Warm daylight flooded into the tree house. Jackopened his eyes.
Annie was wearing a long dress with an apron.
Jack was wearing a shirt with puffy sleeves, knee-length pants, and tights. Their shoes were leatherslippers. Jack's backpack was now a leather bag.
"These clothes are weird," said Jack. His voice wasnearly drowned out by the sound of thunderingwagon wheels coming from below.
"What's going on?" said Annie. She and Jack lookedout.
The tree house had landed in a patch of trees near awide brown river. Wagons, carts, and people wereheading toward' the river.
Ferryboats, sailing ships, and white swans glidedacross the water.
"Wow, it's so busy," said Annie. Jack opened theirresearch book and read:
In 1600, over 100,000 people lived in London,England. At that time, England was ruled by QueenElizabeth the First. She was much loved by herpeople.
"A queen? Cool," said Annie.
Jack took out his notebook and wrote:
London 1600Queen Elizabeth the First"I've never seen a bridge like that," said Annie,looking to the left.
Jack looked with her. A giant stone bridge crossedthe river. The bridge looked like a small town. It wascrowded with houses, shops, and even a church.
Jack found a picture of the bridge in their researchbook. He read aloud:
At the heart of London was London Bridge. Thebridge crossed the Thames (say TEMZ) River. Atdifferent times in history, the bridge fell down. But itwas always built again.
"Oh, wow," said Annie. "That must be where thesong comes from." She sang, "London Bridge is fallingdown, falling down....
While Annie sang, Jack took out his note-book andwrote:
London Bridge- crosses Thames (TEMZ) River,crowded with stores and houses"Let's go look for the magic," said Annie. She readMorgan's note again:
To find a special magic,You must step into the lightAnd without wand, spell, or charm,Turn daytime into night.
Jack squinted up at the sky. It was very blue,without even a cloud.
"It's just not possible," he said, shaking his head.
But he threw the research book and his notebookinto his leather bag. Then he followed Annie downthe rope ladder. When they reached the ground, theystarted walking toward the river.
"P-U!" Annie said, holding her nose. The riversmelled terrible.
No one else seemed to mind the smell, though.
People were cheerfully piling into ferryboats orheading for the bridge. They all seemed happy, as ifthey were going someplace fun.
A group of ragged boys brushed past Jack andAnnie. They were about twelve or thirteen years old.
They were laughing and out of breath.
"Hurry! We'll be late!" one shouted.
The boys ran toward the stone gateway leadingonto the bridge.
"Late for what?" said Annie. "What's on the otherside of that bridge? Why are they in such a hurry toget there?""I don't know," said Jack. He pulled out theirresearch book. "I'll see what the book says.""No, let's just go--or we'll be late!" said Annie. Shetook off running.
"Okay, okay," said Jack.
He put away the book and ran after her towardLondon Bridge. |