May 30-June 2, 2001--Day 1: As dramatic cumulo-nimbus clouds build in the south, Mark touches Cherry's chin and says, "I'm hoping to spend a little time at home before my next assignment!" Cherry responds, "I'd like that!" Later, as Mark carries a saddle, Rusty leans over the corral fence and asks, "Are you going to have time to do any fishing with me, Mark?" Mark replies, "I'm sure going to make time!" Cherry shouts from the distance, "Mark, telephone...it's your editor!" Smiling, Mark says, "So much for having time at home!" He tells Bill he was hoping Bill wouldn't call for awhile. Bill Ellis tells Mark he is sorry, but he has a story Mark might want to check out. Andy watches the phone solumnly. Mark asks Bill what kind of poaching he is talking about. Bill says, "Exotic plants--especially ginseng! Wild gingseng roots are worth a fortune on the eastern market...and the plants are being taken illegally from many of our state and national parks!" Foreground Pigeon flies as Mark's voice emanates from flat roofed buildings . Mark says, "Sounds interesting!"
June 4-9--Day 1: Bill says that poaching of medicinal plants like ginseng is a big problem in many parts of the country. He thought that Mark would be interested and that it might make a good story for the magazine. Mark will check it out with his friends in the Park Service and get back to Bill. As everyone sits on the Lost Forest porch, Mark announces that his next assignment is to write a story on the poaching of plants from federal and state property, especially ginseng. Doc is familiar with the problem. Cherry and Rusty smile silently. As Foreground Wood Duck flies, a voice emanating from Lost Forest tells us that ginseng has a long history. The roots have been sold legally and illegally for centuries. They are valuable for medicinal use. Doc (apparently in need of some ginseng) says, "Ginseng roots are very valuable." Mark replies, "I know much of it is sold to the Asian markets!" Foreground Squirrel balances high above Lost Forest as a voice emanates from the house, saying, "Native Americans made tea from the roots to treat coughs and fever, also to improve their memory!" Mark says, "I think I could use some of it myself!" Doc asks Mark where he is going for his story as Andy sits massively before a cup of coffee, or possibly ginseng tea. Mark notes that ginseng is found from New York to Alabama. He thinks he will call his friend, Chuck Harris. Chuck is a park ranger with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Maybe he can help Mark. Foreground White Bird With Red Wings and Tail peers at Lost Forest. Mark calls up Chuck and says, "Hello Chuck, this is Mark Trail!" Chuck replies, "Mark, you old goat, it's been a long time...what's up?" Mark asks Chuck how he is and how the ranger business is. Both are fine. Chuck hopes Mark called to say he is coming for a visit. Foreground Rabbit cleans his hind foot as Mark replies, "Actually I am, Chuck...I need your help with a story!" Chuck will help out any way he can. Mark will be there next week. Mark tells Andy that he must leave him home to get back in shape. Andy rears up on his hind legs to show Mark what good shape he is in as Cherry says, "Mark, Rusty's out of school, why don't you take him with you? He would really be excited!" Mark replies, "That's a good idea, honey...I need to spend more time with him!" When Mark tells Rusty, Rusty says, "WOW!...Are you kidding...You REALLY want me to go with you?" Mark says, "I sure do! We can camp out and you can help me with my story on ginseng!" Cherry, wearing a Mona Lisa smile, says, "You two will have fun!" Having gotten Mark and Rusty out of the way, one does have to wonder what plans Cherry has for herself.) Rusty is going to start packing his camping gear.
June 11-16--Day 1 to Day 3: On their way to visit Chuck Harris, the park ranger friend, Foreground Buck watches the Trail vehicle drive by. It must now be "next week," so we will call this Day 3. Mark says, "The ranger station isn't too much farther...we'll go by and talk to Chuck...he said he could tell us where to find a good camping area!" At the Ranger Office, Mark shakes Chuck's hand and says, "Chuck, old friend, how are you?...you remember Rusty!" Chuck does. It is good to see both of them. Rusty watches silently, his smile fading as Chuck tells Mark that ginseng has quite a background. It was discovered over 5000 years ago in China. Mark knows that it is believed to have medicinal powers. Chuck, wielding a restaurant-style coffeepot, says, "That's right...even Daniel Boone made much of his money from the plant! It is raised commercially, but the wild plants are worth more on the Asian markets!" Chuck shows Mark a ginseng plant. It will help Mark to recognize it in the woods. Mark says, "Thanks, that will help!" as Rusty grins. Chuck continues his lecture: "Legal collectors dig the plants after they bloom, when berries are present...this way they can replant the seeds! A few people have permits to take the plants, but most are taken illegally and that's what we'd like to stop!" The rangers can't prosecute anyone unless they catch them with the plants and that's hard to do. Chuck shows Mark a good view of the park area. Foreground Squirrels spy as Mark says "We'd like to set up camp outside of the park area, Chuck!" Chuck says that's good. He can give them some suggestions. He warns Mark and Rusty to be careful. There have been problems with black bear poachers. He adds that, "It may be the same people who are taking the plants...they take only the gallbladders, which are also sold on the Asian markets!" Foreground Fawns view the scene with sad expressions. Mark thanks Chuck. They will check in with him before they leave. Chuck says, "Good luck,fellows!" Back in the vehicle, Mark and Rusty are now wearing seatbelts as a buck leaps across the road in front of them. Mark asks Rusty if he is in good shape. They will be doing a lot of hiking. Rusty thinks he can keep up with Mark. Mark adds that Chuck said they might run into some mountain people; there are several families in the area. Mark adds that, "Native people don't always like outsiders snooping around their territory...I hope they like us!" Rusty says, "Yeah, me too!"
June 18-23--Day 3: Foreground Squirrel watches Mark and Rusty hike. Mark says, "Chuck said we could find a good camping area over this ridge!" Rusty observes, "This is beautiful country!" Mark is glad Rusty came with him. They will work well together. Rusty grins and hopes he can help with Mark's story. While they look for a place to set up camp, a sneaky looking man with a rifle is watching them from behind a tree. Mark thinks he has found the camping area described by Chuck. It is a great spot to set up their camp. Rusty agrees. Mark says, "After we get our camp organized we can do a little exploring...something might turn up!" The sneaky man with cap and gun appears behind Mark along with a boy. The man says, "Something's already turned up mister...you and your friend put up your hands! WHAT are you two doing in this area...are you connected with the government!" Mark assumes this is a question, and says he is not. He is an outdoor writer and photographer, researching a story about this beautiful area. The sneaky man doesn't see any guns, so he guesses Mark is telling the truth. Rusty volunteers, "Yes'ir, that's the truth." Mark introduces them. The man's name is Joe Williams. He lives just over the mountain. He apologizes for the gun--most strangers in the area are trouble. The boy is his grandson, Taylor. Rusty says, "Hi Taylor...good to meet you...you sure have a great place to live in!" Taylor says, "Uh...yeah, I guess so!" (Something is terribly wrong. The word, "Uh" always indicates deceit, embarrassment or twisted motives. We haven't yet learned if Joe Williams is related to the Mr. Williams we so recently met in the previous adventure!) Mr. Williams tells Mark and Rusty to enjoy their visit. If they can help in any way they can visit Mr. Williams at his house over the mountain. Mark is grateful. Taylor says, "Papa, can they come over and visit with us tomorrow and maybe have dinner with us?" Joe says, "Uh...I don't see why not...Taylor gets a little lonesome...we'd be glad to have you join us for dinner!" Mark says, "That's very considerate...thank you, we'll be there!" (Isn't it interesting that Taylor addresses his grandfather as Papa! WHAT TH'?!! And notice the second second "UH," in as many days! Something pretty strange is going on at the Williams home!) Mark says a home-cooked meal will be nice. They will be there about five o'clock. Taylor says he will see them. After the Williams leave, Mark and Rusty open their packs. Mark says, "Until we learn a little more, I don't think we should tell anyone why we're here." Rusty says, "They seem very nice." Meanwhile, Joe says to Taylor, "Taylor, DON'T ever ask anyone to our house unless you check with me FIRST!" Taylor says, "Yes'ir!" (Mutual distrust!
June 25-30--Day 4: Mark and Rusty are making breakfast over the campfire, so it must now be Day 4.(Either we have missed supper with the Williams family or Grandpa and Taylor ran into the Trails very early that day! Mark and Rusty were just setting up camp when Grandpa drew the gun, so if dinner is still to be, Mark and Rusty must have visited the ranger at the crack of dawn and driven wildly to reach their campsite, set up camp and still have time for breakfast!) Rusty wonders if they will find any ginseng plants. Mark says they'll scout around after breakfast. It's a big area, but they may get lucky. Foreground Bluebird is aghast at a sudden tremendous noise. A gigantic "WHAM" is emanating from the next mountain. Rusty asks Mark if he heard the noise. He adds that it sounded like a shot. Mark says nothing. Rusty thinks it was a rifle shot. Mark thinks Rusty is right; the WHAM came from over a ridge. Peering through his binoculars, Mark can see what looks like two men leaning over something. He suggests they get a little closer; maybe they can learn what's going on. Rusty appears uneasy. Foreground Rabbit smiles and runs off as Mark and Rusty approach the area where Mark saw the men. Rusty says, "I don't see anything!" Mark says, "I just found what they shot!" Rusty says, "It's a black bear...why would anyone cut it up like that?" Mark replies, "Apparently just for the gall bladder." As Mark photographs the dead bear extensively, he tells Rusty that poachers kill black bears for their gall bladders. Like ginseng, they bring a lot of money on the Asian markets. Mark says that the men who shot the bear may be the same men taking the ginseng plants. Rusty reminds Mark that Ranger Harris said the poachers could be dangerous. Mark is sure he's right. There is nothing he or Rusty can do here. Foreground White Raptor eyes the dead bear. Mark reasons that since whoever shot the bear may be watching them, they had better head back toward camp. Mark doesn't want the poachers shooting at him or Rusty. Rusty says, "That's for sure!" Foreground Doe with twin fawns watch Mark and Rusty hike. Foreground Squirrel watches Mark drink coffee by the fire. Rusty asks, "Do you think the man who invited us to dinner tonight had anything to do with killing the bear?" Mark sure hopes not, but he cautions Rusty to not mention what they saw, just in case. Later, Mark and Rusty are hiking. Mark says, "That must be the Miller farm...it's going to be nice having a home-cooked meal!" (Never mind that Mark and Rusty only left Lost Forest two days ago, at the most! Mark's cooking must leave much to be desired. Mark does appear a bit thin as he drank coffee earlier in the day. In fact, coffee seems to have been the only food consumed thus far on this camping trip and this may account for Mark apparently referring to the Williams farm as the Miller farm! Rusty appears to be too hungry to care what Mark calls anyone.) Rusty says, "I hope they have fried chicken!"
July 2-7--Day 4: At the Williams/Miller home, Taylor greets the visitors. He is glad Mark and Rusty could have dinner with them. Rusty couldn't turn down a good meal. Taylor introduces his mother, Nancy, to Mark. Taylor's father is in the Navy. Nancy doesn't get to visit with many outsiders. She appears pleased. Mr. Williams-Miller shows up. He sees that Mark has met his daughter-in-law. Nancy does most of the chores around the place. Mr. M-W's wife ran off with a city slicker several years ago. He has three sons. Tom, the oldest is the son in the Navy. He and Nancy are Taylor's parents. (That's M-W's story, and he's sticking to it! The other two sons are mountain folk who live close by. Nancy appears to be placing her arm somewhere on Mark's backside. He wears a rather startled and bemused expression. Nancy tells Mark that they are living there until Tom gets out of the Navy; then they plan to buy their own home. Mark says, "That will be nice!" Nancy says that Taylor is lonely, since there is no one for him to play with. Taylor and Rusty play baseball in the Foreground. Nancy excuses herself; she must shuck corn for dinner. Mark eagerly volunteers to give her a hand. Nancy says, "Thank you! My son said you were in this area to take pictures for a magazine!" Mark says, "That's right...I hope to write a story to go with the pictures." As Mark shucks corn he asks Nancy how her father-in-law makes a living. Nancy asks if Mark is connected to the government in any way. Mark replies, "No, why?..Mr. Williams asked me the same thing!" Nancy says, "Uh, no reason!" Mr. Williams appears in the doorway and says, "Nancy, stop the gabbing and get that corn in here...the water's boiling." Nancy says she's coming. Mark compliments Nancy on the delicious meal. Rusty adds, "Yeah, that fried chicken was great...it sure beats camp cooking!" Mark and Rusty are very thankful for the Williams hospitality. Mark asks if he may take a few pictures before they leave. Mr. Williams says, "Uh, no, go ahead! You can take all the pictures you want, Mr. Trail, we have nothing to hide! How long do you plan to be in this area?" Mark is wearing his camera with the very short strap. Foreground Buck is silhouetted as Mark replies that it depends on how much material he gets for his story. Mark hopes it's alright if some of these pictures are published. Mr. Williams says, "Uh, sure, no problem!"
July 9-14--Day 4: Mark thanks Mr. Williams again for his hospitality. Mr. Williams enjoyed having them. Taylor hopes he sees Rusty again. The feeling is mutual. Rusty suggests that Taylor come to their camp sometime. Nancy gives Mark some fresh tomatoes. She tells Mark to be careful in the mountains. On the way back to camp, Mark says it was a great dinner and that the Williams seem like nice people. Rusty, looking apprehensive asks Mark what Nancy meant when she warned Mark about being careful. Mark replies, "I'm not sure...she did sound a bit concerned!" Foreground Black Bear watches the two as they are silhouetted by a huge full moon. Rusty says that Taylor and his mother will be glad when they can move into their own house. At camp, Mark and Rusty prepare their sleeping bags. Rusty wonders if Mr. Williams is involved in ginseng poaching. Mark hopes not, but he believes something is going on that he doesn't want Mark and Rusty to know about. Foreground Owl flies away from camp. In the cozy tent, Mark tells Rusty they will scout around tomorrow. Maybe they will get lucky. Rusty says, "Good night, Mark!" Mr. Williams says to Nancy, "You and Trail were very cozy...what did you talk about?" Nancy says, "Nothing special...he was just asking about my husband and when he would be getting out of the Navy!" Mr. Williams admonishes Nancy to "Remember we're a FAMILY here, we DON'T discuss family affairs...YOU HEAR THAT?" Nancy understands. Mark and Rusty have turned in for the night but Nocturnal Foreground Squirrel is still active. Meanwhile, Nancy watches from the next room as Mr. Williams talks to two men who are probably his sons. One of the men has long sideburns and shaggy hair. Williams tells them that "A man named Trail and a kid are camped in the valley." The short sideburned son replies, "We know...we shot a bear, but we had to leave most of it because they were getting too close! Long Sideburns adds, "I don't think they got close enough to recognize us, we got out of there as soon as we saw them! (Mark would obviously "recognize" the men as poachers, due to the long sideburns.) Long Sideburns, holding a glass, (It has to be whiskey)asks, "Is this Trail a lawman?" Mr. Williams replies, "He says he's an outdoor writer!" Foreground Owl watches from his tree as a voice emanates from the house, saying, "What are we going to do?...we've got to move some stuff soon!" Mr. Williams says that if Mark and Rusty are still around in a couple of days, they'll encourage them to leave.
July 16-21--Day 4 to Day 5: Nancy has heard her father-in-law threaten harm to Mark and Rusty if they do not leave the area. As she and Mr. Williams wash dishes she says, "Mark and Rusty seem like nice people!" Mr. Williams says that people aren't always what they appear to be. Foreground Raccoons rummage through overflowing garbage cans, tipping them over. Nancy says, "Please don't harm them in any way, Mr. Williams!" He replies, "What we do is NONE of your business, Nancy...now go to bed!" Mr. Williams tells the sideburned son, "You and Lamar be careful out there, Luke!" Luke says, "Don't worry, if Trail shows up, we'll do what we have to do!" Meanwhile, Nancy gazes dreamily out the window into the night, wondering if Mark is really in the area to do a magazine story. Whatever the reason, she believes he and Rusty are in danger. Luke and Lamar aren't the type of people to get involved with. Foreground Rabbit in silhouette watches the Williams farm. Next morning (Day 5) Mark brews a big pot of coffee and holds a small skillet over the fire. He asks Rusty if he's up to hiking today. Rusty says, "After breakfast I'll be ready to go!" Foreground Deer smells breakfast as Mark hopes he can find some plants to photograph. Rusty wonders if they will see poachers. Mark thinks it's possible; they will have to be very careful. Rusty asks sensibly, "Mark, if we see any ginseng poachers, what are we going to do?" If Mark gets any incriminating pictures, he will give them to the rangers. Rusty persists, "If they see us taking their picture, what do you think they will do?" Mark does not know, but he is sure they won't like it. Foreground Squirrel calmly surveys the vista. As Mark looks through binoculars, Rusty asks him if he sees anything. Mark sees nothing unusual--a few deer, but no people. Meanwhile, Luke stuffs plants into a burlap sack and says, "A few more days like this and we can take a vacation in Florida!" (Several years ago another Mark Trail Bad Guy uttered virtually the same line. Florida must be the Place To Be for Mark Trail Bad Guys.) Lamar agrees that this is one of the biggest hauls they have made. Suddenly he shouts, "DUCK DOWN...there's someone on the ridge! (The shout reveals a desire to be caught and punished) Luke peers through bushes and says, "It's that Trail fellow and the kid!" Lamar asks, "What are we going to do?" Luke replies that they don't want them down there. Lamar is to stay out of sight while Luke tries to scare them out of the area. Mark, still peering through his binoculars, says, "I think I saw some movement on the far slope...let's head over in that direction!" Rusty wisely says, "I hope whatever you saw is friendly!"
July 23-28--Day 5: Mark puts his arm on Rusty's shoulder and suggests they hike over to where Mark saw something moving in the brush; perhaps they can get a good picture of a bear. Rusty prudently asks Mark if he is sure he wants one. As the two hike towards the far slope, Luke Williams tries to get into position to surprise them as Foreground Pine Ciskin observes. Luke tells the bird he will give them something to think about. He doesn't think Mark and Rusty will want to stay in this area for long. Luke fires a shot over their heads, saying, "Maybe this will make them think twice about staying in this area. His rifle utters a loud "WHAM!" Mark shouts, "HOLY MACKEREL...GET DOWN!" as the bullet strikes a nearby tree. Rusty is aghast. Mark asks Rusty if he is alright. Rusty thinks so, and adds, "WHAT'S going on?" Mark does not think whoever took the shot meant to hit them. They may have been trying to scare us out of the area. Rusty says, "Well, it SCARED ME...what are we going to do?" Mark tells him that whoever shot at them is probably still watching; he suggests they pretend to be heading back to our camp. Rusty, obviously worried, asks Mark what he is planning to do. Mark tells him to keep walking. He is going to duck behind those rocks and double back to where the shot came from; perhaps he can find out what the shooting was all about. Rusty says, "Be careful!" In the brush, Mark begins to talk to himself. He says, "It sounded like the shot came from this area...maybe the shooter is still around!" Spying Luke ahead of him, Mark adds, "Well, well, I'm in luck!" Luke is also talking to himself. He says, "I think I scared our visitors off...we shouldn't have to worry about them any longer. Trail and the kid didn't waste any time heading back to where they came from...now we can get back to work!" Mark sneaks up from behind and tackles Luke, shouting, "SURPRISE!" Luke shouts, "WHAT TH'?"
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