Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8 'Come on ye 'orrible lot, get those supplies on board, The Flyin' Fish sets sail at midnight -quit yer yabberin' and get a move on!' That was the cry from the quartermaster, an old Siberian cat in a tatty white sailor's jumper and a captain's cap. He was busy checking all the supplies at the end of the quay with a clipboard. Approaching from the shadows, Toto

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and the gang saw the ship for the first time. It was an enormous grey cargo ship, with twinkling lights showing through the portholes. Behind it lay the fast-flowing river where the tide was starting to take hold. Further out, it looked like the water was flowing around several small dark islands. Several rough-looking cats were picking up boxes of supplies and carrying them up the gangway onto the ship. There was so much going on and so many animals coming and going that, with their disguises, they were able to get into line unnoticed and pick up three boxes full of canned tuna. "old it you lot, I 'aven't seen ye before, what 'ave ye got there?' the quartermaster

piped up in his impressively sea-faring voice as the trio turned to walk towards the ship. 'ARRRGH... we been reassigned from rooftop security, and we be carryin' tuna bound for that there ship. We be needin' to know where to be puttin' it sir, answered Catface in the worst pirate's accent the cats had ever heard- or so they thought! 'ARRRGH….. one of me own, replied the quartermaster. 'It's good to be servin' with an old ship's cat such as yerself. Tell me, where did ye serve in the olden days?' 'Oh, no, we're for it now, whispered Toto to Silver. 'Ah, well I started life as ship's cat on the HMS... err, Sea Bass, and then served

me time on the Platypus, before being shipwrecked in Tahiti. I been sailin' with the Archduke for a couple of months now, and can't wait to get me bounty in cheese! ARRRGH...' he added for good measure. The quartermaster eyed the trio for what seemed like an eternity. Both Toto and Silver had started to think the game was up when he replied with a yell, 'ARRRGH, that's me kind of sailor, on ye go boys. Take that tuna down to the hold and good luck to ye.' Counting their blessings, they scurried towards the ship. 'Catface, how in the world did you know all of those ships? And how did he fall for that awful accent?' asked Toto.

'What do you mean, AWFUL? That's what all the old pirates sound like in the Sour Saucer. As for the ships- I told you I used be down here all the time with my dad. I loved watching the ships come in when—' 'Guys, we've got a whole new problem,' Silver interrupted, pointing to the ship with a shaky paw. Sure enough, guarding the gangway were two enormous Rottweilers. 'How in the world is Sheila going to deal with them?' Just then, Shelia emerged from behind a big wooden container and appeared to be having a cheerful chat with them. It looked like she was asking the two bigger dogs to follow her. Miraculously they did, leaving