The Marshland Mystery

ahead and have fun.”
    Trixie felt guilty about being relieved that she and Honey wouldn’t have to put off the little expedition. “Tell you what, Di,” she said hastily. “Whatever we bring back, half is for you to take to class. I’m sure we’ll get loads of specimens. Brian’s going to make us a list of what to look for, and he’ll even draw some pictures of them so we won’t miss them!”
    “Oh, thanks, Trix! You’re the best,” Di assured her.
    “Well, kiss the twins for me,” Trixie told her as she hung up. The two pairs of twins were still small, and though the Lynches were very wealthy and had two nurses to care for them, Di received an extra allowance for taking the nurses’ places on their days off. It was fun, and it gave her something to contribute to the Bob-Whites’ treasury every week.
     
    Trixie awoke early next morning and at once made a dash for the window to see if the weather was good. The ground was damp, but the sky was clear, except for a few fleecy clouds that moved rapidly away to the west.
    “Thank goodness it rained during the night and got it over with!” she murmured, dressing hurriedly in her jeans and a stout pair of brogans. She would have preferred sneakers, because they didn’t tire her when she hiked, but Moms had made her promise to wear waterproofs on this expedition because it would undoubtedly be damp underfoot in the marsh.
    The house seemed very quiet, and Trixie decided that she must be the first one up. She tiptoed around getting dressed, making as little noise as possible, because she didn’t want to wake Bobby. He would be sure to want to go with them, and it just wasn’t possible.
    She tiptoed out of her room and down the hall. She had some chores to do, like feeding the chickens and gathering the newly laid eggs. That wouldn’t take long. Usually she had dishes to wash and beds to make as part of her duties, but her mother had offered to do them today to help her out.
    She pushed open the kitchen door and was surprised to see her mother and father having breakfast. Her dad wore a warm shirt and heavy overalls.
    “Well, dear, you’re up early. There’s some hot cereal on the stove, and I’ve fixed a good lunch for you and Honey.” Mrs. Belden pointed to a packed basket that was waiting on the sink.
    “Thanks heaps, Moms,” Trixie said gratefully. “I didn’t think anybody’d be awake yet.”
    “We’ve all been up quite a while, except for Bobby. I’m letting him sleep,” her mother explained.
    “You mean Brian and Mart are gone already?” Trixie asked, dismayed. “Brian promised—”
    Her mother smiled and nodded toward a sheet of paper propped up against the lunch basket. “He kept his promise. There’s your map, carefully marked. And he’s added a list of swamp plants you’ll find at this time of year. Also a few landmarks, so you can’t possibly miss your way.”
    Trixie dashed over and got the paper. The map was drawn with Brian’s usual neatness. Not only was their route marked, but also how far they had to go along each section of it before coming to a turn. “This is super!” Trixie announced happily. “We’ll whiz right out there without a bit of trouble. Brian’s a doll!”
    “I’m sure he’d enjoy that description!” Mr. Belden laughed. He was dark, like Brian, and usually quite serious. Trixie supposed it was because he had such a responsible job at the Sleepyside Bank, and maybe people didn’t think bankers should have a sense of humor. At least, that’s what Mart had told her.
    “Don’t work too hard, dear,” Mrs. Belden reminded her husband as he kissed her and started for the door. “Remember, you have your own planting to do after you help Mr. Maypenny and the boys!”
    “You know we’ll spend half the time resting!” he chuckled. Then, as Trixie bustled about getting ready for her trip, he paused in the doorway. “Remember, we want you back here before dark. No excuses.”
    “Of course, Dad!” Trixie assured him. “Have you ever been to the marsh yourself?”
    “Several times,” he told her, “but not for quite a while. It’s quite a historic spot.”
    “Really?” Trixie was surprised. “Did an Indian massacre happen there? Was it a battlefield during the Revolution?”
    “Neither. The legend is that Captain Kidd, the notorious pirate, was a friend and business partner of old Ezarach Martin, who owned all the land for miles around the swamp. So it was natural to suspect that