CHAPTERONE
SummerDays
I’msittingandwatchingbirds. I’matBlueMoonBeach. Ithinkitisthebestbeachintheworld. Thewateriswarmandblue. Thesandisverywhite. BlueMoonBeachismybeach. I’velivedhereallmylife. Otherpeoplecomehereforaweekortwo. Theyswimatthebeach. Theycometoseethefishtoo. TherearemanyfishinthewateratBlueMoonBeach.
MynameisSamuelMartin. AthomeIamcalled’Sammy’. AtschoolIam’Sam’. IlikethenameSam. IthinkI’mtoooldtobeSammynow. Iamfifteen.
Ilivewithmymotherandfatherinourhotel-BlueMoonHotel. WhenIwaslittleIlovedalltheroomsandthestairs. Ilovedthebigkitchenandallthefood. Ilikedthepeoplewhocametostay. Iplayedwithlotsofchildrenwhocamewiththeirfamilies.
WhatIlikenowaretheanimalsandbirdsthatlivenearourhotel. Iliketheseaeaglesbest. Iwanttowriteabookaboutthemoneday. Theyarebig, strongbirds. Seaeaglesarethekingsofallthebirds. Theyflyoverthewatertolookforfood.
WhenIwaslittletherewerelotsofseaeaglesatBlueMoonBeach. Thisyearthereareonlytwoseaeagles. Why?Becausetherearenotmanytreesnow. Seaeaglesneedtrees. Nowtherearelotsofhouses. Itmakesmeangry. Idon’twantthebirdstoleaveBlueMoonBeach.
Todayisthefirstdayofsummer-noschoolforfiveweeks!Fiveweekstoswimandwatchtheseaeagles. I’mlyingonthesand. I’mwatchingoneseaeagle. Itisontherocksattheendofthebeach. Ihaven’tseentheotherseaeagletoday.
Twomenarewalkingalongthebeach. Idon’tthinktheyareheretoswim. Theyarewearingdarkclothes. Theyarewearingshoesandsocks. PeopleneverwearshoesandsocksatBlueMoonBeach. Themenstopnearme. Theylookattherocks. Theymustbelookingattheseaeagle. Theytalkquietly. Whoarethey?Theyseemelookingatthemandthentheywalkaway.
Igoforaswim. Iloveswimming. Therearealotofpeopleinthewatertodaybutnotmanyofthemswimoutinthedeepwater. Iswimoutalongway. Therearealotoffishswimmingbelowme. Ilieinthewaterandlookup. Iseetheseaeagleflyingaboveme. IlovebeingoutinthewateratBlueMoonBeach.
Thesunishighinthesky. It’stimeforlunchandI’mhungry. IswimbacktothebeachandthenIwalkbacktothehotel.
‘Sammy, ‘Mumcallsfromheroffice. Itisatthefrontofthehotel.
‘Yes, Mum?’Isay.
‘Dadneedsyourhelpinthekitchenafterlunch, ‘shesays.
‘Today?Butit’sthefirstdayofsummer, Mum. Iwanttogoswimmingagainthisafternoon. Andthebirds…’
‘Iwanttogoswimmingtoo, ‘saysMum. ‘Butweallhavetowork. Wehavealotofvisitors. ‘Shelookstired. Sheworksveryhard.
‘Okay, Mum. ‘
Mumsmilesatme. ‘Thankyou, Sammy, ‘shesays.
‘Sam, Mum, notSammy. I’mnotalittleboynow. I’mfifteen. ‘
‘Okay…Sam. Goandeatlunch. Thenhelpyourfather. ‘
Igointothekitchen. Dadiscooking. Ithinkheisthebestcookintheworld. Heuseslotsofpots. I’llhavetowashthemafterlunch.
‘Hello, Sammy, ‘saysDad. ‘It’stimeforlunch. Areyouhungry?’
‘Yes!Anditsmellsverygood. ‘
AfterlunchIhelpmyfather. Wecleanthekitchen. IwashthepotsandDadwashesthefloor. IliketoworkwithDad. Someboysdon’tseetheirfathersveryoften. ButDadandIaregoodfriends.
‘Howareyourbirdstoday, Sammy?’Dadasks.
‘Themotheristhere. Iwanttoseeifthereareeggsinthenest. Seaeaglesalwayshavetwoeggs. ‘
‘Eggs?’Dadsays. ‘It’salongtimesinceI’veseenababyseaeagle. ‘
‘Yes, ‘Isay.
Wehavenearlyfinishedcleaningthekitchen. ‘CanIgonow, Dad?’Iask.
‘Okay, Sammy. ‘
‘Dad-mynameisSam, notSammy. ‘IoftensaythistoMumandDad. Theyforget.
‘Okay, Sam. Goon-lookatyourbeautifulbirds. ‘
‘Thankyou, Dad. ‘
Iwalkthroughthehotel. IopenthefrontdoorquietlybutMumhearsme.
‘Sammy?Comehere, please, ‘shecallsfromtheoffice.
ShallIrun?Itisabeautiful, warmday. Idon’twanttodoanymoreworktoday. Irun.
Mumcomesoutoftheoffice.
‘Stop, Sammy!’shecalls.
Istop. Iwalkbacktotheoffice.
‘DadandIhavenearlyfinishedcleaningthekitchen, Mum, ‘Isay.
‘Ineedtotalktoyounow, ‘Mumsays.
‘ButMum, Iwanttoseetheseaeagles. ‘
‘Sam, ‘saysMum. ‘Please. ‘
SoIsitandlisten.
‘Aboyiscomingheretodaywithhismother. HisnameisTimBailey. Iwantyoutoshowhimthevillage. Takehimtothebeach. ‘
‘ButMum, Iwanttowatchtheseaeagles. Themotherhasbeeninthenestallday. They’llhavebabyseaeaglesinthenestsoon. ‘
‘Sam, pleaselisten. Tim’smother, Mary, wasmybestfriendatschool. Theyliveinthecitynow. Tim’sfatherdiedafterbeingsickforalongtime. Maryisverysad. Timissadtoo. Iaskedthemtocomehere. Theseaairwillbegoodforthem. Timneedsafriend. ItoldhismotheryouwillbeTim’sfriend. ‘
Mumlooksatme. Ilookatthefloor. Idon’twanttobefriendswithTim. Idon’twantMumtellingmewhotobefriendswith. Iwanttoswimandwatchtheseaeagles.
‘Mum-doIhaveto?’
‘Yes, youdo. ‘
‘Allright, Mum, ‘Isay.
CHAPTERTWO
TimCan’tSwim
‘Thisismyson, Sammy, ‘saysMumtoTimandhismother.
‘Hello, Sammy, ‘saysTim’smother. Timdoesn’tspeak.
Timistallandthin. Hehasblackhairandheisverywhite. Maybehenevergoesoutinthesun. Hisclothesarenew. Myclothesareold. ThereareholesinmyT-shirt. MumwantstobuymenewT-shirts. ButIlikemyoldclothes.
IlookatTimandhelooksatme. Wedon’tsmile.
‘Youboyscangoandplaynow, ‘saysmymother.
‘Mum!’Isayquietly. ‘Idon’tplay. I’mfifteen. ‘
‘TakeTimtothebeach, Sammy, ‘saysMum.
‘Comeon, Tim, ‘Isay.
‘Wearahat, Tim, ‘sayshismother. ‘AndwearyourT-shirtallthetime. Stayintheshallowwater. Bebackinanhour. ‘
Timsays, ‘Mum, stopit. ‘Helooksatmeandsays, ‘Comeon. ‘Hedoesn’twaitforme. Hewalksaway.
Hismothercalls, ‘Tim, youforgotyourhat!’
ItakethehatfromherandIfollowTimtothebeach.
IstandonthesandandlookforTim. ForaminuteIcan’tseehim. ButthenIseehimattheotherendofthebeach. Iwalkalongthebeachandgivehimhishat.
‘Youdon’thavetostaywithme, ‘Timsays. ‘Youdon’twantto, doyou?Ourmothersarefriends. We’renotfriends. ‘
WhatcanIsay?
‘Justgoaway, ‘Timsays. Hesitsonthesandandlooksouttosea.
‘Okay, Iwill, ‘Isay.
Igototherocks. Isitquietlyandwatchthemotherseaeagle. Shehasnotleftthenestallday. Iwatchedtheeaglesmakingthenest. Ittookalongtime. Theyworkedhard. Theyflewawayandreturnedwithsticksagainandagain. Theybroughtbacklotsofleavestoo. Nowoneseaeagleisalwayssittinginthenest.
Ilookdownatthebeach. Ican’tseeTim. Maybehewentbacktothehotel.
Themenareonthebeachagain. Thebiggermanistalkingintoamobilephone. Theotheroneislookingouttoseaandupintothesky. Whatishelookingfor?Themenarewalkingtowardsme. Thebiggermanputshismobilephoneaway. Helooksatmethentalkstotheotherman. Theybothlookatmethenwalkaway. Whoarethey?
Iseethesecondseaeagleflyingoverthebeach. Hefliesoverthesand, thenoverthewater. Hefliesincircles, lookingforfood. Suddenlyhedropsdownintothewater. Hefliesupagain, carryingalargefish. Hewilltakethefishtothenest. Themotherseaeaglemustbeveryhungry.
Justasthebirdfliesnearme, aboyclimbsuptherocksnexttothenest. ItisTim. Itishardtoclimbthoserocks. Theyarebigandtherearen’tmanyplacestoputyourhandsandfeet. Timdoesn’tseeme. Hewalkstowardstheseaeagles’nest.
Oh, no!Boththeseaeaglesareflyingaway. Timhasscaredthem. Whenpeoplegonearanest, thebirdsflyoff. Andtheeggs-theeggswillgetcold!
‘Getaway!’IscreamatTim.
Ijumpupandruntowardshim. I’mveryangry. Iwanttohithim. Timseesme. Nowhelooksscared. Theseaeaglesareflyingincirclesaboveus.
‘Getaway, ‘Iscreamagain.
Timdoesn’twanttocomenearme. Hetriestoclimbdowntherockstogetawayfromme. He’sgoingveryfast.
Suddenlyhefallsofftherocks. Ihearhimhitthewater.
He’llbeokay, Ithink. I’llwaitforhimtoswimbacktothebeach. Cityboysshouldstayinthecity.
Istartwalkingbacktothebeach. ThenIhearTimscreamingfromthewater, ‘Help!Help!Ican’tswim. ‘
SuddenlyI’mveryscared.
CHAPTERTHREE
OutatNight
‘Help!’callsTimagain.
Irunovertherocksandjumpintothedeepwater. Therearenootherpeoplenearus. IswimouttoTim. Wearebothveryscared.
‘It’sokay, ‘Isaytohim. ‘I’llhelpyou. Holdontome. ‘
Timholdsontome. Webothgounderthewater. ThenIswimandIpullTimup. Webothgetourheadsabovethewater.
‘Liebackinthewater, Tim, ‘Isay.
‘Ican’t. ‘
‘Yes, youcan. Justtry. I’llholdyou, ‘Isay.
Iholdontohisarm. Heliesbackinthewater. Istartswimming. Ihavetoswimforalongtime. ItalktoTimasIswim. ‘It’sokay, Tim. We’renearlythere. ‘
Whenwegettotheshallowwater, TimandIjustsitinthewater. Thenwegetoutandwebothliedownonthewarmsand. Iamverytired.
‘Thanks, ‘saysTim. ‘Iwasveryscared. ‘
‘Iwastoo, ‘Isay.
‘Whydidyouscreamatmeontherocks?’asksTim.
‘Becauseyouwereneartheseaeagles’nest, ‘Isay. ‘Theyarescaredofus. ‘
‘Oh, ‘saysTim. ‘Idon’tknowmuchaboutbirds. ‘
‘Look-there. Doyouseethem?Boththeseaeaglesareflyingoverthewater. Oneofthemneedstogobacktothenesttositontheeggs. I’mworriedabouttheeggs. Theymuststaywarm. ‘
‘I’msorry, ‘saysTim. Hewatchestheseaeagles. ‘Theyarebeautiful. ‘
‘Ithinksotoo, ‘Isay. Ilookatmywatch. ‘Comeon. Wemusthurry. We’relate. ‘
Wewalkquicklybacktothehotel. I’mworried. WhatwillTimsaytohismother?MymotherwillbeveryangryifsheknowswhatIdid.
Tim’smothercomesrunningfromthehotel.
‘Tim, wherehaveyoubeen?You’relate!Andyou’reallwet!Youdidn’tgointhewater, didyou?Oh, Tim!’Sheisveryangrywithhim.
Timlooksatme. Thenhelooksathismother.
‘Sorry, Mum, ‘hesays. ‘Itriedtoswim. Icouldn’tdoit. Thewaterwasverydeep. Samsavedme. ‘
‘Tim-howcouldyou?’Hismotherisgoingtocry.
‘Iwon’tdoitagain, Mum. Sorry. ‘
Shelooksatme. ‘Thankyousomuch, Sammy. Youareagoodfriend. ThankyouforsavingTim. ‘
Idon’tknowwhattosay. Mymothercomesoutofthehotel. Tim’smothercallstoher, ‘SammysavedTim. Timcan’tswim. Yoursonisahero!’
Idon’tthinkI’mahero. Ifeelbad. Timdidn’ttrytoswim. Iscreamedathimandhefellintothewater. Webothknowit. IlookatTimandhelooksatme. HesmilesandIsmileback.
‘Myhero!’saysMum. ‘Comeinandputonsomedryclothes, bothofyou. ThenI’llmakeyousomehotchocolate. ‘
Ilovehotchocolate. Mummakesthebesthotchocolateintheworld. Idrinkitveryslowly. Timdoestoo. We’resittinginthekitchen. Mumisbackinheroffice. Dadcomesin.
‘Ihearmysonisahero, ‘hesays. ‘Welldone, Sammy. ‘
‘Thanks, Dad-but…’
Ifeelbad. EveryonethinksI’mahero.
‘Samswimsverywell, MrMartin, ‘saysTimquickly.
‘Andhe’sgoingtohelpmelearnaboutseaeagles. ‘
‘Youandyourseaeagles, Sammy, ‘saysDad. HesmilesatTim. ‘Sammyisalwaystalkingaboutthosebirds. ‘
‘Doyouwantsomehotchocolate, Dad?’Iaskhim. ‘Thereissomeinthepot. ‘
‘Nothanks, Sammy. IthinkI’llhavesomecoffee. ‘
‘Good, ‘Isay. ‘Morehotchocolateforyouandme, Tim!’
‘Yes, please, ‘saysTim. ‘I’dlovesomemore. ‘
Afterdinner, TimandIsitoutside. Itisawarmnightbutitisverydark. Thereisnomoon. Ourmothersaresittinginside, talkingandtalking. Dadisinthekitchen, cooking. HecooksallthemealsforthepeoplewhostayatBlueMoonHotel. Helovescookingbutitisabigjob.
‘It’sgoodtobeouthere, ‘saysTim. ‘It’squiet. Mymothertalksandtalks. Sheaskedyoualotofquestionsaboutthisafternoon. I’msorryaboutthat. Butsheworriesaboutme. ‘
‘That’sokay, ‘Isay.
‘AfterDaddied…’Timstops, thenhesays, ‘It’sjustMumandmenow. Sheonlyhasme. ‘
WhatcanIsay?Idon’tspeakforaminute. ThenIsay, ‘I’mworriedabouttheseaeagles. Theyneedtokeeptheeggswarmallthetime. Iwanttoknowoneofthemisbackonthenest. I’mgoingtohavealook. Iliketogoforawalkatnight. Ifyou’requiet, youseealotofbirdsandanimalswhocomeoutatnight. Doyouwanttocomewithme?’
‘Now?’asksTim.
‘Yes, ‘Isay.
‘No, thanks. MumsaysIcan’tgooutatnight. ‘
Ithinkforaminute. ‘Whendoesshegotobed?’Iask.
‘Early. Shealwaysgoestobedearly. ‘
‘Okay. We’llgooutafteryourmothergoestobed. ‘
Timthinksforaminute. ‘Okay. I’llcome. Mumwon’tknow. ‘
Later, TimandIwalkveryquietlydownthestairsandoutofthehotel. Myparentsarewatchingtelevision. Tim’smotherisinherroom. Wewalkdowntothebeach. Wegoalongaroadtowardstherocks. Itisverydark.
‘Peoplenevercomehereatnight, ‘IsaytoTim.
‘Don’tthey?’hesays. ‘Thenwhatisthattruckdoingthere?’
‘Whattruck?’Iask.
‘Look-overthere. ‘
Thereisatruck. Itisn’teasytosee. Itisundersometrees. TimandIwalkovertothetruck. Thebackdoorsofthetruckareopensowelookinside. Therearealotofboxes, bags, netsandropesinthetruck.
‘Oh, no, ‘Isay.
‘What’swrong?’Timasksme.
‘Wemustbecareful, Tim, ‘Isayquietly. ‘Ithinkbirdsmugglersusethesethings. ‘
‘Howdoyouknowthat?’asksTim.
‘Isawsomethingaboutitontelevision. Look-thereareairholesintheboxes. ‘
‘Whyaretherebirdsmugglershere?’asksTim.
‘Theseaeagles!’Isay. ‘Birdsmugglerstakeseaeaglesandotherbirds. Thentheysellthebirdsforalotofmoneyinothercountries. Theyputthesenetsandropesnearbirds’nests. Thentheyscarethebirds. Thebirdsflyintothenets. Thebirdsmugglerstakethebirdsoutofthenetsandputthemintheseboxes. ‘
Iopenoneofthebags. Ithassomebirdfoodinit. Anotherbaghassomefishinit. Seaeagleslovefish.
‘You’reright, Sam, ‘saysTim. ‘Whatdowedonow?’
‘Weneedtostopthebirdsmugglers, ‘IsaytoTim. ‘Andquickly. ‘
CHAPTERFOUR
WhereisTim?
‘Wemustgethelp, ‘saysTim. ‘I’llstayhereandwatchthetruck. Yougoandgethelp. ‘
‘Okay. I’llgoandgetConstableCarter. He’sthepoliceofficerhereinBlueMoonBeach. ButfirstIwanttoseewhatthesmugglersaredoing. I’mgoingtohaveaquicklook. IwanttotellConstableCarterallaboutthem. He’llneedtoknowhowmanythereareandwhattheyaredoing. Iwanttoseeiftheseaeaglesareokaytoo. ‘
‘Okay, butbeverycareful, Sam, ‘saysTim. ‘Andbequick!’
‘I’llbecareful. Youbecarefultoo, Tim. Beveryquietandlistenforthesmugglers. Stayhereunderthistree. Theymustnotseeyou. Stayawayfromthetruck, ‘Isay.
‘Okay, ‘saysTim.
Irunthroughthetrees. Iknowthewaytothenestverywell. I’mreallyworriedabouttheseaeagles-andtheireggs. Itrytobequiet. I’mscaredthesmugglerswillseemeorhearme. IknowIamnearthenest.
Suddenly, Ihearsomepeoplecoming. ThenIseetwomen. TheyarethemenIsawonthebeachthismorning.
‘Comeon, comeon, ‘onesays. ‘We’relate. Wemustn’tstayheretoolong. TheboatiswaitingforusatSunshineBay. ‘
‘Okay, okay, ‘saystheotherman. ‘Ow!Itbitme!’
Themenhavetheseaeagles. Theyarethesmugglers!Iamangry. Iwanttoscreamatthem. Butmostofall, Iwanttogetthebirdsback. SoIamquietandIdon’tmove. Icanseethatthemenhaveknives. Idon’twantthebirdstogethurt. Andthemenarebothbiggerandstrongerthanme. WhatcanIdotostopthem?It’sbesttoleavethistothepolice, Ithink. ConstableCarterwillknowwhattodo.
Imovequietlybehindatree.
‘What’sthat?’saysthesmallerman. Helookstowardsme. Itisverydark. Canheseeme?Iamreallyscared. Iclosemyeyes.
‘What’swhat?’saystheotherone.
‘Overthere. Isaw…’
‘Comeon, Mac. It’sdark. Youcan’tseeathing. Stopworrying. We’renearlyatthetruck. ‘
Thetruck-Tim!Themenwalkon. Theyarecarryingthebirds. Thebirdsaremakingalotofnoise. HasTimheardthemenandthebirds?
Ifollowthemenquietly. Ihearsomenoise, thenIhearthetruckstart. Irun. Thetruckisn’tthereanymore.
‘Tim?Tim!’Icall. ‘Tim!’
WhereisTim?Didthesmugglersseehim?IsTiminthetruckwiththebirds?Ishehurt?
‘Tim!Tim!’
There’snoanswer.
CHAPTERFIVE
FindingtheTruck
Imustgethelp. Istartrunning. ThehoteliscloserthanConstableCarter’shouse. Dadwillknowwhattodo. Dadwillhelp. ButMumandDadwillbeveryangrywithme. ItwaswrongtotakeTimoutatnight. Itwaswrongtolookforthebirdsafterwesawthetruck. Worstofall, itwaswrongtoleaveTimwiththetruck. Hismotherwillbeveryworriedandveryangry. No, Iwon’tgotothehotel.
I’llruntoConstableCarter’shouse. BlueMoonvillageisn’tverybig. Iknowwherehelives. Hishouseisnexttomyschool. Itisonlytwokilometresfromthebeach.
Whatcanonepoliceofficerdotostopthesmugglers?Iheardwherethesmugglersaregoing-SunshineBay. IcantellConstableCarter. Perhapshe’llphonethepoliceofficerthere. Andthatpoliceofficercanstopthesmugglers.
It’sverydarkbutIknowtheroadswell. Irunandrun. WillConstableCarterbeathome?ThepoliceofficerinSunshineBaymuststopthetruck. I’mveryworriedaboutTimandthebirds. IsTimokay?Itrynottocry.
Itislateatnight. Therearenocarsontheroad. Therearenohouseshere. ThenIseeit-thetruck!It’sstoppedonthesideoftheroad. Istoprunning.
Thetwosmugglersarestandingbesidethetruck. Thebiggeroneisveryangry. Hehitsthetruck. ‘Youdrivethistruckeveryday. Youmustknowwhat’swrongwithit. Whywon’titgo?Wemustgetoutofhere. ‘
Thesecondmanjuststandsthere. Helooksveryunhappy.
Ineedtoopenthebackdoorsofthetruck. IneedtoseeifTimisinthere. Ineedtogettheseaeaglesout. Iwalkveryquietlyandveryslowlytothetruck.
Themenareatthefrontofthetrucknow. Oneofthemistalkingonhismobilephone. Hesays, ‘Yes, we’reatBlueMoonBeach. Yes, wehavethebirds. Butwecan’tdrivethetruck. ‘Heisquiet, thenhesays, ‘Itjuststopped. Idon’tknowwhy. Wecan’tstartitagain. Whatdowedonow?’He’squietagain. Thenhesays, ‘Okay, we’llwaitforyoutocallusback. Butdon’tbelong. ‘
Iamatthebackdoorofthetruck. VeryquietlyIstarttoopenthedoor. Iamvery, veryscared.
‘Psst…Sam!’
Thevoicecomesfromthedarktreesbesidethetruck. Istareintothetrees.
‘It’sme, ‘Timcallsquietly.
Iwalkveryslowlyovertothetrees. IseeTim. He’sunderthebiggesttree.
Wetalkveryquietly.
‘Areyouokay, Tim?Areyouhurt?’
‘I’mallright, ‘hesays.
‘I’msorry, Tim, ‘Isaytohim.
Hesmilesatme. ‘Why?’
‘BecauseIleftyouwiththetruck. BecauseIdidn’tgotothepoliceofficer’shouse. Iwenttolookatthebirds. ‘
‘That’sokay, ‘saysTim. ‘Istoppedthesmugglers. Istoppedtheirtruck. ‘Hesmilesagain.
‘Youstoppedthetruck?How?’IforgettobequietandTimputshishandovermymouth.
‘Sh!BequietandI’lltellyou. Afteryouleftme, Ithoughtaboutwhattodo. Iknowalotabouttrucksandcars. Mygrandfatherhasafarm. Heworksonhistrucksandcars. Ihelphim. Iloveit. SoIknewwhattodowiththesmugglers’truck. IgotunderitandIhitthefuelpipewitharock. ‘
‘What’safuelpipe?’Iaskquietly.
Themenaresittinginthetrucknow. Theymustbewaitingforthemobilephonetoring. Thewindowsareclosedsotheycan’thearus.
‘Youdon’tknowmuchaboutcarsandtrucks, doyou?’saysTimwithasmile. ‘Thefuelpipetakespetroltotheengine. Theengineneedspetroltogo. ‘
‘Iknowthat!’Isay.
‘Okay. SoIhitthefuelpipeagainandagain. Nowthepetrolcan’tgetthroughtotheengine. ‘
‘Welldone!’Isay.
‘Thenthosemencamebackwiththebirdsandtheyputthebirdsinthebackofthetruck. Iwatchedfrombehindabigrock, ‘saysTim. ‘Themenwerecarefulwiththebirds, though. Theydidn’thurtthem. ‘
‘Whatabouttheeggs?’Iask. ‘Didthesmugglerstakethemtoo?Aretheyinthetruck?Theymustn’tgetcold. ‘
‘Idon’tknowwheretheeggsare, ‘saysTim. ‘Ididn’tseethem. ‘
‘Whathappenednext?’Iask.
‘Well, themengotintothetruckandtheenginestarted. Iwasworried. Ithought, ‘There’spetrolleftintheengineandthefuelpipe. ‘Ididn’tknowwhattodo, soIjumpedintothebackofthetruck. Thetruckwentforawhilebutthentheenginestopped. SoIjumpedout…andhereIam. ‘
Ismile, butthenTimsays, ‘Whatdowedonow?’
‘Idon’tknow, ‘Isay. ‘Iwanttogetthebirdsoutofthetruck, butwecan’t. Theywillmakealotofnoiseandthemenwillhear. Alsothebirdsareveryheavy. Wecan’tcarrythemfar. ‘
‘Weneedtogotothepoliceofficer’shouse, ‘saysTim.
‘Butwecan’tleave. Thesmugglerswillseeus. ‘
Webothsitquietlyforawhile. ThenIknowwhattodo.
‘Tim!Weneedtogetsomeropesandnetsoutofthetruck. Wemustdoitveryquietly. ‘
Timcomeswithmetothetruck. Weopenthebackdoorveryslowly. Ilookin. Ican’tseetheseaeagles. Idoseesomelargeboxes. Perhapsthebirdsareinthem. Itakesomeropesoutofthetruck. Thismustwork!
CHAPTERSIX
TheMenSeeUs
I’mstandingatthebackofthetruck. Thebiggermangetsoutofthetruck. Heistalkingonhismobilephoneagain. Heisangry.
‘No, wecan’twait, ‘hesays. ‘Youmustcomeandgetusnow. ‘
Suddenlyheseesme.
‘Iknowwhoyouare!’Iscreamathim. ‘You’reabirdsmuggler. Youhaveseaeaglesinyourtruck. I’mgoingtogetthepolice!’Istartrunningawayfromthetruck.
‘Hey!’Heputshismobilephoneaway. ‘You!Stop!’Heshoutstotheothersmuggler, ‘Mac!Comehere, quickly. I’vefoundaboy. Heknowsaboutthebirds. ‘
Ihearthetruckdooropening. Macshouts, ‘Stop!’too. Theybothrunafterme. Ilookbackatthem. Thebiggermanisholdinghisknife!Iamveryscared.
Ijumpoversomeropesontheroad.
‘Now, Tim, now!’Ishout.
Timisstandingontheothersideoftheroad. Heisholdingontotheropes. Hepullsthem. Suddenlytherearenetsandropesinfrontofthesmugglers. Bothmenrunintothenets. Thebiggermandropshisknife. Heputshishandsuptotrytogetoutofthenets. Timpullstheropes. Ihelphim. Themenareshouting. TimandIarescreaming. Wesitonthesmugglersbutthemenareverystrongandveryangry. Wecan’tholdthemforverylong. Willtheygetoutofthenets?
‘Help!Help!’Ishout.
‘Getoffme!’shoutsthebiggerman.
Acardrivesupandstops.
‘Isthatyou, Sam?’It’sthepoliceofficer, ConstableCarter. Heisgettingoutofhiscar.
‘Sam?Areyouokay?Ihadaphonecallfromthepeopledowntheroad. Theysaidtheyheardalotofpeopleshouting. Whoarethesemen?’
‘Oh, ConstableCarter-it’ssogoodtoseeyou. Thesemenarebirdsmugglers!Theyputtheseaeaglesinthebackoftheirtruck. ‘
Thementrytogetawayfromus. ButConstableCartersoonhastheminthebackofthepolicecar. Hecallsonhisradioformorepolice. Heseestheknifeontheground.
‘Sam!Thesemenhadknives!’
‘Iknow. TimandIhadtohelptheseaeagles, ConstableCarter, ‘Isayquietly. ‘Canwelookinthetrucknow?Ineedtoknowthebirdsareokay. ‘
Ilookintotheboxes. Thebirdsarenothurt. Bestofall, theeggsareinoneoftheboxes.
ConstableCarterlooksatthebirdsandtheeggs. ‘Welldone, boys!’
‘WhatwillMumsay?’saysTim.
Webothsmile.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Friends
TimandIhelpConstableCarterputtheseaeagles-andtheireggs-backinthenest. It’snoteasy. Thebirdsareveryheavyandtheydon’tlikeusholdingthem. Onebirdbitesme. Theotherpoliceofficershavetakenthesmugglersaway. TheyaregoingtogotoSunshineBaytolookforthesmugglers’friendsandtheirboat.
TimandIgobacktoBlueMoonHotel. ConstableCartercomeswithus. DadandMumareinbed. Theybothcometothefrontdoor. Weallgointothefrontroom. ConstableCartertellsthemaboutthebirdsandthesmugglers. Iwasright-myparentsareveryangry. TheyarehappyTimandIareokaybuttheyarenothappywithme.
MumgetsTim’smother. ShewalksinandseesTim.
‘Tim-whyaren’tyouinbed?’
Timdoesn’tspeak. Hedoesn’tlookathismother.
Mymothersays, ‘ConstableCarter, thisisMaryBailey, Tim’smother. ‘
ConstableCartersays, ‘Goodevening, MrsBailey. I’mSteveCarter. I’mthepoliceofficerhereinBlueMoonBeach. YoursonTimandhisfriendSamareheroes. Theyhelpedthepolicecatchtwobirdsmugglers. ‘
Tim’smotheropenshereyesverywide. ‘What?Birdsmugglers?Tim, what’sConstableCartertalkingabout?’
‘Let’ssitdownandlistentotheboys’story, ‘saysDad.
Mumsays, ‘I’llmakesomehotchocolate. ‘
Soon, we’realldrinkinghotchocolate.
ConstableCartersays, ‘Sam, Tim, tellusmoreofyourstory. Whendidyouknowaboutthesmugglers?’
Isay, ‘Isawthosemenonthebeachthismorning. Theywerelookingattheseaeagles, andthenest. Andtonightwesawthethingsinthebackoftheirtruck-theboxesandtheropesandthenets. ThenIknew. ‘
‘Whydidn’tyougoandgetConstableCarter?’asksDad.
‘Orcomebackhome?’saysMum.
‘That’sagoodquestion, ‘saysMrsBailey. ‘Itisthejobofthepolicetocatchsmugglers. Tim, I’mveryangry. Whydidyougoout?Itoldyounottogooutatnight. Thosemen…’Shestartstocry. Mumgoestoherandholdsherhand.
‘Now, Mary. Don’tcry, ‘saysMum. ‘Timisokay. Boyswillbeboys. ‘
‘No, ‘saysMrsBailey. ‘NotmyTim. Ineedhim. It’sjustthetwoofusnow. ‘
MyfamilyandConstableCarterdonotspeak. Timisquietforaminute. Thenhelooksathismotherandsays, ‘I’msorry, Mum. ButI’mfifteen. Ineedtotrynewthings. ‘
Shelooksathim. Shegiveshimasmallsmile. ‘Oh, Tim. Wherehasmylittleboygone?You’reright. Butnomorecatchingsmugglers. Okay?’
‘Okay, Mum, ‘saysTim, withabigsmile.
‘Iwanttohearmoreaboutit, ‘saysDad. ‘Youwereveryclevertostopthetruck. ‘
‘Timstoppedthetruck, ‘Isay.
‘Andwecaughtthemwiththeirownnets!’saysTim.
Timandhismotherstaywithusfortwoweeks. TimandItellourstoryagaintoConstableCarterandsomeotherpoliceofficers. TheydidnotcatchtheotherbirdsmugglersintheboatatSunshineBay. ButTimandIarejusthappytheseaeaglesareokay.
IshowTimlotsofthingsatBlueMoonBeach. Soonhecannamemostofthebirdsandsomeofthefish. EverydaywegotothebeachandIteachhimtoswim. Wegooutdeepereveryday.
Somemornings, MrsBaileysitsonthebeachandwatches. Shesmilesalotmorethesedays. OnedayTimsays, ‘Comeinforaswim, Mum!’Andshedoes!
Timteachesmethingstoo. Heteachesmeaboutcars. WeclimbunderDad’scarandTimshowsmethefuelpipe. Heshowsmehowheusedtherockonthesmugglers’truck.
Timandhismotheraregoinghometomorrow. Idon’twantthemtogo. Timwantstostaytoo.
TimandIwalkdowntothebeachandhaveaswim. Thenwegoouttotherocks. Timwantstohaveonelastlookattheseaeagles. TimandIdon’tgonearthenestthesedays, butweseethebirdsflyingaboveus.
Oneofthebirdsfliesdowntothenest. Thenwehearanoisecomingfromthenest. It’sabirdnoise, butit’snotlikethenoiseI’veheardseaeaglesmakebefore.
‘What’smakingthatnoise?’asksTim.
‘Let’sgoandsee, ‘Isay. ‘Comeon. ‘
Wegoalittleclosertothenest, andwhatdowesee?Ababyseaeagle!Onlyone. Perhapstheotheregggotcold.
Butthisbabyseaeaglelooksstrongandwell. Itsmotherisgivingitasmallfishtoeat.
TimandIlookup. WewatchtheotherseaeagleflyingincirclesoverBlueMoonBeach.
‘Inthreemonthsthebabywillbeflyingtoo, ‘Isay.
‘I’llcomebackandseethat, ‘saysmyfriendTim.
