ADVENTURE ON OCRACOKE ISLAND; CHAPTER 8: GIFT OF WOOD, GIFT OF SILVER (EIGHTH OF 14 PARTS)

The story so far: After Delia and Ben ride Flame to the beach, something floats toward them through the waves. It is the nameplate from a ship, the "South Sea," which had sunk the night before. They learn that Billy Haskell, Capt. Haskell's son, was on the ship, and that there likely were no survivors. Later, Delia's Grandpa tells her that there are ghosts on the island and they are trying to tell them something.

Later, Delia asked Aunt Hetty what Grandpa had meant about the ghosts. But Aunt Hetty wouldn't talk about it.

In the afternoon, Ben came over with a small piece of wood that had broken off the "South Sea" nameplate. Alex had given it to him.

"Let's make something out of it," Ben said.

Together they cut and smoothed it, then nailed it into the shape of a cross. Ben carved some leaves down the front, and in the middle Delia cut in tiny letters: William Haskell. Just before supper, they took it to the Haskells' house. They also carried a package of bread and preserves from Aunt Hetty and a tin of biscuits from Ben's mother.

Capt. Haskell answered the door. "Hello, Ben, Cordelia," he said.

"We're awful sorry about your news," Ben said.

"Well, we haven't given up hope," Capt. Haskell replied, but his voice was sad.

Delia said, "We have something for you," and she and Ben gave him their packages.

When Capt. Haskell saw the cross, he blinked. "Why, thank you, young'uns," he said, cradling their gift gently. This is right kind."

"We made it," Delia said. "It's wood from the ship."

Capt. Haskell swallowed and nodded. "Right kind," he said again. "Mrs. Haskell and I are most grateful." Slowly he went back inside.

That night, Delia had her terrible dream again.

When she woke in the morning, she felt exhausted. Then she remembered that she would start school that day and she sat up nervously. Even though she liked school in general, she was not looking forward to being the new one in class.

With Aunt Hetty at her side, she walked down Howard Street in the chilly morning light. Her heart fluttered.

She stood outside the door while Aunt Hetty unlocked it, the cold wind lifting her hair and snapping the ends of her scarf.

The surf pounded in the distance.

The hour was early, and Delia was the only student there. She sat at a desk and paged through the books that Aunt Hetty handed her. Aunt Hetty carried some wood from a pile in the corner, stacked it into the pot-bellied stove, and lighted it. "We'll have to make do with wood for a while," she said. "No coal today."

Gradually, the other children began to arrive. There were about a dozen of them. A few said hello, but mostly they talked among themselves. There were quick glances cast in Delia's direction, and whispers.

Aunt Hetty tapped on her desk. "Children, this is Delia Parrish, my niece from Virginia," she said. Delia felt her face grow hot. Of course they probably knew who she was, she thought.

Then they began their lessons.

Delia glanced around. Ben wasn't there.

As Aunt Hetty went through the arithmetic problems, Delia barely heard her. She looked around the classroom and thought how small and different it was than what she was used to. Her old school had been a big, two-story brick building, as big as a courthouse. This was like the prairie schools she had read about, small, one-story, made of weathered, gray wood.

The students seemed different, too. They looked strong, as if they would stay anchored on a windy day unlike Delia, who felt as frail as a feather.

She wondered what would happen if there was an explosion during school. Would the windows blow out? Would they be hurt? What if a German spy came right into the school and captured them?

When they had a recess break, Delia watched the other children play ball in the sandy yard. The balls would not bounce in the sand, so the children played catch. They also played a funny game called "meehonkey," which was like hide-and-seek, except that whoever was hiding would call out "meehonkey" to give the others a clue.

Delia stood alone and watched. After standing still for so long, she began to shiver. A blond-haired girl named Katie Marlborough tossed her a ball and they played catch and talked until it was time to go back.

Katie, whose house was near the Coast Guard station near the harbor, invited her to come over some time. Delia asked Katie to come over, too. But Katie said she would only come during the daylight. She said she would never walk down Howard Street at night.

"It's haunted," said Katie, her eyes wide. "I always run past all them graveyards."

Delia said nothing.

At noon, everyone went home for lunch. Delia and Aunt Hetty walked down the street, bundled against the cold. The sun was shining now. It filtered through the trees and made the birds sing.

Delia thought about what Katie had said. "Aunt Hetty, are you afraid of these cemeteries?"

"Oh, no," she replied. "I know all of these names. A lot of them are kin to me, and to you, too. Some of these folks go back hundreds of years, but you'll hear people talk about them like they just came over for pie." She liked to come here sometimes, to be alone and think. "It's peaceful," she said. "I bring flowers to Mama, and talk to her, and I think she hears me."

After a lunch of oyster stew and biscuits, they walked back. When they got there, Ben stood at the door. Under his jacket, he wore a plaid shirt that looked freshly pressed.

Aunt Hetty clasped her hands and smiled. "Ben Ryan! Are you back?"

Ben nodded shyly. Everybody looked at him. "Yes, ma'am."

Aunt Hetty looked pleased. "Well, that's the best news I've heard all day. Come in and have a seat."

Ben sat down. He glanced at Delia and smiled. Then he opened his books and got to work.

After school, he stayed behind. He came up to Delia, who was helping Aunt Hetty by sweeping the floor.

"Delia, look what I found! They were at the sound where I always go," he whispered excitedly. He held out his hand. In his palm lay three old silver coins. They were marked with the number 8. "Spanish pieces of eight!" he said. "Blackbeard's treasure!"

Delia stared at the coins in amazement. "Do you think he heard you calling him?"

Ben shrugged. "Maybe the ole rat had a change of heart. Maybe it's a gift." He held a finger to his lips. "Let's keep it a secret for now," he said, putting the coins in his pocket.

Aunt Hetty came over and poked at the dying embers in the stove. "Delia, I may let you go on home and keep Grandpa company," she said. "I need to speak to Ben.'

As Delia closed the door, she heard them talking.

Ben said quietly, "Miss Hetty, I've decided I need to learn some other things besides lifesavin'."

"Well, there's more than one way to save somebody's life, you know," Aunt Hetty replied.

Delia walked down the lane, under the dark bower of trees.

Something rustled among the headstones. Delia glanced back but saw nothing.

She ran the rest of the way.

NEXT WEEK: Chapter 9: A Lifesaver's Story.