10 FOLLOW THE LEADER

CHAPTER 10 FOLLOW THE LEADER The rainbow-colored paper Battle Burro wobbled to its feet. Seconds later, the three voices inside began to argue. "You really think this costume will fool the P-rex?" asked Nikki. "Yes, definitely!" said Alexander. "Probably! Well we'll see."

"You mean you'll see!" said Rip. "We're totally blind back here!" "If it makes you feel better," said Alexander, "I can barely see through these noseholes." "That does not make us feel better," said Nikki.

The Battle Burro tromped through the woods. It was awkward at first, but after a few stumbles, Alexander, Rip, and Nikki began marching as one six-legged donkey. "Are we there yet?" asked Rip. "Not far now," said Alexander. "We're almost out of the woods.... Here comes the sidewalk.... Okay, turn left NOW!" The Battle Burro made a wide left turn, and somehow didn't fall over. "So, if the notebook is right," said Nikki, "we just walk up to the P-rex, spin around three times, and whack it?" "Exactly," said Alexander. "Oops— birdbath ahead! Swing right!"

"But how will we find the P-rex?" asked Rip. Alexander put on the brakes, causing Rip and Nikki to bonk heads. "Uh, that should be easy," he said. Through the Battle Burro's two noseholes, Alexander could see a path of smashed trees, broken fences, and tilted lampposts. The path was stamped with P-rex tracks that led straight to Stermont Elementary.