Voyage of Slaves by Brian Jacques Read Free Book Online Page A

jaws.
    The roar of Ben’s voice shocked everybody with its intensity. “Ned! My Ned, you’re alive!”

7

    IT WAS AS IF LIGHTNING HAD RIPPED the dark curtain from the dog’s mind—everything came back to him in a brilliant flash. Dropping the basket he rushed in the boy’s direction, barking aloud as his senses shouted out, “Ben! Ben!”
    Jasmina was standing in the black Labrador’s path. Quickly assuming that it might attack her master, she swung her cane, whipping it across Ned’s back. Raising the cane again, she yelled, “Guards, get this evil spirit out of here!”
    Ben was rushing to stop her when he was knocked aside by Al Misurata. Bounding forward, he snatched the cane from his housekeeper’s grasp and struck her with it.
    Jasmina fell to her knees. Ashen with shock, she stared up at him. “Master, I thought the beast was going to savage you!”
    The pirate’s eyes flashed angrily as he brandished the cane over her, his voice thick with scorn. “And did you think that I, Al Misurata, needed a woman to protect me against a dog?”
    The unfortunate woman touched her forehead to the pirate’s feet. “Master, I am sorry, I did not think. . . .”
    He flung the cane at her head. “Am I to be shamed in front of my guests by a stupid servant? Begone from my sight, fool!”
    The unpredictable Al Misurata turned to Ben, who was hugging Ned tightly. “I thought this dog belonged to the entertainers, but evidently you seem to think he is yours?”
    The boy’s eyes glared defiantly at his captor. “He is mine, he was always mine!”
    Al Misurata returned to his divan. “We will see. Guards, hold the creature until I command you to release him. Keep him to one side.”
    Two guards looped a belt around the Labrador’s neck and held him midway between Ben and the Rizzoli Troupe. Ned sat placidly between the guards, sending a mental message to Ben. “Don’t worry about me, mate, I’ll do the right thing. You just stay calm.”
    Ben’s reply flashed through his mind. “I’ve no need to worry Ned, you’re back and you’re alive.”
    Al Misurata questioned Ben. “If the dog is yours, how did you lose him?”
    The boy answered promptly. “The two men who took me from my boat threw him into the sea. I thought he had been drowned.”
    The pirate turned to the Rizzoli Troupe. “How did you come by the dog?”
    Otto stepped forward. “I found him on the tideline one morning, he was almost dead. Serafina and myself nursed him back to life. Bundi is a good dog, very sensible.”
    Al Misurata signalled the two guards. “Let the dog loose, now we will see who it goes to. You may call him.”
    Serafina crouched, clapping her hands gently and calling, “Bundi, here boy, good dog, come on, Bundi!”
    Ned trotted over to her, wagged his tail and licked her hand.
    Ben shot him a concerned thought. “What do you think you’re doing, mate?”
    The Labrador returned his query. “Merely saying thank you to those who saved my life. She’s much prettier than you, Ben, have you noticed?”
    Otto patted the dog’s head fondly. “Good boy, Bundi!”
    Ned looked at Ben and flinched. “Poor Otto, he means well, but I’m almost flattened whenever he pats me. He’s got hands like mallets!”
    Ben smiled inwardly. Ned had not lost his sense of humour. “When you’re finished thanking those good people, perhaps you might come over here and prove you’re mine. If it’s not too much trouble, of course?”
    Ned gave Serafina’s hand a final lick. “Coming, O impatient one. How about calling me by my real name? I wasn’t very fond of being called Bundi. Silly name, made me feel like some sort of stuffed toy!”
    Al Misurata looked quizzically at Ben. “See, the dog has gone to the girl, but you say he belongs to you. Why do you not call him?”
    For answer, Ben uttered the dog’s name quietly. “Ned.”
    The black Labrador padded over dutifully, commenting, “Huh, your dog, their dog, his dog, her dog.