انتقام کوتوله های حیاط فصل 25

Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes - Chapter 25

“Tug of War! Tug of War!”

A new chant started in the back of the room and swept up toward the front.

“Yes!” Hap and Chip declared happily.

“Excellent mischief!” Hap cried.

“A Tug of War! We’ll tug them till they stretch!” Chip shouted.

“Stretch them! Stretch them!”

“Tug of War! Tug of War!”

“Joe—what are we going to do?” I heard Mindy’s frightened voice over the enthusiastic chants.

Think, Joe, I urged myself. Think! There has to be a way out of this basement.

But I felt so dazed. The chants rang in my ears. The grinning faces leered up at us. My thoughts were a jumbled mess.

“Stretch them! Stretch them!”

“Fold them! Fold them!”

“Tickle! Tickle! Tickle!”

Suddenly, over the shrill gnome voices, I heard a familiar sound.

A dog’s bark.

Buster’s bark.

“Buster!” Mindy cried. “I hear him!”

“I—I did too!” I exclaimed, turning and raising my eyes to the window above our heads. “He followed us! He must be right outside!” I desperately wished Buster could talk. Could run home and tell Mom and Dad that we were in terrible trouble.

But he could only bark. Or… could he do more?

I suddenly remembered how frightened Hap and Chip appeared whenever Buster came around. The terrified expressions on their faces.

My heart fluttered with hope. Maybe the gnomes are afraid of dogs. Maybe Buster can scare them into letting us go. Maybe he can even frighten them back into their trance.

I edged closer to my sister, my back pressed against the wall. “Mindy, I think the gnomes are afraid of Buster. If we get him down here, I think he can save us.” We didn’t hesitate. All three of us started shouting up to the window. “Buster! Buster! Come here, boy!” Could he hear us over the chanting gnomes?

Yes!

His big head peered down at us through the window.

“Good boy!” I cried. “Now, come here. Come down here, Buster!” Buster’s mouth opened. His pink tongue drooped from his mouth, and he started to pant.

“Good doggie!” I crooned. “Good doggie—come down here. Fast! Come, boy! Come, Buster!” Buster poked his head into the window. And yawned.

“Down, Buster!” Mindy ordered. “Come down here, boy!”

He pulled his head out of the window. And settled down on the ground outside. I could see his head resting on his paws.

“No, Buster!” I shrieked, shouting over the chants. “Come, boy! Don’t lie down! Come! Buster, come!” “Rowf?” He pushed his head back into the window. Farther. Farther.

“That a boy! Come on!” I pleaded. “A little more… a little more. If you come down here, I’ll feed you doggie treats five times a day.” Buster cocked his head to the side and sniffed at the damp, sweaty air of the basement.

I held my arms out to the dog. “Please, Buster. You’re our last chance. Please—hurry! Come down here.” To my dismay, Buster pulled his head out of the window.

Turned.

And trotted away.