Priscilla led Jack and Annie away from the villagetoward a large field. The Pilgrims and Wampanoagmen had already gathered there.
Jack could hear the beat of a drum. But he couldn'tsee what was going on.
"Make haste or we will miss it!" said Priscilla.
"Miss what?" asked Annie.
"Captain Standish is about to lead the men andboys," said Priscilla. "They will exercise their arms."Why do they exercise their arms? Jack WonderedWill they expect me to join in?
As he hurried after Priscilla toward the crowd, Jackpracticed He stretched his arms out wide. He madecircles in the air. Then he flapped his arms up anddown.
Priscilla caught sight of him.
"What art thou doing, Jack?" she asked.
"Exercising my arms," he said.
Priscilla smiled. Then she started to laugh. Shelaughed and laughed.
So did Jack, but he wasn't sure why.
A loud BANG! came from the field.
Jack jumped. He stopped laughing.
A puff of smoke rose into the air. As the crowdparted, Jack saw the Pilgrim men and boys proudlyholding up their long guns.
"What just happened?" said Annie.
"The men fired their muskets," said Priscilla. "Onspecial occasions they like to show off their arms."14Oh! thought Jack. Now I get it! The long guns aremuskets, which are also called arms. So "exercisingarms" means firing muskets!
Jack blushed. Priscilla must think I'm an idiot, hethought.
But she just smiled at him fondly.
"I thank thee for making me laugh, Jack," she said.
"I have not laughed hard in a long time."Jack shrugged as if he had meant to make herlaugh.
"It is time now to serve our feast," said Priscilla "Imust help with the bread.""What can we do?" asked Jack.
"Return to my home," said Priscilla "take the turkeyoff the spit, put it on a platter, and bring it to a table.""Oh, great, we get to help with the turkey!" saidAnnie. "I always help with the turkey at home.""Good," said Priscilla. "May thou feel my home isthy home today."Jack was excited, too. He and Annie were about toserve the first turkey at the first Thanksgiving! Theyran back to the smoky house and rushed inside.
"Where's the platter?" said Jack, looking around. Hesaw a flat wooden block. "That must be it."Annie picked up the wooden platter. "How do weget the turkey on it?" she asked.
They moved close to the fire and stared at theturkey roasting on the iron rod.
"That must be the spit," said Jack. The spit sat oniron legs. It had a handle.
Jack pushed his glasses into place. "I'll lift the spit,"he said. "Then we'll push the turkey onto the platter.""Be careful," said Annie.
Jack reached out and wrapped his fingers aroundthe handle of the iron spit.
"OWW!" he shouted. The handle was super hot! Heyanked his hand away and knocked the spit off itslegs.
The turkey fell into the fire. The grease from theturkey sputtered and popped. The turkey burst intoflame! The fire roared!
"AHH!" yelped Jack and Annie together. Theyjumped back from the hearth.
Jack grabbed the water pot on the floor. He threwthe water into the fire. The fire sizzled and smokebillowed up. When the smoke cleared, the fire wasout.
But the turkey was completely black. |