14-THE CAT'S ROCK

THE CAT'S ROCK The next day, Benjamin and I set out in search of the sixth clue. Trap, of course, had a contact for us at the AMAZEMENT PARK. "Ask to see my friend Chuck Choptail. His friends call him SLICK. He is the owner of the roller coaster," Trap had told us. We arrived at the amousement park at six o'clock. The sun was setting, and the bright lights of the rides were starting to come on. We could see the big Ferris wheel, the merry-go-round, and the bumper Cars. I began to feel nervous. Scary movies horrify me. Thea's driving makes me weak in the knees. But the fast rides at an amousement park really terrify me.

Benjamin, however, was very excited. "Can we please go on the merry-go-round, Uncle Geronimo? And then get popcorn? And then can we play Whack-a-Cat?" I smiled. It is hard to say no to my nephew. "Let's find the clue first," I said. We walked over to the roller coaster. A short mouse was sitting on a barrel of fish, counting a pile of coins. When he saw us, he muttered, "One adult and one child?" "Mr. Chuck Choptail?" I asked.

"We need some information. My cousin Trap said you might help us." The little mouse broke into a big smile. "Good old Trap! Are you really his cousin? You don't look like him at all. You're so skinny!" "He's my cousin, all right," I replied. "Anyway, he told us about a cat-shaped rock here at the amousement park. Can you take us to see it?" "Anything for a cousin of Trap's," Slick replied. "But first, how about a nice ride on the roller coaster?" I gulped. "Oh, no, thank you," I said.

But Benjamin tugged on my sleeve. "Please, Uncle. It looks like fun!" I hated to disappoint my nephew. "You can take a ride on it if you want." SLICK frowned. "You can't let a little mouse like that go on by himself!" he scolded. He pushed us both toward a red roller coaster car. Benjamin hopped right inside. I started to back away, but Slick tripped me with his paw. "Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride," Slick said, grinning. "Let me out!" I screamed. But it was too late. The car

had started lurching forward. I was trapped! I closed my eyes and clutched the bar in front of me. My paws were sweaty with FRIGHT. I could feel the car climbing up the steep track. "Uncle, look how HIGH we are!" Benjamin called out happily. I couldn't bear to open my eyes. But it didn't matter. Even though I couldn't see what was happening, I could feel it. Zoom! The car plunged down a hill. We curved sharply to the left. Then to the right. The car made an upside-down loop. So did my stomach. Then another loop, and another one. My insides turned over and over. Then we did it all again— BACKWARD! Benjamin shrieked with delight. But I was TOO SCARED to even scream. After what seemed like hours, the car

finally stopped. I opened my eyes. Slick came running toward us. "I know any cousin of Trap's must be a roller coaster fanatic," he said. "Want to go again?" "NO," I squeaked weakly. There was no way I was falling for another one of Slick's cruel tricks. I staggered out of the car and collapsed against a nearby rock. I felt like a slice of cheese that had been left out in the sun too long. Then everything went black. When I woke up, Benjamin was fanning me with a newspaper. "Uncle, are you all right?" he asked. Slick was gently slapping my face. "Are you sure you're