12-YE OLD SEA CAT DINER

YE OLD SEA CAT DINER The next morning at breakfast, Thea studied a map of the ocean surrounding the Ratlapagos Islands. "Well, this explains why no one has ever fished out the treasure," she said. "You see, the ocean is VERY DEEP in this area, and the current is very strong. If you didn't know where the ship went down, it would be almost impossible to find the wreck. Lucky for us, we have Admiral Sea Snout's logbook." We all agreed we were very lucky. Especially Trap. Any mention of the word treasure sent him into an excited FRENZY. I'm telling you, it was

like the cheese had finally slipped off his cracker. He started doing cartwheels up and down the deck, singing "I'm gonna be rich!" at the top of his lungs. Around lunchtime, we pulled into a port. We needed food, fuel, and I was just happy to get off the boat and away from my wacko cousin. I took Benjamin on a tour of an OLD FORTRESS, while Thea went to buy water. Meanwhile, Trap said he would pick up the food. An hour later, we returned to the boat. Well, everyone except Trap, that is. I finally discovered him sitting at the counter of YE OLD SEA CAT DINER. He was stuffing his snout with cheesy clam

chowder and chatting with some sailors. "Yessiree, me mateys, we're off looking for treasure. And I'm just the genius mouse to find it. The name's TRAP, one 'T,' one 'P,"' he boasted. I groaned. When would that mouse ever

learn to keep his mouth shut? I ran up to him. "Shhhhh, you blabbermouth! No one can know about the treasure!" I whispered. He rolled his eyes. "Hey, friends, my lamebrain cousinkins here says the treasure is supposed to be a secret. Is he PARANOID or what? Well, got to skedaddle. Ciao!" he called as I yanked him out the door.

We left the diner and headed back to the boat. Trap chattered the whole way. Did I mention he loves to talk? I was thinking of stuffing my tie in his mouth to make him stop. But I decided against it. I love my tie too much. When we got back, I told Thea what had happened. She threw a fit. "YOU CAN'T BE LEFT ON YOUR OWN FOR A SINGLE MOMENT!" she shrieked. "Well, excuse me for talking with some new friends!" Trap yelled back. Thea grabbed his tail. Trap pulled her ears. Pretty soon, the two of them were going at it like two boxers in the rat ring. Aunt Sweetfur sighed as she separated them. "Agh! You two are like MOLD and CHEESE. You never get along," she muttered.