Read Online Undergardeners by Desmond Ellis - Free Book Online Page A

this was most likely a ventilation shaft—or perhaps a drain, for it seemed damp. Far off in the distance, the tiniest glimmer of bluish light showed, and with Snick and Snock reluctantly leading the way, they headed in that direction, their flickering lanterns casting madly dancing shadows in the gloom about them as they went.
    Reaching up, Mouse could just touch the curve of the roof; under his bare feet was a coating of something that felt damp and vaguely slimy, and there was a musty odor in the air. As the sickly blue light drew nearer, the deer mice became even more reluctant to lead and dawdled and drifted from side to side. “Get a move on, you two,” urged Chuck when they had got under his feet for the umpteenth time.
    â€œWouldn’t you…
    â€¦rather go…
    â€¦first?” they wanted to know.
    â€œScared, eh?” muttered Chuck.
    â€œNot…
    â€¦at all,” they said. They paused briefly and looked at one another. Then they chipped in again. “Tired…
    We’re tired, that’s…
    â€¦all!” They yawned and let their heads hang as though they were so exhausted they could no longer hold them upright.
    â€œWant me to carry you?” Mouse asked.
    â€œOh, yes…
    â€¦please, Mouse…
    â€¦Mountain. Whee…
    â€¦eee!” They ran back toward Mouse, all thoughts of looking tired forgotten. They also forgot that they were looped together by the rope and ran one each side of Chuck, tripping him.
    â€œAgh!” The sound was driven from the groundhog as he toppled to the ground. By the time he had grumbled himself back onto his feet, Snick and Snock were snugly standing in the breast pocket of Mouse’s pajamas, looking like happy passengers at a ship’s rail.
    Then they all heard it. From the direction of the light came the sullen rumble of a disturbed beast. “Let me go first,” said Mouse. No sooner had he said it than the deer mice lost all interest in their new mode of transport and were seized by a sudden urge to walk again. Scurrying down to the ground, they moved unobtrusively to the back. The lanterns were extinguished and, heart pounding and clutching the cudgel, Mouse edged slowly forward, going on hands and knees for the last few yards.
    The sound was much nearer now and getting louder every second. The odd thing was, it seemed vaguely familiar to Mouse. His head came out slowly into the Creepscreech’s lair, and right before his horrified eyes was a pool of what looked like blood. We’re too late, was the thought that flashed through his mind before the lights suddenly went out. From the darkness came a grating squeal and then… silence.
    Mouse drew back instantly. “I think,” he whispered, “we may have set off an alarm of some sort. Don’t move.” They huddled close and listened. Not a sound came from the tunnel. Cautiously Mouse eased his head out for another look. Blackness. Not total, though, because as his eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, he saw faint light in the distance. A silvery shimmer on the ground in places suggested watery pools. Water dripped monotonously in the cavern. Drip. Drip. Drip . Each drip was followed by its ghostly echo. Dri … pip . Dri … pip . Dri … pip .
    Then there came a distinct cackle of laughter and they heard a voice say, “Ah-ha! From his tail I have taken the sting.”
    â€œThat sounds like…” began Alkus.
    â€œâ€¦Digger, by gollopers!” finished Podge, in Snick and Snock fashion.
    â€œI’ll go and check,” said Chuck, drawing breath past his bared teeth.
    â€œAll right,” said Alkus, “but hold on to the end of the rope.”
    The groundhog set off with the rope end between his teeth, Alkus paying out the slack behind him as he went. The animal’s rotund form quickly disappeared into the gloom. They waited in silence, eyes straining into the darkness. The coil of rope in