Читать книгу Arctic Adventure - Skye Waters - Страница 8

Chapter 4

“Hike!” Ella shouted, leaning across the driving bow. “Hike!”

The dogs tensed, but didn’t move.

“Hike!” cried Ella wildly. “Hurry, Acer, the calf needs our help.”

Acer stood proud, his triangular ears pricked forward, his plumed tail arched over his back. Ella was confused. She knew Acer could hear her, so why was he refusing to move on? She jumped from the sled runners and ran along the line of dogs until she was in front of him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked frantically. “Why won’t you help me? Is this something I have to do by myself?”

Ella was aware of Blue and Honey’s sympathetic looks and Bandit’s scornful stance. But she didn’t care how stupid she sounded. All that mattered was saving the caribou calf.

“Tell me what to do,” she begged.

Carefully Acer scraped a hole in the snow with his front paw.

“I’m sorry, Ella,” he said at last. “This isn’t a matter for the Starlight Snowdogs. The problem is a natural one, not something that’s been caused by humans. Harsh as it seems, we must let nature take its course.”

Ella was shocked. Why did they have to let nature take its course? For a few crazy seconds she thought about ignoring Acer and going to help the calf anyway. But as she went to move a thought occurred to her. Would her magical powers work if she wasn’t acting with the Starlight Snowdogs? Ella had more than a suspicion they wouldn’t and deep down she knew she mustn’t interfere with nature. This was a battle the calf must fight on its own.

Ella didn’t want to watch the calf drown, but at the same time she had to know its fate. Bravely she turned to the river where the calf was battling against the current. It was a fighter! As the river swept it downstream, the calf frenziedly kicked its legs. Its mother swam after it, but was unable to catch up. Ella clenched her hands making fat gloved fists as she silently urged the calf on. She was dimly aware of Blue leaning against her leg in a comforting way, with Honey sitting on the other side. Grateful for their support, Ella rested one hand on Blue’s black and white head and the other on Honey’s orangey brown back. Several tense minutes passed before miraculously the calf began to hold its own against the ice-filled river. With small determined strokes it began to gain ground. Slowly but surely the calf paddled closer to the shore. It was a treacherous journey. Several times the calf was swept back, but it refused to give up and finally it was able to stand in the rushing water. On trembling legs it scrambled over the rocks until it was finally clear of the river. Its mother followed close behind, gently nudging the calf to safety.