Chapter 39
Nina headed downstream, pulled by the surging current. It was harder than she’d first imagined to spot the missing birds. Visibility was dismal, and juvenile magpie geese lacked the distinctive white backs of adults. Instead they were dusky black all over, well camouflaged against the shadowy river.
All kinds of animals had sought safety in the trees along the flooded banks. Snakes and goannas, possums and rakali. Sugar gliders shared gum tree forks with surprised koalas. Even a soggy piglet had found refuge on a broad branch. Nina mentally noted the location of the trapped animals. There’d be plenty more rescues to perform after this one. Hang on, what was that? Ahead, a dead river gum had lost its balance and toppled into the main current, still anchored by its roots. Two da
