Waggit's Tale by Peter Howe Read Free Book Online

Alicia.
    â€œSo’m I,” said Tazar. “We could’ve been Tashi’s team and a mob of Stoners for all the warning he gave.”
    â€œYou’re right!” Gruff’s lack of protection of her person was gradually dawning on Alicia. “I could’ve been attacked in my own home.”
    â€œWhat’re we going to do, boss? We should eat today.” Lowdown knew and shared Tazar’s worries. “It’s getting late. What with the Skurdies and loners, there ain’t going to be much left in the trash cans.”
    The small dog was right, and the leader knew it. One of the disadvantages of living on the Risingside, with its greater space that provided more hiding places and safe spots, was the presence of loners, dogs who depleted the area’s already sparse and scattered food supply. It seemed to Tazar that there was only one thing to do.
    â€œWe have no choice. As soon as it gets dark, we nighthunt!”

4
The Nighthunt
    I t promised to be a good night for hunting. The early autumn evening was clear and crisp, and even though sound and smell are in many ways more important to dogs than sight, the bright moonlight would help them see any animal that broke cover and tried to make a run for it. There was an air of excitement in the tunnel as each dog anticipated the night’s adventures. Gordo and Raz were discussing whether they preferred to eat mice, rats, squirrels, or rabbits, or, in team language, nibblers, scurries, curlytails, and hoppers.
    Gordo, whose favorite subject was food, was of the opinion that hoppers were the best, but that you hardly ever got one. He thought curlytails were sweeter eating than scurries, while Raz felt that nibblers were too small and too bony to be worth the bother. Gruff, overhearing the conversation, said, “Personally I don’t like fresh meat. I find it hard to digest, and it gives me gas. I’ll take a nice ham sandwich any day.”
    â€œNot this day, you won’t,” said Tazar. “There’ll be nothing to eat if we don’t hunt.”
    Waggit had never eaten raw meat in his short life, and had no idea what would taste best. Up until two days ago his food had come from a can opened by his owner and scooped into a bowl. He had never had a problem with this system and was worried about adapting to the new situation. Furthermore he wasn’t quite sure what he would be expected to do, and more than ever he wished that his owner would come to rescue him and take him back to where the meals were regular and the demands put upon a puppy were few.
    Tazar began to organize the team prior to their departure.
    â€œLady Alicia, Cal, Gordo, and Lowdown, you’ll all stay here and guard the tunnel.”
    â€œAw, boss!” Lowdown said in protest. This was the second time today that he had been left behind to be a caretaker. “Why can’t I come with the hunting party?”
    â€œI need you here,” Tazar said in his most serious and important voice. “This is our home, the most valuable thing we have, and someone of your intelligence must guard it. If Tashi’s mob has a spy out there who sees us all leave, they may very well try to take it over.”
    â€œSo it’s got nothing to do with my short legs and lack of speed?”
    â€œAbsolutely not. That’s the furthest thing from my mind,” said Tazar.
    â€œYou think they’d attack?” asked Gordo, nervous of having to fight for the right to stay in his own cozy bed.
    â€œDon’t worry,” retorted Lowdown. “If they do you just have to lie on ’em and they’ll soon give in. Fortunately it don’t take a whole lot of brains.” His last remark was directed more toward Tazar than Gordo. He was still upset at being left behind.
    Tazar ignored this and lined up the remaining dogs. “Lady Magica, you hunt with Raz, and Waggit and I will work together. If we see a likely target we’ll