Dinosaur Hideout Read Online Free Page A

rocks, they have their place, but you don’t need ’em. This is all you need, right here!”
    “Dad, I know I didn’t finish my chores, and I apologize, but this morning I found something really exciting. It proves –”
    Suddenly, Dad stood up and waved an arm to cut him off.
    “Look, Danny, I know you aren’t all that keen on the farm right now, and maybe I wasn’t either at your age. But what we do and how we live is important, especially now.” Dad grabbed the pail of milk, ready to move on to the next cow.
    Daniel ducked away, sighing. Why couldn’t Dad even try to understand the importance of what he was doing? He looked back up at him; he was still in lecturing mode and ignoring Daniel’s protests.
    “You may find dinosaur stuff appealing for now, but you’ll grow out of it. Besides, they’re long gone, Danny. What’s essential is what’s here and now. Keep that in mind when you decide to go gallivanting again instead of doing your chores. Okay?” He looked at Daniel sternly.
    “Okay, okay. I hear you,” he said, then mumbled to himself, “loud and clear.” He grabbed the pitchfork again and stalked off further down the length of the barn and across to the other side, as far away as he could get.
    Why couldn’t Dad understand how he felt? He’d been searching for dinosaurs for years and his own father hadn’t even noticed! But then his Dad hardly ever noticed anything he was involved in, nor did he set foot in Daniel’s bedroom. If he did, he’d see all the books, mobiles, and replicas he’d collected. Mom seemed sympathetic, but Dad had the final word on everything. Sometimes it seemed like Velcro joined them at the hip.
    Daniel continued with his chores in silence. At last he filled the final pail of water, then struggled over to the trough with it. He was tired, and the water slopped over the edges as he walked. His hands ached with the cold. He hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast, except an apple Jed had brought back for him from his grandmother’s. It had been a terrible day. First Pederson, and now Dad yelling at him.
    He struggled to lift the bucket to the trough, and finally hoisted it to the rim, managing to pour the water in without slopping too much over the edges or any more on himself. As he returned the empty pail to the feed room, relieved that he’d accomplished the task, Dactyl followed him, nosing into the corners. Then just as he set the pail down, Dad called from across the barn.
    “Come on, Danny, let’s go in for supper. This will do for tonight.”
    Daniel didn’t hesitate for a moment. He followed Dad out of the barn in record time.

Chapter Three

    “ M orning, Jedlock,” Daniel seated himself eagerly beside his friend on the school bus the next day. “Now I can finally tell you my news. You’re not going to believe it!” He reached into his pocket, but stopped short at the glum look on Jed’s face.
    “Mornin’,” Jed said unhappily, staring out the window.
    “What’s up?” Daniel nudged him with sudden concern.
    Jed spoke at last. “Did you hear about that oil company that wants to lease land around here?”
    “Yeah. My dad was on the phone with all kinds of people last night, that’s why I didn’t get a chance to call you.”
    Jed turned to look at him. “Do you know what this could mean? We won’t be able to cross any of the property and no more searching for dinosaur relics. They’ll be digging up all over the place, levelling hills and putting in an access road. There’ll be trucks and people everywhere. All that noise and stink.”
    Daniel shook his head and replied with assurance. “It won’t happen to us. Sounded like my dad thought there were too many reasons not to do it.”
    “Oh, yeah?” Jed shook his head. “Some guy is coming out to see my parents tomorrow night. I overheard them say your parents were interested too.”
    “What? Get real, man!”
    “This is for real!” Jed nodded.
    “My parents can’t be interested.