Caves That Time Forgot Read Online Free Page B

back to camp,” Dave said. “ I don’t like being out in the open like this.”
    At the campsite, Wash said, “I think I’m gonna find me a different place to sleep tonight.”
    â€œLike where?” Dave demanded.
    â€œLike up in a tree somewhere. Way up.” He pointed at a tree where there were huge branches. “Maybe I’ll climb up there and sleep.”
    â€œYou’d fall out and break your neck,” Dave said in disgust. “We’ll be all right tonight. And we’ll keep a sharp eye out tomorrow. We ought to be at the village in another two or three days.”
    But late that night Reb heard a strange thrashing about as if trees were being shoved aside, and Wash whispered, “You sure we don’t want to go climb that tree, Reb? I don’t want that big thing to come visiting.”
    â€œAw, I’ll pop him off with my slingshot.” Later, however, he looked up at the tree and said, “Before this thing is over, we might all be up a tree, Wash.”

3
    The Lost World
    I don’t know how long we can keep going like this,” Dave said, gazing out across the swamplike territory that stretched before them.
    The Sleepers had been traveling for two days, and the going had been difficult. At times they had to wade through bogs where the mud sucked up around their ankles. They had seen little game on the way, so food was scarce.
    Abbie sighed. “I wish we could get out of this mud. Look at me! I’m dirty from head to foot.”
    Wash piped up, saying, “I don’t mind being dirty so much as I mind being hungry.” He glanced about the swamp and then looked ahead. “That looks like a dry spot up there, Dave. Let’s see if we can get out of this water.”
    The seven struggled on, their feet making sucking sounds as they pulled them free of the muck. But at last they found themselves up on dry and stony ground.
    Wiping the mud off his boots as well as he could, Josh looked up at Dave. “What now? The river’s getting smaller all the time.”
    â€œThat’s the way rivers do,” Dave said nastily. “They’re small where they start. I’m surprised you didn’t know that, Josh.” His tone was sharp.
    Sarah thought Dave probably was unsure of himself and to cover this he asserted his authority. Seeing that Josh was about to answer back, she said quickly, “Let’s go on. According to the map, we aren’t too far away from the village.”She stooped and washed her hands in the river, which was now more of a creek.
    â€œAll right,” Dave said grudgingly. “I’d like to get where we’re going. I’m tired of this trip. It’s too much ‘adventure’ for me.”
    The land, Sarah saw, was broken up now by stony outcroppings. Here and there huge rocks began to appear, but the walking was much easier.
    They had kept at it for more than an hour when Dave called a halt. “Let’s stop here and rest. We’ll spread out and see if we can find some game or something else to eat—maybe berries.”
    Sarah saw huge ferns and tall trees everywhere but nothing that looked like a berry bush.
    â€œAll right,” Josh said doubtfully, “but it doesn’t look very promising.”
    â€œI’ll go with you, Josh,” Sarah said, and the two of them walked off to the right.
    As soon as they were out of hearing, Josh said angrily “I don’t see why Dave has to take everything out on me! He’s just getting a swelled head. Besides, I don’t think he knows what to do.”
    â€œWell, you know how that is, Josh. When we first got here and you were the leader, you were uncertain at times too. It’s hard on Dave. Just be patient with him.”
    Josh grinned at her. “Always the peacemaker, aren’t you? Well, I expect you’re right. Come on, let’s see if we can find something to eat.”
    But search as