,,! ,,J\RNEY
     ,,! ,,GU>DIANS ,,( ,,GA'HOOLE
               ,BOOK ,TWO

           0,,KA?RYN ,,LASKY

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
             ,S*OLA/IC ,9C4
               ,NEW ,YORK
     ,COPY"R #BJJC 0,KA?RYN ,LASKY
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
           ,T>A ,B4 ,DE,CO/]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #C ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #C
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #AHA-BGH

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJE
                                     ;II
























                ,,3T5TS             ;III
,*APT]                             ,PAGE
#AF ,! ,VOICES 9 ! ,ROOTS """"""""" #AHA
#AG ,W1!R ,*AW """""""""""""""""""" #AHI
#AH ,MRS4 ,PLI?IV]'S ,DILEMMA """"" #BJA
#AI ,A ,VISIT 6,MADAME ,PLONK """"" #BAC
#BJ ,FIRE6 """""""""""""""""""""""" #BAG
#BA 8,A ,COAL 9 ,MY ,B1K6 """"""""" #BCC
#BB ,[LETS ,D[N6 """""""""""""""""" #BDA
#BC ,AT ,LA/6 """"""""""""""""""""" #BEA
#BD ,TRAD] ,MAGS """""""""""""""""" #BEI
#BE ,9 ! ,FOLDS (! ,NI<T """""""""" #BFG













                                     ;IV
























            ,,*APT] ,,SIXTE5        #AHA
         ,! ,VOICES 9 ! ,ROOTS

  8,PS/'''PSS/10 "S?+ HISS$ 9 ,SOR5'S
E>4
  8,GYLFIE1 :AT >E Y DO+ UP AT ? H\R8
,X'S BROAD "DLI<T4 ,>E Y YOICKS80
  8,N AT ALL40 ,SOR5 CD SEE T ,GYLFIE 0
PRACTIC,Y HOPP+ UP & D[N ) EXCITE;T4
8,SOR51 "!'S A V IMPORTANT MEET+ GO+ ON
9 ! P>LIA;T HOLL[40
  8,S80
  8,SOR51 ,I ?9K !Y >E TALK+ AB ! ,B>R$
,[L &0--,GYLFIE GULP$ & %UT H] EYES TI<T
--8& ''' & '''0 ,GYLFIE 0 SELDOM AT A
LOSS = ^WS4 8,! ,8Y ONLY WI%40'0
  ,SOR5 0 SU45LY FULLY AWAKE4 8,Y'RE
KI4+40
  8,I WDN'T KID AB "S?+ L ?1 ,SOR51 & Y
"K X40
  8,H[ D Y "K ?8 ,I M1N1 H[ DID Y F9D \8
,7 Y 9 ! MEET+80
  ,GYLFIE BL9K$ & LOOK$ D[N AT H] T9Y
TALONS 9 EMB>RASS;T4 8,LOOK1 ,I "K X'S N
NICE 6EAVESDROP1 B ,I CDN'T SLEEP & Y "K
H[ ,COOK ALW SAYS 6-E D[N 6!        #AHB
KIT*5 IF WE C'T SLEEP & %E'LL MAKE U A
NICE CUP ( MILKB]RY TEA4 ,S ,I W5T D[N1
& ON MY WAY BACK ,I J ?"\ ,I'D TAKE A
DI6]5T R\TE1 S ,I FOLL[$ "O ( ^? DEEP
9N] PASSAGEWAYS T IS V W9D+ & PRETTY N>-
R[1 & X ACTU,Y />T$ 6G D[N 9/1D ( UP TO-
W>D ! SLEEP+ HOLL[S4 ,"!'S A SPOT ": "S-
?+ HAPP5S 6! TIMB] (! ,GRT ,GA',HOOLE
,TREE4 ,X IS V ?91 & ,I CD HE> VOICES1 &
!N ,I F.D ? P]FECT SLOT T IS J ,ELF ,[L
SIZE40
  8,D !Y H "O J ,B>N ,[L SIZE80 ,SOR5
9T]RUPT$4
  8,MAYBE4 ,"!'S AN EV5 BETT] "O MY SIZE
HI<] UP1 B ,I WD NE$ A P]*40
  8,AT YR S]VICE1 ,GYLF60 ,TWILI<T 0
SU45LY AWAKE4 8,:AT A T1M WE'LL MAKE4
,ON ! %\LD]S ( GIANTS1 ! LL ,ELF W BR+
BACK ! ^W60
  8,TWILI<T1 PUHLEEZE60 ,SOR5 SD4
  8,:Y N8 ,MAKES P]FECT S5SE40
  8,WELL1 ,I MI<T N 2 A GIANT L Y1 B ,I
C HE> BETT] ?AN ANY ( Y4 ,I'M GO+1 TOO4
,S C.T ME IN10 SD ,SOR54
  8,ME1 TOO40 ,DI7] 0 /RET*+ 8      #AHC
LEGS & SEEM$ AT L1/ HALF AWAKE4
  8,D Y EV5 "K :AT WE'RE TALK+ AB80
,GYLFIE TURN$ 6! ,BURR[+ ,[L4
  8,NO1 B WE'RE A B&1 REMEMB]8 ,NOBODY
GETS LEFT \4 ,FILL ME 9 ON ! WAY 6:AT"E
WE'RE DO+80

  ,& S ! B& ( F\R1 Z QUIETLY Z POSSI#1
MOV$ \ ( _! HOLL[ ) ,GYLFIE 9 ! L1D4 ,!Y
LEFT 0! SKY OP5+ & FLEW A QU>T] WAY D[N
! TREE1 ": !Y 5T]$ A V SMALL OP5+ T
,GYLFIE _H 4COV]$1 : TWI/$ & TURN$1
PIT*$ & CURL$ "? ! HUGE TRUNK (! TREE1
UNTIL !Y _H W.D >.D 6! BACK SIDE (! ,P>-
LIA;T HOLL[ & F.D !MVS ACTU,Y SLI<TLY 2N
T HOLL[1 9 ! ROOT /RUCTURE (! TREE4 ,X 0
N T ! WALLS 7 ?91 ,SOR5 SOON R1LIZ$4 ,X
0 R T ! ROOTS (! ,GRT ,GA',HOOLE ,TREE 7
TRANSMITT+ ! S.DS4
  ,GYLFIE HOPP$ ON ,TWILI<T'S %\LD]S &
,SOR5 PRESS$ "O E> 6A ROOT1 Z DID ,DI7]4
  8,& S Y SAY1 ,BUBO1 T NO TRACE (! DE>
,B>R$ ,[L 0 F.D8 ,\R NO# S]VANT P]I%$ 9
! REGION ( ,! ,B1KS80
  ,! F\R EAVESDROPP+ [LS BL9K$ &    #AHD
SUPPRESS$ GASPS ( A/ONI%;T4 ,X _H 6BE !
SAME [L4 ,X J _H TO4 ,SOR5 PRESS$ 8 E>
CLOS]4
  8,N "RLY SURE IF HE EXACTLY P]I%$1
,BORON4 ,I M1N HE MI<TN'T 2 D1D4 ,HE
MI<T J 2 CAPTUR$40
  8,0,/4 ,A7IE'S PATROLS OR '''0 ,N[ ALL
F\R [LS /RA9$ 6HE>1 B !Y CD N MAKE \ :AT
,BORON _H SD4 ,9DE$1 X SEEM$ Z IF "! 0 A
LL HOLE 9 ! 3V]S,N1 Z IF A ^W _H DROPP$
\1 P]H A ^W TOO AW;L 6SAY4 ,SOR5 WASN'T
SURE4 ,B HE FELT A *ILL RUN "? HM4
  8,EI WAY X'S A BAD PIECE ( "W40 ,X 0
,EZYLRYB'S VOICE4 ,SOR5 CD TELL4
  8,WE D"O LO/ "O ( \R BE/ SLIPGIZZLES &
A D>N$ F9E SMI? Z WELL1 "O (! BE/ (!
ROGUES40 ,BUBO 0 SP1K+ AG4
  ..,:AT IS A .SLIPGIZZLE8 ,DI7] M\!D !
^WS4 ,SOR5 %RU7$4 ,HE _H N"E HE>D ! ^W
2F4 ,HE MI<T H HE>D ! ^W 8ROGUE0 B HE
WASN'T SURE :AT T M1NT1 EI4
  8,)\T A RELIA# SLIPGIZZLE10 N[ ,B>RAN
0 SP1K+1 8X'S GO+ 6MAKE X V DI6ICULT TO
GET ANY 9=M,N AB _! ACTIVITIES 9 ,!
,B1KS40                             #AHE
  8,X 0 A V /RATEGIC SPOT ": HE SET UP 8
=GE40
  ..,S T 0 .X6 ?"\ ,SOR54 ,T CAVE T1 Z
,DI7] _H SD1 N ONLY HELD ! _S (! ,B>R$
,[L )9 XS WALLS1 SOOTY & SCOR*$ 0C.T.S
FIRES1 B AL 0 8 =GE4 ,HE 0 A BLACKSMI?1
L ,BUBO4 ,B HE 0 AL "S?+ ELSE--A SLIP-
GIZZLE4 ,GRADU,Y1 ! F\R [LS 2GAN 6"U/& T
A SLIPGIZZLE 0 "S SORT ( [L :O LI/5$ H>D
& F.D \ ?+S4
  8,T [LD ,B>R$ _H E>S L A ,B>N ,[L10
,BORON 0 SAY+4 8,WE GOT M 9=M,N F HM ?AN
?REE O!R SLIPGIZZLES PUT TGR4 ,&1 Z Y
SD1 MY DE>1 8 =GE 9 ,! ,B1KS 0 IDE,Y
SITUAT$ NE> ! F\R PO9TS >EA ": ,AMBALA1
,! ,B1KS1 ,KUNE]1 & ,TYTO ALM T\*4
,CDN'T 2 BETT]4 ,FLEW EGG GU>D 9 ,TYTO1
,I HE>4 ,TRA9$ UP A BUN* ( "Y "OS 6G 9TO
,AMBALA :5 !Y 7 HAV+ ! WOR/ ( _! PRO#MS4
''' ,OH1 MY4 ,WELL1 6! IMM BUSI;S4 ,WE
M/ N LOSE A MO;T 9 %OR+ UP ! F\R PO9TS
REGION4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6NE$ 6CULTIVATE A NEW
SLIPGIZZLE1 ( C\RSE1 B 9 ! M1N"T WE'LL H
6S5D \ "S EGG PATROLS &A SMALL
RECONNAISS.E T1M4 ,NO?+ TOO BIG4    #AHF
,DON'T WANT 6ATTRACT UNDUE ATT5;N4 ,I
DON'T NE$ 6TELL Y H[ DANG]\S X W 2 )!
REC5T REPORTS WE'VE BE5 GETT+4 ,A LOT (
GR.D"W &1 Z Y "K1 BOBCATS >E NUM]\S "!40
  8,I'LL G60 A VOICE SD4 ,SOR5 BL9K$4 ,X
0 T OLD BOR+ ,GA',HOOLOLOGY RYB4
  8,C.T ME IN10 SD ,BUBO4
  8,& ME40 ,X 0 ! VOICE ( ANO!R [L T
,SOR5 DIDN'T RECOGNIZE4
  8,I ?9K T'S 5\<10 ,BORON SPOKE 9 A L[
VOICE4 8,BUBO1 Y SURE AB GO+80
  8',C\RSE ,I'M SURE1 SIR4 ,HE 0 A
SMI?40
  8,YES1 ,BUBO1 ,I "K T1 B Y >E \R ONLY
SMI?4 ,IF WE LOSE Y ''' WELL1 ": WD WE
BE80
  8,I A9'T GO+ 6GET LO/1 SIR4 ,A9'T GO+
6GET CAPTUR$4 ,A9'T GO+ 6GET EAT5 0A
BOBCAT4 ,Y NE$ ME ON ? MIS.N4 ,I C SEE
:AT HAPP5$ 9 T CAVE4 ,X TAKES A SMI?'S
EYE &A SMI?'S NOSE 6FIGURE "S?+ L ? \4
,HE CDN'T H J VANI%$ 96?9 AIR1 & ,I
DON'T 2LIEVE ! ,B>R$ CD H BE5 CAPTUR$
0,/4 ,A7IE'S OR !M O!RS4 ,B "!'LL 2
CLUES40                             #AHG
  .,!M .O!RS8 ,X 0 S MA45+1 ,SOR5 ?"\4
,:O 7 !Y8 ,:O EXACTLY 0 ! 8Y ONLY WI%0
,B>R$ ,[L8
  8,WELL10 3T9U$ ,BORON1 8T TAK5 C>E (1
,I ?9K ! "T HAS N[ -E 6HONOR \R BRO!R !
,B>R$ ,[L1 :O _H NO "N & ELECT$ N"E TO
LIVE ) U ON ? ISL& 9 ! MI4LE (! SEA1 N"E
6BE EMBRAC$ 0! LOVELY ANCI5T LIMBS ( \R
,GRT ,GA',HOOLE ,TREE1 B S]V$ Z NOBLY 9
8 [N PECULI> WAY Z ANY ,KNI<T (
,GA',HOOLE4 ,LET U RAISE A FLAGON (
MILKB]RY M1D & ?9K G5TLE ?"\S ( ? BRAVE
& NO# [L :O MADE SAF] ! HOLL[S & NE/L+S
( S _M O!R [LS 9 ! ,K+DOMS ( ,AMBALA1
,KUNE]1 & ,TYTO4 ,SLIPGIZZLE 2Y -P>E1 >-
TISAN ( METALS1 C\RAGE\S DEF5D] AG/ !
GR[+ TIDES ( EVIL1 A ,GLAUX-B.S$ [L4
,HE>6 ,HE>60
  ,&) T1 ! P>LIA;T ( [LS 0 ADJ\RN$4 ,AN
IMM5SE FLUTT]+ SWELL$ UP Z !Y LEFT4
,SOR51 ,GYLFIE1 ,TWILI<T1 & ,DI7] LOOK$
AT "O ANO!R ) TE>S 9 _! EYES4
  8,& 6?9K10 ,DI7] SD1 8T WE >E ! "OS :O
F.D HM40
  8,B T'S J ! PRO#M10 SD ,GYLFIE4   #AHH
8,:AT D WE D N[8 ,TELL ,BORON & ,B>RAN
T80
  8,!N !Y'LL "K WE 7 EAVESDROPP+10 ,TWI-
LI<T SD4
  8,PRECISELY10 ,GYLFIE REPLI$4
  ,SOR5 2GAN 6SP1K SL[LY1 8,I ?9K WE
%DN'T SAY ANY?+1 AT L1/ N N[4 ,NO?+ WE W
SAY W *ANGE _! PLANS4 ,!Y / NE$ 6S5D 9 A
RECONNAISS.E T1M OR :AT"E !Y CALL X &
F9D A NEW SLIPGIZZLE4 ,\R "K+ T ! ,B>R$
,[L IS D1D & TELL+ !M RE,Y DOESN'T *ANGE
ANY?+40
  8,I ?9K ,SOR5'S "R10 ,GYLFIE SPOKE4
8,Y "K1 EAVESDROPP+ L ? ''' WELL ''' ,I
H A FEEL+ ,BORON WD RE,Y 2 MAD40
  8,DEF9ITELY10 SD ,TWILI<T4
  ,S ! F\R [LS W.D _! WAY BACK 6_! HOLL[
& SLEPT UNTIL ,F/ ,BLACK4






           ,,*APT] ,,SEV5TE5        #AHI
               ,W1!R ,*AW

  ,A SLIV] ( WET ICE HIT ,SOR5'S FACE &
WOKE HM UP ABRUPTLY4 ,\TSIDE ! HOLL[1 !
W9D %RIEK$ &A GALE RAG$4
  8,GRT ,GLAUX1 X'S A MESS \ "!10 ,TWI-
LI<T MUTT]$4
  8,X'S COLD1 TOO10 SD ,GYLFIE1 H] T9Y
BODY %IV]+4
  8,HOP "U "H10 ,TWILI<T SD1 & SPR1D "O
( 8 ENORM\S W+S S T X T\*$ ! O!R SIDE (!
HOLL[ & KNOCK$ ,DI7] F 8 B$4
  8,TWILI<T60 ,DI7] -PLA9$4 8,WAT* X ) T
W+40
  8,GYLF IS COLD40
  8,I SURE HOPE !Y W S]VE "S?+ HOT =
BR1KFA/10 ,GYLFIE SD "? H] CLATT]+ B1K4
  8,ME1 TOO10 SD ,TWILI<T4
  ,! [LS GOT UP & CREPT F _! HOLL[ \ ON-
TO A MADLY %AK+ BRAN* & TOOK (F =! D9+
HOLL[4 ,"! 0 ACORN PORRIDGE & /1M+ CUPS
( MILKB]RY TEA1 ROA/$ TREE SLUGS &
BRAIS$ MICE4 ,B Z ,SOR5 H1D$ = 8 PLACE
AT ,MRS4 ,PLI?IV]'S1 A VOICE SCRAT*$ !
AIR4                                #AIJ
  8,OV] "H1 BOY4 ,W1!R *AW EATS X RAW )!
HAIR ON40 ,X 0 ! UNMISTAKA# VOICE (
,EZYLRYB4
  8,:AT80 ,SOR5 B1K$ ! ^W 9 4BELIEF4
  8,Y M1N Y HAV5'T HE>D80 ,OTULISSA 0
SU45LY 2S HM4
  8,HE>D :AT80 ,SOR5 SD1 N SURE IF HE
RE,Y WANT$ 6"K4
  8,WE'RE HAV+ \R F/ W1!R 9T]PRET,N *AW
TN40
  8,Y H 6BE KI4+1 ,OTULISSA4 ,WE >5'T
GO+ \ 9 ? GALE40
  8,OH1 B WE >E10 %E SD4 8,& ,I ?9K X'S
\TRAGE\S4 ,I'M GO+ 6H A ^W ) ,/RIX ,/RU-
MA4 ,I'LL G "R UP 6,B>RAN IF ,I H TO4 ,?
IS RECK.S4 ,? IS 5DANG]+ \R LIVES40
  8,OH1 HU% UP1 DE>RIE4 ,SIT D[N & EAT
YR M\SE--& ALL ! HAIR1 M9D Y1 & T GOES =
E "O ( Y40 ,X 0 ! FAT OLD BL SNAKE "ND
,OCTAVIA1 :O _H S]V$ Z ! W1!R *AW TA# =
YE>S4 ,UNLIKE ! O!R BL SNAKES ^: SCALES
7 COLORS V>Y+ F ROSE 6P9K 6A DEEP CORAL1
,OCTAVIA 0 A PALE GRE5I%-BLUE4 ,SOR5 SAT
NEXT 6,M>T91 ! SM>T LL ,NOR!RN ,SAW-:ET
:O _H ASK$ ! "Q 9 COLLI]+ PRAC-     #AIA
TICE AB ! NE$ = FRE% COALS4 ,9DE$1 ,SOR5
R1LIZ$ SU45LY T "! 0 M ROOM AT ! TA# ?AN
HE 0 A3U/OM$ 6& Z HE LOOK$ AB HE KNEW X
0 2C ALL (! "Y [LS 9 ! W1!R *AW SEEM$ 6H
DIM9I%$ 9 SIZE4 ,_! F1!RS 7 PULL$ 9
TI<TLY1 9DIC,NS T ! [LS 7 V N]V\S AB _!
F/ W1!R FLI<T4 ,:5 RELAX$1 AN [L'S PLUM-
AGE IS LOOSE & FLU6Y4 ,:5 ANG]$1 [LS C
PUFF UP _! F1!RS UNTIL !Y APPE> M*1 M*
L>G]4 ,B N[ X 0 Z IF !Y _H ALL 2COME
SU45LY SLIM4 ,! T5.N HOV]$ 9 ! AIR4
  ,EZYLRYB FIX$ ! "Y [LS 9 ! AMB] LI<T (
8 SQU9T$ EYE4 8,EAT UP1 MATIES ''' E S9-
GLE LL HAIR4 ,Y'VE =GOTT5 :AT RAW M1T
TA/ES L )! FUR1 Z Y CALL X4 ,POOT "H IS
MY F/ MATE4 ,HE'LL TELL Y :AT X'S L 6FLY
) NO BALLA/ 9 YR GIZZ>D40
  8,I REMEMB] T "T 2F ,I _H ACQUIR$ !
TA/E = HAIR & ?"\ ,I CD G "? T HURRI-
CANE4 ,LA/ "T ,I "E TRI$ T4 ,NE>LY GOT
CAU<T 9 ! RIM (! EYE1 ,I DID4 ,N[1 Y
DON'T WANT 6D T1 "Y'UNS40 ,POOT 0 A
,BOR1L ,[L L ,SOR5 & ,GYLFIE'S OLD FR
,GRIM#4
  8,:AT HAPP5S IF Y GET CAU<T 9 !   #AIB
RIM (! EYE (A HURRICANE80 ,ASK$ ,RUBY4
  8,OH1 Y SP9 >.D TILL Y'RE D1D4 ,J >.D
& >.D & >.D4 ,AW;L NA/Y WAY 6G4 ,USU,Y
GET YR W+S TORN (F 9 ! PROCESS10 SD
,POOT4
  8,N[1 DON'T G SC>+ !M1 ,POOT10 ,OCTA-
VIA SD & GAVE A RIPPLE S T ALL _! PLATES
CLATT]$ A BIT4 8,& PL1SE1 "Y'UNS1 DON'T
TRY T TRICK ( SLIPP+ ! FUR "U ! TA#4
,REMEMB]1 ,I .AM ! TA# & X IT*ES "S?+
FI]CE40

  ,X 0 N EV5 D>K YET1 B ! W1!R *AW [LS 7
ALR ON ! TAKE(F LIMB4 ,X 0 ALL !Y CD D
6HANG ON Z ! GALE LA%$ AB !M &! LIMB
BUCK$ 9 ! TURBUL5T W9D4 ,%>DS ( ICE FLEW
"? ! AIR4
  8,WE TAKE (F UPW9D1 NATUR,Y40 ,AL?
,SOR5 0 N SURE 9 ? GALE : WAY UPW9D EV5
WAS4 8,WE'RE GO+ 6FLY /RAI<T \ OV] !
,SEA ( ,HOOLEM]E4 ,TRY 6F9D ! MA9 "P (!
GALE40 ,EZYLRYB SPOKE 9 %ORT SNAPPI% S5-
T;ES4 8,N[ LI/5 UP4 ,"H'S :AT Y NE$ 6"K
AB A GALE1 OR ANY /ORM1 RE,Y--EXCEPT =
HURRICANES--!Y 2 A LL DI6]5T ) _!   #AIC
EYES & ALL4 ,B :AT Y GOT 9 A GALE1 OR
/ORM1 IS Y GOT YR GUTT]4 ,T'S :AT WE
CALL ! MA9 TR\< ": ! W9D RUNS XS PUN*
"?4 ,X'S AT ! C5T]4 ,X N 2 L ! EYE 9 A
HURRICANE4 ,N NE>LY S DANG]\S4 ,!N ON EI
SIDE (! GUTT] Y'VE GOT ! SCUPP]S4 ,T'S
": ! $GE (! W9DS F ! GUTT]S SPILLS OV]4
,!N AT ! V \TSIDE $GE (! SCUPP]S Y GOT
YR SWILLAGES--M AB !M LAT]4 ,I FLY PO9T4
,POOT FLIES :AT WE CALL UPW9D SCUPP]4 ,Y
J FOLL[ 2H4 ,D :AT Y'RE TOLD4 ,ANY "QS80
  ,OTULISSA RAIS$ H] TALON4 8,EZYLRYB1
SIR1 ) ALL DUE RESPECT1 ,I H 6SAY T ,I
AM SURPRIS$ T WE >E GO+ \ 2F X IS COM-
PLETELY D>K4 ,ISN'T "! A V R1L DANG] T 9
? LI<T WE CD 2 MO2$ 0CR[S80
  ,EZYLRYB 2GAN 6LAU< & !N SD1 8,) ALL
DUE RESPECT1 ,OTULISSA1 NO "O ELSE IS
YOICKS 5 6BE \ ON A "D L ?60
  ,SOR5 CDN'T HELP B LAU<4 ,B H[ CD HE 2
LAU<+ :5 HE 0 SC>$ 6D1?8 ,!N AG1 H[ CD
HE H BE5 BOR$ 9 COLLI]+ *AW :5 HE 0 AL
SC>$8 ,IF ? 0 2+ ALL "O CD BE1 Z ,BUBO
_H TOLD HM1 HE C]TA9LY _H A LOT ( 3FUS+
FEEL+S4                             #AID
  ,& !N1 SU45LY1 ) AN ENORM\S SCR1M1 !
OLD ,:ISK]$ ,SCREE* ,[L SPR1D 8 W+S &
LIFT$ 96! ICE-SPUN TWILI<T4
  ,!Y FLEW /RAI<T \ OV] ! ,SEA ( ,HOOLE-
M]E4 ,! /ORM 0 S FI]CE &! TORR5TS (
SLEET+ RA9 S ?ICK !Y CD B>ELY SEE ! WA-
T]1 B !Y DID HE> ! CRA%+ WAVES4 ,OTULIS-
SA 0 FLY+ NE> ,SOR54
  8,I H N"E HE>D (A RYB :O US$ S* POOR
JUDG;T4 ,? IS S IRRESPONSI#4 ,I AM GO+
6H 6SP1K ) ,BORON & ,B>RAN4 ,I _C 2LIEVE
T !Y WD APPROVE ( ?40
  ,SOR51 M1N:ILE1 CD N 2LIEVE T ,OTULIS-
SA CD FLY "? ? MESS & / KEEP TALK+4 ,X
TOOK ALL ( 8 3C5TR,N J 6FLY4 ,! W9DS
SEEM$ 6-E F E DIREC;N4 ,!Y 7 3/ANTLY
BU6ET$ 03FUS$ DRAFTS4 ,M>T91 ! LL ,SAW-
:ET1 0 A TUMBL+ BLUR AH1D ( HM4 ,HE _H
BE5 9/RUCT$1 Z ! SMALLE/1 62G9 FLY+ 9
,EZYLRYB'S WAKE = BETT] 3TROL4
  ,"O M9UTE ! [LS MI<T 2 BUOY$ UP S"EAL
HUNDR$ FEET &! NEXT !Y MI<T FLY 96A D1D
FALL1 A K9D ( HOLE 9 ! W9D1 & DROP4 ,&1
( C\RSE1 "! 0 ! ICE & RA94 ,3/ANTLY1
,SOR5 0 HAV+ 6USE ! TRANSP>5T       #AIE
EYELID1 ! ?IRD EYELID T ALL [LS H1 6CLE>
\ ! DEBRIS4 ,GRT ,GLAUX1 HE HOP$ 8 ?IRD
LID DIDN'T SIMPLY WE> \ "U ^! 3DI;NS4
,NO WOND] ,EZYLRYB SQU9T$4 ,A LIFE"T (
FLY+ 96? /UFF WD 2 5 6%R$ ANY [L'S EYE-
LID4
  8,OH1 = ,GLAUX'S SAKE10 ,OTULISSA
HISS$4
  8,:AT N[80 ,SOR5 SD1 TRY+ 6ANTICIPATE
! NEXT D1D FALL1 ALM HOP+ = X1 6GET AWAY
F ,OTULISSA4
  8,HE IS SP1K+ ) S1GULLS60
  8,S80
  8,S8 ,H[ C Y SAY ,8S10' ,SOR58 ,I "K Y
-E F A V F9E FAMILY4 ,I C SEE T Y H BE5
WELL BR"\ UP4 ,Y M/ "K T S1GULLS >E !
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_H N"E 9 8 LIFE SE5 A HOLL[ L ? "O4 ,!
AIR SPUN ) COLOR$ LI<T F ! :IRLYGLASSES
T HUNG F ! CEIL+ & "S"TS JUTT$ \ F !
WALLS1 SUSP5D$ ON TWIGS JAMM$ 96CRACKS4
,"! 7 S"EAL OP5+S "? : LI<T P\R$4 ,"! 7
PIECES ( CLO? EMBROID]$ ) B1UTI;L DE-
SIGNS & "O LL NI*E SPILL$ OV] ) /R&S (
LUM9\S B1DS4 ,9DE$1 ! HOLL[ SEEM$ 6SWIRL
) COLOR4 ,& 9 ! MI4LE ( ALL ? COLOR "! 0
A DAZZL+ :ITE;S--,MADAME ,PLONK4
  ,SOR5 GULP$ & TRI$ 6KEEP 8 EYES F
/RAY+ F T :ITE;S4 8,B ,I J "K T ,MRS4
,P4 IS R %Y & WD N"E D>E40
  8,MRS4 ,P480 ,MADAME ,PLONK BROKE IN4
8,I DON'T 2LIEVE ,I "K ? SNAKE40
  8,%E CAME ) ME1 MA'AM4 ,%E'S MY FAMI-
LY'S OLD NE/-MAID SNAKE40
  8,OH1 & Y 7 SAY+ T %E WANTS 6BE 9 !
H>P GUILD80
  8,YES1 MA'AM40 ,SOR5 ?"\ HE       #BAD
S.D$ S /UPID4 .,:O .C>ES8 HE ?"\4 ,HE 0
"H = ,MRS4 ,P4 ,%E WANT$ ? S M*4 ,!N X 0
Z IF ,MADAME ,PLONK NE>LY TOOK 8 NEXT
?"\ DIRECTLY \ ( 8 H1D4
  8,B WANT+ IS "O ?+4 ,"O _C M]ELY
WANT40
  8,YES1 YES1 J 2C Y WANT "S?+ DOESN'T
M1N X %D ALW HAPP540
  ,MADAME ,PLONK BL9K$ & NO4$4 8,V WISE1
"Y'UN4 ,B TELL ME N[--:Y D Y ?9K %E1 ?
,MRS4 ,P4 Z Y CALL H]1 WANTS X80
  ,AN IDEA SU45LY POPP$ 96,SOR5'S H1D4
8,Y "K10 HE 2GAN ?"\;LLY1 8"S SNAKES
MI<T WANT X J 2C X IS ?"\ ( Z ! MO/ IM-
PORTANT GUILD1 "O = SNAKES :O H S]V$ 9
NE/S ( V OLD1 4T+UI%$ FAMILIES4 ,B ,I
DON'T ?9K T IS :Y ,MRS4 ,P4 WANTS X40
  8,NO80 ,MADAME ,PLONK SEEM$ SURPRIS$4
  ,SOR5 _H A DR1D;L FEEL+ T HE _H SD "S-
?+ WR;G4 ,HE TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 ,"! 0 NO
BACK+ \ ( X N[4 8,NO1 ,I DON'T ?9K %E
GIVES TWO PELLETS AB T K9D ( ?+40
  ,MADAME ,PLONK BL9K$4
  ..,%E'S LAU<+ AT .ME1 ,SOR5 ?"\4 ,B HE
3T9U$4 8,I ?9K %E WANTS 6BE A       #BAE
MEMB] ( ? GUILD N 2C X IS ! MO/ IMPOR-
TANT B 2C X IS ! MO/ >TI/IC40
  ,MADAME ,PLONK GAVE A LL GASP4 8,T'S V
9T]E/+4 ,N[ :AT D Y M1N 0>TI/IC1 "Y'UN80
  .,OH1 .DE>1 ,SOR5 ?"\4 ,X 0 Z IF 8
GIZZ>D _H J DROPP$ \ ( HM4 ,HE _H NO
IDEA :AT HE M1NT 0>TI/IC4 ,B HE KNEW T
:AT HE _H SD 0 "R 9 "S WAY4
  ,MADAME ,PLONK WAIT$4
  ,SOR5 3T9U$4 8,:5 ,MRS4 ,P4 SPOKE AB
MUSIC %E SD H[ :5 %E VISIT$ ! GRT H>P1
%E TRI$ 6W1VE ! NOTES N J "? ! /R+S (!
H>P B 96YR VOICE4 ,S T TGR ! S.D (! H>P
&! S.D ( YR VOICE MADE "S?+ T %E CALL$
SPL5DID & GR&4 ,WELL1 ,I ?9K T IS :AT X
M1NS 6BE AN >TI/40
  ,"! 0 SIL;E 9 ! A"P;TS4 ,& !N ,MADAME
,PLONK SI<$ DEEPLY & R1*$ =A HANKIE MADE
0! LACEMAK]S' GUILD4 ,%E BLEW H] B1K &
DA2$ H] EYES4 8,Y >E MO/ UNUSUAL =A ,B>N
,[L40 ,SOR5 DID N "K IF T 0 GD OR BAD4
8,N[ ,I ?9K Y M/ G4 ,X IS ALM "T = ,EV5-
S;G4 ,S1 G AL;G4 ,I HE> Y'RE DO+ Q WELL
9 W1!R *AW40 ,SOR5 0 AB 6ASK H[ %E KNEW
AB W1!R *AW B !N REMEMB]$ T ,OC-    #BAF
TAVIA TOOK C>E ( BO? ,MADAME ,PLONK'S &
,EZYLRYB'S NE/S4 8,N[ FLY AL;G40
  8,YES1 YES1 ?ANK Y = YR "T1 ,MADAME
,PLONK10 ,SOR5 SD1 BACK+ \ (! HOLL[4
  8,OCTAVIA60 ,MADAME ,PLONK CALL$ Z
SOON Z ,SOR5 _H LEFT4 8,OCTAVIA1 -E 9 "H
IMMLY40
  ,! FAT OLD NE/ SNAKE SLI!R$ 9 F A
BRAN* ": %E _H HUNG H]F J \TSIDE ! A"P-
;T4
  8,DID Y HE> T1 ,OCTAVIA80
  8,YES1 MA'AM4 ,I ?9K WE GOT \RVS A
;,G-FLAT60











            ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY         #BAG
                 ,FIRE6

  ,EZYLRYB P]*$ ON A LIMB AT ! V TOP (!
,GRT ,GA',HOOLE ,TREE & SQU9T$ 96! BLUE-
;S (! E>LY SUMM] "D4 ,HE _H BE5 P]*$ "H
=! LA/ TWO "DS ALM 3T9U\SLY ) ,POOT 0HIS
SIDE4 ,!Y 7 /UDY+ ! CL\D 2HAVIOR ON ! F>
SIDE ( ,HOOLEM]E4
  8,BR+ ! *AW UP10 HE ORD]$ T]SELY4
8,"!'S 5 = !M 6OBS]VE40
  8,:AT6 ,:AT60 ,SOR5 YAWN$ SLEEPILY Z
,POOT %OOK HM AWAKE4 8,X'S ! MI4LE (!
"D1 ,POOT4 ,WE'RE SUPPOS$ 6BE SLEEP+40
  8,N N[1 "Y'UN4 ,IMPORTANT LESSON1 TOP
(! TREE4 ,CAP WANTS Y "! N[4 ,QK-O60
  ..,:AT CD X .BE8 ,SOR5 ?"\4 ,POOT ONLY
CALL$ ,EZYLRYB 8,CAP0 :5 !Y 7 ON A FLI<T
MIS.N4 ,B "! WASN'T ANY BAD W1!R4 ,X 0 A
CALM1 P]FECTLY CLE> "D4 ,X 0 ! "T (!
GOLD5 RA91 :5 ! /R&S ( ,GA',HOOLE B]RIES
T HUNG F ! LIMBS TURN$ A RI* YELL[4
  ,0! "T ,SOR5 GOT 6! TOP LIMB1 ! O!RS
_H ASSEM#D--ALBEIT SLEEPILY4 ,M>T9 0
YAWN+ 96! MORN+ SUN1 B ,OTULISSA 0 AL]T
& FULL ( "QS & ALR PEPP]+ ! AIR )   #BAH
H] OBS]V,NS ( CL\D =M,NS4 ,RUBY Y>P$ H]
MORN+ PELLET & LOOK$ 6,SOR5 Z IF %E 0 S
SLEEPY %E MI<T PIT* =W>D (F ! LIMB4 ,J
AT T MO;T1 ,BUBO & ,ELVAN >RIV$4 ,? 0 !
F/ "T ,SOR5 _H SE5 ,BUBO =A :ILE4 ,PRE-
SUMABLY1 HE _H BE5 ON ! RECONNAISS.E
MIS.N 6,! ,B1KS1 &1 ?ANK;LLY1 RETURN$
SAFELY1 Z _H ! O!RS4
  8,PUT A M\SE 9 X1 ,OTULISSA10 ,BUBO
GR[L$ & DELIV]$ A FIELD M\SE H1DF/ 96!
TALKATIVE [L'S B1K4
  8,?ANK Y1 ,BUBO10 ,EZYLRYB SD 9 A L[
GR[L & BL9K$4
  8,N[1 ANY"O "K :Y WE >E "H80 ,EZYLRYB
TURN$ 6! [LS (! W1!R *AW4 ,OTULISSA'S
TALON IMMLY %OT UP EV5 ?\< %E CD N YET
TALK ) H] B1K /U6$ FULL ( M\SE4 ,SOR5
LOOK$ >.D4 ,? 0 ! F/ "T ! ?REE RYBS1 AL?
,BUBO 0 N (FICI,Y A RYB1 _H "E BE5 TGR )
! W1!R *AW4 ,X 0 OBVI\S3 ,! "DS ( PRAC-
TIC+ ) ,BUBO'S COALS F ! =GE 7 OV]4 ,!Y
7 N[ GO+ 96A =E/ FIRE4 ,A SIL;E FELL ^U
! "Y [LS4 ,!Y PULL$ 9 _! F1!RS TI<T 6_!
SIDES4 ,! ONLY S.D 0 ,OTULISSA GULP+ !
LA/ (! M\SE4 ,!N1 9 B>ELY A :IS-    #BAI
P]1 H] VOICE %AK+ ) FE>1 %E SD1 8,B ,I J
ATE4 ,H[ % ,I "E FLY ON S* A FULL /OM-
A*80
  8,DON'T WORRY10 ,EZYLRYB SD4 8,WE'RE N
FLY+ YET4 ,N UNTIL LAT]4 ,B ,I WANT Y UP
"H TD 2C Y'RE GO+ 6SEE H[ FIRE *ANGES
?+S--! W9D1 ! CL\DS4 ,Y C SEE ^! *ANGES
EV5 F "H4 ,Y SEE1 "Y'UNS1 "! IS A FIRE
BURN+ OV] "! ACR ,HOOLEM]E4 ,A GRT
FIRE40 ,HE BO2$ \ ON ! BRAN* T[>D ! WA-
T]4 8,S LAT]1 WE % CROSS ,HOOLEM]E4 ,!N
WE'LL FET* UP ON "S HI< CLI6S ON ! O!R
SIDE T >E P]FECT =A CLOS] LOOK4 ,WE %
CAMP "! =A "D OR TWO & !N WE % FLY IN40
  ,=! RE/ (! MORN+1 !Y OBS]V$ ! UNIQUE
2HAVIOR (! CL\DS ON ! F> SIDE ( ,HOOLE-
M]E4 ,! "Y [LS (! W1!R *AW 7 US$ 6ODD
^WS S* Z BA7YWR9KLES & SCUPP]S & GUTT]S4
,B N[ "! 7 EV5 /RANG] ^WS Z ! RYBS DIS-
CUSS$ 8PRESSURE DI6]5TIAL10 8!RMAL 9V]-
.NS10 & 83VECTIVE COLUMNS40
  ,0MID-AFN1 !Y 7 4MISS$ 6TAKE A %ORT
NAP4 ,!Y WD 2 AWAK5$ AT TWE5 "T1 T "T 2T
! LA/ DROP ( SUN &! F/ %AD[S ( TWILI<T1
& !N TAKE (F ACR ,HOOLEM]E4         #BBJ
  8,>E Y N]V\S1 ,RUBY80 ,SOR5 SD Z !Y
MADE _! WAY BACK F ! TOP LIMBS = _!
NAPS4
  8,I'D 2 A FOOL N 6BE10 REPLI$ ! RU/Y-
F1!R$ [L4
  8,B Y FLY S WELL40
  8,N 6M5;N10 ,M>T9 A4$1 8T BO? ( Y >E
AB TWICE Z BIG Z ME40
  8,:AT >E Y MO/ SC>$ (80 ,SOR5 ASK$4
  8,T ?+ !Y CALL CR[N+10 ,RUBY SD QKLY4
8,:5 ! FIRE L1PS F TREETOP 6TREETOP4 ,I
C'T IMAG9E :AT X DOES 6! AIR4 ,I M1N1
FLY+ "? X M/ 2 ALM IMPOSSI#4 ,Y CD N"E
EV5 HALF GUESS ": ! D1D FALLS MI<T BE40
  8,TE*NIC,Y1 ! FIRE DOES T0--,OTULISSA
_H CAU<T UP ) !M--82C ! FIRE CLIMBS :AT
IS CALL$1 AC 6! LIT]ATURE1 A FUEL LA4]40
  8,YES1 & ?9K ( ME10 ,M>T9 N[ SPOKE4
8,I AM ON ! GR.D1 SUPPOS$LY LOOK+ =!
SMALLE/ EMB]S4 ,"O ( ^! CR[N+ ?+S HAP-
P5S1 & AT MY WEI<T ,I GET SUCK$ /RAI<T
UP ! FUEL LA4]40
  8,WE ALL H 6SP5D "T ON ! GR.D1 N J Y10
,SOR5 SD4 8,X CD HAPP5 6ANY ( U4 ,Y
DON'T H 6BE LL40 ,M>T9 COCK$ 8      #BBA
H1D & BL9K$4 ,HE DID N LOOK 3V9C$4
  ,AL? !Y _H YET 6BE 9 AN ACTUAL =E/
FIRE1 EA* MEMB] (! *AW _H A TYPE ( COAL
OR EMB] !Y 7 9 *>GE ( GA!R+4 ,RUBY1 2+ !
BE/ FLI]1 WD SEEK AIRBORNE EMB]S T 7
4P]S$ 6! HI<E/ "PS (! !RMAL DRAFT COL-
UMNS4 ,SOR5 & ,OTULISSA 7 ASSIGN$ A MID-
PO9T POSI;N ON V>I\S SIDES (! 3VEC;N
COLUMN & LL ,M>T9 0 ON ! GR.D4 ,B1 9DE$1
!Y WD ALL H 6D A C]TA9 AM.T ( GR.D"W4

  ,SOR5 CD N HELP B ?9K AB H[ DI6]5T ?
FLI<T ACR ,HOOLEM]E 0 F ! "T HE _H
CROSS$ ! SEA 6! ,GRT ,GA',HOOLE ,TREE
NE>LY SIX MON?S 2F4 ,HE REMEMB]$ H[ !
BLIZZ>D _H RAG$1 H[ ! 5TIRE _W _H TURN$
A SWIRL+ :ITE1 &! SKY & WAT] _H MELT$
96"O 9DIST+UI%A# MASS4 ,TD1 ! AIR 0
CLE>1 ! SEA 2L CALM ) B>ELY A :ITE CAP
6RU6LE ! BLUE;S4 ,S1GULLS DIPP$ 9 ! LA/
RAYS (! SETT+ SUN4 ,! SILV]Y GL9T (A FI%
L1P+ 6ESCAPE A L>G] FI% "S"TS FLA%$ ABV
! WAT]'S SURFACE4 ,YET Z !Y DREW CLOS]
6! OPPOSITE %ORE1 ! AIR DID SEEM DI6]5T4
,& AL? ,SOR51 L O!R [LS1 DID N H    #BBB
! KE5E/ S5SE ( SMELL1 ! AIR SEEM$ T+$ )
AN ACRID ODOR4
  ,!Y L&$ ON ! RIDGE ( "S HI< CLI6S4
,EZYLRYB 0 ALR PO9T+ ) 8 ?REE-TALON$
FOOT 6"S CL\DS J 2Y ! RIDGE4 8,WE CALL
!M ,GA',HOOLE CL\DS4 ,Y "K :Y80
  ,OTULISSA'S TALON %OT UP4 8,2C !Y >E !
%APE (! SE$S F.D 9 ! ,GA',HOOLE FRUITS40
  8,"R-O1 MISSY10 ,EZYLRYB SD4
  ,M>T9 GAVE A LL SI<4 8,%E N"E /OPS1
DOES %E80
  ,X 0 CLE> T ,M>T9 0 V N]V\S4 ,M N]V\S
?AN ! O!RS4 ,SOR5 FELT BAD = HM4 ,HE 0 !
SMALLE/ [L 9 ! *AW4 ,X _H 6BE SC>Y4
8,DON'T WORRY1 ,M>T94 ,Y'RE GO+ 6BE ALL
"R40
  8,SOR51 T'S K9D ( Y1 B D Y R1LIZE T ,I
AM ! F/ ,SAW-:ET 6"E 2 9 ! COLLI]+ *AW80
  8,!Y M/ ?9K Y'RE SPECIAL1 ,M>T910
,SOR5 SD4
  8,B :AT IF ,I'M N80 ,M>T9 SD1 A SQU1K
( DESP],N CREEP+ 96HIS VOICE4
  ,EZYLRYB 3T9U$ SP1K+ AB ! ,GA',HOOLE
CL\DS4 8,! R1SON _! TOPS >E CURV$ L T IS
2C--WELL1 Y TELL ME40               #BBC
  ,ONCE AG1 ,OTULISSA'S TALON %OT UP4
8,X'S SIMPLE W1!R PHYSICS4 ,I 0 R1D+ AB
X 9 ,EM]ILLA'S1 ! REN[N$ W1!RTRIX'S BOOK
--%E'S A ,SPOTT$ ,[L1 ,I MI<T ADD40
,OTULISSA CA/ H] EYES D[NW>D 9 :AT ,SOR5
?"\ 0 AN \TRAGE\SLY PHONY %[ ( MODE/Y4
  8,J GET 6! PO9T1 D>L9'10 ,EZYLRYB
B>K$4
  8,OH1 YES1 ( C\RSE4 ,X IS 2C ! W9DS
ATOP ! CL\D >E BL[+ M* FA/] ?AN ! W9DS
2L40
  ,SOR5 FELT ,M>T9 2G9 6TREM#4 8,I MI<T
2COME "O ( ^? BURN+ AIRBORNE EMB]S T
,RUBY GRABS ON ! FLY10 HE SD 9 A VOICE
DR5*$ ) FE>4
  8,ALL "R N[1 WE CAMP "H & WE WAIT4 ,WE
WAIT UNTIL ! FIRE IS SAFE = P5ETR,N &
RETRIEVAL4 ,ELVAN & ,BUBO % TAKE OV] !
MIS.N AT T PO9T1 DIRECT+ Y 6! RI*E/ COAL
& EMB] B$S4 ,I % REMA9 "H & WAT* ! W1!R
& FLY 9 = P]IODIC REPORTS4 ,Y D Z Y'RE
TOLD & NO "O W GET HURT4 ,RUBY & ,POOT
FLY TOP LAY]4 ,ELVAN ) ,OTULISSA W 2
MID-LAY]4 ,2L !M IS ,SOR51 :O COV]S
,M>T9 ON ! GR.D4 ,BUBO & ,I W 2     #BBD
R1DY IF ANY"O NE$S HELP4 ,Y >E 6KEEP YR
EYE \ = YR MATE40
  ,X 0 CLOSE 6MIDNI<T :5 ,EZYLRYB AN-
N\NC$ T !Y WD 2 TAK+ (F =! NEXT RIDGE4
,HE _H ALR FL[N S"EAL RECONNAISS.E
FLI<TS ) ,POOT4 ,HE N[ >RIV$ BACK ON !
RIDGE4
  8,"!'S A POSSI# TEMP]ATURE 9V].N AT !
EA/ 5D (! VALLEY4 ,WE'RE N S5D+ ANY [L
D[N "!4 ,TEMP]ATURE 9V].NS TRAP SMOKE1 &
!N D Y "K :AT C HAPP5 :5 ! SMOKE />TS TO
RISE80 ,SOR5 ?"\ T X M/ M1N T ! TEMP]A-
TURE MI<T *ANGE1 B AG1 & MO/ ANNOY+LY1
,OTULISSA'S TALON %OT UP4 8,%UT YR B1K1
,OTULISSA10 ,EZYLRYB SNAPP$4 8,I FEEL T
,SOR5 MI<T H ! ANSW] DESPITE N 2+ Z
DEEPLY FAMILI> Z Y >E ) ,/RIX ,EM]ILLA40
  ..,H[ DOES HE FEEL T ,I H ! ANSW]8 ,IS
? L 2+ M>K$--,EZYLRYB SEE+ ?+S 9 ME T
O!RS .C'T8 ,B ,SOR5 DID FEEL T HE KNEW !
ANSW]4 ,S HE PROCE$$ T5TATIVELY4 8,I ?9K
T X M1NS T :5 ! SMOKE RISES "! CD 2 A
*ANGE 9 ! AIR40 ,EZYLRYB LOOK$ /RAI<T AT
HM4 ,! LI<T F 8 YELL[ EYES DID N BURN N[
B SEEM$ 6ILLUM9ATE ,SOR5'S 5TIRE    #BBE
BRA94 ,SOR5 FELT SUR]1 M 3FID5T1 B MO/LY
HE CD EASILY 5VI.N ! 9VISI# AIR4 8,! AIR
WD RISE & TURN & CIRCULATE UPW>D & :5 ?
HAPP5S1 ,I ?9K ! FIRE W BURN H>D]1 M
FI]CELY40
  8,EXACTLY60 BOOM$ ,EZYLRYB4 8,& H[ D Y
"K ?1 LAD80
  8,I SEE X 9 MY M9D4 ,I C IMAG9E X4 ,I
FEEL "S?+1 ,I ?9K 9 MY GIZZ>D1 AB !
MOVE;T ( AIR & H1T & '''0
  8,YES1 ?ANK Y1 LAD40 ,EZYLRYB TURN$ 6!
O!R [LS (! *AW4 8,"! >E _M WAYS 6LE>N--
"? BOOKS1 "? PRACTICE1 & "? GIZZUI;N4
,!Y >E ALL GD WAYS1 B FEW ( U H GIZZUI-
;N40
  8,B :AT IS GIZZUI;N80 ,OTULISSA ASK$
W>ILY4
  ,EZYLRYB 2GAN 6SP1K B KEPT 8 GAZE ON
,SOR54 8,X IS A K9D ( ?9K+ 2Y ! NORMAL
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TRU?1 P]CVS & "U/&S R1L;Y4 ,X _C RE,Y 2
TAU<T1 B X C 2 DEVELOP$ 02+ EXTREMELY
ATT5TIVE & S5SITIVE 6! NATURAL _W40
  ,SOR5 BL9K$4 ..,I ,,AM "S?+ 9 ? OLD
[L'S EYES4 ,I AM ALM Z SM>T Z       #BBF
,OTULISSA1 & ,EZYLRYB 2LIEVES 9 .ME6

  ,X 0 N[ "T 6MOVE 6A RIDGE CLOS] 6!
FIRE4 ,! *AW LIFT$ 96! AIR1 EA* [L FLY+
CLOSE 6XS BU4Y4 ,!Y 7 N HALFWAY 6! NEXT
RIDGE :5 !Y SAW ! ?ICK SMOKE1 ALM :ITE 9
! NI<T1 ROLL+ UP1 & !N ! T;GUES ( FLAME
DANC+ AG/ ! NI<T4 ,EZYLRYB 2GAN A /EEPLY
BANK+ TURN4 ,! O!RS FOLL[$4 ,BUBO &
,POOT >RIV$ %ORTLY ) FRE% VOLES & MICE 9
_! TALONS1 "S / SQUIRM+4
  8,EAT LI<T1 EAT ALL ! HAIR60 ,EZYLRYB
B>K$4
  8,I WOND] :Y HE ALW CALLS X HAIR80
,M>T9 SD QUIETLY4
  8,!Y SAY HE -ES F A 4TANT PLACE CALL$
! L& (! ,GRT ,NOR? ,WAT]S & !Y H ODD
WAYS ( SP1K+10 ,RUBY SD4
  8,B HAIR8 ,:AT'S HAIR80 ,M>T9 P]SI/$4
  8,WELL1 "!'S FUR & "!'S F1!RS--,I ?9K
X'S "S?+ 9 2T10 ,RUBY SD4 8,D Y WANT ME
6ASK ,OTULISSA80
  8,NO60 ,SOR5 & ,M>T9 BO? GROAN$4

                                    #BBG
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FLEW D[N F 8 HI<] P]*4 8,PREP>E 6FLY40
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8,,FIRE60 ,!Y LIFT$ (F--F/ ,BUBO & ,EL-
VAN1 !N ,RUBY & ,POOT1 NEXT ,OTULISSA1
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,EZYLRYB4
  ,!Y _H N FL[N V F> 2F !Y FELT ! H1T ON
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NOISE4 ,A MON/] RO> RAG$ 9 _! E>S4 ,SOR5
_H N"E HE>D ANY?+ L X4 ,BUBO & ,ELVAN _H
PREP>$ !M = "EY?+ B ? NOISE4 ,!Y KNEW AB
! H1T4 ,!Y KNEW AB ! VIOL5T UPDRAFTS1 !
S-CALL$ COOL SPOTS1 &! D1D FALLS4 ,!Y
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RAG+ ) ALL XS D1DLY B1UTY1 ACTU,Y TRANS-
FIX$ AN [L S T X CD N FLY4 ,X W5T YEEP
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RAPIDLY T[>D X1 ! [L SIMPLY CD N LIFT
(F1 = XS W+S HUNG / & MO;N.S L      #BBH
D1D ?+S 0XS SIDE4 ,B NO "O _H TOLD HM AB
! NOISE4
  8,Y'LL GET US$ 6X40 ,ELVAN _H FL[N UP
J OV] ,SOR5 & ,M>T94 8,X'S ALW A %OCK AT
F/4 ,"! IS NO WAY 6DESCRIBE X40 ,HE _H
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FLAME LAY FLAT AG/ A HILLSIDE4 ,! !RMAL
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,SOR5 7 SUCK$ UP AT L1/ TW5TY FEET B Z
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ALIZ$ T X 0 ONLY COOL -P>$ 6! H1T !Y _H
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AH1D4 ,P]FECT = ALL ( Y40
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R$ :IZZ$ BY4
  8,B1UTI;L CAT*1 ,RUBY10 %\T$ ,POOT4
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>E BA2L+ "S K9D ( NONS5SE4 ,X'S ALL V
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,TREE1 EXCEPT = =E/ FIRES & W1!R 9T]PRE-
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DIDN'T SEEM 6BE A W1!R SITU,N OR A =E/
FIRE4
  8,WE NE$ ALL ! HELP WE C GET & N J =!
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Z WORRI$ Z %E _H "E BE54 ,0 X A PLAGUE (
"S SORT8 ,A SPELL8 ,A 2WIT*;T8 ,%E
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FAD$ 96A BLUR4 ,B %E 0 A K9DLY OLD BIRD1
:O1 AL;G ) ,MATRON1 0 9 *>GE (! C>E &
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,GRT ,GA',HOOLE ,TREE4 ,N"E 2F _H ! TWO
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  8,OV] "H1 ,TWILI<T10 ,MATRON      #BDG
CALL$4 8,I H J FLU6$ UP A PLACE4 ,T
,SOOTY W FIT 9 NICELY4 ,ELSIE DE>1 SP>E
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Z ,ELSIE SD4 ,A L[ BAB# CAME 9 A /1DY
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  ,"O LL ,GRASS ,[L 0 N[ *ANT+ 9 A ?9 LL
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PURE TRIUMPH80
  8,DEPRESS+ LL DITTIES1 >5'T !Y80 ,BUBO
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  8,:AT >E !Y TALK+ AB80 ,TWILI<T SD4
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6! GR.D4 ,9 ! MU4Y RUN(F F A CREEK1 HE
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9 ! NI<T & HE HE>D ! L;G1 DRAWN-\ HISS1
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  8,:AT H WE GOT "H80 ,TWILI<T SD4
  8,ANO!R ,B>N ,[L1 B N A ,MASK$ OR A
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  8,NO10 ,TWILI<T SD 9 A :ISP]4 8,A
.,TYTO .ALBA40
  8,L ,SOR510 !Y BO? SD AT ONCE4 ,DI7]
LOOK$ AT ,TWILI<T4 ,HE ALM DIDN'T D>E
SAY X4 8,D Y ?9K X CD BE80
  8,REMEMB]10 ,TWILI<T SD1 8H[ ,SOR5
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EYE4 ,T X LOOK$ Z IF "O ( ^? DOTS F H]
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0 ! SAME ) 8 "M1 T %E1 TOO1 _H A SLIPP$
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  8,YES10 SD ,DI7] SL[LY4
  8,LOOK60
  ,! TWO [LS BR"\ _! B1KS CLOSE 6! LL
[L1 ^: CRIES _H GR[N W1K] & W1K] & !N
/OPP$4 ,!Y ALM =GOT 6BR1! 9 _! ANGUI%4
,"! 0 9DE$ A T9Y SPECKLE 9 ! D>K] F1!RS
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,EGLANT9E1 0 %E ALIVE8 ,0 %E D1D8 ,0 %E
TRULY '''8
  8,EGLANT9E80 !Y BO? CALL$ S(TLY4
                                    #BEJ
























          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-?REE      #BEA
               ,AT ,LA/6

  8,I NE$ "S M WORMS OV] "H1 QK60 ! NE/-
MAID SNAKE CALL$ \4
  8,! ,GA',HOOLOLOGY *AW IS DI7+ !M Z
FA/ Z !Y C10 ANO!R SNAKE CALL$4 8,OH1 MY
GD;S1 :AT A MESS ? LL ,SOOTY ,[L IS40 ,!
SNAKE NUDG$ ! LA/ WORM ( H] SUPPLY ON !
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_W ( ,TYTO PUR;Y & SUPREMACY4
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/UNN$ & W.D$ [LS4 ,& NO "O 0 SP>$ A MO-
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=? 2T BRAN*ES1 FLY+ 9 ! NEW >RIVALS1
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PLUCK+ D[N F _! [N BR1/S 6MAKE UP NEW
B$S1 BR++ CUP AF CUP ( MILKB]RY TEA4 ,!
NE/-MAID SNAKES 7 AT ! PO9T ( -PLETE EX-
HAUS;N & EV5 ,MADAME ,PLONK1 :O R>ELY
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BE> SEE+ H] H>P GUILD S WORN \4 ,S %E
JO9$ 9 "R 2S !M1 LE>N+ H[ 6PLACE    #BEB
WORMS PROP]LY ON ! OP5 W.DS4 ,SOR5 &
,GYLFIE "W$ Z H>D Z ANY"O1 EI FET*+ ?+S
=! NE/-MAID SNAKES OR CL1N+ \ NEW HOL-
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8Y ONLY WI%06 ,7 ! POOR LL [LS BA2L+ AB
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ALW "! 0 "S?+ AB ,TYTOS1 OR ,B>N ,[LS4
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  8,,SOR560 ,! S.D ( 8 [N "N SPLIT ! W>M
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+4
  8,SOR51 GET UP "H FA/ Z Y C10 ,TWILI<T
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  8,NO6 ,NO60 ANO!R [L SD T]SELY4 8,ALL
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SD S40
  8,DROP ! WORM1 ,SOR51 & J -E40 ,SOR5
CDN'T IMAG9E :AT CD 2 S IMPORTANT T !Y
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/4 ,SOR5 GOT AN AW;L FEEL+ 9 8 GIZZ>D4
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  8,NO6 ,NO6 ,? C'T BE60 ,SOR5 WAIL$4
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  8,GET ,MRS4 ,PLI?IV]1 QK60 ,GYLFIE
RASP$4

  ,"T 2GAN 6H NO M1N+ = ,SOR54 ,0 X "D8
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ALL ,SOR5 CD SAY4
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T9E1 ) H] EYES HALF %UT1 ONLY 3T9U$ TO
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B&8

                                    #BEF
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  8,MAY ,I -E IN80
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                                    #BFF
























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                                    #BGB
























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