Bartleby of the Big Bad Bayou Read Online Free Page B

because you have traveled so far. You think you are strong and clever. But you are no match for me. Now hand Present over and get going!”
    â€œSssorry, Old Ssskunk. I will never give Bartleby to you.”
    â€œOld Skunk!” Grub chortled. “That’s a good one, bro’. But you better look out.”
    Old Stump bashed his head against the surface of the water. It was the sign of a very angry gator. “If you don’t give me my present, you will never leave this bayou alive!” he bellowed. “Old Stump will see that your bones are buried under the muddy bottom.” The furious gator swam toward Seezer and Bartleby. His tail practically reached from bank to bank as he swished it back and forth. His jaws were open. Bloody bits of food were still clinging to his teeth. The air reeked of him.
    â€œWait! I’m not the eating kind of present,” Bartleby cried. “I’m too special to eat. I’m a racing turtle.”
    With an earsplitting clap, the great gator closed his mouth. “What does Old Stump need with a racing turtle?”
    â€œYou can race me against other turtles. It will be fun. Don’t you like to have fun?”
    â€œOld Stump doesn’t know. He’s never had any. Besides, he’s eaten all the turtles around here.” Old Stump smacked his jaws.
    Bartleby gulped. “How about racing me against alligators, then?”
    â€œAgainst alligators? No turtle can outswim an alligator.”
    â€œIf that’s true, you have nothing to lose. But if I win, you’ll have to let me go.”
    The moldy old giant stopped to consider. “All right. Old Stump can be nice. He can be patient.” He turned his boulder-sized head toward the four alligators on the bank. “Whichever of you wins will get a minnow as a reward. A small one of course. We will hold the race here tonight when the horned owl hoots.” He whirled around with surprising speed, whipping his tail at Seezer, Bartleby, and Grub. “You will wait on the bank across the way where my guards can keep an eye on you. Old Stump wouldn’t want Present to decide to leave before tonight.”

5
    The Mysterious Friend
    â€œI’m sssorry I ever brought you here,” Seezer groaned as he paced back and forth on the mud bank. “This bayou isn’t the sssame place I left. It’s not home at all.”
    Bartleby eyed the four guard gators across the creek and shuddered in his shell. He was very afraid. But how could he blame Seezer? He’d wanted to come here just as much as his friend. “It’s not your fault. Besides, I’m not giving up yet. A turtle is persistent.”
    â€œLittle bro’, you may be from New York, but you’re not too smart,” Grub groaned as he scratched the dirt for a worm or a beetle. “Not even the biggest turtle in the bayou is faster than a hungry gator.”
    â€œI may not be faster than those green goons, but I’m smarter,” Bartleby retorted. “They’re starving! If Old Stump keeps all the fish for himself, why don’t they just find another home?” He eyed Grub curiously. “Why have you stayed here?”
    The scrawny gator hung his head. “Guess I’ve been afraid that what’s out there might be worse than what’s right here.”
    â€œIf we sssurvive tonight, we’ll find a better place,” Seezer vowed. “Come with us, Grub. Family ssshould ssstick together.”
    â€œAll right,” Grub agreed. “Although we may end up shmushed together—inside Old Smelly’s belly.”
    â€œWe haven’t much time left to make a plan,” Bartleby said. “I’d better take a nap.”
    â€œA nap, little bro’? Now?”
    â€œBartleby sssometimes sssees sssigns in his dreams,” Seezer explained. “They helped ssshow us the way to this bayou.”
    â€œHere? Then we’re definitely in trouble.” Grub