Caged Eagles Read Online Free

“That’ll make it easier.”
    Easier? Easier for him, maybe, but not for any of us who had to move.
    I watched as he started up the path away from the dock and toward the houses. In the distance I could see some of the other officers. They had already started, in pairs, to go from house to house, checking to see that people were gone or getting ready to leave.
    â€œWait!” I yelled.
    Constable Johnson stopped and turned around.
    But it wasn’t just him who responded to my call. More than a dozen people, my neighbors, all turned for an instant and looked in my direction. I knew that while they wouldn’t be staring at me, they’d be watching me out of the corners of their eyes, and listening. I started up the path and Officer Johnson waited.
    â€œYou’re here to see that we all get out, right?”
    He nodded his head ever so slightly.
    â€œWhat if we didn’t leave?” I asked, surprising even myself with my question.
    Officer Johnson looked taken aback by my question. “Are there some people who aren’t going to leave voluntarily?” he asked. There was a hint of worry in his voice.
    â€œThere are no people who are leaving voluntarily,”
    I said.
    Now he looked genuinely worried, and confused.
    â€œWe’re being forced to leave. Nobody’s going voluntarily,” I continued.
    â€œI understand,” he said almost apologetically, his face suddenly relaxed. “What I meant was, are there some families that are refusing to follow the orders?”
    â€œI don’t think so …” I paused. “What would you do if somebody refused to go? If they refused to leave their home behind?”
    He didn’t answer for a minute, and I could see by the expression on his face that he was struggling to come up with any answer.
    â€œThat is a good question.”
    I turned around. It was Mr. Yano. He was one of the most respected men in the village. His grandfather’s family had been the first to settle the village, and he was born here — making him one of the first Japanese born in Canada. He had been standing silently behind me and must have heard my question. I looked around. There were others standing within earshot, waiting.
    â€œYou have your orders,” the constable said.
    â€œAnd if we don’t follow those orders?” Mr. Yano asked.
    â€œThen … then, I have my orders, sir.” Constable Johnson took a deep breath. “And those orders are for this village to be cleared by noon — and we will arrest anyone who does not comply with that order. I certainly hope that will not be necessary, sir.”
    â€œIt will not,” Mr. Yano said quietly. “We are lawabiding Canadian citizens. How long have you been a police officer?”
    â€œUm … nearly eight years.”
    â€œAnd how long in Prince Rupert?” Mr. Yano continued.
    â€œJust over a year.”
    Mr. Yano nodded. “And in that time have you ever had to arrest a Canadian of Japanese descent?”
    â€œNo, never,” Constable Johnson answered.
    â€œI didn’t think so,” Mr. Yano replied. “And it will not start now. We are good citizens, good Canadians, and we will follow the order to evacuate.”
    I could see the relief in the officer’s face. “We were hoping for your cooperation. We are here to offer any assistance we can in helping with the evacuation. Thank you, and good day, sir,” he said as he turned and walked up the path. Silently I watched him walk away.
    â€œHe knows it isn’t right,” I said softly.
    â€œEverybody knows it isn’t right,” Mr. Yano agreed.
    â€œThat makes it even worse. You be careful, Tadashi.
    People don’t like it when you point out their errors.
    There is no gain in refusing to do what they ask.”
    â€œI wasn’t trying to resist,” I blurted, shocked that he thought I was going to offer resistance. “I just wanted to