“We’re done here,” the man said, turning his back on Willie. “And it’s going to take a lot more than cheap actors in clown suits to get us out of here, Willie whatever-your-name-is.”

Willie’s face remained unchanged. “A single drop of water can divide mountains…over time.” And with that, Willie turned and began walking down the road in the direction he’d come from, his stride every bit as strong and dignified as when he’d arrived.

Noble sighed and shook his head. Willie’s heart had been in the right place, but he’d looked ridiculous in that outfit. What he’d said had sounded so…well, stupid, that no one with a brain and a heartbeat was ever going to believe he was a shaman. Noble was going to have to come up with another plan.

But just then someone called out Willie’s name.

“Willie!” the radio reporter shouted.

Willie kept walking.

“I mean, Manchoka!”

Willie stopped, slowly turned, and waited for the female reporter to catch up to him.

They exchanged a few words, and Willie nodded. The reporter switched on her tape recorder and held the microphone up to Willie’s lips.

Noble looked on in amazement, leaning forward to get a better look. Either Willie was a better actor than Noble thought, or the radio reporter was in desperate need of a story. Whatever the reason, it looked like the plan just might work after all.

Without a sound, he backed away from the protest and rejoined the rest of the pack, each of them waiting and ready for the long run home.

* * *

Later that evening, Noble put on his coat and shoes and told Ranger Brock and Phyllis he was going for a walk. He was just about to leave the house when Argus came up behind him.

“Where you going?” Argus asked.

“For a walk.”

“Where are you really going?”

Noble looked down the hall to check where Ranger Brock was, then whispered, “I need to speak to Willie Greene.”

“Mind if I tag along?”

Noble shook his head and gestured down the hallway. “Not if you square it with them first.”

“I’m going with Noble,” Argus said.

“Stay out of trouble, you two,” came the response from Ranger Brock.

Argus shook his head. The ranger probably suspected something was up, but he knew enough not to interfere.

“Will do,” said Argus, as the two boys left the house.

They walked the road to town in silence for several minutes before Argus asked, “What do you want to talk to Willie for?”

“I want to make sure he’s going to show up tomorrow.”

Argus hesitated a moment, then said, “You told him to do that?”

Noble couldn’t help but smile. “He didn’t think of it by himself, that’s for sure.”

“What about that costume?”

Noble shook his head. “That was his idea.”

“You think it’ll work?”