[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Gloomer snuffled and tugged, this way and that; Brogg and Scratt strained on the leads to keep it going the
right way. The moon over the woodlands shone through the trees on the reluctant trio and their monstrous
charge as they blundered and crashed through Mossflower, disturbing the peaceful night, tainting it with
evil.
Chapter 12
Martin was awake before dawn. He fed the fire and sat by it. Skipper came and sat with him.  Now then,
messmate. You ve got a face on you like a wet waterbeetle s grandad. Why so worried?
Martin smiled half-heartedly.  Oh, it s listening to those stories that the crew were telling about the
Gloomer, I suppose. It s all my fault for coming here and causing trouble for you, Skipper.
The big otter gave Martin a hearty clap on the back that nearly sent him head over tail.  Ha harr. Bless
your little  eart, me old warrior. You don t want to listen to that scuttlebutt. Was that all you was afeared
of? You come with me and I ll introduce you to our Stormfin.
 Stormfin?
 Aye, Stormfin, matey. Come  ere to the back of the cave.
In the darkness of the cavern recess, Skipper showed Martin a sluicegate that blocked the canal across
its middle. There were narrow spaces in the gate, allowing the water to flow through. At one side was a
hollow log.
Skipper picked up a cudgel and passed it to Martin.  Listen, mate, that big pussycat may  ave a
Gloomer, but us otters got a Stormfin. You start thumpin that there log and I ll raise the sluicegate. Stay
clear of the water s edge, though.
Mystified, Martin began banging the log. The eerie sounds bounced off the cavern walls as Skipper
raised the gate clear of the water.
The otter nodded sagely.  That ll warn anyone who s in the water to get out, Stormfin s comin . Watch
the canal, now, and don t forget to stay clear.
Far back in the darkness something was beginning to come forward. A smooth wave rose; it slopped
over the sides as the water was pushed along by some tremendous force. Martin was about to question
Skipper when the otter lowered the gate slightly, and the water began roiling and bubbling. A long shape,
like a section of tree trunk, smooth, with a many-spiked dorsal fin emerged.
Martin gasped and jumped back.  That s Stormfin?
 Aye, this is Stormfin, matey. Me and my brother trapped him long ago. Skipper leaned forward and
patted the giant pike s fin, causing it to lash its tail. The water boiled into a white foam as the otter leaped
back laughing.
 Hohoho! Take a look, Martin. You wouldn t like to cross that cove s path if you was out a swimmin ,
now would you?
Martin leaned forward. He saw the powerful bony head with its muddy eyes and long hooking
underjaw. The mouth opened slightly. He had never seen so many teeth in one mouth; there were row
upon row of jagged backward curving rippers, needle-sharp and milky white. Stormfin seemed to be
smiling in anticipation. With a flick of his mighty silver-and-black-banded bulk he butted his head against
the lowered sluicegate, anxious to be freed into open water.
Skipper stood with both paws on the gate lever.  Right then, you old buccaneer. Don t eat him too
quick, now; you ll make yourself sick.
Martin helped Skipper to weigh down upon the lever. The sluicegate lifted. Stormfin rushed through,
creating a miniature tidal wave as he traveled. Skipper left the gate open.
 He ll be back in a few days. We coax him in with tidbits. Pity there ain t more n one Gloomer. That
pike has a terrible appetite.
Panting and rasping, the Gloomer dragged on the leads. The trio looked toward Tsarmina as they dug their
paws into the turf and were dragged helplessly toward the River Moss.
Fortunata began to panic.  Milady, quick, give the word, or it will have us in the water!
Tsarmina extended her paws and raised them as if starting a race.  Right, you three, when I let my
paws drop the 
Too late. Gloomer snapped the lead Fortunata was holding and the two guards were pulled over on
their faces. Immediately they let their leads go; Gloomer sploshed noisily into the water. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]