Minsha's Night on Ellis Island

by Pam Berkman

  “A dog!” the other boy whispered. He spoke the same language Yusef did.

  “Hello, dog,” said the girl, in a different language. “Hush.”

  “Oh, Minsha!” Yusef whispered, petting her head over and over. “You have to be quiet. The nurses will hear you. Then we’ll all be in trouble. Come on. We’ll hide you.” He walked back toward the other children.

  Minsha stayed where she was. She didn’t want to hide. She wanted Yusef to come with her.

  The girl slung an arm around Yusef’s shoulder. “We have to be quiet, but do you want to go one more time?” she whispered. She pointed to the cart and pretended to climb in so Yusef would know what she meant even though he couldn’t understand what she was saying.

  Yusef shook his head. “No, thanks, Camila,” he said. He was looking at Minsha.

  “We can’t be out here too long,” the boy who spoke Yusef’s language said. “It’s almost time for the nurses to check the ward.” He grinned. “I know the schedule. I know everything about the hospital. That’s how I knew we could take the library book cart!”

  “How long have you been here, Amal?” Yusef asked him.

  “Three months,” Amal said. “But some kids get sent back. That’s worse. They make someone in your family go with you.”

  “Teta,” Yusef whispered. “Teta would go. And I promised I’d make sure she made it to America.” He shook his head. “I can’t let Papa down.”

  He crouched in front of Minsha.

  “You found a way in here,” he said to her. “If you got in, that means there must be a way out.”

  Minsha wanted to cry out, “There is! There is! The laundry room!” But all she could do was wag her tail and spin around a few times.

  Yusef looked into Minsha’s eyes. He spoke slowly. “Way out, Minsha? Can you show me the way out? Way out?”

  Oh, honestly, Minsha thought. He didn’t need to speak like that for Minsha to understand him. It must be hard to be a human and not know how to talk with other creatures. But so Yusef would understand her, Minsha jumped eagerly and danced on her hind legs.

  “Minsha and I are getting off this island,” Yusef said to the other kids.

  Amal shook his head. “You’ll get in so much trouble if you try to break out!” he whispered.

  Camila tilted her head like she heard something. Minsha heard it too. And smelled a scent of medicine.

  “Who’s there?” a woman’s voice said.

  “It’s Dr. Rose!” Amal gasped. “What’s she doing here?”

  13 Dr. Rose

  Minsha looked for a place to hide. She spotted one of the dark patches of hallway between two lights. She grabbed the bottom of Yusef’s pants with her teeth and tugged him toward it. They scooted into the dark and ducked down low. They huddled together as quietly as they could.

  Dr. Rose came around the corner.

  Amal and Camila didn’t make it to a hiding place. The doctor frowned down at them and the overturned cart. Her back was to Minsha and Yusef.

  “Camila, Amal. I’m very disappointed in you two,” she said. “I was coming to check on the new boy, Yusef. I hoped you two could make him feel at home. Now just look what I find!” Minsha knew Camila and Amal couldn’t understand everything Dr. Rose said. But her tone was so stern, they both looked like scolded puppies.

  Minsha could feel Yusef breathing quickly. Then he coughed.

  Dr. Rose jumped at the sound. Camila suddenly began to cough loud and long. In the echoing hallway, it sounded like the first cough had come from her too.

  “Time to get you back into bed,” Dr. Rose said to her. “And stop taking the library cart. It belongs to the school!”

  She looked up and down the hallway one more time. Yusef and Minsha pressed themselves into the wall and held their breath. Dr. Rose didn’t see them. She led the other two children away. Camila waved behind her back to Yusef.

  When they were all gone, Minsha felt Yusef relax. But only for a minute.

  “They won’t tell on me,” he said. “Kids stick together here. Just like home. But when they get back to the ward Dr. Rose will see the pile of pillows I left under my blanket. She’ll figure out I’m gone. Oh, I’m glad to see you, Minsha!”

  Yusef put his arms around Minsha for a minute. Minsha nuzzled him with her nose.

  He stood up. “I know there are ferries to New York. The kids say they take the people who work here home at night. My family’s going there. I know Papa lives on Washington Street.”

  He looked at Minsha. “It’s time to get out of here, girl!”

  Minsha jumped excitedly. And she felt a wave of relief. She hadn’t realized how lonely it had felt trying to get to New York City by herself. Now she and Yusef could find their families together.

  “Show me,” said Yusef.

  Minsha padded back down the hallway. Yusef followed.

  But when they reached the laundry room door, it was shut.

  Yusef tried the doorknob.

  The door didn’t budge.

  Yusef rattled the door. Minsha tried to push it open with her front paws. It didn’t do any good.

  The laundry room was locked for the night. And Minsha didn’t know any other way out of the hospital.

  14 Henrietta Henry

  We can’t give up now, thought Minsha. Leila needed her. Teta and Soussou and Mansour and Bibi and Chadi and Mama needed Yusef.

  Then Minsha saw something farther down the hallway. It was sleek and cat-shaped and had white fur on its chest. Henrietta Henry. The cat who made sure no one broke the rules.

  Henrietta was pacing slowly back and forth. She looked like she was guarding the hallway beyond the laundry room.

  She’s probably making sure no one sneaks out, Minsha thought. If she saw Minsha and Yusef, she’d find a way to tell someone.

  And that gave Minsha an idea. Henrietta probably knew Ellis Island as well as the back of her paw. She had gotten into the hospital. Maybe she knew a way out. One that wasn’t through the laundry room.

  Minsha stepped out of the shadows.

  The cat saw her. She hissed and arched her back. Minsha jumped and so did Yusef. Henrietta gave a little leap, then landed on all four feet. She hissed at them again.

  “Scat!” said Yusef.

  “Aha!” the cat meowed. “I sensed that a character of ill repute was nearby. What are you up to, dog?” She showed her sharp teeth. “What is this boy doing out here?”

  Yusef stepped between Minsha and Henrietta.

  Stay out of this, Yusef, thought Minsha. He was going to ruin her plan. Minsha wished there was some way to tell him what she had in mind.

  “Shoo, cat!” Yusef cried in a loud whisper. “Get away from her!” He took off his shoe and got ready to throw it. Minsha leaned against Yusef to stop him.

  “Ha!” meowed Henrietta. “A dangerous character!”

  “Well, then you better report us!” barked Minsha.

  “I will!” Henrietta returned in an angry meow. Her eyes narrowed into amber glints. “I’m alerting the commissioner of Ellis Island immediately!”

  “You do that!” Minsha barked after her.

  Henrietta stalked off to the end of the hallway. Minsha followed on the cat’s heels. To her relief, Yusef came after her. He hopped on one foot as he put his shoe back on.

  They reached a place where the hallway was divided in two. Just ahead, there was a window. It was open! That was how Henrietta got in!

  Henrietta leaped gracefully through the open window. Minsha’s plan had worked! Henrietta had shown them the way out without knowing it.

  When Minsha was sure the cat was gone, she took a running leap. She jumped through the window to the ground below.

  It was a tight squeeze for Yusef. He opened the window wider. It stuck but went up a few more inches. He had to hold in his stomach and make himself as flat as he could, but he made it through. He landed on his hands and knees next to Minsha. He stood up and dusted off his pants. Minsha licked his hand, then took
a deep breath. They had no time to lose.

  15 The Ferry

  The smell of the air and sea had never been so welcome to Minsha’s nose. She could hardly keep from woofing in joy.

  “We have to hurry!” Yusef whispered. “Dr. Rose must have figured out I’m gone! If we get caught now, I’ll get sent back for sure!”

  And I’ll get locked up forever! Minsha thought.

  She looked around. The laundry was to their right and a little behind them. In front of them was a big rectangle of water.

  “That’s where we came in,” Yusef murmured, pointing across the water.

  Across from them stood the Registry Room building. It was like a castle, or a city. The stones it was built with formed fancy patterns. What seemed like a hundred windows looked out toward the rest of the island.

  Floating in the rectangle of water was a ferry. The boat was brightly lit. Minsha could see people heading down a paved walkway toward it.

  “Amal said that that’s the ferry that takes the people who work here back to Manhattan,” Yusef said. “We can sneak onto it.”

  Minsha was thinking the same thing. She wasn’t sure how they’d get on without being seen. But she and Yusef made a good team. They’d figure something out.

  They ran across the narrow strip of land where Minsha had met the sparrows. Then they turned toward the big building. The ferry was filling up with people. Minsha recognized some of the workers from the laundry room. They laughed and joked. Two young nurses chatted as they walked. Older, dignified-looking men in uniforms were stepping onto the deck.

  A horn sounded on the ferry. Hoot, hoot!

  “All aboard!” shouted a crewman.

  “Come on, Minsha,” Yusef said. “Everything is going to be all right!”

  Minsha was just about to make a run for the ferry when something streaked across the grass past her. It was small. It was furry. It was Esmeralda Delilah the Third. She was squeaking in fear.

  Tiger, the tabby cat who had threatened Minsha in the baggage room, chased after Esmeralda. The tabby ran low and fast. Behind him was the gray cat. Behind that cat were even more cats. They squalled in rage. Esmeralda was fast but they were faster on their long, strong legs. The fluffy white cat headed Esmeralda off. Tiger pounced and landed in a crouch. He had Esmeralda!

  The ferry’s horn sounded again. Hoot, hoot!

  “Now’s our chance!” Yusef said. “Let’s go!”

  But Minsha’s legs were already taking her across the grass to Esmeralda. Tiger had the rat pinned down under both front paws. The other cats had circled around.

  “Get on the boat!” Minsha woofed over her shoulder to Yusef. She hoped he’d understand.

  Esmeralda was fighting bravely, scrabbling and scratching. Her skinny tail swung wildly back and forth. Tiger lowered his head. Esmeralda swatted him on the nose and almost squirmed away. Tiger calmly stepped on her again.

  The cat’s great jaws opened and showed his sharp teeth.

  Minsha flew at the tabby. She didn’t care that all the other cats surrounded her. She pawed and scratched. Tiger let go of Esmeralda to claw at Minsha. Esmeralda wriggled away!

  “Run, Esmeralda!” Minsha woofed.

  Tiger and two other cats jumped on Minsha, knocking her to the ground. She scrambled and kicked. Esmeralda leaped onto the gray cat’s leg. She hadn’t run! But the cat shook her off. Two striped cats jumped on Minsha too. She couldn’t move. She was done for.

  Then something lifted a cat off her. It was Yusef. He hadn’t run, either! He picked up the cats one by one and dumped them off Minsha. All the cats ran.

  Yusef grinned down at Minsha. “That showed them!” he said.

  But Tiger stopped running and glared back at Minsha and Yusef.

  “That rat was my dinner,” he said. “I’ll fix you! I’m getting the boss! Henrietta Henry!” Tiger yowled. “Henrietta Henry! I found the dog! And a boy who doesn’t belong here!”

  He yowled and yowled and yowled. He was so loud everyone on the boat looked at him.

  The fight with the cats had brought Minsha and Yusef close to the ferry. They were standing in clear view.

  “What’s that child doing out?” a woman said. “And why is there a stray dog on the island?!”

  Two men in uniform turned to look. Minsha froze. It was Mac and Tom. The inspectors who had stolen the silver from Mr. Khoury in the Registry Room.

  “We’ll take care of them,” called Mac.

  “Right now,” said Tom.

  The two thieves started toward them.

  16 Enemies

  Mac grabbed Yusef. Tom grabbed Minsha.

  Yusef struggled.

  “Stop that,” Mac said. His fingers tightened on Yusef’s shoulders. Minsha growled.

  Mac smiled at the people on the boat.

  “We’ll make sure the boy gets back where he belongs,” he said. “And we’ll get this animal to the dogcatcher.” No one but Minsha and Esmeralda could see how tightly he was holding Yusef. The people boarding the ferry turned back to the boat.

  Mac and Tom are inspectors! Minsha thought. People trust them.

  Minsha struggled too, but Tom kept a tight hold on her collar. Esmeralda squeaked and angrily puffed out her fur. The men didn’t even see her. Minsha dug her claws into the grass, but Tom lifted her onto her hind legs so she couldn’t get a grip. Her head bumped against his jacket. Something inside the pocket clanked. It smushed her ear. Whatever it was, it was heavy and smelled like metal.

  Mac and Tom dragged Yusef and Minsha all the way past the Registry Room building. They opened a door into a smaller building next to it. It was a kitchen, but no one was in it. They took them upstairs and into a room that smelled of wood and iron. It looked like people did things with tools and lumber there.

  Mac and Tom slammed the door shut behind them. They didn’t see the small furry shape slipping in just before the door closed. But Minsha did. It made her feel better to know that Esmeralda was there.

  “Let go of me!” Yusef shouted even though the men couldn’t understand him. “You’re just trying to stop me from telling people you’re thieves! You can’t keep me locked up here!”

  Except they can, thought Minsha.

  She trembled with fury at how wrong it was. She tried to pull away from Tom. She wanted to get to Yusef. She lowered her head and twisted her shoulder. But Tom gripped her so tightly she yelped.

  “Let go of my dog!” Yusef shouted.

  My dog? Minsha thought.

  “Shut up!” Mac hissed, putting his face right up to Yusef’s. “Get that dog out of the way!” he said to Tom.

  Tom opened a cupboard. He tossed Minsha inside.

  “No!” Yusef shouted.

  The cupboard doors closed behind Minsha with a slam and a click. She pushed up against them. Nothing happened. She was locked in.

  Yusef had called her “my dog.”

  It was dark in the cupboard, but a little sliver of light shone through the crack between its double doors. Minsha stuck her nose right up to the crack. She could see Yusef pressed to the wall, and Tom and Mac standing in front of him.

  “I told you the kid was trouble,” Mac said. “He saw us take the silver earlier and now he’s busted out of the hospital. He’s gotta be looking for someone to tell.”

  Silver! That’s what Minsha had felt in Tom’s pocket! It was Mr. Khoury’s necklace!

  “Who would he tell?” Tom argued. “He doesn’t even speak English.”

  “I’m not willing to take that chance. You know what the commissioner will do to us if he finds out we’re taking people’s money,” Mac said. “He says Ellis Island is supposed to be run honestly.”

  He took a step toward Yusef. His voice was full of menace. “We’ll tell people the boy’s a criminal. Then they’ll deport him. That’ll show him.”

  “No,” Yusef whispered. “Deport” was the one English word just about every immigrant knew.

  Minsha growled. She pushed harder against the cupboar
d doors. They still didn’t budge.

  She thought things couldn’t get worse. That was when she heard Henrietta Henry meowing. First the sound came from below in the kitchen. It got stronger as Henrietta made her way upstairs.

  “This way, doctor!” the cat meowed loudly. “There is a dog somewhere in this building who is breaking all the rules. I saw her going in this direction with the inspectors. This dog simply must be sent to the pound. And there is a boy with her. He is definitely not where he is supposed to be. Someone needs to do something about it…” The cat went on and on. She didn’t seem to care if anyone could understand her. But from the way she was yowling, even a human would know that she was telling them something was wrong.

  Minsha heard the light tapping of shoes on the hard floor outside. They got closer and closer to the room.

  Then a voice that scared Minsha just as much as Mac’s and Tom’s echoed through the hallway. “Goodness, Henrietta,” Dr. Rose said. “Why are you making such a fuss? I have a sick boy to find!”

  The door to the room opened. Mac gulped. Tom’s back stiffened. Yusef’s eyes widened.

  “What’s going on in here?” Dr. Rose demanded.

  17 Discovered

  Minsha held perfectly still. She couldn’t let Dr. Rose know she was there. Dr. Rose would send her to the pound and make sure she never saw Leila again.

  There’d be no chance for Yusef now. Dr. Rose would probably make sure he left America that instant, without even waiting for morning.

  But she didn’t.

  “Thank goodness, Yusef!” she said. “Are you all right? I’ve never lost a patient before in all my time here.”

  Minsha could almost hear Tom puffing out his chest. “We’ve caught him for you, Dr. Rose,” he said.

  “I see that,” Dr. Rose said. “But there’s no reason to hold him in this room.”