9 The Last Grizzly

9 THE LAST GRIZZLY "Thank you, Governor!" said President Teddy Roosevelt. "Ladies and gentlemen, I come to you having survived the backwoods! I have seen the true beauty of Yosemite! And I have had a bully good time!" The crowd laughed and cheered. "I must thank world-famous naturalist and writer, Mr. John Muir, or John of the Mountains as many of us call him, for guiding me," said President Roosevelt. "And I thank two young artists, Jack and Annie! I promise I will save this wilderness for them! And for their children and for their children's children! And for all the people of this great nation, rich and poor!" The crowd cheered. "We must always preserve the birds and animals here, and, of course, the lives of our priceless giant trees!" said Teddy. "We are not building this

beautiful country for a day. We want America to last through the ages! And so today I announce that, as president of these great United States, I am placing all of Yosemite under National Park protection!" The crowd roared. "Thank you for coming!" the president said. "Enjoy your Sunday!" Then, as the crowd kept cheering, the governor led Teddy into the hotel.

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Annie looked at Jack. Her face was shining. "We did it," Jack said. "We helped save the wilderness." Annie nodded. "By Sunday's noon hour," she said with a smile. "Jack! Annie!" someone called. They looked behind them. John of the Mountains was on his horse again. He rode over to them. "I want to thank you," he said. "My job was to guide President Roosevelt through Yosemite and convince him to put all of it—especially the big trees—under the protection of the National Park System. You helped me very much, and I'm grateful." "You're welcome!" said Annie. "Will you join me in the hotel for lunch?" John asked. "Thanks, but we need to meet our art teacher now," said Annie. "We have to go back to the big trees where she left us." "She's picking us up there," said Jack. "I'm afraid the big trees are quite far from here,"

said John. "But while the president meets with the governor, I can lead you there, then return with the mules." "Uh…don't you want to go inside the hotel with the others?" said Annie. "No. Actually, I always prefer to be outside rather than inside," said John. "Wait, I'll tell Charlie." As John told the ranger his plans, Jack turned to Annie. "How will we climb up to the tree house if John's with us?" She shrugged. "I guess we'll just hang out with him till he leaves," she said. John rode back to them. Jack and Annie followed him on their mules. The three animals trotted away from the hotel grounds and started along the forest trail. John led the way over the long, bumpy, winding road. On their journey, they again rode through different kinds of weather. At first the day was hot and sunny, but then clouds moved in. The wind blew, the air grew colder. A hard rain fell. Jack remembered Teddy's words. "I love wild weather!" he shouted. Annie laughed.

Suddenly the rain stopped, and warm sunlight returned. By the time they reached the grove of big trees, it was nearly twilight. Long shadows crossed the forest. "Here we are!" said John. Not far away was the giant tree with the magic tree house high in its branches. Fortunately, the rope ladder was out of sight on the other side of its massive trunk. John got off his horse, and Jack and Annie jumped off their mules. Annie hugged hers. "Thanks, Petey," she whispered. "Good mule," Jack said to his. "Thanks for taking me everywhere." The animal flicked its long ears and snorted. As Jack walked away, Annie was still whispering to Petey. The mule seemed to be listening carefully to her. John looked puzzled.