13-CARE FOR A CUP OF SUGAR？

CARE FOR A CUP OF SUGAR? We sailed all night. The next morning, we dropped anchor in the bay of Cream Cheese Island. Thea did a few calculations. "Well, according to Admiral Sea Snout's logbook, the ship sank in this area," she said. Just then, Benjamin gave a shriek. He was peering at the horizon through a pair of binoculars. "Look! Over there! It's the CLAW-SHAPED ROCK!" he cried. Immediately, Trap broke out in a mad

series of cartwheels. But this time, no one stopped him. I guess we were all getting excited now. Thea ordered the captain to turn on the electronic echo sounder. Our search had begun. "Don't get too excited, Thea," warned Captain Skipper Paws. "Searching the ocean is a big job. It may take longer than you think." For two whole days, our boat kept up the search. I was beginning to get worried. What if it took a whole week to find the sunken

ship? Or maybe a month? Or maybe forever? This was no place for a seasick newspaper mouse. Headlines flashed before my eyes: STILTON STUCK AT SEA, NEVER TO RETURN: NEWSPAPER MOUSE GIVES UP COZY LIFE ON LAND FOR TERRIFYING TRIP ON FLOATING PIECE OF WOOD.

On the evening of the second day, I sat next to Aunt Sweetfur. I was feeling depressed. "Ah, this pink sunset is so romantic! Just think, Nephew, my beloved Grayfur was sailing under this very same sky twenty years ago," she said with a sigh. A tear rolled down her fur. "Then he disappeared from my life forever." Talk about kicking a mouse when he's down. I was more DEPRESSED than a sewer rat lost in the desert. At that very moment, I noticed a boat floating near us. Well, it wasn't just floating near us! The boat seemed to be following us! I shuddered. Something told me the rodents on board weren't looking to borrow a cup of sugar.