Lulu Bell and the Pirate Fun Read Online Free

her nose to the ground, as if she was trying to sniff out a scent. She paused and lookedback. She barked loudly. It was her warning bark.
    Lulu felt a heavy lump in her tummy. Where could Jessie be? Could something have happened to her? What if she’s lost or hurt?

Chapter 8
The Hunt for Jessie
    â€˜Jessie!’ called Lulu. ‘Jessie, come!’
    Mum whistled again.
    â€˜The floodwaters have definitely risen since yesterday,’ said Mum. ‘The water’s lapping up against the trees now.’
    Once she came to the flooded paddock, Asha seemed to lose the faint scent she had been following. She looked up and down, then barked again.
    â€˜I think we might need some help,’ said Mum. ‘Something is definitely not right.’
    Mum pulled out her phone and called Dad. In a few moments, he arrived in the four-wheel drive with Uncle Nick. Auntie Tor followed in her car.
    Dad jumped out of the car. He was wearing his oilskin jacket and a hat. Everyone gathered around to discuss a search plan.
    â€˜When was the last time anyone saw Jessie?’ asked Dad.
    â€˜She was playing with Polly after breakfast,’ said Lulu. ‘I saw them run across the paddock towards the creek. Polly came home just a little while ago, but Jessie wasn’t with her.’
    â€˜So she’s been gone a couple of hours,’ said Mum. ‘She could be anywhere.’
    Dad looked up and down the flooded creek. ‘I think we should split up,’ he suggested. ‘If we keep calling and whistling, she should hear us and come running.’
    Uncle Nick started the car engine. ‘Gus, you come with me. We’ll go and check around the cattle yards and in the back paddocks. She might be chasing rabbits up in the hills.’

    â€˜I’ll drive out and check along the road,’ said Auntie Tor. ‘She could have wandered out the front gate. Meg, do you want to come too?’
    Meg nodded.
    â€˜Why don’t you boys check the sheds?’ Dad suggested.
    Tom and Lachie ran off to search thefarm buildings. Uncle Nick and Auntie Tor drove off in different directions.
    Dad looked at Lulu. He tweaked her cheek. ‘Come on, sweetie. Don’t worry. We’ll find our Jessie.’
    Lulu looked up at Dad. ‘What if she’s been washed away by the flood?’
    Dad gave Lulu a big hug. His arms felt strong and safe. ‘Jessie’s a big, clever dog. And she’s as brave as a lion. We’ll find her.’
    Mum took Rosie by the hand. ‘Why don’t Rosie and I search upstream?’ she suggested.
    â€˜Good idea,’ said Dad. ‘Lulu and I can go downstream.’
    Lulu and Dad scrambled along the creek bank. The creek bed itself was quite narrow. At some points it was only one metre across. At other parts it expandedto form shallow pools that were usually only a couple of metres wide. Today, though, all the flooding meant that the shallow pools were now about the size of a football field.
    Asha ran back and forth, as if she was still trying to find a scent to follow. But the floodwater had washed away any trail.
    Lulu called until her voice was hoarse. Dad checked under the wooden bridge. There was no sign of the missing dog. Past the bridge, the creek flowed faster. It twisted and turned like a snake through the paddock. This was the part of the creek that Uncle Nick had warned could be dangerous.
    Dad helped Lulu clamber along the rough bank. There were gnarled tree roots, rocks and boulders. The ground was slippery and soggy underfoot.Dad stopped to check back across the paddock.
    Lulu scrambled up a small mound, with Asha following. Lulu paused at the top to catch her breath. Her face felt hot and sticky. Her hands stung with scratches from thorns and branches. Her clothes were soaked and stuck to her skin. And still there was no sign of Jessie.

    Down below her, the creek had widened out again, forming a muddy brown lagoon. The bank was choked with