Chapter 9

Chapter 9 "This tree disguise better work," Dribble said as the three friends made their way through the woods toward Beeten Wheeten. "If it doesn't, those people are going to cut me down and slay me." "It will work," said Princess Pulverizer. "You look just like a pine tree." The sword of truth wiggled at her side. "If you say so," Dribble replied doubtfully.

该页暂无翻译

"Let's try and figure out what got you sick, Dribble," Lucas said, changing the subject. "What was the first thing you did that morning?" "I got up, brushed my teeth, and made a grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast." "Then we went into the woods and you started making sandwiches for your restaurant," Princess Pulverizer continued. "None of those things would make you sick, though." "P.U." Lucas held his nose shut. "What's that smell?" Dribble looked around. "I think it's coming from the river. Look at all the garbage floating in there." "It stinks worse than ever," Lucas said. "Why would anyone dump trash into a river? It's not fair to the fish." "Or to the folks who drink from the river," Princess Pulverizer added. Suddenly, a lot of things began to make sense. "Dribble, you

gulped down a lot of this water the night before the fire. I bet that's what made you sick." "I drank a little," Lucas added. "And my stomach hurt this morning. Princess Pulverizer didn't drink from the river at all. Smart move." "I guess so," Princess Pulverizer agreed. "I was just lucky they have such wonderful fruit juice in Beeten Wheeten. The only time I was near water is when I brushed my teeth. And I spat that out." "No wonder I got heartburn!" Dribble exclaimed as he watched a grease-stained dish towel float by. "All we have to do is figure out who is dumping this stuff into the river," Princess Pulverizer said. "That's who's really responsible for burning down the barn—and all the tummy trouble." "How long will that take?" Dribble wondered aloud.

"Not long at all. Look!" Princess Pulverizer pointed downstream and frowned. "Why am I not surprised?" "It's Ralf!" Dribble said. "That guy is about as rotten as you can get," Lucas added. "He's a litterer, a unicorn capturer, and a lousy juggler."

Princess Pulverizer raised her sword high in the air. "STOP!" she shouted in Ralf's direction. Ralf looked up. He tossed an old slipper into the river and ran. "Halt!" she yelled. "I have come to the rescue of the people of Beeten Wheeten!" "You and what army?" Ralf called back. "That wimpy kid?" "Who are you calling wimpy?" Dribble asked. Then he remembered he was supposed to be a tree. He shut his mouth. But it was too late. "Who said that?" Ralf demanded. "Um... I did," Lucas lied. "Didn't sound like you," Ralf said. "Well, it was," Lucas replied. But Ralf didn't hear Lucas's reply. He had already disappeared into the woods. "Come on, you two!" Princess Pulverizer exclaimed as she took off after Ralf. "We can't let him get away!"