There he knotted
vines around them, forming a single platform. Finally, with a
deep breath, he forced them off the bank into the stream.
Almost too late he waded out. The cold mud sucked at his feet,
the angry water stormed at his thighs. He leaped atop the
nearest log, slipped, fell across the logs awkwardly. He was on
his way to the temple of Mars!
What chance of success he had was quickly spoiled.
When he clambered onto the raft his pouch had opened. A sudden
gust of wind picked up the white feather, wafted it quickly
beyond his reach. In seconds it landed on the raging waters,
quickly disappeared from sight.
Rough bounded along the shore, barking furiously. He badly
wanted to board the raft, yet feared to dare the sullen waters.
Finally, as the raft moved to the stream's center the dog
stopped, whined, its tail between its legs. The dog shivered as
though in fear, then slowly turned to wend its way home.
Demo watched with regret as the Rough quickly disappeared in
the midst of the heavy rain shower. "Perhaps I should have taken
you with me. No, you must stay home, protect Mother."
Demo smiled. With a sigh he braced himself on the logs as the
tumultuous stream tossed the frail craft from side to side. What
a wonderful start he was making to perform the required tasks
of Zeus!
The white feather, lost to the wind and the rain! And his
chances of reaching the temple before nightfall almost
non-existent!
The watery trip, miraculously, was almost uneventful.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61