Ghost Town at Sundown - Mary Pope Osborne [8]
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