Aileen Wells Parks - Davy Crockett: Young Rifleman

Dear Reader:

The Childhood of Famous Americans series, seventy years old in 2002, chronicles the early years of famous American men and women in an accessible manner. Each book is faithful in spirit to the values and experiences that influenced the persons development. History is fleshed out with fictionalized details, and conversations have been added to make the stories come alive to todays reader, but every reasonable effort has been made to make the stories consistent with the events, ethics, and character of their subjects.

These books reaffirm the importance of our American heritage. We hope you learn to love the heroes and heroines who helped shape this great country. And by doing so, we hope you also develop a lasting love for the nation that gave them the opportunity to make their dreams come true. It will do the same for you.

Happy Reading!

The Editors

Davy Crockett

Young Rifleman

Illustrated by Justin Pearson

Young Rifleman

by Aileen Wells Parks

Aladdin Paperbacks

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Aladdin Paperbacks
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Division
1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com

Copyright 1949, 1962, 1983 by the Bobbs-Merrill Co., Inc. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

First Aladdin Paperbacks edition, 1986

Printed in the United States of America

30 29 28 27 26

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Parks, Aileen Wells.

Davy Crockett, young rifleman.

Reprint of the edition: Indianapolis : Bobbs-Merrill, c1983.

Summary: A biography of the famous frontiersman and Congressman, focusing on his childhood.

1. Crockett, Davy, 1786-1836Childhood and youth Juvenile literature. 2. PioneersTennesseeBiography Juvenile literature. [1. Crockett, Davy, 1786-1836. 2. Pioneers. 3. Legislators]

. Pearson, Justin, ill.

II. Title.

F436.C95P37 1986 976.8040924 [B] [92] 86-10781

ISBN-13: 978-0-02-041840-5
ISBN-10: 0-02-041840-X
eISBN-13: 978-1-43-911233-5

For Jim
and
for young Jimmy

Numerous smaller illustrations

Books by Aileen Wells Parks

BEDFORD FORREST: HOKSEBACK BOY

DAVY CROCKETT: YOUNG RIFLEMAN

JAMES OGLETHORPE: YOUNG DEFENDER

Davy Crockett

Young Rifleman

MRS. CROCKETT was firm. Every boy and man on this Tennessee clearing gets a haircut this day. You are all as shaggy as Indian colts after a hard winter.

Seven-year-old Davy looked at his four older brothers. Long hair hung around the ears and down the neck of each one. It had felt warm and comfortable all winter. Not even Pa had had a haircut since fall.

There was sunlight in the main room of the log cabin. Outside the spring sun was warm. The heavy front door stood wide open. The wooden shutters on the two square windows were fastened back. Except for the backlog, there were only live coals on the big hearth.

Davy nudged eight-year-old Wilson. Come on, Willy. Well be wild ponies and Ma cant catch us.

You will be right here when your turns come, Davy and Wilson. Clear out now till I get through with the big ones.

Davy and Willy, with little Joe tagging after them, cantered into the yard. They galloped and they bucked. They neighed and they whinnied. They shook their manes and kicked up their heels. Around and around the bare space near the house, down the slope to the edge of Limestone Creek, the make-believe horses raced and played.

Soon they grew lazy and came back to the yard to watch the haircutting.

Ma had chosen a big stump near the house for her barber chair. First Pa was seated there to have his hair cut. Then Jason, Jim, and Bill each took his turn.

Ma placed the pewter bowl she had brought all the way from Maryland over each head in turn. Her shears had come from Maryland, too, and Ma was very proud of them. The blades were heavy and long. Pa or Jason honed them sharp for her, but Ma always stood by to see that they did the job right.

Davy and Wilson laughed and teased the older boys. Grown-up Polly and little Janie, glad that girls could wear long hair, came out to watch and laugh, too.

Jasons got a haircut! Jasons got a haircut! they chanted. Jason cant fight. Jasons too white under his ears!

Ma, Jims ears are too big.

Look, Ma, old Whirlwinds just waiting to eat a piece of Jims big ear.

Watch out, Jim! Shes a-cutting!

Bill didnt fidget. He hunched up his shoulders and shut his eyes. He held his head so still the bowl didnt move.

Bills a scaredy! Bills a scaredy!

The older boys did not stay after Ma let them go. They followed Pa to the creek. Long before it was Davys turn they were splashing and yelling in the cool water.

Davy begged, Please, Ma, cut my hair tomorrow. Look, Ma, let me go swimming now and tomorrow Ill sit just as still as Bill did.

Ma would not listenjust put the bowl on Davys head. The bowl was too big, and she sent Janie to get a smaller gourd bowl.

The shears looked bigger and brighter and sharper close up. They made a great clacking noise. When the cold metal touched his ear Davy gave a yell and jumped. He would have run away, but Ma had a firm grip on his head.

Sit still, Davy. I havent cut off an ear yet.

The big shears clicked above Davys ears and across the back of his head. Their flat blades felt cold against his scalp as Ma clipped the long hair away.

Then Ma took the bowl from Davys head and combed his hair with the coarse-toothed wooden comb. She trimmed the longer hair on top of his head.

Ma, theres hair on my face and down my neck! It itches!

Be still, Davy, Ma said. Youve fidgeted more than all the rest put together.

Ma, thats enough. Ma! I dont want to look like a skinned possum.

You wont, Davy, Polly said with a laugh. You look more like a coon with its hair all roughed up.

Davy made a face at her. Wilson, who was waiting for him, suddenly shouted, Davy grins just like a coon.