We're going to look for Beautiful Betsy, says Nerida. Want to come?
I assume that's the crashed bomber, says Katherine.
Yes, says Nerida.
One can't help wondering what those airmen were thinking, says Katherine. All right I'll come. Are you coming, Gaius?
No thanks, says Gaius. I'll stay at the campsite, and store my notes safely.
See you later then, says Katherine.
We won't be too long, says Nerida. The crash site is on a hillside somewhere near here.
She and Katherine and Terence head off.
Gaius gathers his notes together. Weren't they supposed to be stapled?
No that's right, they were stapled, but in the incorrect order, and had to be unstapled
Best leave them as is, and trust to his numbering system.
He sits on a log in the shade, looking at the Kroombit tinker frog illustration.
A grey and brown back, with a wide dark stripe from the snout to the groin. A horizontal dark marking between the eyes. And their call is distinctive. Tink tink. Hence the name tinker. He certainly won't confuse a tinker frog with a laughing tree frog, or a clicking froglet, both of whom live in the region.
He shoves the notes inside Arthur's tent, and takes out a bottle of water.
He could do with a drink.
He hears something. Hoo hoo! A frog call?
It is coming from Terence's tent.
He heads over.
It's Freddy, still dangling between two tents on his string.
They left me behind, says Freddy. I wanted to see Beautiful Betsy.
I'm free now, says Gaius. And I'd be interested to see Beautiful Betsy. Come, we'll soon catch them up.
He unhooks Freddy and starts off in the direction the others had taken.
Freddy soon becomes sticky.
Curses, says Gaius. We don't want you melting.
He feels around in his pocket.
Yes! the empty sandwich bag. He drops Freddy in it.
Now he can carry him without direct contact.
Problem solved.
Freddy swings back and forth in the sandwich bag, as Gaius is walking.
He is not as keen as he was to see Beautiful Betsy.
He feels ill. The sandwich bag smells of smoked salmon.
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