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by large animals, through those mangrove roots,’ said Tariq. He pointed to a black area in the barrier of vegetation, slightly upstream. ‘Beyond that one lies the path to the Single Redwood.’
    Ikara smoothly slid into the water, her body held up by surface tension, and whipped rapidly towards the opposite bank.
    â€˜You next, Alex, with Skoodle,’ said Tariq. ‘If you’re doing OK I’ll bring Keeko.’
    â€˜What a morning. Waterfall, crocodiles, imminent death,’ said Skoodle. ‘Wonder what he’s got planned for this afternoon.’
    â€˜Rhino wrestling?’ asked Alex.
    Skoodle scrambled on to his scalp. The pain of his needle-like claws was cushioned only slightly by Alex’s blond hair being longer than school allowed. Walking forward into the cold river, Alex sank up to his waist within six steps. Two more and the bottom of the river fell sharply away, plunging him in chest deep. Alex struck out in crawl, aiming upstream to compensate for the current.
    Head up,
transferred Skoodle.
Every time you roll to breathe I get dunked.
    Not refreshing?
    More like repetitive drowning.
    Are many people’s lives ruled by a rodent?
Alex wondered as he lifted his head and swam water-polo crawl, in time to hear a splash behind them as Tariq powered into the river.
    Doubt it, but they should be. More chance of world peace. Better food.
    This is tough.
    So is holding on.
    At least you’re not in wet jeans, waterlogged shoes and swimming across a strong current.
    Pretend you’re on a surfboard.
    Surfing doesn’t include a waterfall and you in my head space.
    Me being in there stops it being empty.
    Up ahead Ikara lay coiled round a branch, surveying the scene below. ‘Come on, sloths. I’ve been here for ages. Very dull, waiting.’
    Tell someone else. We’re as interested as that log over there,
transferred Skoodle.
    â€˜It’s a crocodile,’ Ikara screamed.
    Whipping his head around, Alex saw the log upstream open its mouth to snap up a water rat. The reptile’s fearsome head swung around, its malicious eyes on Alex.
    â€˜Head down, Alex. Swim for it,’ yelled Skoodle.
    Totally focused on forcing his body forward, Alex carved his way through the water.
    He’s gaining. Faster.
    This is fastest.
    â€˜Want a snack, snub face? Over here,’ called Ikara. ‘Or are you frightened of a little snakey-wakey?’
    Mid-stroke, Alex lifted his head to see Ikara hanging suspended by her tail at the water’s edge. The monster hesitated, glancing from Alex to Ikara. The snake was closer but smaller. The two reptiles locked eyes. Ikara held her ground, swaying a millisecond from death. The crocodile surged forward. Ikara swerved, but remained in range. The enraged croc lunged again as the snake’s head swung out of reach.
    Two more strokes,
transferred Skoodle.
Come on, Alex.
    An instant later Alex’s fingers touched roots, each the thickness of a footballer’s thigh.
    â€˜Climb. Get us out,’ shrieked Skoodle.
    â€˜Can’t. No grip. Too slippery.’
    The roots stretched along in a dense row, too solid to penetrate. The only hole through that Alex could see lay upstream, beyond the croc. Heart pounding, Alex grabbed his knife, scraping it against the nearest mangrove.
    â€˜Kill the croc, not the root.’
    â€˜Getting the slime off.’
    â€˜Won’t work. Get the croc.’
    â€˜Against him my knife would be as much use as a toothbrush.’
    â€˜Come on, old lumpy skin,’ Ikara yelled, dipping closer. ‘Give it your best shot.’
    As the croc threw himself at Ikara, missing by millimetres, a bear and monkey arrived at the bank in an explosion of water.
    â€˜Jump, Keeko,’ shouted Tariq.
    Keeko threw herself off, landing high on the nearest mangrove root. All four limbs clamped round its green slipperiness. Her tail looped round the dry branch above, swinging her out of