Poacher Peril by J. Burchett Read Free Book Online Page B

matter what the poachers do.” He stopped in his tracks. “But we won’t spring it – we’ll block it! We should be able to get there before her. We’re nearer than she is.”
    â€œBrilliant!” said Zoe.
    â€œThat’s me.” Ben grinned.
    They plunged through the forest towards the watering hole, twigs cracking loudly underfoot.

    â€œHope the poachers can’t hear us,” panted Zoe as they ran.
    â€œWe’ll just have to take that chance,” said Ben. “Look – we’re here now. And I think the men have gone.”
    They made their way into the clearing. There was a sudden, sharp cry from across the pool. The children stepped quickly back into the undergrowth and Ben set his glasses to zoom.
    â€œIt’s OK,” he breathed. “It’s only a family of dholes.” He could clearly see the thin, fox-like dogs lapping at the water’s edge. “Where’s the trap?” he muttered. He ran along the bank, scattering the dholes. He came to a criss-cross pattern of large and small pugs in the soft earth. “It must be near here. They’ll have put it near the tigers’ tracks.”
    They pushed aside bushes and ferns, desperately searching for the trap.
    Ben came to a mass of creepers. As he pulled at them his foot clanged against something hard and metallic.
    â€œFound it,” he called.
    He knelt down and carefully removed some of the leaves. Underneath was a cage made of shiny sheet metal, set in the ground. The barred door was raised, ready to drop. He could hear the plaintive bleat of the goat inside.
    Zoe joined him. Then something caught her eye. “Look, Ben!” she said. She pointed towards a huge tiger skin that had been draped over a nearby branch. “That’s what Catur meant about putting other animals off. They’ll all steer clear of that – especially if it’s got Tora’s scent all over it. That man is evil.”

    She checked the orange light on her BUG. “Oh no,” she said urgently. “She’s almost here. We’ve got to block the trap now.”
    They looked about.
    â€œThere must be some fallen branches we can lay across the opening,” said Zoe, scanning the ground in panic.
    â€œNo time.”
    â€œThen we have to spring the trap after all and chase Tora away,” cried Zoe.
    But then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a slight movement. She spun round. Tora was standing on the opposite bank, her cubs at her feet.

CHAPTER
TEN
    â€œTora’s here!” hissed Zoe, pushing Ben down into the undergrowth beside the cage. “I don’t think she’s seen us.”
    The tiger raised her head and sniffed the air, tail swishing.
    â€œShe can smell the goat,” whispered Ben.
    â€œAnd us, if we’re unlucky!” Zoe pulled out her BUG. “Turn on your scent disperser.”
    The cubs suddenly bounded around the bank. With a low growl, Tora splashed through the water and overtook them. The tigers were making for the trap.
    â€œWe’ve got to do something.” Zoe was almost in tears.
    â€œThere’s only one thing for it!” cried Ben. Zoe could see he had that gleam in his eye which meant he was going to do something crazy. Before she could stop him, he had jumped into the metal cage.
    CLANG! The trap slammed shut over his head.

    At the harsh metallic sound, Tora reared up with a frightened snarl and the cubs leapt in terror. In an instant they’d disappeared into the shadows.
    â€œIt worked!” cried Zoe in relief. “Well done, Ben.”
    â€œNow get me out,” called Ben as the goat nuzzled his ear. “The poachers will be here any minute.”
    Zoe pulled at the trapdoor. “I can’t open it!” she said in alarm. “Try from the inside.” Ben pushed upwards. Nothing happened. Zoe picked up a fallen branch and tried to lever the door open, but the branch snapped. She