Chapter 8…IN SEARCH OF A NEW HOME AND HOWIE

“Ready to Launch!” Juan proudly exclaimed. Which way should we go?” he asked.
“May I interject a notion based upon tidal knowledge, earthly rotation, seasonal information and other pertinent meteorological data?” Bandy quizzed in his own inimitable manner.
“Huh?” Juan asked.
“Distribute a moderate amount of flower petals upon the breakwater to ascertain the current current’s direction. Then plan to sail in the compass heading of that directional flow and keep nearest to the natural shoreline as may be achievable to avoid being swept beyond the extent of incoming waves.”
Toucie grabbed a bunch of flowers and threw them into the water…”You mean that way?” she asked pointing in the direction that the floating flowers were heading.
“Precisely!” affirmed Bandy.
Everyone did manage to climb aboard the raft and although it was barely staying above the shallow sea waves it not only held all of us but began to slowly move in the direction of the current as predicted by the flowers….Oh, and by Bandy.
As we skirted the shoreline we looked for likely spots to replace the beloved Snacking Grounds when nearly all of us at the same time saw a ghastly sight. It was a cage made out of bamboo and twisted vines and imprisoned within was none other than our Dear friend Howie!
We waved but kept quiet since we didn’t want to draw attention to ourselves by Howie’s captors.
“Keep going around that next bend Juan and then head for shore …we’ve got to save Howie…we just have to!” Toucie announced with total agreement by the rest of us. But I knew right then that we needed a truly great plan that not only rescued Howie but kept us safe too.