Part 8 (1/2)
”I could reach those over there if you'd hold me up, Alice,” said Chicken Little.
”Pooh, I can get some by myself,” said Katy rea.s.sured by Alice's words.
”Well, let's fill this old ap.r.o.n anyhow, it won't hurt it.” Alice had worn an old ap.r.o.n to protect herself against the muss of the lunch and had forgotten to take it off.
They all set to work, but the ap.r.o.n proved capacious and before it was half loaded, they heard a shrill whistle below them and Carol's voice calling:
”h.e.l.lo there--where have you got to?”
An answering call soon brought him to the tree.
”Whew, aren't they beauties?” he gloated, surprised.
”How'd you find us?” inquired Katy.
”Trailed you by your tracks--woke up and found everybody vamoosed and I knew it was no good going after the boys and----” he was not allowed to finish.
”Oh, Carol, we've found the cave!” Chicken Little's voice was shrill with importance.
”Honest to goodness?” Carol looked incredulous.
”Cross my heart,” affirmed Katy promptly though she hadn't so much as had a glimpse of the mysterious hole.
”Where?”
”Under there--I'll show you,” Jane made a dive for the vines but Alice caught her arm.
”You are not going in there again.”
”Show me--I'll go.” Carol was eager with excitement.
”Got any matches, Carol?”
”No, but Ern has a pocket full.”
”I tell you--the boys must be coming back by this time. You go meet them while we finish picking these grapes and when they come we'll explore the thing. Cut some big sticks and bring them along, Carol.” Alice had hardly finished speaking before Carol was off.
Fifteen minutes later the boys were heard hallooing below them. They came swarming through the thicket excited and breathless.
”Bully for Chicken Little Jane!” cheered Sherm when they got the facts.
”Here, Carol, give me your knife and I'll hack away some of these vines.”
The boys cleared a way in a jiffy, letting in a stream of light at the same time so they could see more of the hole.
”I bet you 'tis!”
”Geewhillikens, I wonder how big it is!”
”Alice says somebody has been in there--they have too--see there!”