Snake Island — Max Elliot Anderson

Rod Campbell loved to go tubing with his friends down the lazy river outside of town. They often wondered about Snake Island as they drifted by. Then, one day Mr. Patterson rushed out in front of the boys as they rode their bikes. People around town said he was a little crazy since he'd come back from the war. Some said his injuries had affected his brain. But Mr. Patterson warned them about the island. Rod talked his friends into camping out on the island since it was near his grandfather's farm. If they could last the whole night, then there wouldn't be anything to be afraid of they reasoned. On the night of the campout, someone came to the island, dug a hole, and rolled a large piece of carpet in. Then he began covering it up. The boys were terrified when they realized the man digging the hole was Mr. Patterson. They raced off the island. The next day they learned that the richest man in town was missing. Police suspected murder. Rod and his friends reported what they saw and Mr. Patterson was accused of the crime. But did he do it? And what did he bury in that hole?