Then, the two dogs grasped it and pulled together, hunching their shoulders as they tugged at the metal links. Slowly more and more of the chain appeared as it was torn up from its shallow cover of dirt. It snaked around a hillock of gra.s.s and stopped in the middle of the trail.

"Now, altogether."

With one yank, the gaping jaws of a black and evil-appearing trap burst into view. It lay precisely in the middle of the trail, its wicked teeth waiting for the unwary. Weasel's track lay but scant inches away.

"Wow, that was a close one," Sally muttered. "Come on, b.u.t.tons. Now, for the worst part."

The two took a few deep breaths then broke from the trail and moved off into the trees. b.u.t.tons reappeared first, dragging a stout limb. She puffed out small clouds of dirt as she moved forward. Stopping, she dropped the limb as she yelled for Sally who shortly appeared.

They sat as they looked from branch to trap. Sally heaved a sigh. "Let's not hurry this one. That thing smells all wrong."

Together, the two picked up the thick limb and moved toward the trap. They laid the solid branch along the lethal jaws and sat again while they surveyed the scene. Sally moved forward and peered closely at the metal contraption lying at her feet. Simple in design, it was easily tripped by an unwary step, the jaws snapping suddenly closed about a leg, or even the muzzle, of an unknowing inspector. Sally was worried more than usual as b.u.t.tons could sense. They knew one another very well-moods, likes, and dislikes. Something was wrong, that much was clear. b.u.t.tons moved slowly forward.

She stopped short of the jaws. "Move back, Sally. Give me a better view of it. Please. I'm worried, too."

Sally glanced at her friend and nodded in agreement. The danger was ever-present and anything could go wrong in a very brief second.

b.u.t.tons moved up, and then very slowly moved around the trap, carefully eyeing it from every possible angle.

"Sally, you're right." b.u.t.tons's eyes glittered as she motioned to the beagle. "Take a look from here."

b.u.t.tons stepped backwards, giving Sally an opportunity to look at the trap. Sally stood for a moment as she carefully contemplated the metal enemy. It was only a contraption, but nonetheless, it could kill in an instant at the least bit of carelessness.

"Ah, I see. Yes, that's the problem. It's been set so the lightest touch will release the jaws." Sally nudged b.u.t.tons. "Either one of us could have bought it today."

b.u.t.tons nodded in agreement. It was now a matter of tripping it without placing themselves in jeopardy. For the two dogs, it was not a simple procedure. Although they had solved the problem sometime in the past, this one was going to be trickier than usual.

Each grasped an end of the limb. It was heavy for the two, but some weight was necessary if it was to do the necessary job. They slowly maneuvered it over the trap and then began to lower it lengthwise between the jaws.

b.u.t.tons hissed between her teeth, "Slowly, slowly."

Sally glanced at her friend. Both were worried and both knew it.

b.u.t.tons stepped back, letting her taller compatriot take one end in her strong teeth. Sally was nervous, for if the trap was sprung a second too soon, the limp would and could do serious damage to her as it snapped upward or in some other unpredictable direction. The trapper had been clever, more clever this time, obviously having taken painstaking care in setting the trap.

Sally slowly backed up, dragging the limb across the trap. When the opposite end had reached the edge of the gaping jaws, b.u.t.tons gave a short yip of warning. This was the critical moment. Sally had to move the limb a scant fraction of an inch, letting the end fall on the center of the trap, just as she let go of it. The timing would be critical.

Sally then began to raise her end as high as she could and took another step backward. This was the moment. The tip fell off the edge of the trap to drop into the center of the jaws, which suddenly snapped about the limb. Sally had let go as she felt the end come off the edge of the jaws. And well that she had done so, for the limb snapped upward as it was snared by the jaws. Both dogs involuntarily jumped.

"Wow, no matter how often we do it, it still scares me," b.u.t.tons murmured.

Sally quietly agreed as both looked at their success. She thought of the terrible damage the end of the limb might have done to her mouth as it had jerked upward. She would have to be more careful in the future or they would have to come up with another approach. Neither one seemed desirable in any case.

Still, they continued with their rounds, carefully making their way along the many tortuous paths that led through the forest toward the swamp. The trails were relatively easy for the two to follow because the trapper stink was very characteristic. While he could make their task more difficult, they were up to the challenge and the danger. Only afterwards would they celebrate. For now, it was good enough to survive without injury.

However, it was a close thing. On one occasion, they had found the stake very easily. They should have stopped and reconsidered their situation, but being young, they didn't. b.u.t.tons almost paid with her life. As Sally grabbed hold of the stake, her jerk caused another trap to go off. Fortunately for b.u.t.tons, she was shorter than even the trapper could have guessed, and the trap had snapped shut scant inches from her tail.

Both had whirled to confront the new danger, and their inspection quickly showed that the second trap had been carefully laid for anyone monkeying with the stake to a larger trap which was to be found in the middle of the nearest path.

b.u.t.tons had c.o.c.ked an eyebrow as she surveyed her black rump. She giggled nervously as she said, "Wow, it's short enough as it is. I don't need that."

Sally had giggled in response, then she simply collapsed as the grim humor of the situation got to her. "First broken, then chomped. You really don't need it."

"So tell me!" b.u.t.tons had shot back grimly, and then she, too, caught the infectious humor in it all and had joined Sally in laughter.

However, they were more cautious than ever as they dismantled one trap after another. During a break, as they laid in the shade of a large bush, they heard words of a quiet discussion. Their ears immediately perked up and they carefully made their way toward the speakers.

As they broke into the open, they could see a small and pert sparrow sitting on a branch which hung close to the ground. Sally turned to b.u.t.tons, "Yep, you were right. It's Ms. Lucie. And if she's here, then..."

Before Sally could complete her statement, there was a loud crooooak crooooak immediately behind them. Both leaped upward and forward as they whirled to confront a large frog whom they immediately recognized. immediately behind them. Both leaped upward and forward as they whirled to confront a large frog whom they immediately recognized.

Ms. Lucie chuckled, "Will you two never learn?"

b.u.t.tons frowned at first, not pleased at being taken by surprise. But then both she and Sally joined in laughter with Ms. Lucie for, of course, it was Rarebit, the frog. He and Ms. Lucie were often to be found in discussion of some arcane bit of knowledge, usually about the swamp. And, of course, Rarebit liked nothing better than to surprise the two dogs by suddenly appearing behind them as he croaked as loudly as possible.

Ms. Lucie smiled at the two dogs who were always to be found in one another's company. "And what mischief are we up to now?" She c.o.c.ked her head as she waited for an answer.

Sally then described what they had done, much to the approval of both Ms. Lucie and Rarebit. Their praise was most gratifying to b.u.t.tons and Sally because Ms. Lucie was far quicker with her warnings and faultfindings.

As the two nodded their grat.i.tude and were about to leave, Rarebit spoke up. "b.u.t.tons, Sally, be careful around the swamp. Strange things have been happening there."

b.u.t.tons had laughed. "Not to worry, Ms. Lucie. We can take care of ourselves."

Ms. Lucie now truly frowned. She jabbed the air with her beak. "Take heed, my sa.s.sy young lady. Rarebit is rarely wrong on such matters. Do be careful."

Sally nodded rea.s.suringly. But both wanted to get away from the small sparrow as quickly as possible. "Don't worry. We'll be very careful. Truly," they both said as they moved quickly into the deeper parts of the forest, heading unerringly for the swamp.

Frog and sparrow were soon lost to sight, and as quickly forgotten. The day was getting on. They moved off toward a sandy sh.o.r.e, and refreshing themselves in a particularly clean pool, they relaxed in the warm afternoon heat. The buzzing of mosquitoes and chirruping of other bugs came distantly to them, but nothing disturbed the calm breathlessness of the great body of water which lay at their side. The heat and their earlier efforts worked on both of them, and slowly they sank into a peaceful torpor, only the occasional twitching of their ears showing some degree of alertness.

It was some time later when b.u.t.tons opened her eyes ever so slightly because an odd odor was a.s.sailing her nostrils. It was dank and wet, but not altogether bad. It was quite familiar.

It was also different. A croaking "Hiridit, hiridit" sounded in her ear and she leaped alert, sending Sally tumbling to her feet also.

b.u.t.tons gasped and then said, "Oh, it's you again, Rarebit. Boy, were you quiet."

Suddenly, he leaped, sailing effortlessly over their head to splash in the shallow waters of the swamp. He surfaced, but only his goggling large eyes showed. They watched unblinking. Then he leaped again, this time landing directly in front of them.

"As I should be when strange creatures invade my wet and lovely domain." He hummed to himself as his large eyes stared fixedly at them. Lean for a frog, he was smooth-skinned with varying shades of green. He seldom smiled, but Sally and b.u.t.tons knew his odd sense of humor. Both dogs loved him for his knowledge of the swamp and his inquiring mind.

"First," b.u.t.tons said, "we are not strange, as you well know, and secondly, you might have announced yourself."

Of course, he never did. Rarebit's throat puffed in and out as he surveyed them, his eyes occasionally closing in their slow fashion. "You just saw me. In the swamp." He stared even harder at them.

Sally frowned, her eyebrows coming together as she tried to keep up with Rarebit's thinking. "Of course, we saw you. What's the matter?"

Rarebit puffed and huffed some more, his eyes remaining fixed on them. "All of me?"

b.u.t.tons answered. "Of course not. Only your eyes."

"Then you have the answer. There are other eyes just like that in the swamp, but much further apart."

Both dogs laughed. "You're repeating yourself again. You and Ms. Lucie just told us about something strange in the swamp. You're both daft, you know."

Rarebit suddenly leaped straight up, twisted in the air, and landed behind Sally, who in turn leaped sideways at the unexpected maneuver.

Rarebit watched Sally momentarily from his new position. "Gotcha!" With that he leaped into the swamp and sat there watching the two, who sat on the beach. "Remember." He turned and disappeared, leaving hardly a ripple on the water's surface.

Sally's sides heaved with frustration. "So, help me. The next time he does that, I'm going to have frog legs for dinner."

b.u.t.tons giggled. Rarebit was something of the area's map maker and he knew the swamp like the back of his foot. He often discussed it with Ms. Lucie, but rarely disclosed much to the two dogs. In the past, both of them had suffered from Rarebit's unpredictable antics. As they would walk along the water's edge, he would appear seemingly out of the air-in front of them, behind them, or from behind a clump of reeds. At other times, they would find him busily sketching lines in the sand, stepping back to survey his handy work, dropping forward to erase some errant line, and then carefully redoing his previous effort, all the time humming to himself. As preoccupied as he appeared, he was never to be caught by surprise, try as they might.

On more than one occasion, they had crept up to the swamp, carefully maneuvering so that they approached from downwind. Circling with caution after they had located him, they would rush forward, barking furiously, only to find his expected location empty. Then, a sudden "Gotcha" would sound behind them and he would disappear into the swamp, chuckling in his throat.

At such times, b.u.t.tons and Sally would look sideways at one another and burst out laughing at their ridiculous failure.

Slowly shaking her head side to side in disgust, Sally glanced at b.u.t.tons. "Well, wonder where he's off to now," she queried. "And just what did he mean by his crazy actions?"

"Undoubtedly off to survey another cove in the swamp," a small voice sounded above them.

Both looked up, startled by the clear, crisp speech. Bouncing gently in the breeze, an elegant but small bird perched on the overhanging branch of an oak tree. Very prim in appearance, she c.o.c.ked her head and went on with scant interruption. "You well know that Rarebit must measure everything within reach."

b.u.t.tons sat up and greeted the bird with a nod. "Good morning, again, Ms. Lucie. And how are you today?"

The sparrow appreciated decorous behavior almost as much as she insisted on perfection and a precise mind. Her speech was always well-modulated, though her discussions with Rarebit were famous for their biting comments.

She looked down. "Ah, Sally. And of course, b.u.t.tons." She c.o.c.ked her head to survey them the better, as though she hadn't just seen them a bit earlier. This type of inspection always discomfited the two dogs, but they were getting used to it.

b.u.t.tons bristled, but only grunted again, "Morning, Ma'am."

The genteel Ms. Lucie clearly preferred the slim and tidier beagle to the Scottish terrier who all too often looked quite ratty after a morning rambling about in the woods.

"And a good morning to you," she replied. "Both."

Sally b.u.mped b.u.t.tons ever so slightly. Sitting very carefully, she said, "Rarebit was just here."

"Yes, I know. I sent him. Leaping hither and yon, I imagine."

b.u.t.tons couldn't help it. She groaned. Not another warning. She slumped onto her hip and took a deep breath.

Ms. Lucie would have corrected b.u.t.tons's posture, but she had other matters that needed immediate attention. She simply reaffirmed Rarebit's message.

"Just remember, there is something strange and mysterious going on in the swamp. You, both of you, will pay attention. Do you understand?" She was frowning quite hard by now as she too stared at the two below her.

"Yes, ma'am," they replied, "we'll be very careful. Thank you."

"Hmmmm," Ms. Lucie was not so certain, but she must be off. With one last warning, she took flight and was almost immediately out of sight.

Sally sighed. "Wow, she's really odd today."

b.u.t.tons just snorted. "Probably mislaid an egg."

That broke Sally up and their peals of laughter could be heard with ease at a great distance. And, it was at a distance that something decided to investigate the sounds further. Sounded good enough to eat was the only thought as it quietly submerged into the dark depths of the swamp.

b.u.t.tons rushed to Sally who easily evaded the attempt at her tail. Off they raced, splashing down the muddy margin of the marsh. They finally slowed. The heat was building and they sought the shade of tree where they collapsed, panting at their sudden exercise. But shortly, b.u.t.tons was up and exploring the area, her nose to the ground. Sally watched as she lay on her side, then she, too, rose and moved to the swamp's edge for a drink. She then began to sniff.

Metal, rusty metal, could be faintly detected in the water. That meant only one thing-another trap. But where? b.u.t.tons looked at her friend who was standing quite still as she sampled the air. It might be anywhere along the sh.o.r.e, but typically the stake had to be in good, solid earth. Without hesitation, both moved toward the edge of the sand and began to slowly move along it, being very careful with each step.

b.u.t.tons suddenly grunted, and then pawed the soil very carefully. Sally moved alongside, casting about for any evidence of the chain. Then, she, too, began to dig. Very slowly, gently sweeping dirt and sand aside. In a moment, they had uncovered a length of chain, very rusty and obviously very old.

Sally and b.u.t.tons both sat, momentarily just looking at one another. Then Sally spoke up, "Boy, just how many times have we come this way? Gives me the shivers."

"Me, too," added b.u.t.tons. "We could have run right over it, must have. Come on, let's get it out."

Both set to work, working in opposite directions. The chain was indeed fastened to a stake, now sunk quite deep in the dirt and very near the shade of the tree where they had dozed on more than one occasion. b.u.t.tons found the trap and they both set to work, digging the sand away from it. As they had thought, it was deeper than usual, and soon both had their heads down in the hole as they busily dug the sand away.

As they worked, the surface of the water offsh.o.r.e roiled to an unseen disturbance within the dark depths. Then, with no sound whatsoever, two round and bulbous eyes appeared. Small droplets of water ran down their brows, but there was no other movement. Nearby, several turtles dozing in the sun on a partially rotten limb that protruded above the surface paid no attention. So quietly had the eyes appeared. Two nostrils as quietly appeared above the water. Only the four protuberances gave evidence that more, much more, lay below. The eyes slowly turned their attention toward the two small dogs digging in the soft sand on the sh.o.r.e.

"Hmmmm," thought their owner, "a very nice morsel indeed."

Nostrils and eyes smoothly glided forward, the water barely disturbed by their pa.s.sage. As land was touched, the creature burst out of the water, sand churned and was tossed in all directions, and a huge spray of water covered the sh.o.r.e. The creature bellowed as he rushed across the narrow strip of sand that lay between him and his prey. He was upon them in a fraction of a second.

Young they might be, and small, even for their ages. But slow? Never! With the yawning gap of the jaws rushing toward her, Sally leaped up and away. b.u.t.tons spun on her tail as the jaws clashed together in a thunderous chomp.

The alligator, for that was what their attacker was, in turn spun after Sally. As he turned toward Sally, he swiped at b.u.t.tons with his tail. He missed, but not by much. His teeth clashed just behind Sally as his tail missed by a scant inch of battering b.u.t.tons. Sally raced in twisting circles. The great creature kept himself between her and the sheltering trees. b.u.t.tons could do nothing but bark furiously. Her attempt to distract their attacker failed. His eyes were fixed on Sally. b.u.t.tons was ignored. For the moment. One quick chomp and he would be after the black one next.

"Sally," b.u.t.tons yelled, "The trap... remember?" Her words came in broken fragments as mud and water flew. Sally was panting with great effort. Her lungs burned with the effort of evading the alligator. b.u.t.tons raced to and fro. Nothing distracted their adversary.

b.u.t.tons frantically rushed forward. She must do something. Sally could not hold out much longer. With all of her strength, b.u.t.tons grabbed the tail of the alligator. Her answer was a bellow from the creature who snapped his tail, sending her flying. She landed with a splash of muck and mud. She hurtled herself once again upon the creature, yapping furiously as she did so. The reptile ignored b.u.t.tons's frantic efforts. She was too fast for him, but the other was tiring rapidly. He a.s.sailed the beagle once more.

Bellowing l.u.s.tily, he charged at Sally, his large eyes gleaming with hunger and anger.

However, b.u.t.tons's brief attack had given Sally the breath she needed. This time, instead of running in circles, Sally raced in ever-widening spirals, twisting and turning so that her tail was ever before the gator, but just out of reach, leading him to the trap.

b.u.t.tons's voice came to her over the heated attack. "More to the right. Almost. A little more. Now, be careful. Jump. Jump, give it all you got!"

Sally did as she as ordered, leaping blindly into the air with the last gasp of air in her throbbing lungs. She hit the dirt with a thud, and rolling over, came to her feet just as the alligator once again snapped at her.

There was a loud grating sound as the jaws of the trap closed. Rusty with age, the trap's teeth still could bite. And hard. They snapped together, holding the gator's foreleg in their unrelenting grasp.

He flopped forward on his nose, short of Sally by a hair's breadth. Sand flew in all directions, covering both dogs and alligator. The alligator began bawling in pain and fright. He thrashed to and fro in a frenzy of fear. Dirt, sand, and leaves flew with each thrashing movement. He hurtled himself side to side. When that was to no avail, he rolled back and forth. But each time, he was firmly held to the one spot by his right forepaw which was firmly grasped in the jaws of the old, rusted trap.

The alligator was stretched out to his limit. His wide, dark eyes glared with hurt and confusion. Sally stood just in front of his snout, crouched and snarling, the hair on her back raised in a stiff ridge of anger. b.u.t.tons, too, stood at the opposite side, her large fangs bared. Both dogs were frozen, waiting to see which way the saurian would move. Sally was about to say something nasty, when she noted his evident pain. Suddenly, she sat, totally mystified by what she was seeing.