A Dog's Trick

Kek kek? asks Little Mystic.

I'm okay, says Terence. 

Surfing-with-Whales returns, with the blanket.

Where's Gaius? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

The post office, says Terence.

Cool, says Surfing-with-Whales. How's it going with Little Mystic?

He did an errand, says Terence.

What errand? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

He brought me this stick, says Terence.

The parrot-luring stick, says Surfing-with-Whales. Where was it?

Over there, says Terence, pointing.

It's a good start, says Surfing-with-Whales. Is he talking?

Only kek kek, says Terence.

That's no good, says Surfing-with-Whales. 

Little Mystic looks sad.

What's he supposed to be saying?

Gaius returns from the post office, having paid the camp fees.

Can we go now? asks Terence.

I thought I left you in the pullalong, says Gaius.

I got out, says Terence. I had to show Little Mistake how to do an errand.

What errand was that? asks Gaius.

Bringing me a stick, says Terence.

Ah! A dog's trick, says Gaius. How did he go?

He brought it, says Terence, but he couldn't lift it.

He'll grow stronger, says Gaius. And now, you must both get back in.

They can sit on this blanket, says Surfing-with-Whales.

I thought you were going to return it, says Gaius.

The campers said I could keep it, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Kind of them, says Gaius.

Surfing-with-Whales folds the blanket and places it in the pullalong.

Gaius lifts Terence and Little Mystic onto the blanket.

Guess it's my turn to pull the pullalong, says Surfing-with-Whales.

It is, says Gaius. We'll have lunch in Tullah.

He mounts his bike and heads for the Murchison Highway.

Surfing-with-Whales hitches the pullalong to his bike and follows.

It's a fine morning. 

Little Mystic looks up at Terence.

What? asks Terence. Are you still scared of the dragons?

I wozint, says Little Mystic.

You said it! says Terence. Good work! You were just a bit slow.