HUSH of the Night

Historical fiction for middle graders, Hush of the Night tells the story of the discovery of the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico in 1901-1902 from the point of view of the resident bat colony. Hush, one of the colony’s younger members, foresees serious trouble the day a giant invades the bat roost. The giant (Jim White, a young cowboy), drawn to the scene by the spectacular nightly flights to the hunt, has decided to explore the mysterious cavern itself. He discovers its astonishing size and magnificent scenic rooms. The bat-giant conflict thereupon escalates as the colony struggles to defend its private home of some thousand years’ standing and Jim resolves to explore it all and make it known to the world. The battle reaches a climax the following year when Jim plus two other cowboys clump into the roost while Hush is cradling a new-born son. One cowboy foolishly fires a gun to arouse the bats and confirm their presence. Havoc ensues. Hush, in a desperate move to save her son from disaster, flees with him to the cavern’s deepest level. This was an area that her elders had long held dangerous and declared off-limits to all bats. But Hush, determined to dodge the giants, ignored the warnings and soon found herself trapped. Her heroism, however, in the subsequent events brings the story to a joyful conclusion. Throughout the tale, the portrayal of bat life points up the ecological importance of these small mammals and also stirs one’s sense of wonder.