[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Magnus fitted the key into the lock and tried to turn it, but nothing happened. Even
though the key seemed to fit, the lock was so rusted the mechanics were probably all seized
up. He d need to break the lock in order to see what was inside. Strangely, Magnus thought
of Dane and how it would make him feel if the box was broken.
Box in hand, Magnus returned to his room to get dressed. It dawned on him that he
hadn t asked Dane where he d found the treasure. After pulling on a pair of jeans and a T-
shirt, Magnus carried the box downstairs. He entered the kitchen to find Dane seated at the
small kitchen table.  You okay?
Dane shrugged.  What d you find?
 Nothing yet. The lock s rusted shut. I ll need a screwdriver and hammer to open it, but
I thought I d check with you first.
 The box itself isn t important. Do what you have to.
 Okay. He glanced around the room.  Do you know where I can find a toolbox?
Dane stood and opened the door to the large walk-in pantry. He was back in a few
moments with an old red toolbox, which he handed to Magnus.  Should I grill those steaks
for dinner or would you rather have the ham?
Normally, Magnus would ve told Dane it didn t matter, but it was apparent Dane
needed something to keep himself busy while Magnus investigated the box.  If you made the
ham, we could eat the leftovers tomorrow instead of cooking.
 Good idea.
Magnus set the tools and old metal box on the floor before pulling Dane into his arms.
 Would you rather I open this tomorrow?
www.total-e-bound.com
A LESSON LEARNED Carol Lynne
68
 I can t ask you to do that.
 You didn t ask, I offered. Whatever secrets that box contains have been hidden for
over a hundred and fifty years. I don t think another day is going to matter.
Dane tightened his embrace.  In that case, yeah, I think I d rather have at least one more
night with you.
Magnus stepped back and stared down at Dane.  What s that supposed to mean? You
think just because I find the answers I ve been looking for I won t want you anymore?
Dane placed his hands on Magnus chest.  I think whatever s in that box might tear us
apart even before we return to Idaho.
For some reason, Dane s words sounded like a challenge to Magnus. Anger filled him
as he opened the toolbox and removed a standard screwdriver and hammer. It took seven
strong hits with the hammer, but the lock eventually gave.
Magnus prised open the lid and reached inside. A book wrapped in a buckskin
loincloth was all that was inside. As he tried to remove the wrapping the aged hide broke
into pieces. Although the buckskin had worked in preserving the journal, the cover itself
wasn t salvageable.  Sorry, he told Dane.
Dane sat on the floor beside Magnus and began to examine the loincloth.  I can t see
James Bennett wearing this.
Magnus thought of the portraits he d seen around the house.  No, neither can I. He
held up the book.  Do you want me to prove to you this won t tear us apart?
Dane reached out and ran a hand across the cracked brown leather spine.  Let me get
the ham in the oven, and we ll read it together.
 You sure?
 Yeah, I think I am.
www.total-e-bound.com
A LESSON LEARNED Carol Lynne
69
Chapter Seven
With the ham in the oven, Dane joined Magnus in the formal living room.  I figured
you d be in the library.
Magnus shook his head and flipped the blanket that covered him back in invitation.  I
wasn t sure if the fireplace in there was in working order, but since I could tell this one had
been used recently I decided to do it in here. It s okay, isn t it?
Dane joined Magnus on the sofa.  Did you read any of it yet?
Looking guilty, Magnus nodded.  Sorry, I couldn t help myself.
Actually, Dane was glad Magnus had previewed the journal.  Good or bad?
 Depends on your point-of-view, I guess. Magnus opened the book.  I ll read you the
beginning, and you can decide for yourself if you d like to hear more. Deal?
 Deal. Dane turned to stretch out on the sofa and leant back against Magnus side.
 Tell me if you want me to stop, Magnus said before he began.
December 1840
What you are about to read may shock and dishearten you, but, nonetheless, the following is a
true account of what happened on Barrett Plantation in the years leading up to November 1840. It
began with idealistic ideas and ended with the deaths of twenty-seven men, twenty-six women, and
fourteen children.
Magnus stopped reading and kissed Dane on top of the head.  You want me to go on?
 Hang on, Dane managed to say around the lump of emotion in his throat. Although
he needed to know what had happened, the account in James point of view was too hard to
handle.  Have you read more?
 Yeah. It s not very long, thirty-two pages, Magnus answered.
 Can you give me a summary? I think that would be easier to hear.
 I can do that, but you really should read it at some point. I may be able to get the point
across, but the emotions James wrote are incredible.
 Maybe someday, Dane agreed.
Magnus closed the journal and stood.  Lay with me by the fire, he said, pulling Dane
to his feet.
www.total-e-bound.com
A LESSON LEARNED Carol Lynne
70
Dane tossed a few of the needlepoint pillows onto the floor and stretched out between
Magnus and the fire. He rolled to his side to stare at the fire as Magnus began to recount
James story.
 James met a young Chitimacha brave he refers to only as his Beloved when he was
barely sixteen. James knew his father wouldn t approve of the unnatural feelings he had for
the brave so he ran away from home to live with his Beloved and his tribe of eighteen men,
women and children. At the time, war and disease had wiped out most of the Chitimacha
people, but they still held control of several small parcels of land, this island being one of
them.
 When the Chitimacha chief learned of the Indian Removal Act, he knew he must do
something or see the decimation of more Native tribes, including his own. Although there
were other Native American tribes in the immediate area, the chief sought out the five
biggest tribal leaders.
 Choctaw, Creek, Seminole, Cherokee and Chippawa, Dane added, thinking aloud.
 Yes. The chief knew soldiers would eventually find the island, so he gave it to James
Bennett, the only white man he trusted. James registered the parcel of land with the
government and legally became the owner.
 The next order of business was to invite warriors from the five tribes to hide on the
island in exchange for protection for the Chitimacha tribe. They all agreed except the local
Choctaw, whose chief felt it was too dangerous to go against the government. However, the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

zanotowane.pl

doc.pisz.pl

pdf.pisz.pl

forum-gsm.htw.pl