Ghost Town at Sundown Read online

  A fly buzzed by Jack’s ear. He slapped it away. He opened his eyes.

  The sun was high above the canyon walls. He had slept a long time.

  Slim and Annie were sitting by a fire, drinking from tin cups.

  “Coffee? Biscuit?” Annie asked Jack.

  “Where did you get them?” said Jack.

  “A cowboy always carries biscuits and a canteen of coffee,” said Slim.

  He walked over and gave Jack a biscuit and a cup of coffee.

  “It’s hard as a rock,” Slim said. “And bitter as muddy river water. But a cowboy takes what he can get.”

  Jack took a bite and a sip.

  The biscuit was very hard and the coffee was very bitter. But that was okay with Jack. Since cowboys didn’t mind, he didn’t mind, either.

  “I’ll saddle up Dusty,” Slim said, “and take you back to town to catch your stage.”

  “Then what will you do?” said Annie.

  “Head south with my herd,” said Slim. “Sell ’em. Then ride across the plains and round up more mustangs.”

  While Slim saddled Dusty, Jack took out his notebook and pencil. He wrote:

  “Hey, Shorty,” called Slim. “What are you doing?”

  “Taking notes,” said Jack.

  “What for?”

  “He likes writing things down,” said Annie.

  “Oh, yeah?” said Slim. “Me too. In fact, I first came out west to write a book. But one thing led to another. The next thing I know, I’m a mustang herder.”

  “Slim, you should write your book,” said Annie. “And let the mustangs go free.”

  “Think so?” said Slim.

  They looked at the grazing wild horse.

  “I know so,” said Annie.

  “Yup,” said Jack. “Your book should be about the Wild West, Slim.”

  Slim kept staring at his herd. “Maybe you’re right,” he said. “I could settle in Laramie and write there. Wouldn’t have to chase after rustlers anymore.”

  Slim turned back to Jack and Annie. “Yup, I think I’ll be a writer. Let’s go. Before I change my mind,” he said.

  “Yay!” said Annie. “I’ll go tell them.” She jumped up and ran to the mustangs.

  Jack packed his backpack, while Slim packed his saddlebags.

  Then Slim and Jack climbed onto Dusty. They rode over to Annie, who was stroking Sunset’s neck.

  “I told him he’s as free as the wind now,” said Annie.

  “Sounds good,” said Slim. “Give me your hand, Smiley.”

  Slim pulled Annie onto Dusty. She sat in front of Jack.

  Slim snapped his reins. Dusty started off.

  The sun was hot as Dusty climbed out of the canyon. When they reached the top, they peered down at the canyon floor.

  The mustangs pranced playfully, their coats shining in the hazy light.

  “They’ll find their way out soon,” Slim said. “Then cut across the prairie. Yell goodbye to your pal, Smiley.”

  “Stay with your mother, Sunset!” shouted Annie. “Good-bye!”

  Out of the blue, a voice called, “Bye!”

  Annie gasped. “Who said that?” she asked. “The ghost?”

  “Nope,” said Jack. “It’s just an echo. It’s caused by sound bouncing off the canyon walls.”

  Slim cupped his hands around his mouth. “Who am I?” he shouted.

  “Am I?” came the distant voice.

  “Oh, man,” Jack said softly. “That’s the answer … ”

  “To Morgan’s riddle!” said Annie.

  “Echo!” she and Jack said together.

  Jack looked at Slim. “You knew the answer last night,” he said.

  Slim just smiled and snapped his reins. “Let’s go, pardners,” he said.

  The sun was low in the sky when they reached Rattlesnake Flats.

  “Just let us off in front of the hotel,” said Annie.

  “You sure the stage is coming through here?” said Slim.

  “Yup,” said Jack and Annie together.

  In front of the hotel, Slim got down from Dusty. Then he helped Jack and Annie down.

  “I hope you’ll come to Laramie and visit me,” said Slim. He winked. “I might be needing some help on my book.”

  “Sure,” said Annie.

  Slim climbed back on Dusty. He looked down at Jack.

  “You know, Shorty,” he said, “you might be short, but you’re mighty tall in the brains.”

  “Thanks,” said Jack.

  “And, Smiley,” Slim said. “Your great courage is nothing to smile about.”

  “Thanks,” said Annie.

  “Good luck with your writing, Slim,” said Jack.

  “I’m grateful to you both for steering me straight,” said Slim. “I promise I’ll thank you someday.”

  “Really?” said Annie.

  “A cowboy never goes back on his word,” said Slim. Then he snapped his reins, and Dusty loped down the street.

  “Bye, Slim!” yelled Annie.

  Slim Cooley turned one last time. He waved his hat. “So long, pardners!” he called.

  Then he rode off into the sunset.

  Jack let out a deep sigh. “Okay. I’m ready to take my boots off now,” he said.

  “Me too,” said Annie.

  They sat down on the porch of the hotel. They started pulling off their boots.

  “There!” Jack got them both off.

  He wiggled his toes. He took his sneakers out of his pack and put them on. Annie put hers on, too.

  “Man, sneakers never felt so good,” said Jack.

  Suddenly the sound of a piano drifted through the air.

  “Lonesome Luke!” said Annie.

  Jack grabbed his pack. He and Annie crept across the porch. They pushed open the swinging door.

  The piano was playing “Red River Valley.” Sitting on the piano stool was the dim but shimmering shape of a cowboy.

  Just then the ghost of Lonesome Luke looked at Jack and Annie. He waved a shimmering hand.

  Jack and Annie waved back.

  Then the ghost of Lonesome Luke faded away. Cold air wafted past Jack and Annie. They both shivered.

  “Oh, man, let’s go,” breathed Jack.

  They leaped and dashed up the dusty road. They ran across the cracked ground and past the graveyard. They ran until they reached the tree with the Magic Tree House in it.

  Annie grabbed the rope ladder.

  She hurried up and Jack followed. They were out of breath when they got inside the tree house.

  Annie grabbed the ancient scroll. She unrolled it.

  “Yay!” she said.

  The scroll had one glowing word on it:

  ECHO

  “We got it right!” said Annie.

  Jack grabbed the Pennsylvania book. He pointed to a picture of the Frog Creek woods.

  “I wish we could go there!” he said.

  The wind started to blow.

  The tree house started to spin.

  It spun faster and faster.

  Then everything was still.

  Absolutely still.

  Jack and Annie looked outside.

  The sun had slipped behind the trees of the Frog Creek woods.

  Annie still held the ancient scroll. She put it in the corner, next to the scroll from their ocean trip.

  “Just two more to go,” she whispered.

  “Yup,” said Jack. He unzipped his pack. He pulled out Days of the Wild West. He put it on top of a stack of books.

  “Ready?” he said.

  Annie was staring at the books. Her mouth dropped open.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Jack.

  Annie just kept staring.

  “Have you gone nuts?” said Jack.

  Annie pointed at the Wild West book.

  “Read the cover,” she said.

  Jack picked the book up. He read the title aloud: “Days of the Wild West.” He looked at Annie. “So?”

  “Keep reading,” said Annie.
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  The author’s name was below the title. It was in smaller letters. Jack read: “Slim Cooley.”

  Jack gasped. His mouth dropped open. He and Annie stared at the words for a long moment.

  “Oh, man,” whispered Jack. “We were using Slim’s book. The book he wrote after he left us!”

  Jack and Annie shook their heads with wonder.

  Jack opened Slim’s book. He looked at the title page. At the bottom of the page, he read: Texas Press, Dallas, 1895.

  Jack turned the page. He read the dedication:

  WITH THANKS TO SMILEY AND SHORTY,

  TWO STRANGERS WHO CHANGED MY LIFE

  Jack looked at Annie. “Slim dedicated his book to us,” he said.

  “Yup,” said Annie. She smiled.

  Jack placed Slim’s book back on the stack of books.

  Then he and Annie left the tree house and climbed down the ladder.

  As they started through the woods, the trees were alive with bird sounds. The air felt soft and moist.

  “Frog Creek seems so peaceful,” said Jack. “No rattlers, no rustlers, no ghosts.”

  “Yeah, but no Slim Cooley, either,” said Annie sadly.

  “I know,” said Jack. “But when we read his book, it’s like he’s still talking to us.”

  “Oh, right,” said Annie. “You mean it’s like an echo from the past?”

  “Yeah,” said Jack softly. “Wow.”

  Just then, out of the blue, a voice called, “Jack! Annie!”

  “It’s Dad!” said Annie.

  “Coming!” she and Jack shouted.

  Then they ran all the way home, through the long shadows of the setting sun.

  Here are the words to

  RED RIVER VALLEY,

  the traditional cowboy song that

  Lonesome Luke played on the piano.

  From this valley they say you are going.

  I shall miss your sweet face and bright smile.

  For they say you are taking the sunshine

  That has brightened my pathway awhile.

  Refrain (after each verse):

  Come and sit by my side if you love me.

  Do not hasten to bid me adieu.

  For remember the Red River Valley

  And the cowboy who loved you so true.

  There never could be such a longing

  In the heart of a poor cowboy’s breast.

  As dwells in this heart you are breaking

  While I wait in my home in the West.

  Do you think of this valley you’re leaving,

  Oh, how lonely and dreary it will be?

  Do you think of the kind hearts you’re grieving,

  And the pain you are causing to me?

  From this valley they say you are going.

  I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile.

  For they say you are weary and tired

  And must find a new range for a while.

  Here’s a special preview of

  Magic Tree House #11

  Lions at Lunchtime

  Available now!

  Excerpt copyright © 1998 by Mary Pope Osborne.

  Published by Random House Children’s Books,

  a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

  Jack and Annie were walking home from the grocery store. Jack’s pack was heavy. It held a big jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread.

  “Are you going to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?” said Annie. “Or a peanut butter and honey sandwich?”

  Jack started to answer, but stopped.

  “Oh, man,” he whispered.

  “What is it?” said Annie.

  “Look at that!” said Jack.

  He pointed to the edge of the Frog Creek woods. In the shadows stood a small, delicate animal. It looked like a tiny deer.

  “It’s a sign,” whispered Annie. “Remember when we saw the rabbit? He was a sign of the Wild West.”

  The deerlike creature leaped into the woods.

  Jack and Annie didn’t stop to think. They followed as fast as they could. Jack’s heavy pack thumped against his back as he ran.

  Finally, they stopped and looked around.

  “Where did she go?” he said.

  “I don’t see her,” said Annie.

  “Oh, wow,” said Annie. She pointed up.

  There was the magic tree house. It was shining in the noon sun, at the top of the tallest tree in the woods. Its rope ladder swayed in the shadows below.

  “Where’s Morgan?” said Annie.

  Morgan le Fay wasn’t waving at them from the window. She wasn’t even at the window.

  “I don’t know. Let’s go up,” said Jack.

  They climbed the ladder and went into the tree house.

  Sunlight streamed through the window. It lit a stack of books and two scrolls in the corner. The ancient scrolls held the answers to riddles Jack and Annie had solved earlier.

  Jack took off his heavy pack.

  “Did Morgan leave us a third riddle?” said Annie.

  “Looking for someone?” said a soft voice.

  Jack and Annie whirled around.

  “Morgan!” said Annie.

  Morgan le Fay had appeared out of nowhere. She looked ancient and lovely in the bright light.

  “Do you still want to become Master Librarians?” she asked Jack and Annie. “So you can help me in my work?”

  “Yes!” they said together.

  “Wonderful,” Morgan said. Then she reached into her robe and pulled out a scroll.

  “You’ve solved two riddles so far,” she said. “Here is your third.” She handed the scroll to Annie. “And for your research—”

  She pulled a book out from her robe and handed it to Jack. The book’s cover said THE PLAINS OF AFRICA.

  “Africa?” said Jack. “Oh, man, I’ve always wanted to go there.”

  He opened the book. He and Annie stared at a picture.

  It showed hordes of zebras, tall giraffes, big animals with horns, and tiny, deerlike creatures.

  “Hey, that’s the animal that led us here!” said Annie.

  “A Thomson’s gazelle, I believe,” Morgan said.

  “Where are the lions?” said Jack.

  “You’ll find out,” said Morgan.

  “Um … maybe we need to plan this trip,” said Jack.

  Morgan smiled. “No. Go ahead. Make your wish now.”

  Annie pointed at the picture. “I wish we could go there,” she said.

  “Be careful,” said Morgan. “Just keep an eye out.”

  “For what?” said Jack.

  “The lions, of course,” she said.

  “Wait!” said Jack.

  Too late.

  The wind had started to blow.

  The tree house had started to spin.

  Jack squeezed his eyes shut.

  The tree house spun faster and faster.

  Then everything was still.

  Absolutely still.

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  visit www.mthmusical.com.

  Discover the facts

  behind the fiction with the

  Magic Tree House® Books

  #1: DINOSAURS BEFORE DARK

  #2: THE KNIGHT AT DAWN

  #3: MUMMIES IN THE MORNING

  #4: PIRATES PAST NOON

  #5: NIGHT OF THE NINJAS

  #6: AFTERNOON ON THE AMAZON

  #7: SUNSET OF THE SABERTOOTH

  #8: MIDNIGHT ON THE MOON

&
nbsp; #9: DOLPHINS AT DAYBREAK

  #10: GHOST TOWN AT SUNDOWN

  #11: LIONS AT LUNCHTIME

  #12: POLAR BEARS PAST BEDTIME

  #13: VACATION UNDER THE VOLCANO

  #14: DAY OF THE DRAGON KING

  #15: VIKING SHIPS AT SUNRISE

  #16: HOUR OF THE OLYMPICS

  #17: TONIGHT ON THE TITANIC

  #18: BUFFALO BEFORE BREAKFAST

  #19: TIGERS AT TWILIGHT

  #20: DINGOES AT DINNERTIME

  #21: CIVIL WAR ON SUNDAY

  #22: REVOLUTIONARY WAR ON WEDNESDAY

  #23: TWISTER ON TUESDAY

  #24: EARTHQUAKE IN THE EARLY MORNING

  #25: STAGE FRIGHT ON A SUMMER NIGHT

  #26: GOOD MORNING, GORILLAS

  #27: THANKSGIVING ON THURSDAY

  #28: HIGH TIDE IN HAWAII

  Merlin Missions

  #29: CHRISTMAS IN CAMELOT

  #30: HAUNTED CASTLE ON HALLOWS EVE

  #31: SUMMER OF THE SEA SERPENT

  #32: WINTER OF THE ICE WIZARD

  #33: CARNIVAL AT CANDLELIGHT

  #34: SEASON OF THE SANDSTORMS

  #35: NIGHT OF THE NEW MAGICIANS

  #36: BLIZZARD OF THE BLUE MOON

  #37: DRAGON OF THE RED DAWN

  #38: MONDAY WITH A MAD GENIUS

  #39: DARK DAY IN THE DEEP SEA

  #40: EVE OF THE EMPEROR PENGUIN

  #41: MOONLIGHT ON THE MAGIC FLUTE

  #42: A GOOD NIGHT FOR GHOSTS

  #43: LEPRECHAUN IN LATE WINTER

  #44: A GHOST TALE FOR CHRISTMAS TIME

  Magic Tree House® Research Guides

  DINOSAURS

  KNIGHTS AND CASTLES

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  PIRATES

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  TWISTERS AND OTHER TERRIBLE STORMS

  DOLPHINS AND SHARKS

  ANCIENT GREECE AND THE OLYMPICS

  AMERICAN REVOLUTION

  SABERTOOTHS AND THE ICE AGE

  PILGRIMS

  ANCIENT ROME AND POMPEII

  TSUNAMIS AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS

  POLAR BEARS AND THE ARCTIC