摘录

From Woodpecker Soup for Supper: The Story of Henry and John Ferguson It was pitch black when eleven-year-old Henry Ferguson opened his eyes. No moonlight silhouetted the dark forest that cold November night, and heavy clouds hid the stars. He strained his eyes in the utter darkness inside the covered wagon, and listened intently. Something was prowling around outside, but he couldn't tell what. Stiffening with fear, he nudged his thirteen-year-old brother, John, and together the terrified boys listened to the soft rustling and snuffling on the ground below. Henry wished desperately for his father's solid, sleeping bulk beside him or his mother's reassuring soft breathing, but they were gone. Here in this wild land of northern California, he and John were alone. They buried their heads under the quilts and lay shivering until the prowler moved off into the dark woods. The next morning they found the tracks of a large grizzly around the wagon. Excerpted from Into the Western Winds: Pioneer Boys Traveling the Overland Trails by Mary Barmeyer O'Brien All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.