Sticks Across the Chimney by Nora Burglon

Last Little Cat | Gilgamesh | Big Tree | Sticks Across the Chimney | Making Math Meaningful | String, Straightedge and Shadow | Early Reader Series

They were lifted high on the crest of the onrushing wave. For a dizzy moment they balanced there, then they were dropped down into the maw of the deep. On every side, towering mountains of grey-green water rose about them.

But it was not only themselves they thought about, but also the little box of figures in the prow. What if a wave should break over them and pluck the frail box out of the boat? On the heels of this thought came another-their mother. They were glad she believed they had followed the coast, and they hoped she was finding comfort in the thought that they were anchored in some cove.

Higher and higher the small shell of a boat was tossed, but Erik and Siri didn't let go of the oars for one instant, knowing their safety depended on their sense of balance.

Then something high and gaunt slipped by them in the livid storm-pierced darkness. It was like a strange storm-beaten bird. When they realized it was a yacht, they hoped desperately that it meant land and safety.

Then came a grating shock that sent the two of them plunging forward into the stern. Their senses reeled with the suddenness of the impact. At the same instant, the sea came breaking over them, wetting them to the skin. The last wave had set them high upon the shore.

"Quick!" Erik shouted. "Get out. The seventh wave . . ."

He didn't need to finish the thought; Siri knew what he meant. The seventh wave would be a monster that would grab them and drag them back to the sea.

Snatching up the anchor, Erik flung it as far landwards as he could. Then he and Siri scrambled to safety, with the sea snapping at their heels. As they saw their boat struck by the thundering mountain of water that rushed landwards, Erik cried, "The box! We didn't get it out of the boat!"

Little by little, the great block began to move. At last they pushed it back until the entrance was free, but, at the same moment, there was a crash from within that sent shivers down Grandfather's spine. He'd been afraid that would happen.

"The Spirit of the Great Mound is after the men!" sobbed Siri.

"Don't be ridiculous!" cried Erik. "The roof is caving in!"

In his excitement, Grandfather snatched off his mask, yelling at the men, "Get busy with the timber there, and brace that roof before the whole thing comes crashing in!" The men worked desperately, knowing each time there came a new crash that something of priceless value lay crushed under it. They worked far into the night to make the structure safe enough to leave until the next day.

But Grandfather had seen all he needed to see to know that this Mound contained the answer to all his hopes. From out of the rock and debris, the proud golden figurehead of Eirek's ancient ship still raised its glimmering crest.

"It's going to be the most glorious find we've ever made in the North," he cried. And had he not known that the men would need a good night's rest to meet the work of tomorrow, he would have kept them working half the night in the tomb.