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Show 17 off the land-like Mountain Men." For a long moment Josh sat silent, his mind racing. He didn't want to leave home, but he didn't know what els^e to do to save Chinook. "When?" he finally asked in a whisper- "Tomorrow!" Cap whooped in the night. He stood in the crotch of the tree and did a little dance. "Criminently, Josh, won't it be somethin', though? No adults to tell us what to do, or take your dog away?" With a glum nod, Josh told him about Mary Alice's party tomorrow, and the fact she was serving chocolate cake and ice cream. Without a mother, Cap seldom got chocolate cake. So he agreed that after the party was probably plenty of time to run away to the mountains. Sighing, Joah got down from the tree. It was time to go face his mother, and tell her what happened that afternoon. But at least Cap was helping with the problem. As Josh stepped away, Cap touched his arm. "Shhhhh! Listen!" Cap whispered. From the foothills above the house came the piercing wail of a screetch owl. Twice, three times. It was a different sound than the low hoots of the ordinary barn owl Josh had used to call out his friend. It was more like a scream, and it sent a shiver through him. "Oh oh, better lock your doors the next couple nights," Cap said. "Why? What's an owl got to do . . . ." Cap frowned at Josh's ignorance. "Pop knows all about signs. |
