17 Sunrise

17. SUNRISE Jim and Matilda sat on the harbor wall, legs dangling over the edge, taking turns looking through Jim's telescope. In the distance, they could just make out the masts of Captain Horatio Rattus's ship disappearing over the horizon into the golden glow of the early-morning sun. "How long do you think it'll take him to get out of his cabin?" Matilda asked.

"Arrr, I don't rightly know," said Jim. "It'll be tricky f'sure. But even if he does, I doubt he'll be returnin' to Dull-on- Sea." "You know, I asked my dad to hide the sound system deep beneath the foc'sle, right at the bow of the ship," said Matilda. "It'll be streaming Nugget's fiddle, playing on an endless loop to the speakers at the stern. I figured that the rats could gnaw through the nets if they really wanted to, but only if the music stopped and the fiddle's spell was broken." "Aye, he could be there a while, then!" Jim chuckled. "Shall we go 'n' join the party?" It was still early, but in the town square

the celebration was in full swing. The people of Dull-on-Sea had woken to a town that was empty of rats, while their children were still safe in their beds. Many people hadn't slept at all. Every parent in Dull-on-Sea had stuffed their children's ears with cotton balls or earplugs, locked their doors, and spent the whole night standing guard, just in case. Jim and Matilda weaved through the crowds, making their way to a stage that overlooked the harbor. On the stage, Matilda's dad was being presented with a voucher to spend at Dull Stereo Systems to replace the expensive equipment he'd installed on the Pirate Piper's ship, as well as a key to Dull-on-Sea. He wasn't

entirely sure what that meant, but it was a very large key. He was more concerned with how his tummy would look on the front page of the Dull Times, because he hadn't had time to change out of his espionage outfit.

Jim's dad was presented with a golden ax in honor of his impressive rope chopping, and Jim's mom was given a voucher for Big Bob's Block and Tackle shop, so she could update her rigging. Norbert Grimes was given a promotion and was now Dull-on-Sea's chief rat-catching consultant. He had a new office

under the stairs and a shiny plaque with his name on it. He would also receive a small pay raise and a flashing light and siren for his van roof. Jim and Matilda, who had been politely clapping from the front row, were called onstage. Mayor Carrot presented each of them with a hunk of Dull-on-Sea rock, an enormous golden medal, and unlimited entry to the Dull Funfair. But the mayor had been saving the best for last. He called Nugget, who had refused to let go of her fiddle, to the front of the stage. "And here is NUGGET, the HERO of the hour!" he boomed to loud applause and cheers from the crowd.