Finders Keepers by Andrea Spalding Page B

the point. Then she took several photos of it. The last one she took with an instant print camera. “Here Danny,” she said passing it over. “This one’s for you.”
    The two boys hung over the photo and watched the picture magically develop before their eyes.

    â€œWell,” said Danny eagerly. “Is it something special? What kind of lance point is it?’
    â€œI’m pretty sure it’s a Scottsbluff point, and it’s around 8000 years old,” said Mrs. Brokenhorn, stroking the point gently.
    Both boys whistled in admiration.
    â€œIf that’s correct then it’s pretty special,” she continued, as she held it up to the light and they all admired it. “See how delicate it is. It’s rare to find an undamaged lance point. It could have been made to use with an atlatl.”
    â€œAn atal-whatl?” laughed Danny.
    â€œAn at-l-at-1.” Mrs. Brokenhorn sounded out the syllables carefully so Danny could grasp the name. “It’s a throwing stick to make a lance go further. Here!” she moved around the desk and picked up a pencil and paper. “I’ll draw it to show you how it works.”

    Danny gazed at her then down at the drawing. “I don’t really get it,” he said hesitantly.
    Mrs. Brokenhorn smiled. “It seems pretty complicated, but all the atlatl really does is lengthen your arm so you can throw further. You could make one and see how it works.”
    â€œReally? Great, can we do it now?” Danny and Joshua bounced off their chairs eagerly.
    â€œHold on a second.” Mrs. Brokenhorn suddenly turned serious. “There is something else I have to say.”
    Joshua sat back. He knew what was coming.
    Danny sensed a change in the atmosphere, sat down again and looked warily from Joshua’s mother to Joshua. “What’s up?” he whispered.
    â€œJust listen, but don’t get mad,” Joshua whispered back.
    â€œDanny, did you know that archaeological finds are so important that they are protected by Alberta government laws?” asked Mrs. Brokenhorn.
    â€œNo,” said Danny, “but that’s good isn’t it? Doesn’t it stop people stealing things from your digs?”
    â€œYes,” Mrs. Brokenhorn said, “but the law doesn’t just protect digs. It covers any archaeological find in the province.”
    Danny looked at her puzzled. He sensed she was trying to tell him something but he wasn’t sure what.
    Mrs. Brokenhorn sighed. “Even archaeological finds as small as lance points, Danny.” she said gently.
    Danny stiffened with horror. “You mean… NO!” he yelled and grabbed the point off the desk and, clutching it protectively, thrust it deep in his pocket.
    Why did everyone want his lance point? He’d found it, and it was special… Even before he knew it was 8000 years old, it was special. Besides… since he found the lucky lance point his dreams had been better. He didn’t get chased by the ’Thing’ anymore.
    â€œYou can’t have it,” his voice shook. “I found it so it’s mine. You can’t have it.”
    Joshua and his mother looked at each other then at Danny. But before Mrs. Brokenhorn could take a deep breath and explain, Danny slid off the chair, ran to the door and left.

Chapter Fifteen
    Danny raced down the corridor, through the display area towards the elevators. He repeatedly pressed the call button, then found he couldn’t bear to wait. He pushed blindly through a doorway marked STAIRS and rushed upwards. Legs pumping and chest heaving, he burst through an exit, into the fresh air.
    He stood, gasping, at the top of the Buffalo Jump. It was empty. No visitors, no old man or Joshua. Just him, the landscape, the wind, and time to think.
    Danny walked slowly along the edge of the jump.
    The wind soothed and caressed him. It dried the sweat on his forehead and cooled his body. His