Read Online McKenzie’s Oregon Operation by Shari Barr - Free Book Online Page B

folks.”
    The girls hurried down the hall following Colby as he led the group down a set of stairs to an elevator.
    â€œOnce the elevator lowers us two hundred feet down, we’ll take more stairs and climb farther down to the observation area,” Colby explained as the elevator descended. “A few sea lions may be inside the cave, but most of them will be outside on the rocky ledges. In the spring and summer, sea lions prefer to be outside in the fresh air.”
    McKenzie felt her stomach twitch as the elevator dropped lower and lower into the ground. After they reached the bottom, they stepped out of the elevator. The girls followed Colby and the rest of the group down a set of stairs. Tiny lights set into the wall lit their way.
    McKenzie peered over the railing into the darkness of the cave. The air smelled damp and musty. McKenzie shivered despite the sweatshirt she had worn. Alex was at the end of the line, recording every minute with her video recorder.
    At the bottom of the stairs, they turned a corner and stepped into a well-lit observation area. Water from the cove rushed through a tunnel, forming a natural pool at the bottom of the cave. Though only a few sea lions gathered in the pool, they sounded like a thousand. Their barking echoed off the cave walls.
    McKenzie searched the group of sea lions, hoping to see Mario and Bianca. She was praying that the two pups had somehow gotten separated from their mother, Susie, and made their way in here. She knew it was not likely, but she couldn’t help hoping. Scanning the herd of sea lions, she groaned inwardly.
    They’re not here, either,
she thought dismally.
    Down inside, McKenzie felt guilty for suspecting the Frankses of stealing the pups. Though the young boy claimed he had seen the theft, he could have been mistaken. But the description of the man’s fish tattoo seemed too coincidental. McKenzie felt the boy was speaking the truth.
But why would anyone steal some of God’s precious animals? If the Frankses actually stole them, surely they knew it was illegal,
McKenzie thought.
    â€œLet’s record some more here,” Alex said as she tugged McKenzie into position in front of the railing.
    â€œI can’t hear a thing you’re saying!” McKenzie yelled over the din of the barking sea lions behind them.
    â€œThis could be interesting!” Alex practically screamed in McKenzie’s ear. “But let’s try it.”
    After several attempts at recording McKenzie’s report, Alex broke into a fit of giggles. “All I can see through the viewfinder is your mouth moving, while the sea lions are barking their heads off. It almost looks like you’re barking your head off, too!”
    â€œMaybe I can report separately, when we get away from all this noise,” McKenzie said.
    The girls hurried to catch up with Colby and the rest of the group who had left the observation area. The tour guide led the group outside, down another set of stairs to the outdoor viewpoint. As Alex recorded the herd of sea lions on the rocky ledge, McKenzie stepped closer to the tour group.
    â€œCan sea lions be hunted?” a man asked.
    â€œNo, it is illegal to hunt sea lions,” Colby answered. “The number of Steller sea lions have decreased over the years. But since laws are in place to protect all marine mammals, hopefully their numbers will increase.”
    McKenzie pulled a notebook from her backpack and scribbled notes in case she needed them later. As she turned to head back to Alex, Colby’s voice caught her attention.
    â€œMany people love to watch the sea lions at play. They adapt well to captivity and are natural entertainers.” Colby pointed out several sea lions putting on a show for the audience by spinning in the water.
    The group gathered at the railing, watching the sea lions frolic below them. Alex paced about the upper ledge, recording the animals from various angles.
    McKenzie’s