The large jewel hit its head with a solid, crunching sound. Its feet flew out from under it, and it landed heavily on its side.
“Come on, kid. We’d better get it before it comes to.” Mr. Chetwood ran to where the creature lay motionless.
I just stood beside the skipper, smugly examining my fingernails, a corner of my mouth kicked up in a grin.
“Ho-ly smokes! It’s dead. You’ve got an arm like Carl Mays.”
“The possibility of going hungry’ll do that to you.” I joined him, and bent to retrieve the ruby and replace it in my pocket. “That thing’s got a mighty big drumstick.” I licked my lips and pulled out my shiv. “Here you go, Mr. Chetwood.” I offered it to him.
“I get to do the honors again, kid?” he asked dryly.
I smiled at him through my lashes. “I’m just a city boy, Mr. Chetwood. If
