestled in her blankets, sleeping deeply. John nudged her several times before she opened her eyes.
"Come on," he said. "We have an appointment with a ghost."
She groaned and turned over. "Tell me what happens in the morning."
"No!" said John. "We made a deal." Lisa didn't budge. John poked her until she rubbed her eyes and sat up.
"Okay, okay, I'm coming," she said. "I have to put on a sweater and some warm socks. It must be freezing downstairs."
When Lisa had changed, John took her hand. Together, they tiptoed down the back steps to the kitchen. The stove light was on. They could make out the outlines of the fireplace, table, and chairs. Boomerang was curled up in the rocking chair. Spic and Span stood up from their sleeping spot by the fireplace and came over. They wagged their tails in hopes that the children would take them for a walk.
"Shhh," hissed John. "Lie down."
Lisa picked up Boomerang and sat down in the rocker.
"It's really cold," she murmured.
John walked over to the kitchen table and opened the Monopoly game.
"Okay," he said. "Which piece do you want?"
"I guess the little Scottie dog. He usually brings me luck."
"I'll be the shoe," said John. "And the banker."
He counted out the money and gave Lisa her share.
They sat at the kitchen table and played for a long time. Lisa bought Park Place and Boardwalk and built four houses on both. "You're a creep," said John. "If I land there, I'll go broke."
Suddenly, Spic began to growl, a low growl that rolled slowly out of his throat. His fur raised up on his back like little knives. Span stood up, baring his teeth. Both dogs faced the back door. Then, crouching down, their bellies touching the floor, they moved slowly on their haunches toward the door.
John's heart beat wildly as he saw a black boot come right through the wood and into the kitchen. Boomerang leapt from Lisa's lap and sped across the floor, diving behind the stove.
A figure was taking shape in the back of the kitchen. He was a Hessian soldier, all right. He looked about Dad's age. He was wearing a badly torn green coat with red cuffs. Blood dripped from an open wound in his chest, staining the dirty green vest and white shirt he wore underneath. His trousers were the colour of mustard and they, too, were torn and dirty above his tall leather boots. The soldier carried a sword with a brass handle, and on his head he wore a three-cornered black hat. He had a bushy black mustache that stretched across the bottom of his face and curled up at the corners. The ghost's eyes had a faraway look in them. It took him a while to focus on the children. He slowly took off his hat and held it under his arm. Then he started to walk toward them!
From The Battlefield Ghost. Text copyright © by Margery Cuyler.
Illustrations © Arthur Howard.
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