Read Online The Legends of Lake on the Mountain by Roderick Benns - Free Book Online Page A

you drown you will just ruin the whole summer – do you not you remember the terrible drowning?”
    John rolled his eyes. “No – and neither do you, George. It was before our time.”
    The tragedy happened where the Macdonald’s had formerly lived, near Adolphustown across the water’s reach. On August 29, 1819, ten years ago, eighteen people – most of them youth – had set out in a boat to attend church at the old Adolphustown Methodist Church. They had to cross Hay Bay from the west, about a mile-and-a-half wide on a clear morning.
    When the boat started leaking, many people panicked which caused the boat to capsize. Only those people who could swim well or had the sense enough to hold onto the edge of the boat survived. Ten of the eighteen drowned. It was a local tragedy that everyone knew. Parents used it to warn their children to be careful near the water – like choosing not to walk on a bent tree hanging over a deep lake, for instance. “Let’s all sing the song,” said Lou.
    â€œNo – not that dreadful song!” said George.
    Most houses in the district still had copies of a song one of the pastors had written to remember the tragic day. Ignoring George, Lou picked out a verse.
    â€œThe boat being leaky, the water came in To bale with their hats, they too late did begin.
    They looked at each other and began for to weep.
    The boat filled with water and sank in the deep.”
    â€œHush up now, Lou,” said John. He slowed and then came to a stop. Lou swayed but righted herself before crashing into John. George barely stopped in time before hitting Lou.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” asked George.
    â€œWhy did you stop?” asked Lou.
    John squinted in the shadows where the long tree branches hung in the water, a natural haven for fish and fishermen. “I thought I saw something in the lake.” George peered around their shoulders. “You are just kidding me, right? If you are joking, tell me now.”
    John resumed his careful movement along the bent oak. “Are you still worried about lake monsters?” asked John. “I told you it’s Whisky Wilson’s drinking and… Lou – stop shaking the tree!”
    â€œIt’s not me!”
    Raucous, familiar laughter prompted John to look back near the base of the tree. Owen Boggart.
    The hefty boy was shoving the tree as hard as he could at its base, making it difficult for the three to keep their balance. Not getting the result he was after, Owen edged his way closer up the length of the tree and began stomping with his full weight.
    â€œThree of you at once – too good to be true,” said Owen. He snickered and wheezed at the same time. It was all John, George and Lou could do to hang on. As Owen looked up again to see if he was getting close to toppling them, John noticed the boy’s pieshaped face had quickly drained of all colour. Owen hastily turned around, jumped from the tree, and fled. It was this last action – his weight leaving the tree so suddenly – that caused George to tumble over the side. John reached over Lou to try and grab him and then fell off the tree himself. Lou crouched down and hung on, avoiding them both.
    Crying out the two boys hit the surface of the water at the same time. John surfaced first, sputtering and grasping one of the aged oak’s drooping branches. As he held on, George broke through the lake water near him and John extended his hand. George grabbed it as John helped him kick his way to his own nearby branch. Lou’s laughter could be heard above. “John, if you drown do I get your room?”
    â€œNot funny Lou! Just...oh no, the map!” John thrust his hand inside his inside vest pocket and held the map, which was wrapped in cloth, above the water. “Take it, Lou. Unwrap it and dry it on your dress, hurry!”
    Lou bent down to take the map. She swiftly unwrapped the dripping cloth and