Run Danny Run (Chap. 16 Conclusion & Chap. 17)

Susan wasn't afraid of tipping over. She knew mommy was good at paddling and a good swimmer too. At least she was as good as daddy. Their canoeing soon turned into a race across the water.

            Temporarily forgotten were previous shooting noises from the mainland. Out here on the open water there was bliss. The breeze pushed them along making paddling much easier.

Susan and Anne were anxious to explore the little island, which had intrigued them after the tales shared by Walt. Right now seemed to be the perfect time.

            "How come you keep looking back all the time, daddy?" Susan yelled. She was always quick to pick up on any tension. Susan was constantly on alert for an opportunity to play the role of peacemaker or even troubleshooter. Sometimes Larry wished she would simply act her age. And just be a little girl with her cute ponytail.

            "Well sugar, I keep thinking something bad might have happened if we stayed at the campsite and---"

            "You shouldn't put ideas in her head," his wife admonished, from her canoe a few feet away.

            "I'm trying to be as honest as I can with her, dear."
            Anne was quite concerned. She knew it wasn't Larry’s nature to run away from anything. He simply wanted to see what was going on nearby, although it frightened her at the time. She felt the need to speak up and not allow fear be given any room to take over this trip. Call it woman's tuition, or whatever. At least they were away from the campsite, for now.

            Their paddling swung into a nice cadence. Anne and Susan moved swiftly ahead, their bow cutting deftly through little side waves. Larry and Walt picked up their speed, catching up to them in a few moments. Then both groups rested, paddles across their gunnels, and looked around while enjoying this little breather.  

            "Mom! It's really a neat little island." Walt said proudly. "Now you'll see where dad and I camped out last night. We parked our tent over there between those rocks."

Larry dipped his paddle, maneuvering his canoe into the lead. He was quite pleased how well his son handled his bow position, always alert for hidden rocks ahead. Walt also knew enough not to change paddling sides without checking with dad.

            He had been taught a ‘sterns-man’ was like a foreman. In order to get the best balance and flow of movement, Walt had to paddle not too deeply, but regularly and simply enjoy the exercise. One day soon, and with a little more practice, he too could be a foreman.

            Traveling a quarter mile distance from the mainland didn’t seem to take very long. Now everyone's attention was drawn to a small cove. It was well protected within a section of rock and trees looming in front of them.

Larry’s eyes hunted across the humped terrain, fringed with trees perhaps fifteen or twenty feet tall. They seemed to provide a respite for anyone needing to settle down for a spell. And their tired arms agreed this was a perfect time to catch their breath.

            At least Larry needed a long break. He had overdone it a bit, trying to prove how good a canoeist he was. His "power paddling" as he bragged to his son was definitely hard work.  

*

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

From the mainland a pair of eyes watched carefully through Larry’s binoculars. So that's good. Let them get away for a bit. It would give Danny time to check the whole campsite and figure out what new mischief was on the agenda.

            He was startled for a moment by a sound and turned to look behind. Danny thought he had seen a tree branch move. Yes, something was there just down in the ravine about a hundred feet away.

            The boy trained his binoculars on what looked like a dark shadow on the ground. Except it wasn't a smudge of darkness. It was a huge animal. Danny nervously shifted his weight onto his stomach.

Now he could easily see an awesome sized moose. No mistake about it. He had seen pictures of them in school and on TV. Except this one was real. It was just a short distance away and here he was, alone, with a huge beast in the wild woods. He read they could be real fearsome. Now huge antlers full of spikes turned towards him. This moose looked like the granddaddy of any picture he had ever seen.

            The boy couldn’t help staring. Now he didn’t need the binoculars as the animal moved closer. It was magnificent, with long legs, a large head and a long muzzle. Danny remembered the long flap of skin hanging beneath its throat was called a "bell."

            Now he knew why it was a good decision to move his center of operations to the old shack he found on the island. Yesterday Danny paddled there with his new treasure, an old cedar canoe hidden not far away. It obviously had been forgotten in a corner of one of the old buildings on the campsite property.

After sweating from a lot of dragging and puffing he managed to get the craft to shore. And now he had watery wheels.           

            The moose was nibbling on branches, but kept slowly moving in Danny’s direction. Good thing the wind was blowing towards the boy. If the animal caught his scent, it could easily be a scary situation. 

The boy scrambled to pack the few things left to take. A hatchet, rope, and some leftover snacks completed his menu. He hoped the Reynolds's wouldn’t stumble on the old cabin like he did. Finding it was a lucky break since it wasn’t anywhere near the weed-grown trail on the island.

Last night's sleep there had been quite refreshing. Maybe he should have moved the rest of his gear yesterday.

            The moose was tramping around and continuing to feed on leaves and twigs. Every once in a while it raised its head and sniffed the air, as if some unfamiliar scent bothered him. Danny knew it was time to go.

*

 Larry met with Children's Aid Supervisor Sparkes. Her friends called her Cathy. Co-workers called her a tough nut. Right now they needed to share information on how to find this boy, and quickly too.

            Some crucial facts had finally come in from Lunenburg, especially about the missing .22 rifle. And the scary thought was, this kid knew how to use it.

            "Apparently, his foster dad, Mr. Lapointe had taken Danny hunting with him many times. And the boy often used a target practice area set up in their backwoods," the Sgt. said.

            Adding to this growing concern was the report Sergeant Matthews had received from the CAS in Ontario. It stated Danny could pose a danger to himself and others, if in possession of a firearm. Under no circumstances was he to be allowed in any home where accessibility of any firearm was possible.

“So this sounds like misplaced trust by the Lapointes,” Sgt. Matthews said to Ms. Sparkes. "It certainly adds a new dimension to the situation," he said more to himself. 

“We better find him quickly then,” she finally answered.

The Sgt. had already apprised Deputy-Chief Delaney on the situation and noticed his superior seemed to be in a better frame of mind these days. In fact he was downright cheerful. Maybe it had to do with Danny being found after all these years. Everyone on the Police Force was quite pleased.

Now they had to find this boy, before he spoiled everything.

*

"We made it!" Roy yelled out as he shook his head. He never figured they would make it by noon the way they kept getting mixed up.

            The jeep finally pulled into its destination, at the far end of the old campground. A little rain had added moisture to deep ruts the four-wheel drive easily covered. After passing the lake several times, they had turned around and retraced their steps to the old campground. Finding and speaking to Mrs. Cipek, allowed them to understand this was where mom and Walt and Susan were camped. Larry too.

            Roy was first out of the vehicle. "Mom? Walt? Susan? No answer. They should be around somewhere. The car was here and the dining tent…and, Roy hesitated as he heard someone inside the trailer.

            He stood quietly, anxiously waiting to surprise a familiar face. It wasn't hard trying to convince dad he wanted to come for an overnight visit. They came totally self-contained, with a nylon tent and all the equipment they would need. Maybe he might even get some canoeing in. And fishing too, Roy thought.

            Then a boy-stranger stepped out of the trailer. He looked about the same age as Roy and carried a ghetto blaster. "Who are you?" he asked the stranger. "That's my brother's. How come you have it?"

            Danny looked back dumbfounded. At first he didn't know what to say or do. He stood looking at the boy in front of him, noticing a man walking around the dining room tent.

            Then he remembered the pictures and yes, this must be the older brother, the one who lived in Halifax. He carefully closed the trailer door behind him and moved closer, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you," Danny said. "You must be Roy." What else could he do but be extra polite? At least until he figured out what his next move would be.

            Now it was the other boy's turn to be surprised. "How do you know my name?" Roy asked. "Besides, my brother and sister didn’t even know I was coming up. It’s sort of a surprise."

            This was too easy, Danny thought. He now had enough facts to carry on a credible conversation. "They're out canoeing now, and won't be back for a couple of hours," he lied. At least he hoped they would stay away until he made his own getaway. "My name is Danny," he said squeezing Roy' hand, hard.

            "That's who you are!" said Roy excitedly. "They found you, wow." He turned towards his dad who was heading towards the shore. "Come 'ere, quick!"

            "What's up, son?"

            "Dad, this is Danny!"

            "Danny?"

            "You know, the missing boy."

            "Oh for goodness sake. Well I bet you all had some kind of reunion, eh?" the man said. "Nice to meet you."

            At first Danny was not sure what to do. But during their conversation a plan came to mind. "Look," he said. "Are you guys staying long?"

            "We plan on staying just one night. Maybe camp a little ways over there. Mrs. Cipek gave us permission. Do you think they'll be back soon?"

            "I have an idea," Danny said. "It's only a little ways to that island. That's where they are," he lied again. He really wasn't sure. "I could go get them in my canoe---I mean the camp's canoe. I was supposed to catch up to them anyhow. And bring this radio," he quickly added.

            Everyone agreed it was a good idea. "That way," Roy' father said, "the boys can spend some time together before night falls."

            They didn't think it unusual Danny took the ghetto blaster with him or that there was a bulging packsack in the center of the canoe, as if he was going on a trip.

            But they did shake their heads when they watched him head out without a lifejacket on.

            "Now that's a 'no-no,' " Roy said to his dad.