Deborah Farley-Opsal
OWP Summer '01
A Robert and Leslie Story
The sun was starting to set, and the air was cooling down. Robert and Leslie had spent a slow, lazy day at the beach digging for clams. They began their return stroll along the beach, back to their Grandmother's summer home. Casey, their grandmother's black lab, an old, faithful playmate had delighted in spending his summer day exploring with the children.
Tired, but content, they meandered along the beach's edge, eyes still peeled for any last treasures they might grab- a sand dollar, or maybe a crab in a shell.
The fur that stood up on Casey's back was the first indication that something was not right. Robert noticed it first.
"What's up guy? Do you smell something?" Robert asked the old dog.
"What's the matter, Robert," Leslie inquired.
"I don't know, but look at Casey's back. His fur is all sticking up, and he's on to something, I'm sure!"
Casey took off towards the rock cliff that had sheltered the bay from many great storms. The children had heard that there were great hidden caves in the bay, but had only explored some small ones the summer before. Now Casey was tearing off towards a large pile of rocks. Robert and Leslie chased close behind, their pails of clams clanging against their legs.
The dog sniffed around the base of the rocks, and then disappeared. Robert followed, amazed to find that there was an opening behind the boulders. It was not visible from the beach. He set his bucket down on the wet sand, and by turning sideways, was able to squeeze inside. Leslie went in after him.
Inside the damp cave, the children found that they could stand up, in fact, the cave was really quite large. The bits of light that filtered in from the outside, were sending rays of sunlight that danced off the walls. The light created deep shadows and angles.
"Ruff, r-ruff!" barked Casey from back of the cave.
"Les, I think Casey has found something. C'mon," Robert said breathlessly as they ran further into the cave.
"Ruff, ruff," Casey barked deeply. He dug at a pile of sand that was just behind the band of sunlight.
"What do you have there boy?" Leslie asked the old dog. She ran up and knelt beside the sand pile.
Both children used their hands and dug into the soft pile of sand. It was easy to dig, being moist and cool. With Casey barking and wagging his tail, and Robert and Leslie digging quickly and flinging sand all around, it was a scene of commotion.
"I feel something, Robert. Feel here." Leslie grabbed Robert's hand and shoved it down the hole. "Feel this ridge?" she asked.
"I sure do. Wonder what it is? Lets try to get the edge cleared and pull out whatever it is." Robert responded excitedly.
The children dug for a few minutes longer, more hushed. Casey, still excited, nudged them with his cold nose and wagged his tail so hard he was hitting them in their faces. Robert and Leslie dug deeply, panting softly as they worked. Slowly, the side appeared.
"Let's pull it out together, on the count of three," directed Robert, sitting back on his heels. "One, two, three?" A resisting sound like a pop of a drain plug was made as the object emerged from the damp, sandy hole. The awkward weight unbalanced them and they both fell back into the cave, their unknown find now sprawled in front of them.
Robert and Leslie were shaking with suspense. What could this be? They gawked at the bulky, carved box that looked as though it may have had intricate carvings on it at one time, long ago. In the shadows and gloom of the cave, it looked more like a muddy brown hardened box, with ridges and creases that were now packed with sand.
Slowly and carefully, they pried open the lid. They both stared inside the box with amazement. Could it be? It was just too unbelievable!
"Wow!" Robert whistled. "Incredible!"
"Oh my gosh!" croaked Leslie, almost speechless.
Leslie reached into the box, and took out a handful of real treasures. She felt the cool, smooth, slinky feel of the jewels trickle through her fingers. Robert, too, couldn't resist the temptation to fill his hands with the gems, and for the next few minutes the children let them dance across their arms and faces and hands. It was a delightful experience they had not encountered before. Golden bracelets, heavy sparkling necklaces, and shiny rings cascaded down their bodies.
"Oh, Robert, don't I look beautiful?" shouted Leslie, as she slipped on many jewels. "Aren't I just like a princess?"
"Oh, but I am a prince, Leslie. I wear only the best jewels in the land," bragged Robert, and he proceeded to walk around in a small circle like a peacock, strutting with heavy gems draped on his torso.
The children continued in a wonderful, make believe game of princes and princesses. Casey, having watched the game with a few thumps of his tail, all of a sudden sprang up from his spot on the cave floor. A low, steady growl started, and then it became more urgent. Robert and Leslie froze. They didn't move a bit. They listened closely, and could hear the sounds of gruff voices coming into the cave. Voices entered, and without any warning the children had no time to return the jewels to the box and cover the box back up.
The voices came close quickly, and Robert and Leslie only had time to step back into the shadows before the two men were upon the dug up treasure.
"Hey, what's this?" yelled the bigger of the two men. "Someone's dug up our treasure!"
Robert and Leslie heard a click of a gun, its safety catch being released. Sweat dribbled down their backs, and a fear they had never felt before made their throats dry and their hearts pound like drums.
Leslie squeezed her hands tightly together, and the rings slid down tight onto her fingers. Robert looked over at her and gasped. Leslie was gone. He blinked hard and looked over again.
"Quit fooling around, Les," Robert whispered softly in an almost inaudible voice.
"Shush, Robert," Leslie whispered right back, "What are you talking about? I am not fooling around."
Robert gently moved his foot over to where Leslie had been standing, and he felt her sandal. But he could not see anything. He slowly moved over more, and grabbed for her hand. He squeezed it tightly.
Robert, what kind of game are you playing?" Leslie whispered back. I can't see you."
"Who's here?" the voice demanded meanly.
"Ya, who ever you are ya better come out now or we'll kill ya in a second," the second shorter man commanded.
Casey took that moment in time and jumped out of the shadows and started barking and barking.
"There's nobody here except for this mutt," the tall man laughed. Ha, ha, it was probably him who just dug up our loot thinking it was a bone." Both men started laughing and slapping their hands on their legs, relieved that there was nobody else in the cave with them.
"Turn on the lantern, just to be sure, would ya Max?"
The lantern was held high by the tall man, and he slowly turned it around, casting an eerie glow throughout the gloomy cave.
Seeing nothing to alarm him, he sat down and started gathering up the spilled gems and jewels.
Robert and Leslie, now completely confused about what was happening, slowly walked back out of the cave, still holding hands. Casey bounded after them. When they reached the safety of the bright beach, they collapsed behind a large bolder. They let go of each others hands. Magically, Robert reappeared. Leslie was still invisible.
"Les, what's going on? I still can't see you."
Leslie nervously turned the rings she still had on, and as she twisted them on her fingers she too, gradually came back into form.
"This is weird, Robert. These must be magical rings. Those guys must not have seen us because the rings had made me invisible, and when you held my hand you became invisible, too."
The fact that the two robbers were still in the cave, gave the children an idea.
"What if we block the entrance so they can't get out, and then we can get the police." suggested Robert.
"How are we going to move the boulders? They're so heavy." Leslie wondered.
"How about this plan? You slide a ring on, keep an eye on them, and I'll run to the police station. Keep out of sight, I'll be back soon!"
The following day, Robert , Leslie and Casey stood in the lobby of the police station. The reporters were snapping pictures, their grandmother was smiling proudly along with most of the townspeople, and the Chief of Police presented them with a medal of bravery.
Best of all, after the ceremony, the children were led into the Police Chief's private office. He had an offer for a reward.. The best reward anybody could ever want. He gave them each a choice of the recovered stolen bounty. Robert looked at Leslie, and gave her a wink, and without hesitation they each took one of the magic rings. Nobody, but Robert and Leslie knew that the rings had magical powers. Except for Casey, the old lab, but he wasn't telling anyone.