Treasure on the Bayou

Hunting Treasure Hunters

Larry Higgins came back after the open house and couldn't stop talking about what a good time he had and how much fun it was going to be this year in his Spanish classes. He had a lot of parents come and he helped them learn some Spanish to give them a taste of what their students would be getting.

When her dad slowed down, Patricia filled him in on the holes on the property, Pastor Wilson, and the intruders. Larry Higgins thought for a minute, "I was afraid of that. When a property sits vacant for so long, local people kind of feel like they own it and start taking liberties like trespassing, stealing, and now hunting for treasure. I agree with your mother; we should call the sheriff and let him know what is going on. Patricia and Atticus, I do not want you trying to run these people off. I will post "No Trespassing" signs tomorrow. 50 acres is a lot of land to watch over, especially since half of that is soggy swamp bayou. If you see anything, call my cell and if you cannot get me, call the sheriff directly."

"Maybe we could make some sort of early warning system like the youngest boy did on Swiss Family Robinson to warn them of pirates climbing the cliff." Atticus proposed.

"That's what the signs are for. I also know that you want to dig holes, put lions in them, and cover them up so the intruders will be eaten." Dad replied.

"No, I was going to use alligators." Atticus faked a laugh but that is exactly what he wanted to do.

The next day after school, Atticus and Patricia, armed with a cell phone and sticks, took pictures of the holes that were dug and located them on a rough map of the property. They found rusty rolls of bailing wire and barbed wire, as well a heavy duty hog fencing materials in a barn on the side of the house. Mom called, "Patricia I need your help here in the kitchen with dinner."

"Alright mom. I'm coming in. Atticus, you should come in too." Patricia warned.

"I'll be there in a minute. Go ahead and help mom. I want to take care of some things first then I'll be right in" Atticus responded.

After dinner, and evening chores were completed, Patricia was the first in bed again. Sleep came quickly and soon enough, Patricia found herself in the Hall of Justice. But this time it was not the peaceful serene place she knew. It was dark and full of shadows., the grass was brittle brown, the trees were broken and deformed. Instead of a shimmering fountain in the middle, she saw a blazing bonfire. She looked around for the shimmering image of her great grandfather but could not find it. She went to the shed and there she saw him. He was angry. He pointed to the place where some of his tools had been stored. They were obviously missing. He looked right at Patricia with fire in his eyes and pointed again to the vacant hooks on the wall and then gestured a question, "Where are they?"

Patricia responded, "I don't know. I will look for it though. Maybe Atticus borrowed it."

When she mentioned Atticus the ghost of Hannibal Higgins erupted into flames. Patricia screamed and ran out. She tripped over something and saw that it was Atticus's still body. She screamed again. The fiery ghost was about to grab her and then suddenly she was forcefully removed from the dream by her father's insistent shaking. "Wake up. You are having a nightmare. It's ok, I'm here."

"Oh Daddy. It was terrible. Great Grandpa H. was so mad. Someone took some of his tools. When I mentioned that Atticus might have borrowed them, he burst into flames."

Patricia felt it was time for a full disclosure so she told her dad everything that had happened so far.

Larry Higgins put his head in his hands and sighed. "This was supposed to be easy. A quick stay and sell the house and property for a nice profit. Now I have put my entire family in danger from alligators, ghosts, and treasure hunters. It's all my fault, I'm so sorry sweetheart." They both had a good cry as they hugged each other.