Part 13 (2/2)
”Down the mountainside,” whispered the Phoenix ”Look! Do not stick your head over too far”
David worasped Below hiure clad in khaki It was the Scientist
”Do you think he saw us?” the Phoenix whispered
”I don't think so,” David whispered back ”He's looking off to the left Oh, Phoenix, what if he comes up here? What'll we do?”
”Listen,” hissed the Phoenix, ”run down there Talk to hi Only be quick!”
”All right!”
The Phoenix melted into the thicket, and David jumped to his feet As he dashed down the trail his brain whirled with questions What should he do? What could he say? How could he lead the Scientist away? Where would the Phoenix go?
In his haste he forgot one irass and leaves on the trail The released sapling sprang upward, the noose tightened with a cruel jerk around his ankle, and he was snatched into the air As the blood rushed to his head he lost control of hile wildly and shout at the top of his voice
The flat dry voice of the Scientist drifted to hi tunnel ”What's all this? What are you doing here? Who set this snare?”
”Get me down,” David choked ”Please!”
A hand seized hih the air and cut the rope David landed on his feet, but his legs gave way and he dropped to his knees He felt dizzy as the blood rushed away froain
The Scientist tilted his sun helreeable tone His eyes narrowed behind the spectacles ”What is this snare doing here?”
David struggled to his feet and clutched a bush for support ”Thank you for cutting me down,” he said
The cold blue eyes found David's and held the here? Who set it?”
”I--I was coht in it,” David sta man,” said the Scientist
”Who--set--this--snare? Answer old and blue in the sunlight, the whistle of feathers cleaving the air, the sharp _thwock!_ of fisted talons striking The Scientist pitched forith a surprised grunt and lay still across the trail--and the Phoenix, executing a flip in the air to check its speed, settled down beside David
”View halloo!” it shouted excitedly ”Yoicks and Tallyho! Did you see that stoop, my boy? By Jove, the best-trained falcon could not have done better! Believetinificent stoop! I think I shall take up Scientist-hunting as a regular thing!”
”Thank goodness, Phoenix!” David exclaimed ”Another minute and you would've been too late! But I hope you haven't--hurt him very much”
”Nonsense, my boy,” said the Phoenix ”A head so stuffed with scientific fact cannot be injured He will come to in a short while”
The Phoenix lifted the Scientist's sun hele luht!
I fear the sun helshell” And the Phoenix smiled proudly