14 DON'T FLIP OUT

CHAPTER 14 DON'T FLIP OUT Watch out for that tree!" Alexander shouted. "Gimme a break!" said Nikki. "I've never canoed on land before!" They rocketed down the mountain, catching air on corners as Nikki tried to steer with her paddle. FWOOSSSSHHH! The ice-crusher sped closer. Alexander could feel its frosty breath on the back of his neck. "It's gaining on us!" he shouted.

SNAP! The monster chomped off the end of Nikki's oar, and spat out the splinters. Nikki jammed her oar into the ground. The canoe banked to the right and tipped over, spilling Nikki and Alexander to the ground. The ice-crusher smacked into the canoe. The monster flipped end-over-end. It came down hard, wedging itself between two trees.

"Awesome, Nikki! It's stuck!" said Alexander. The ice-crusher roared. It pounded at the trees. "Not for long!" said Nikki. "Let's move!" They jumped back into the canoe and flew down the rest of the mountain. They crash-landed into the huge salt pile near the campfire circle. Alexander and Nikki tumbled out, dizzy but unhurt. They got to their feet. The bonfire was much larger now. Rip stood nearby, warming his hands.

"Fire-safety Tip #9," said Rip. "Keep your bonfires small—except when snombies attack!" "Nice work, Rip!" said Alexander. "But where are the other campers?" "Did the snombies get them?" asked Nikki. "No. They freaked out, so I sent them to the cabins," said Rip. "What happened to the snombies?!" asked Alexander. "Those weenies?" said Rip, smiling. "The first few fell to pieces after I knocked off their heads." He brushed snow from his sleeve. "That made the others mad, so they rushed at me. I just stayed by the fire while they melted into puddles."

"Great!" said Alexander, looking over his shoulder. "I'm hoping that we can melt the ice-crusher, too! It's the monster that's been making all the clinks." "TIM-BERRRRRRR!" A voice echoed through the trees. Up the mountain, two giant pine trees came crashing to the ground. "Quick! Throw another log on the fire!" yelled Nikki. "We're about to have company."