12 Bait

12. BAIT "I want the Pirate Piper to think you've escaped," explained Matilda, holding Jim by his shoulders. "You walk past the cave entrance and wait until he spots you. Don't go too close. The tide's quite far out, so that should give you some space and a good head start. When you see the piper come after you, head for the dunes and wait for Bones!"

"OK," said Jim. "Got it, Cap'n!" Jim Lad staggered across the sand, weaving left and right, like one of those zombies he'd seen on TV. He made groaning noises and was putting on his best blank facial expression. Jim believed he was a master at improvising, and if he hadn't been born a pirate, scourge of the seven seas, he would have quite liked to be a famous actor. Matilda was briefing Nugget, who had already removed her fiddle from its case. Her bow was poised, and she was eager to start playing.

"You have to wait," said Matilda sternly. "You have to wait until I tell you to play! Jim has to draw the Pirate Piper from the cave first. When Jim's taken the piper far enough away, you can start." "Oh, right. I'm glad that Jim and that piper fella won't be listenin'," said Nugget, suddenly content to wait a while. "I don't think Jim's that fond of my fiddle playin,' and that piper looks to be one of those miserable sorts who don't appreciate the musical talents of children." Matilda pointed Jim's telescope at the cave, desperate for the piper to leave. Bones was still sitting behind the boulder, guarding the entrance. Matilda

saw him suddenly crouch down, tail wagging, tummy on the ground and his jaw flat to the sand. A tattered figure ran from the cave, looking toward Jim, who was Zig-zagging across the beach in the distance. The Pirate Piper played his pipe, but Jim didn't turn. Jim was listening to heavy metal music on a volume setting that his parents definitely wouldn't approve of, but at least he knew it would drown out the piper's pipe and Nugget's fiddle. The Pirate Piper ran after him, still frantically blowing into his instrument. "Ready?" Matilda asked Nugget. "Let's go!"

Matilda and Nugget ran to the cave entrance, staying crouched over and low to the ground, just in case the Pirate Piper returned. But he didn't, and soon Matilda and Nugget were peering into the darkness at hundreds of dazed children, still under the Pirate Piper's spell. "Raise that fiddle, Nugget!" said Matilda. "It's concert time!" Nugget climbed onto the boulder at the entrance to the cave, propped the fiddle beneath her chin, and dragged the bow across the strings. SCREEEEEECH! All the children turned to Nugget. They started ambling toward her, like

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