Journal entry #2 From the perspective of Jem Chapter 6

Dear Journal,

Today Scout, Dill and I planned to sneak over to the Radley place tonight. It was a sunny afternoon in Maycomb and it was perfect time to get into some trouble with my pals. Atticus wouldn't have wanted us to do what we was gunna do, but we were going to do it anyway.

We were just going to peek into the loose shutter and see if we could get a good glimpse at Boo Radley. I was thinking it would be perfect since no one could see us at night. Plus it's easier to see inside one of those dark houses at night than in the daytime. I was worried that Scout wouldn't shut her trap about our plan. She's getting more like a girl every day!

Dill and I agreed it would be better to go under the wire fence than the gate. I told everyone not to make a sound.

When we came to the shutter we saw a crisp shadow move across the porch toward me. It was of a man wearing a hat. It was as big as a tree...but trees don't walk toward you. He stopped an arm's length from me then walked along the porch and back into the house. I of course ran away and then before I could get far enough, heard a loud gun shot. Not only did the booming sound stop me in my tracks, but my pants did too! I got caught on the wire fence and couldn't have gotten out of the situation if it weren't for my buddies.

When we got back, huffing and puffing, we eased in and were asked what happened and if we'd heard about all the commotion. Apparently a negro was shot at by Mr. Radley in his collard patch.

Atticus was suspicious that we were somehow involved in the ruckus and asked where my pants were. Dill explained that I had lost 'em in a game of strip poker. Miss Rachel went off about the whole thing like there was no tomorrow!

Dill was a smart one, coming up with that fib. He was pretty good at that. Dill offered to give me some of his pants but I didn't take 'em.

Later that night I headed back to the Radley place and got my pants.