Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone by Darlene Foster

by badlands.
    â€œWhy are they called Hoodoos?” asked Leah.
    â€œWe learned in school that the name ‘Hoodoo’ comes from the word ‘voodoo’ and was given to these formations by the Europeans. We also learned that according to the Blackfoot and Cree traditions, the Hoodoos are believed to be petrified giants who come alive at night to hurl rocks at intruders.”
    â€œWell, they are kind of scary and I wouldn’t want to be here alone at night.” Leah grimaced.
    â€œLook, people are climbing the rocks behind the Hoodoos.” Amanda pointed. “That looks like fun.”
    â€œYour mom said to stay on the walkways.”
    â€œI know the signs say we can’t climb on the Hoodoos, but it doesn’t say we can’t climb on the badlands. It must be all right if other people are climbing over there. Let’s check it out.”
    They left the walkway and Amanda led the way up the side of the badlands. She turned around and said, “Leah, hurry, it’s a great view from up here. You can get some super pictures of all the Hoodoos.”
    â€œI’m coming.” Leah was out of breath when she reached the top. “I should have brought my water with me. Blimey, it sure is hot.”
    She fumbled as she pulled out her camera from her pocket. It slipped out of her hand. The girls watched in horror as the camera tumbled down the rocky incline and behind a Hoodoo.
    â€œOh, no! My camera!” Leah scrambled after it.
    Amanda followed her, slipping in her haste and scraping her hands as she tried to break the fall. She winced and brushed her hands on her jeans to get rid of the dirt and stones. When she finally caught up to Leah behind a large Hoodoo, she discovered her friend was not alone.
    Hank stood grinning with the camera in his hand.
    â€œLooking for this?”

Chapter 16
    â€œGive…her…the…camera.” Amanda glared at Hank.
    â€œSure thing, as soon as you give me the stone.” Hank squinted. “I figure that’s a fair trade.”
    â€œThat’s not your camera to trade with.”
    â€œFinders, keepers.” Hank dangled the camera by the cord. “I could always drop it and step on it by accident.”
    Boots crunched on the rocks behind them.
    â€œAre you threatening these two young women?”
    Amanda turned around and detected a pair of dark blue trousers with a gold stripe down each side. She looked up and recognized the grey, short sleeved shirt, dark blue tie and policeman’s hat of an RCMP officer.
    Hank took a step backwards and muttered, “I found this here camera and…and was wondering if it belonged to one of them.” His beet red face didn’t help to make him sound very convincing.
    â€œThat’s not what it sounded like.” The officer held out his hand.
    Hank gingerly placed the camera in the outstretched hand.
    â€œAren’t you Hank McGavity? I heard you were gone from these parts.”
    Hank backed up further. “I was just about to leave, sir.”
    The RCMP officer glanced at the girls. “Was he bothering you?”
    Amanda thought about the stone in her pocket, which may or may not be a precious artifact. Not wanting to get into any trouble with the police, she replied, “No. I think he was just teasing us.”
    Leah just stood there with her eyes wide open, staring at the young officer.
    â€œYou best be on your way then, Mr. McGavity. Keep your nose clean. I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”
    Hank pulled his hat down low and turned around. Taking very large steps, he sprinted toward the parking lot.
    The officer shook his head and turned to the girls. “I’m Constable Rob Turner of the Drumheller RCMP. Are you enjoying your visit to the Hoodoos?”
    â€œOh, yes,” they said in unison.
    â€œIs this your first time to see these crazy rocks?”
    â€œI’ve been here before but it’s the first time for my friend,