Escape to Witch Mountain by Alexander Key

Author:Alexander Key
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2010-03-09T23:00:00+00:00

THE BEARS

The freeing of the bears was causing a much greater commotion than Tony had counted on. Two cars full of summer tourists had stopped at the filling station, and a half dozen people were approaching the cage as Tia reached it and began tugging at the rusty padlocks on the door.

The attendant saw her and yelled, but Tia paid no attention to him. When the door came open, tourists scattered. Women screamed. In seconds there was a traffic jam in front of the station as drivers braked to gawk at two momentarily bewildered black bears being urged away by a thin girl with pale hair. Then awkwardly but swiftly, one on either side of her, the bears began to run for the brushy ravine at the edge of town.

Tony waited at the far corner of the police station until Tia was safely down the slope before he pocketed his harmonica and hastened after her. Long before he reached the muddy creek at the bottom he was aware of rising excitement in the town. Men were running, calling to each other, questioning, and twice he heard Ben Purdy's voice, hoarsely trying to explain what had happened.

He lost sight of Tia in the brush, but found her waiting uncertainly by the creek. Beyond her the bears were standing half submerged in midstream, drinking thirstily while they cooled off. Winkie sat watching on the bank.

“Which way do we go, Tony?”

“Follow the creek,” he told her. “A little farther on we'll have to cross it and climb to a cornfield. Get going—they may be starting after us soon!”

He didn't think Ben Purdy would be in a great hurry to follow them; unless, of course, he got someone to help. But you never could tell. Money was everything to some people, and a portion of the reward was enough to make even the mayor overlook a few points.

There was a faint trail bordering the creek, apparently made by fishermen. They were racing along it when he heard sounds behind them. Glancing back, he saw the two bears approaching.

“Do we have to have those—those friends of yours with us?” he panted.

“They won't bother you,” Tia assured him.

“Don't be a dope! Bears are bears! Who said they won't bother us?”

“They did, of course.”

“Huh? Since when could you understand bear talk?”

“It's simple enough, Tony. If you have any real feeling for animals, you know exactly how they feel, and that's practically the same as being able to talk to them. Can't you see they love us?”

“No, I can't,” he muttered. It was all right for Tia to be that way—she could probably get along fine with a man-eating tiger. But he wasn't Tia.

The creek widened in a stony area; Tony stopped to study it, and saw the bears wheel and splash across through the shallows. It was as if they knew this was the best way to the cornfield. Quickly he drew off his shoes and socks and followed. Tia waded behind him, carrying Winkie. The creek felt wonderfully cool to their feet.

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