Read Online Strange Creatures of Dr. Korbo by Gilbert L. Morris - Free Book Online

it.”
    They quickly gathered their gear together, but when Dave said, “Let’s go,” Reb held up a hand. “We’re not ready to leave yet.”
    As usual, Dave didn’t like to have his decisions questioned. “Look, Reb, we’ve got to get on our way. We’ve got to make time.”
    But Reb shook his head. “What are you planning to feed these babies, Dave?”
    Dave opened his mouth to speak. He probably was about to say, “Goat’s milk,” but then realized what Reb was driving at. He said rather feebly, “Well, there’ll probably be other goats along the way.”
    â€œWe can’t be sure of that,” Reb said. “I’m going to play it safe. I’m going to take along something for those kids to eat.”
    â€œSo what are you going to do, Reb?” Wash had a worried look on his face.
    Reb Jackson said, “I always despised horsethieves and cattle rustlers, but I guess I’m gonna have to join their ranks.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Jake asked.
    â€œI mean we’ve got to get some of those goats and take ’em with us. We don’t know how long we’ll be on the trail, and we can’t depend on finding any milk on the way. There ain’t no supermarkets out here, you know, Dave.”
    â€œWait a minute, yourself,” Dave said. “Those are not our goats!”
    â€œThat’s what I’m telling you, Dave. I’m gonna rustle ’em.”
    A lively argument took place then. Some agreed with Reb that they would have to have fresh milk, but nobody really wanted to steal the goats.
    At last Sarah said, “I know what we can do.”
    â€œWhat?” Abbey asked.
    â€œWe can leave payment for the goats—and for the milk we’ve taken, too.”
    Reb turned to Meta. “What kind of money do people use here, Meta?”
    â€œPeople here do not use money. We trade.”
    Sarah said excitedly, “All right, then. Let’s go through our things and find enough stuff to leave that would be the equivalent of—how many goats will we need?”
    â€œI figure four,” Reb said. “Just to be on the safe side.”
    â€œMeta, you do it. Take enough of our things to equal the value of four goats and all the milk.”
    Meta hesitated, but at Sarah’s urging she finally said, “All right.”
    The Sleepers and Gus spread out their equipment. Meta went through everything and made her choices.
    Only Dave protested. “They can’t have my magnifying glass! I can use it to start a fire!”
    â€œLet her have it, Dave. We’ll start a fire with flintand steel,” Sarah said. “Anything to make the payment right.”
    In the end, Reb took the items that Meta had selected and tied them up in a cloth. He put his bright red handkerchief at the top so that the bundle would be easily seen. Then he said, “I’ll go to the clearing and leave this stuff. Which way you going, Dave?”
    â€œThat way.” Dave pointed. “Meta says the pass is through the mountains.”
    â€œThen you take on off,” Reb said.
    â€œWhat about you?” Sarah asked. “How will you find us?”
    â€œIf I couldn’t track a bunch like this, I’d take down my sign!” Reb snorted. “Now get going. I’ll catch up sooner or later.”
    â€œI’d better stay with you, Reb,” Gus said.
    â€œAll right. I could use a little help. You could lead two of the critters. Let’s go, Gus.”
    Â 
    Reb and Gus hiked through the woods to where the goats were. “Still don’t see anybody around. Where should we leave this stuff?” Reb asked.
    â€œI guess somewhere where the goats can’t get at it and eat it. What about we hang it from the limb of that tree? The owners can’t miss it there.”
    â€œYou think they’ll figure out what happened?”
    â€œThey’ll probably take the