The Adventure Begins by Colin Dann

Author:Colin Dann
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781448119509
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Another Victim

THE OTTER PAIR hid themselves thankfully amongst a thick growth of water-irises. How could they know that the humans they had evaded meant them no harm? That they actually would have delivered them to their old home by a much safer and quicker route? To the animals, these men with their brilliant lamps and their nets seemed terrifying. As for Sleek Otter, she had bolted into a drainage ditch where she lay quaking until the humans had disappeared.

Meanwhile Farthing Wood held its breath. Nervous Squirrel’s agitated cries of ‘S-strangers in the Wood’ were heard more frequently. The tranquillity of the woodland was disturbed regularly by the cold, calculating humans whom Sage Hedgehog had first witnessed. They took a particular interest in the grassland surrounding the Wood, returning to it at intervals, and giving the appearance that they were in their clever way taking its measure.

‘Too close for comfort,’ Jay screamed as he flew overhead. And the Wood’s inhabitants trod warily and quietly until they were left alone again.

Lean Fox said to his vixen, ‘The Wood is uneasy. Every creature is on tenterhooks. Sickness is rife and men come spying. Things were less fraught when the otters were here.’

‘How can you say that?’ Lean Vixen rounded on him. ‘There was constant friction. At least these men don’t steal our food. We’re of no interest to them at all.’

‘I think you’re mistaken,’ Lean Fox said quietly. ‘If we’re of no interest, why do they continue to return here?’

‘Who knows? Who cares? As long as we can hunt and keep our cubs free from sickness, that’s all we need to concern ourselves about.’

The sickness was spreading, claiming more victims. Quick Weasel and Wily Stoat had died and other animals throughout the Wood were now suffering. For some creatures it became increasingly difficult to know where to hunt and what areas to shun.

Stout Vixen, whose cubs would soon be born, saw her mate arrive from his foraging with nothing.

‘How can you come into our earth carrying nothing?’ she berated him. ‘This is the second occasion. Perhaps I should hunt for myself?’

‘You certainly have the greater skill,’ Stout Fox replied magnanimously. ‘Believe me, I’ve tried everywhere. The rabbits are becoming much more wary and you know I don’t like settling for other prey. It’s particularly risky with some of them carrying disease.’

‘I understand your motives,’ the vixen said. ‘But what are we to do? If you can no longer catch a rabbit, then you must look elsewhere.’

‘I’ve done so,’ he replied. ‘Would you want me to bring you beetles and moths?’

‘Well, I must eat,’ Stout Vixen said. ‘Fasting at a time like this is unacceptable.’ She stood up. ‘Is the Wood quiet?’

‘Quiet and still.’

‘I’ll find something, I’ve no doubt,’ she declared with confidence.

Stout Fox followed her through the exit hole. A shower of rain pattered through the leafy trees.

‘I’ll go alone,’ Stout Vixen told him. ‘Perhaps I’ll find something.’

Stout Fox said admiringly, ‘If anyone can, you will do so.’

Stout Vixen trotted beneath the trees towards the stream.

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