23-SNIP! SNAP!

SNIP! SNAP! For a moment, I thought maybe I was just having a bad dream. I PINCHED MYSELF. The mice in the bathing suits were still standing there. At last, Trap spoke. "RATLIN'S Tropical Resort," he repeated. "Do you mean this IS NOT a DESERTED island?" The guide looked at us with curiosity. "Deserted island? You should see the mounds of rodents on the beach," he said. "This is our busiest time of year!" Trap turned to Thea, fuming. "It's bad enough that you brought me to the wrong island. But did you have to bring me to a tourist trap?!"

I couldn't believe it. I felt a lump of despair in my throat — like a mouse being served at the Grand Cat Buffet. Meanwhile, the tourists were staring at us in amazement. With our ratty fur and torn clothing, they didn't know what to make of us! A shy-looking mouse with big ears approached Thea. "Um, Miss, did you just take one of Ratlin's SURVIVAL classes?" he asked. Thea stared at him. For a minute, she looked like a mouse caught by a flashlight. Then my sister snapped to attention. "Survival lessons?" she repeated. "Why, do I look like a rodent who needs lessons? Take a look at this knife. I can

chop a rat's tail in two faster than you can twitch your whiskers. Snip! Snap!" She CUT a tree branch in two with one clean blow. Her audience shuddered, hypnotized. "Can I walk you back to the resort?" the mouse with the big ears asked my sister. "I would love to take you to dinner tonight. I know a great little restaurant right on the beach!" "We'll see, my dear, we'll see," squeaked Thea, flattered. I shook my head. Benjamin and I set out toward the resort. Trap just stared off into space. "But the treasure..." he repeated over and over. "The treasure..."