Chapter 5Mr. Chetwood and Nick began to walk quietly back the way we had come. I could hear a coughing grunt and the sound of brush being crushed underfoot. “Charley, keep an eye on little missy.” I dropped the rucksacks and canteens and headed after the two men.
“Hey,” Hildy whispered, indignant, “I can keep an eye on myself. I’m very self-reliant, you know.”
“Sure you are, honey.” I pulled the shiv from my pocket. “Stay with Charley.”
The two men had parted the undergrowth and were observing the cause of the noise. I peeked over Mr. Chetwood’s shoulder and gulped. “What is that?” I kept my voice low.
This creature…it was huge, at least six and a half feet at the shoulder, and had horns… I’d heard about Texas longhorn cattle, but this animal put them to shame.
“It’s some kind of an a
