Boxcar Children 61 - Growling Bear Mystery Read Free

some of the places on the map, not even the lost cabin. See this arrow? It shows the area where the cabin might be. Some of my old guidebooks show the trails. But, far as I know, this is the only map that shows any sign of that old miner’s hut.”
    Mr. Alden and Oz bent over the map. They couldn’t stop talking about their boyhood hikes searching for the old cabin.
    “You know, by the looks of this map, your grandfather steered us away from the lost cabin,” Mr. Alden said. “The cabin seems to be toward the far end of the trails on a different branch.”
    Oz smiled. “Granddad had a lot of secrets. He knew about places in Yellowstone only wild animals have seen. Anyway, as far as I know, he never found the cabin, either. Otherwise, he might’ve died a rich man instead of a store owner.”
    “Tell you what,” Oz said to the Aldens. “Not too many folks hike the Lost Cabin Trails anymore. They’re not shown in most of the new guidebooks. How about if I make you Aldens a copy so you can go exploring? Maybe on my day off we can all go searching for the lost cabin together.”
    Benny looked up at Oz. “Know what?” he asked. “We met a man who said there’s no cabin. He was hiking all by himself with no bear bells, either.”
    “Was he, now?” Oz said. “Well, I’d wonder how much a fellow hiking alone would know about lost cabins and such. Just because nobody’s ever found it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”
    Benny’s face lit up when he heard this. “I bet we can find it. We have brand-new hiking boots and your map and lots of trail mix. And we’re going to get bear bells, too!”
    “Then you’re in good shape for the Lost Cabin Trails,” Oz said.
    “There is one thing,” Mr. Alden began. “I stopped to take a few pictures of my grandchildren in front of the Continental Divide sign—you know the one? Anyway, while we were looking around, we saw a sign that said the Lost Cabin Trails were closed.”
    “Nonsense!” Oz Elkhorn cried. “Parts of the trails need work—fallen-down trees and such. You just climb over them.”
    Mr. Alden nodded at his old friend. “I thought as much. Anyway, that hiker Benny mentioned said the trails were closed because of bear activity.”
    “Bear activity? Yellowstone’s nothing but bear activity! This time of year, though, most of the bears are up on the other side of the park. Besides, any smart hiker knows how to keep the bears away—lots of noise and lots of companions. The chances of seeing a bear are pretty slim. There you go, Aldens.” Oz handed Jessie a crisp copy of his grandfather’s old map. “You kids stick together and wear some bear bells. Here’s a basket of them. Take your pick.”
    The Aldens sorted through the basket. They selected four jingle-bell bracelets in different colors.
    “What if these bells don’t work?” Henry asked, trying not to sound nervous. “I mean, in case we come across a bear, what’s the best thing to do?”
    Oz stepped from behind the counter into the aisle. He took a few large, slow steps backward. “Step back slowly, like this. Whatever you do, don’t run. Just back up slowly and make a wide turn away from the bear. With four of you, you’re not likely to get into trouble with bears. Very few people ever see a single one nowadays, not like the old days. Anyway, you’re all set with your bear bells, and you have a copy of my old map.”
    Suddenly, the Aldens heard an unfamiliar voice behind them. “Did I hear you say something about old maps? Do you sell any old maps?”
    A young man in hiking clothes looked over Oz’s shoulder. “All you have are some of these new guides and maps. I . . . uh . . . collect old documents. I thought an old place like this store might sell old . . . letters and . . . uh . . . you know, maps.”
    “Sorry, young man, I don’t sell old maps. You might try the Bear’s Paw Antiques down the street.”
    Before Oz finished his sentence, the young man was gone.
    “He sure went