On My Honor Report by Jake Crouse By Marion Dane Bauer

Joel is a young boy whose friend Tony is always wanting to do the wrong things. Like he wants to climb the Starve Rock bluffs. Joel doesn't want to but he doesn’t want to be called a chicken.

Joel lets go climb the bluff at Starve rock said Tony one day Joel lets go climb the bluff at Starve rock said Tony one day. Joel did not want because a man was found died at the bottom of the bluffs. The police said he was climbing the bluffs and fell of. But he gave in and said he would ask father. He would ask his dad before he went to work because he would say no. excepted what he doesn't no is that his father would maybe give him some breathing room.

“Dad do you think that Tony and I can ride are bikes out to Starve Rock and back," asked Joel. That’s a long ride for you boys. I don’t know, please said Joel trying to act like he wanted to go but he would think that he would say no but he said yes.

I call dibs on your bike said Tony I call dibs on your bike said Tony. Joel was very unhappy with dad but he had to go now. The ride was very hot and long. The were no all most there. The were going over a bridge and Tony stop and Joel kept going he turned around and went to Tony.

Tony was standing over the rail of the bridge Joel didn't want Tony to fall in so he told Tony to get down from there but Tony didn’t . Tony asked Joel if he wanted to go swimming he said yes because that what he wanted to do in the first place but Tony said in the river. Joel new the river was dangerous. But he didn’t want to be called a chicken so he went down there and jump in with Tony.

They were swimming fine They were swimming fine. Joel know that the river had whirl pools and the current was strong. But he didn’t think it was too bad. So he stayed in they water. He could smell all the died fish. Then Tony stared talking about Joel’s dad and so they got into a fight.

Joel was about to leave before Tony called him a chicken Joel was about to leave before Tony called him a chicken. Then Joel said lets race out to the sand bar on the other side of the river Tony said ok. He knew that Tony couldn’t swim really swim that good. So they swam out to the sand bar a Joel could hear Tony dog paddling. They both made it to the sand bar but now they were going back and Joel looked back into the water when he reached the shore and Tony wasn’t there. He said come out Tony stop joking around. Nobody answered. He started to get scared and didn’t know what to do.

Joel went back into the smelly water and started looking for Tony but he was know where to be found then a Whirl Pool came and sucked Joel down he could not swim then he saw a person like figure. He reached up and grabbed it and it was just a log. He sat on it then swam to shore to find his clothes sitting right where he left them.

Joel put his jeans and his shirt back on and Then he throw up because of the bad water that went into his mouth. He went to the rode we a car drove by and would not stop for Joel. Then a blue convertible car stopped for Joel and the teenage boy said get out of the way and his girl friend said lets see what he wants. Joel said my friend has drowned in the river the boy looked a around then the raced down to the river.

The kid ran into the water looking every where he could not find Tony anywhere he went closer to the bridge but still no luck. Joel saw the boy go down and back getting air then the kid walk out of the water. The kid said how long was it before u got me to come down here? Joel said 15 minutes well it take less then 5 minutes to drown so I think he is gone you should go to the police. The kid drove of with his girl friend. Joel got on his bike and started going home.

When Joel got back from the river he lock the door and went up stairs and lade down on his bed. Tony's mother came over to his and knocked on the door and said came down here and unlock this door but Joel didn’t move he just stayed there in his bed.

After a while Joel could smell the nasty water that was all over Him After a while Joel could smell the nasty water that was all over Him. So he took a shower but that didn’t help .When his mom came home she was worried about him. Tony’s Mother is worried about you his mother said. He said sorry he was napping he was surprised that she did not smell the water. He went back up stairs until his dad got home. His dad asked him were Tony was he said he didn’t no. Well go do your paper route. Joel's little brother ask if he could go to. Joel said yes. So they went on there paper route.

When they got back Tony’s mom and dad and Joel's mom and dad were out side of Tony's house. They asked him to come over there but he wouldn't go over like he didn’t hear them. The second time he went over there. They asked where the last place he saw Tony was. He said on the way to Starve Rock. We no that but where at on the way to Starve Rock next to the river on the bridge.

Joel then went to bed until he heard a car next to Tony's house Joel then went to bed until he heard a car next to Tony's house. He looked outside and it was a police car with to cops. He was thinking that the kid in the car must have went to the police. Then Joel thought that he should tell Tony's parents before the cops did. So Joel sunk down stairs and out the door when he looked at the house Tony’s parents were standing out side talking to the police. One of the police men were holding Tony’s shirt and pants. He look back at his house and his dad was standing in the doorway. His dad walked over to him then they walk to over to Tony's parents and the police. The cop with the clothes gave them to Tony’s mother. They said they found them down by the river. Tony's mom started to cry.

They asked if the river was the last place he saw Tony They asked if the river was the last place he saw Tony. Then he told them the whole story about them swimming and Tony drowning.

Joel started to cry then he started to cry and was up sit Joel started to cry then he started to cry and was up sit. Joel started to punch his dad in his stomach because he was blaming it on his father. He ran back to his house up to his room. He lead there for a long time. His dad came in and sat on the side of his bed. Joel acted like he was sleeping. He was thinking his he going to sit there all night as a punishment but then his dad said he was sorry that he let him go to Starve Rock by themselves. He also said that every thing was going to be ok. Joel really missed Tony and thought about him often.