A moment later the bookmobile was back on the road. The Trackers ate quietly for a few minutes, and then Maya said, “Um, we’re going to be on the Jersey Devil’s turf. If he sees us there, do you think he’ll attack?” She stopped eating her apple and began to chew nervously on her thumb nail.
“Nah,” Simon answered. “He’s been around since 1735 and hasn’t injured a human yet. He has scared quite a few though! Think how old he is now – do the math!” Simon sat up taller and said, “I’ve camped in the Pine Barrens with my dad. He knows a lot about the Jersey Devil and the ghost towns and abandoned ruins.”
“We’re getting close to our destination. What do you say we make Leeds Point our first stop,” Mr. C suggested. “According to legend, it’s where the Jersey Devil is said to have been born.”
“Right,” Simon said. “My dad said the story is that the Jersey Devil was Mother Leeds’ thirteenth child. She was tired of having kids and said, ‘Let it be a Devil.’ The baby changed into a strange, creepy shape and flew up the chimney.”
The rest of the Trackers were silent. Some had open mouths but none spoke. Making his voice sound spooky, Simon said, “It was a dark and stormy night, and a band of creepy …”
“Cut it out, Simon,” Cooper said nervously, glancing at Chelsea, Gabby, and Maya. “You’re scaring the girls.”
“Ha!” Chelsea shot back. “I bet you guys are wa-a-ay bigger scaredy cats than we are. Don’t you dare underestimate us.” With a “humph” she crossed her arms and glared at Simon.
Mr. C steered the bus into a parking area so he could check the Pine Barrens map that he had picked up at the farm stand. “Hmmm … okay troops, we’re heading the right way. It’s not far. Wagons ho!”
