Buried Secrets at Louisbourg by Jo Ann Yhard Page B

head was buzzing with possibilities, each worse than the last. No one scuba dives in the middle of the night if they’re on the up and up.
    â€œHere, you must be hungry.”
    Fred examined the granola bar Mai was trying to put in his hand. Birdseed and varnish. He wasn’t
that
hungry. “Uhh, I’ll save it for later. Not hungry.”
    â€œHmmm, too bad. Here, Grace, I
know
you didn’t eat anything yet.”
    Grace grimaced and took the offering.
    â€œSo, what’s the plan for today, anyway?” Mai asked.
    Fred grinned. “Only one plan—get my treasure open.”
    â€œTreasure?” a gruff voice said.
    Oh no
,
not crazy Gerard again!
Thankful that the box was still hidden in his tent, Fred turned around. He had to tilt his head back to look up at the guy. Ice-cold grey eyes stared down at him from the middle of a face fenced in by a unibrow, long sideburns, and goatee.
    The giant from last night!

Chapter 11

    â€œWhat?” Fred ASKED. He blinked up at the re-enactor his dad had argued with the previous night. One of his eyes drooped lower than the other, the lid half closed. Maybe he usually wore an eye patch—like some super-sized pirate. With the guy already wearing a puffy shirt and cut-off pants, it wasn’t hard to imagine. He just needed a parrot on his shoulder.
    â€œI heard you say ‘treasure.’” The man stepped closer.
    Fred could smell him—sweat and burnt bacon. “N-no…what?” He gulped. “Oh, that! We were just—”
    â€œMaking up a game,” Mai said.
    The giant’s eyebrow rose to the middle of his forehead. “Really? What kind of game?” He nudged past Fred and peered into the tent opening.
    â€œW-what are you doing?” Fred asked.
    â€œFriend of your dad’s,” he said. “Thought I’d stop by to say hello.” He lifted back a tent flap and stepped closer. “Where is he?”
    â€œHe’s not here.”
    â€œSo I see.” The man continued looking into the tent. Finally, he turned back to Mai, Fred, and Grace. “Tell me more about this game of yours.”
    It didn’t sound like a request. Fred’s brain was in overdrive. All he could think about was protecting the box. It took all his willpower to stay put and not run into the tent and grab it.
    â€œWe thought it would make the encampment more fun,” Mai said.
    â€œHow’s that?”
    â€œUm, you know…pretend there’s a treasure…and, uh…explore around to find it.” She tugged on her hair. If she didn’t stop, she’d pull out a chunk.
    â€œYeah, you know, just kid stuff,” Grace chimed in.
    â€œKid stuff,” the giant repeated. He glanced back at their tents.
    Fred felt like he could read his mind. The giant wanted to search them. Fred couldn’t let him do that. He wouldn’t.
    â€œWhat’s going on?”
    Jeeter strolled toward their site from the quay. He was taller and more muscular than Fred remembered from earlier in the summer. What was he doing, popping muscle pills?
    The giant turned to face Jeeter. “Who would you be?”
    â€œI’m me,” Jeeter retorted. “Who are you?”
    The giant surveyed them, one by one. Then he seemed to make a decision. His grim face changed. “Ha, ha,” he chuckled, “enjoy your
treasure
game, kids.”
    Fred, Jeeter, Mai, and Grace stood in a semi-circle and glared. Fred wasn’t interested in pretending to be friendly.
    â€œYes, well,” the giant continued in his Mr.-Nice-Guy voice. “I’m
sure
I’ll see you around.” He winked at Fred and started walking away. “Oh, tell your dad I said hello,” he called back over his shoulder.
    Fred felt the strength drain from his legs. He leaned against the seawall.
    â€œFreddo, my man,” Jeeter said with a low whistle. “This is some mess you’re in.”
    Fred’s eyes