Caves That Time Forgot Read Online Free Page A

together.”
    His words reminded Sarah of the uncertainty of their future.
    Finally Dave said, “We better roll up in our blankets. I want to get an early start tomorrow.”
    As usual the boys had brought along a small, lightweight tent for the girls. When the two of them had crawled into it and pulled up their blankets, Abbie said sleepily, “ I wish we had a boat like we had back home. We could just get in it and go skimming up this old river. We’ll never have that again, I don’t suppose.”
    Sarah looked over at the girl’s face. The light of the campfire flickered, and dimly she saw Abbie’s beautiful features. She wished for the thousandth time that she had this girl’s beauty, and she thought of Josh’s remark. I’drather have someone smart—like you . As she drifted off to sleep Sarah thought, I’d trade all my smarts for Abbie’s long eyelashes!
    Next day the Sleepers paused at noon to eat a brief meal, then continued along the riverbank. If anything, the trees grew larger and closer together here, so that the sky was simply closed off at times.
    For three days they trekked. Fortunately the path was well worn. They were able to trap animals without any trouble—mostly rabbits, although something like a possum got into one of Reb’s snares.
    They carried no weapons, not even bow and arrows, for that had been one of Goél’s instructions. Reb, however, had managed to form a slingshot out of a piece of elastic cord. He was a dead shot and could hit a target fifty feet away with such force it would bring down small game.
    He came in one afternoon after a hunting trip and held up his bag. “Look what I got here!” he said, a smile on his face. When they gathered around, he said, “They look like squirrels, but look at the size of them! Why, these scamps—they’re three times as big as any squirrels I ever saw in Arkansas!”
    Josh held up one. “This thing is as big as a small dog. And look at the claws and teeth! Funny kind of squirrel.”
    â€œWell, we’re gonna see if they’re any good to eat!” Reb said. “Sure wish I had some dumplings. Nothing better than squirrel and dumplings. Save me some of the brains,” he said, winking at Josh. “You ever eat squirrel brains, Abbie?”
    â€œNo!” Abbie shuddered. “And I’m not going to start either!”
    They pressed on for another two days. Late the second afternoon, when they stopped for camp, Reb went outlooking for game while the rest made a fire and set up the tent. He came back in less than ten minutes, a strange look on his face. “Better come and take a look at this,” he said. “I ain’t never seen nothing like it.”
    â€œWhat is it?” Dave asked.
    But Reb only motioned for them to follow.
    He paused at a cleared space beside the river and said, “Notice how the ground is kinda trampled? Well, look at this.” He led them to the water and pointed to the ground.
    Josh looked and said, “What is it? I don’t see anything.”
    â€œDon’t you see that track?” Reb demanded. “Look at it!”
    Josh then saw that the track was so big he had missed it. It was at least a foot wide and more than three feet long. He had mistaken it for some sort of small crater.
    Reb said, “He comes to the river to drink, whatever he is.”
    Josh stepped back, and the rest gathered around to stare.
    Wash peered at the huge track and said, “Look at the claws on that critter’s foot!” He shivered. “Whatever it is, I sure don’t want to meet up with him! ”
    Dave frowned at the print. “I don’t think any of us wants to see a thing like this—whatever it is.”
    â€œBentley, the cook,” Josh said. “Remember, he told us there were strange things on the Isle of Mordor. I don’t like the looks of that.”
    â€œLet’s get