1、Buffalo Before Breakfast (MagicTree House #18)Mary Pope OsborneChapter 1 Teddys Back! Arf! Arf. Arf!Jack finished tying his sneakers. Then he looked out his bedroom window.A small dog stood in the early sunlight. He had floppy ears and scruffy brown fur.Teddy! said Jack.Just then, Annie ran into Jac

2、ks room. Teddys back! she said. Its time.It was time for their second mission to help free the little dog from a spell.Jack threw his notebook and pencil into his backpack. Then he followed Annie downstairs and past the kitchen.Where are you two going? their mom called.Outside, said Jack.Breakfast w

3、ill be ready soon, she said. And Grandmother will be here any minute.Well be right back, said Jack. He loved his grandmothers visits. She was kind and funny. And she always taught them new things.Jack and Annie slipped out the front door. Teddy was waiting for them.Arf! Arf! he barked.Hey, where did

4、 you golastweek? Jack asked. The small dog wagged his tail joyfully.Then he ran upthe sidewalk. Wait for us! Annie shouted.She and Jack followed Teddy up the street and into the Frog Creek woods.They ran between the trees. Wind rattled the leaves. Birds swooped from branch to branch.Teddy stopped at

5、 a rope ladder that hung from the tallest oak tree in the woods. At the top of the ladder was the magic treehouse.Jack and Annie stared up at it. No sign of Morgan, said Annie. Lets go up, said Jack.Annie picked up Teddy. She carried him carefully up the ladder. Jack climbed after her.Inside the tre

6、e house, Teddy sniffed a silver pocket watch on the floor. Beside it was the note that Morgan had written to Jack and Annie.Anniepicked upthenoteandreaditaloud:This little dog isunder aspell and needs your help. To free him, you must be given four special things:A giftfroma ship lostatsea, Agiftfrom

7、theprairieblue, A gift from a forest far away, A gift from a kangaroo.Be brave. Be wise. Be careful.Weve got the first special thing, said Annie, the gift from a ship lost at sea.Yeah, said Jack. He picked up the silver pocket watch.The time on the watch was 2:20-the time the Titanic had sunk.Jack a

8、nd Anniestared at the watch. Arf! Arf!Teddys barking brought Jack back from his memories. Okay, Jack said. He sighed and pushed his glasses into place.Now its time for the gift from the prairie blue.Whats that mean? said Annie.Im not sure, said Jack. He looked around the tree house. But I bet that b

9、ook will take us there.He picked up a book in the corner. The cover was a picture of a wide prairie. The title was The Great Plains.Ready? Jack said.Teddy yipped and wagged his tail.Lets go, said Annie. The sooner we free Teddy, the better. Jack pointed at the cover.I wish we could go there, he said

10、.The wind started to blow. The tree house started tospin. It spun faster and faster.Then everything was still. Absolutely still.2Chapter 2 Ocean of GrassEarly sunlight slanted into the tree house. The cool breeze smelled of wild grass.Oh, man, said Jack. These are neat clothes.Their jeans and T-shir

11、ts hadmagically changed. Jack had on a buckskin shirtand pants. Anniewore a fringed buckskin dress.They both wore soft leather boots and coonskin caps. Jacks backpack was now a leather bag.I feel like a mountain man, he said.All youre missing is a mountain, said Annie. She pointed out the window.Jac

12、k and Teddy looked out.Thetree house sat ina lone tree inavast golden prairie. The sun was rising in the distance.Wind whispered through the tall yellow grass. Shh-shh-shh it said.We need a gift from the prairie blue, said Jack. I bet that means the sky, said Annie, looking up.Yep, said Jack. The sk

13、y was growing bluer as they watched But how are we supposed to get it?Just like last time, said Annie. We have to wait till someone gives it to us.I dont see any sign of people out there, said Jack. He opened their book and read aloud.The Great Plains are in the middle of the United States. Before t

14、he 20th century, this vast prairie covered nearly a fifth of Americas land. Some called it an ocean of grass.Jack pulled out his notebook. Come on, said Annie.She picked up Teddy and carried him down the ladder.Jack quickly wrote:Great Plains - lots of landWow, this is like an ocean of grass, Annie

15、called from below.Jack slipped the Great Plains book and his notebook into his leather bag and climbed down.When he stepped onto the ground, the grass came all the way up to his chest. It tickled his nose.Ah-ah-CHOO! he sneezed.Lets go swimming in the grass ocean, said Annie.She started off with Ted

16、dy under her arm. The wind blew gently as Jack hurried after her. All he could see was rolling waves of grass.They walked and walked and walked. Finally, they stopped to rest.We couldwalk for monthsand never seeanything but grass, said Jack.Arf! Arf!Teddy says theres something great up ahead, said A

17、nnie. You canttell what hes saying, said Jack. Hes justbarking. I can tell, said Annie. Trustme.We cant walk all day, said Jack. Come on, saidAnnie.Just a little farther. Shestarted walking again. Oh, brother, said Jack.But he kept going through the tall, rippling grass. They went down a small slope

18、, then up a small rise. At the top of the rise Jack froze.Wow, that is great, he whispered. Told you, said Annie.3Chapter 3 Black HawkJack stared at a circle of tepees ahead. Busy people in buckskins moved about the circle. Horses and ponies grazed nearby.Jack tookout their research book and found a

19、 picture of the tepees.He read:In the early 1800s, many different Native American tribes lived on the Great Plains. The Lakota were the largest tribe. They lived mostly in the areas we now call North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.Jack pulled out his notebook and wrote:Early 1800s- Lakota were

20、largest tribe of Great Plains Behind Jack and Annie, a horse neighed.They turned. A horse and rider were heading toward the tepee camp.The sun was very bright behind the rider. Jack could only see the outline of a body witha bow and aquiver of arrows on his back.Jack quickly flipped through the book

21、. He found a picture of a man on horseback carrying a bow and arrows. Below the picture it said LAKOTA WARRIOR.Jack read:Everything changed for the Native Americans of the Great Plains after white settlers arrived in the mid-1800s. Fightingbroke out between Lakota warriors and white soldiers. By the

22、 end of the 1800s, the Lakota were defeated. They lost both their land and their old way of life.Jack looked back atthe rider. The warrior wascoming closer. Get down, he whispered.Why? said Annie.This might be a time when the Indians are fighting with the settlers, said Jack.The grass rustled as the

23、 warrior passed by them. His horse neighed again.Arf! Arf!Shh! whispered Jack.But it was too late. The warrior had heard Teddys barking.He galloped toward them, grabbing his bow.Wait! shouted Jack. He jumped up from the grass. We come in peace!The rider halted.Now Jack saw that he was only a boy on

24、a pony. He couldnt have been more than ten or eleven.Hey, youre just a kid, Annie said, smiling.The boy didnt smile back. But he did lower his bow while he stared at Annie.Whats your name? she asked. Black Hawk, he said.Cool name, said Annie. Were Jack and Annie. Were just visiting. We live in Frog

25、Creek, PennsylvaniaBlack Hawk nodded. Then he turned his pony around and started toward the Lakota camp.Hey, can we comewith you? called Annie. Black Hawk looked back.Yes, he said. Meet my people.You mean your parents? asked Annie.No, they died long ago, said Black Hawk. I live with my grandmother.O

26、h, Id like to meet your grandmother, said Annie. Im going to see my grandmother today, too.Black Hawk nudged his pony forward again. Annie followed with Teddy.Jack didnt move.What if the Lakota are at war with the white settlers? he worried. What if they think we re enemies?Annie! Jack called softly

27、. We dont know if its safe or not! But Annie just waved for him to come on.Jack sighed. Heopenedthe research book and quickly flipped through the pages. He wanted information about how to act with the Lakota.On one page, he read:Good manners to the Lakota mean speaking as few words as possible and s

28、haring gifts when visiting.On another page, he read:The Lakota admire those who do not showfear. Jacks favorite piece of information was: Holding up two fingers means friend.Jack put the book away. He ran to catch up with Annie. Annie was telling Black Hawk all about their grandmother.The boy listen

29、ed silently.Annie, Jack whispered. I just read that its good manners to be quiet. And we should give gifts and not show fear. Also, holding up two fingers means friend.Annie nodded.Got that? said Jack.Sure, she said. No talking, no fear, no problem. Jack looked up. He caught his breath.Ahead of them

30、, the people at the campsite had stopped what they were doing. All eyes were turned to Jack and Annie.Jack quickly held uptwo fingers. Anniedid the same. 4Chapter 4 Good MannersBlack Hawk led Jack and Annie toward the tepees. Everyone kept watching them.Jack couldnt tell what anyone was thinking. No

31、 one looked angry. But no one looked happy, either.Jack wondered how to appear brave.He glanced at Annie. She walked tall and straight. Her chin was up. Her face was calm.Jack straightened his shoulders. He lifted his chin, and he felt braver.Black Hawk stopped and slid off his pony. The pony headed

32、 for the grazing pasture.Then Black Hawk led them to atepee. It was covered with buffalo designs.Grandmother is inside, Black Hawk saidto Jack and Annie.Inside, the tepee lookedlikea smallround room. Afire burned in the center. Smoke rose through a hole at the top.An old woman sat on animal skins. S

33、he was sewing beads onto a moccasin.She looked up at Jack and Annie.Grandmother, said Black Hawk. This is Jack and Annie from Frog Creek, PennsylvaniaJackand Annie both held uptwofingersforfriend. Grandmother raised two fingers also.Then Jack took off his coonskin cap. He gave it to Grandmother.She

34、put the cap on her head, then laughed. Jack and Annie laughed, too.Grandmothers laughter and kind face reminded Jack of his own grandmother.You wish to learn our ways, she said.Jack and Annie nodded. Jack could tell she was wise. Grandmother stood and left the tepee. They followed her.Outside, every

35、one was busy again. They all seemed to know that Jack and Annie werent enemies.Jack looked around the camp.Men and boys carved bows. Women and girls pounded meat and sewed clothes. One girl was adding claws to a buckskin shirt.Thebear claws will giveher the strength of the bear, said Grandmother. Sh

36、e will sew on hawk feathers, elk teeth, and porcupine quills, too. Allwill give her the power of the animals.Jack pulled out his notebook and wrote: Sew bear claws toshirtI have strong animal power when I go on a buffalo hunt, Black Hawk said proudly.What do you mean? asked Jack.Iwill show you, said

37、 Black Hawk. Wait. Black Hawk went back inside thetepee. Annie turned to Grandmother.Why does he hunt the buffalo? she asked.The buffalo gives our people many gifts, said the old woman. Food from his body. Tepees from his skin, tools from his bones.Jack started making a list.Cups from his horns, Gra

38、ndmother went on. Ropes from his hair Even winter sleds from his ribs.Jack finished hislist. BuffaloSkin = tepee Bones=tools Horns= cupsHair= ropes Ribs=sledsThat reminds me of the seal hunter in the Arctic, said Annie He used all the gifts from the seals body. He didnt waste a thing.Just then, Tedd

39、y began growling and barking. Jack and Annie turned around. They both gasped.Coming out of Grandmothers tepee was a huge wolf! 5Chapter 5 Sunlight and MidnightThe wolf had yellow eyes and sharp teeth.Teddysnarled and barked. Annie rushed forward to grab the little dog.Suddenly the wolfstoodup on its

40、 hindlegs! Yikes! said Annie.She leaped back.Then she and Jack started to laugh.The fierce wolf was Black Hawk wearing a wolfs hide! His head came out through a slit near the wolfs neck. He gave Jackand Annie a little smile.Thats a great wolfsuit, said Annie. Why do youwear that? asked Jack.The wolf

41、 is the most powerful hunter of the buffalo, said Black Hawk. When I wear his skin, I feel his strength.Wow, said Annie.Black Hawk looked at his grandmother. May Ishowthem the buffalo now? hesaid.Only show, said Grandmother. Do not hunt. We have enough meat today.She looked back at Jack and Annie.La

42、kota never take more buffalo than we need, shesaid. Thats good, said Annie.Black Hawk handed his wolf skin to Grandmother. Then he ran to the grazing ponies.He climbed on his. Then he herded two ponies, one black and one yellow, over to Jack and Annie.Hi, Midnight. Hi, Sunlight, said Annie, naming t

43、he ponies.She patted their noses.Annie, whispered Jack. How are we going to ride without saddles or reins?Just hold on to their manes, she said, and grip with your legs. Watch.Annie threw her arms around Midnights neck. She slung her leg over the ponys back and pulled herself up.Ill carry Teddy in t

44、he bag, Annie said.Jack picked up Teddy and slipped him inside the leather bag He handed it to Annie, who hung it over her shoulder. Teddys head peeked out of the bag.Arf! he barked.Giddy-up, Midnight! said Annie. The pony started to walk away.Wait- said Jack.He turned to Black Hawk. He hadjustafewq

45、uestions. Black Hawk let outawild whoop and tookoff, too.Jack took a deep breath. He threw his arms around Sunlights neck. Then slung his leg over the ponys back.Theponystartedtomove! Wait-wait! said Jack.He hopped on one foot, trying to keep up. The pony stopped.Slowly, Jack pulled himself onto Sun

46、lights back. He gripped the ponys mane. Then he carefully reached up and pushed his glasses into place.He looked over his shoulder. Grandmother was watching. She nodded at him.Lakota people admire those who do not show fear, Jack remembered.He liked Grandmother. He wanted her to admire him. He let o

47、ut a wild whoop, and Sunlight took off like the wind.The whoop made Jack feel braver.He held tightly to Sunlights mane. They caught upwith Black Hawk and Annie, and together they all rode through the tall grass.Shadows of clouds swept over the plains. They looked like giant dark birds spreading thei

48、r wings.Black Hawks pony stopped at the top of a grassy slope.Sunlight and Midnight halted right behind him.Jack couldnt believe his eyes.Before them were thousands and thou-sands of grazing buffalo.6Chapter 6 Stampede!Wow, Whispered Jack and Annie together. Black Hawk looked silently at the grazing

49、 buffalo. Hand me the research book, said Jack.Annie lifted Teddy out of the bag. Then she slid the book out and gave it to Jack.He found apicture of a buffalo herd. He read to himself.The true name of the buffalo is bison. At the beginning of the l800s, there were 40 million bison on the Great Plai

50、ns. One hundred years later, there were less than 300. Almost all had been killed by white hunters and soldiers.Jack looked back at the vast herd. As far as he could see, there was nothing but buffalo.Now Jack knew for certain theyd come to the time before the white settlers and soldiers had arrived

51、, before the end of the great buffalo herds.I have been on many hunts, Black Hawk said, his eyes still on the buffalo.Were you scared? said Jack. Black Hawk shookhishead. Youre really brave, said Annie.Black Hawk smiled proudly.Iwill show you how a brave hunter moves, hesaid. He slid off his pony.Wa

52、it, your grandmother said not to hunt, said Annie. Plus, you dont have your wolf suit.I am not afraid, said Black Hawk.I dont think you should go down there, said Jack. Theres no grownups around. But Black Hawk wasnt listening.He began creeping on all fours toward the buffalo.I have a feeling someth

53、ing bad is going to happen, said Annie.Jack had the same feeling, he looked back at the book.A bison can weigh two thousand pounds and stand six feet high. If one becomes alarmed by a hunter, he might start running and set off a terrifying Stampede.Jack looked back at Black Hawk. He was creeping clo

54、ser and closer to the herd.Jacks heart pounded. He wanted to shout, Come back! But he didntwanttoscare any of the huge, fierce-looking animalsKeeping his eyes on Black Hawk, Jack handed the plainsbook to Annie. She slid it back into the bag beside Teddy.Black Hawk stopped just as he was passing the

55、nearest buffalo. His eyes squeezed shut. His nose wrinkled up. His mouth opened.Whats he doing? asked Jack. Ah-ah-CHOO! Black Hawk sneezed. Uh-oh, said Annie.The huge buffalo jerked its head up. It made a low, moaning sound. Then it pointed its horns and charged!Watch out! cried Jack.Black Hawk thre

56、w himself out of the way of the charging buffalo.A ripple went through the herd as other shaggy animals looked up.Suddenly, Teddy jumped out of s arms. He landed in the tall grass and ran toward the buffalo.Teddy! shouted Annie.The dog tore down the hill. He bounded along the edge of the herd, barki

57、ng furiously.Teddy, come back! cried Annie. She slid off her pony and ran after Teddy. Jack tried to see Black Hawk.The boy was still dodging the running buffalo. He looked tired.Jack took a deep breath.Go to Black Hawk! hesaid, nudging Sunlight with his knees.The golden pony chargeddownthe slope. He r