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Slipping through the break in the wall had not been quite as easy as Nick had thought. A jagged piece of rock had caught Penny's coat and ripped her sleeve. Then Nick had fallen as he tripped over a loose stone. His breeches were torn and his knee slightly scraped, but despite these mishaps the two little Wondernells were making excellent time on their journey. Suddenly, Penny stopped. "I'm tired, Nick, and hungry, too. Breakfast was hours ago. Let's rest and eat." "We didn't bring any food, Penny." "But I'm hungry. I want something to eat. And some water. I'm thirsty, too." "O.K." Nick, who also was hungry, began to look around. "There are some nicky-nacky nuts over there. While I get some, you look for a stream so we can get some water." As the two ate a meager lunch beneath a smiling julip tree near Mintwater Springs, they were unaware of the commotion they were causing back in Sunrise Skies. For Mother Luvvins had called them for lunch and had discovered their absence. At first, she was only mildly concerned that they had disobeyed her and had gone outside, but as she received no answer to her repeated calls she grew more and more alarmed. Hearing her shouts, Grammie Muffins hobbled over to the Luvvins cottage. She propped herself on her walking cane. "Well, Honey, I think you're wasting your breath. My nephew Sharly just told me he saw your little ones headed down Waterfall Turnpike toward the Protected Forest. I sent Sharly to get your husband." "Oh, no! Oh, Nick! Oh, Penny! Why would they do such a thing?" Mother Luvvins could only wring her hands. Then seeing a man with a patch over his right eye, she ran to him. "Oh, Grampie Carmels, you're an Elder Wondernell. Do something! Find my babies!" He shook his head. "All I can do is walk with you to see the Gatekeeper of the Protected Forest. Your husband has gone on ahead. There we'll see what must be done." Though no one spoke a word, the specter of Snivvely Wivvels loomed large in their thoughts. Meanwhile, Father Luvvins and Sharly Pepper had arrived at the Gateway to the Protected Forest and were talking to the Gatekeeper. Father said, "We think my two children have slipped past you into the Protected Forest. Will you please organize a search party?" The Gatekeeper nodded and whistled. At this signal five uniformed Wondernells stepped forward. Like their commander, they wore pants, shirt, and three-cornered hat all the same blue as the leaves of a smiling julip tree. A patch on the left shirt pocket identified each one's rank. Standing at attention, they listened solemnly as the Gatekeeper spoke. "The little Luvvins boy and girl are missing. Search the wall for a break through which they may have entered the Protected Forest. Double-time, Troops, double-time." In a few minutes one of the Patrol Troops returned. He was holding a scrap of snow-blue winter coat flannel. "I found this, Sir, on a rock in a break in the wall about fifty feet down the line." Mother Luvvins, who had just arrived with Grampie Carmels, began to cry. "That's from one of their overcoats. Oh, no! They're alone in there!" She turned to Father Luvvins. "Find them! Bring our babies back to me! Find them!" Father Luvvins held her for a moment. "We'll find them. Be strong, my dear, and ever prayerful. We shall bring them home again. You stay here with Grampie Carmels and Sharly. They will take care of you." Sharly stepped forward. "Excuse me, Sir, but I'm joining the search party." All eyes turned toward him. "Are you sure, Son?" questioned the Gatekeeper. Sharly nodded. "Yes. I have to go with you. I know. . . I know what that evil creature can do. I must help rescue Nick and Penny. Let me go with you." The Gatekeeper smiled. "All right. Glad to have you." Then he turned, "Attention, Troops! Organize for the search. We're using daylight. Ho!" Father Luvvins gently kissed his wife. "Wait in prayer, my dear." Tearfully she watched as Father Luvvins, Sharly, and the Patrol Troops marched out of sight into the Protected Forest. |
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