Breakfast Serials Danger Looms On The Distant Horizon

A seven-part serialization of “The Army of Two,” a book by Betty Miles Today: Chapter 2 Synopsis: Abby and Becky spot a ship in the distance

“The Army of Two” Chapter Two: A Ship!

“Abby,” Becky said, “it is such a nice day shall we stay outside a bit? I think Father would not mind, as long as we get our work done before he comes home. The sky is so blue today!”

Becky seemed to know that Abby was afraid, but she did not say so. Abby was glad. She did not want to talk about British ships or British soldiers or the news of war that Father might bring back from town. It was nice just to sit here with her sister, as they did on so many days, with the sun on their backs and the smooth, warm stone of the boulders under their bare feet.

“Look at all the seagulls,” Becky said.

“They must be hunting for fish,” said Abby. The seagulls flew over the water, diving down and squawking at each other.

Below the cliffs, little white waves spread over the sand and slipped slowly back again. Abby put her hand to her eyes and looked at the ocean.

There were no ships on it for as far as she could see.

It was hard to stay afraid on this bright day! Abby stood up and jumped to the next boulder to look at a tide pool. The ocean made these pools when it sent high waves over the cliffs. Sometimes the waves carried little sea animals onto the rocks and left them behind in the pools.

“Look, Becky a starfish!” she called. The small yellow starfish had five arms. It lay very still. There was not much water in its pool.

Becky came to see. “I think this pool is too small to keep the starfish alive,” she said. “The water will dry up in the sun.”

“Can we take it to a bigger pool?” Abby said. “I know a good one back there.” She pointed behind them.

“If it is not too far,” said Becky. “Then we must go home and get to work. What will Father think if he comes home and there is no supper?”

For just a minute, Abby had forgotten that Father was, gone and they were alone. She did not want to think about it now. She reached into the pool and picked up the starfish. It lay still in her hand, but she could feel the sticky cups on its arms holding onto her skin. The starfish was alive.

“I can find the other pool quickly,” Abby said. “It is not very far.”

She held the starfish carefully as she led Becky to the pool. It was hard to walk fast with the starfish in her hand. She was afraid the hot sun would burn it or that she would drop it before they came to the pool. Abby stepped carefully from one rock to the next. The pool was farther away than she had thought.

At last she saw it, in the hollow of a large rock. “Here it is!” she called.

She bent down and put the starfish in the water. It moved a bit, so she knew it was alive. Now it would be safe.

“Goodbye, starfish,” she said. “Becky, look at all the little bugs on top of the water!”

But Becky did not come to look. She was looking out at the ocean.

“Abby,” she said. “A ship!”

Abby looked up and saw the ship. Its white sails were full of wind. It was far away, but it was sailing straight toward the lighthouse.

“Oh, Becky,” she cried, “it must be a British ship!”

Next week: Running Home

Editor’s note: The Spokesman-Review has teamed up with the Spokane Public Library’s Summer Reading Program to bring you a special project designed to encourage school-age children to read. Look for the lighthouse logo on this page every week through Aug. 2 for a new chapter from the book. Previous chapters can be found at all Spokane branch libraries. For more information about the Summer Reading Program call (509) 444-5331 or visit www.spokpl.lib.wa.us/kids/kids-home.html Kids: We’ll be looking for a few of you to write a review of the book for the newspaper after the last chapter is published. If you’re interested in writing a review, tell the librarian at your local branch. Each branch librarian will select one student at the end of the project to write the review.