Читать книгу Kentucky Tails - Betsy Byrne - Страница 10

Since there was such a ruckus going on, everyone came running. Even the crusaders of Peter who had just gotten to the area heard the wails of Emily and her son came running. All the critters were trying to comfort Emily, and find out what happened to make her so upset. Neither Raney nor his Mom would talk to the crowd, which led everyone to flood over to where Chet, Avery, and Amee stood. Chet explained to the mass of critters what had happened, and that it would be best to just leave Raney and his Mom alone.

One of the work forces nudged Peter and pulled him to the side. It was Hunter, a very large and intelligent seeming rabbit. ‘Tis a shame, mate, that the little chipmunk was picked off. Is there some kind of organizing we could do, to try to find where she’s been taken, if it’s not too late to get her back?’ Another recruiter joined in the conversation, ‘I think if we stay between the ditches, we may very well find where she went. I’ve lived here all my life and I know a few critters that are always game for a good ‘look see.’

One of Ferns boys, chimed in, ‘What about Lester and Fester? They could fly over the region and overlook the area to see if they could spot her.’ That was the Vulture brothers. Not a bad idea’ said Peter. ‘It would also be a good practice run for us before we have to deal with Dexter and his gang.

Let’s not say anything to anyone, as to what we’re trying to do, so no one can be disappointed. I don’t want another heart break for Miss Emily.’

Dutch hopped over to where Squinty, the ground hog was. He whispered the plan in his ear, and Squinty shook his head as if to say ‘yes.’ There was a gathering at the first of the two Hickory trees that stood tall near the house on the hill. All the volunteers that were there to help rid of Dexter and his team were swiftly making plans for the search. Lester and Fester were both there, and anxious to do their part to find the little squirrel.

Lester didn’t like to do things unless there was something in it for him. Fester wasn’t that bad, and told Lester, ‘Just think, if we find the pint-sized squirrel unharmed, we will be hero’s, or if we find the squirrel already dead, well . . .we just found our dinner for tonight!’ Lester’s mouth watered just to the thought, and greedily decided to do the task of looking.

They were to fly immediately from the area that Prissy was taken, down the borders and up to the Eastern area. The first task was to stop at Barren Lake, the National Park that was only maybe 10 minutes from our hill. The sights were awe-inspiring, but not one sign of dear Prissy was found. The birds flew toward Lake Cumberland. It was so gorgeous way up in the sky.

Luckily, it was still early enough in the day, that they had quite some time left to search, before they couldn’t see, for lack of light. The air was crisp, and fresh. Flying over Cumberland Falls, was just mesmerizing, it was hard to focus on anything else. The sight of a rainbow, arcing over the falls as if it were framing nature’s beauty, was exquisite. An acorn could have been munched on, and the whole den would have echoed from the sound.

Emily was sitting on her favorite fork of a root, and staring at the floor ahead of her. Raney sat by her side, not saying a word. The quiet was painfully uncomfortable. As the sun went down, and the fireflies started their dance of light, Raney went outside, and started walking anywhere, just to try to still his mind. He walked to the out skirts, near the road where the meeting was held. He heard voices and listened, to see what was happening.

He was grateful that there was a search, even though nobody saw a trace of her. Fester was reporting to Peter, and shaking his head slowly. Lester spoke of the others that were also looking in other areas for the tiny chipmunk, but no one had luck. Luther, one of the large, strapping bunnies, heard tiny footsteps, and left the group. Raney didn’t hear Luther quietly come up from behind, and throw his entire body onto the young chipmunk.

‘I got him, there’s a lurker here listening to us and here he is. He struggled and had a hold of Raney by the scruff of his neck shoving him into the center of the meeting circle. Raney huffed and puffed, his eyes looked so bewildered, he didn’t know what was happening, it was all so fast. ‘Leave him alone. Thanks for looking out for us Luther, but this is the brother of the lass that was taken.’

Raney turned to everyone, and thanked them for trying to find his sister. ‘My Mom and I thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts. All of us know that being picked off is a way of life maybe it will remind others to not wander in the open, and for parents to hang on to their offspring a little tighter.’ ‘We’re sorry that there isn’t something better to report Raney, but we all did the best that we could.’ Everyone dragged their tired bodies’ home.

It was getting dark, and they were all exhausted. Lester grumbled to Fester all the way home, how hungry he was and how disappointing their mission had been. The fireflies floated and the soft breeze felt so good, Lester didn’t pay attention to Fester’s complaints.

Lester just breathed in slowly the fresh air, closed his eyes and listened to the cricket symphony. Out of a lot of experience, he had learned to just let Fester moan and complain until he gets so tired, he grumbles himself right into bed, and falls asleep! No point trying to answer him, he wouldn’t be listening to anyone other than himself anyway.

Dutch was hopping behind the brothers, caught the eyes of Lester, and was holding his paws over his mouth with his eyes wide open and crossed, trying to make Lester smile. Actually, it did make him grin but he quickly looked away, so Dutch couldn’t make him literally laugh. I guess everyone needed some relief tonight. As Dutch did hop down his den, he heard his brothers and sisters laughing and chasing each other around the tree roots. His Mama, (Fern), had her arms crossed in front of her, and a very cross look on her face.

‘How many times do I have to tell you son that you need to let me know if you go anywhere?’ ‘Come on, Mama, I’m getting a little big for having to run to my Mom all the time, to check in with her.’ ‘You’ll always be my baby, and don’t you forget that. I worry about you, just as I worry about all my babies. I’m just glad that you’re safe, and I was very unnerved, especially after what happened to Miss Prissy today.’ ‘I know, I’m sorry, I just got so caught up in trying to help Peter and his new friends to try to find Priss.’

‘Did anyone have any luck’ asked Fern, as she started straightening the little nests of sticks and leaves, even though the smallest bunnies huddled around her. ‘No Unfortunately. I wonder how Lester got Fester to cooperate, and you know how selfish Fester is. I guess all that matters is that they were both there, and really did a huge search for Prissy.’

Squinty, the Bumpus offspring, was waddling his oversized body towards his home. ‘I feel like a hair in a biscuit, just hangin’ on here. I know my Ma always makes dinner about this time, and even though I’m plum tard, (tired), I gotta go get some of whatever’s cookin.’ Peter walked little Raney back home, so he could talk with him. ‘No one should have to go through what you and your Mom did today Raney.

I wish there was something else we could do that might help ease the pain you two have got to be feeling. Raney stopped walking turned to Peter with watery eyes and let out a screech that could wake up the entire area, ‘It was my entire fault. Yes, my Mom shouldn’t have to go through what she is feeling right now. I don’t know what to do; I took her youngest away from her, from my being a selfish and unfeeling chipmunk, with nothing on his mind except for justice for himself.’ Peter hugged him, and spoke into Raney’s ear, ‘don’t be so hard on yourself, chap, ‘life’ has a way of happening, whether we like it or not.’

‘If you weren’t even present, it was just her time, no matter where she was, or who she was with, do you understand that?’ ‘Yes, and I’ve always believed it to be true, but it’s so hard when it’s as close to you as this is. I promised my Mom that I’d never fight again, and I really mean it, but I don’t seem to be able to control my actions, what’s wrong with me?’ ‘Not one thing, son.’

‘You go home and wait to talk with your Dad. He’s so wise, and has never had anything but good to say about you. I can tell by the look in his eyes when he speaks of you, that the two of you must be rather close.’ ‘Yes, but I don’t know after what just happened’. Dutch, Raney’s Dad, heard of what had occurred, and scurried home just as fast as he could. Prissy really was his ‘little dandelion.’

He was across the road, and down in the pond, taking a dip, since the weather was so warm. The first thing he did when he got home was to hold Emily, with every ounce of strength he could collect. ‘My baby, my baby,’ was all that Emily could mutter through the endless sobs. Dutch started to weep, and Raney saw them through the opening of their den, and decided to sleep outside tonight. He was just too tired to hear any more about what he caused, no one could tell him anything that he hadn’t already told himself.

He kicked a stone, and watched the fireflies float by, giving their light signals to the females that were on the ground flashing their lights right back in communication mode. He felt so empty, how could he hurt his Mom so bad. Prissy was a good sister, yes, she was young and obnoxious, but what youngster hasn’t been at that tender age?