18-HOW MUCH FARTHER TO THE BEACH？？？

HOW MUCH FARTHER TO THE BEACH??? After breakfast, I headed for the beach. I followed the long path through the sand dunes. I walked and walked and walked. An hour later, I was still walking. Did I mention the path was long? The SUN SCORCHED my fur. I was dying of thirst. I mean, really DYING. Suddenly, I had a horrifying thought. What if I really did die of thirst? Headlines flashed before my eyes: STILTON SIZZLES TO A CRISP! PARCHED PUBLISHER: ALL DRIED UP AND NO PLACE TO GO! Just then, I spotted something up ahead. It was a lemonade stand. "How much farther

to the beach?" I asked the vendor. He smirked. "Just another hour," he said. I felt faint. Another hour? I would never make it! I gulped down a glass of lemonade. "That'll be fifty SMACKEROOS. Cash only," the mouse said, grinning evilly. I pulled out my wallet. What else could I do? I knew I shouldn't have TRUSTED them!