Call of the Cruins: Part 4

By ELIZABETH PUTFORD, Illustrator ANNABEL CRAIGHEAD

Closer and closer she waded, her heart thumping. What if the seal snapped at her? She knew they sometimes did. And what would Pa think if he knew what she was up to? Trying to save one of the creatures he hunted. The seal remained still. Almost there! Emeline waited until the sea sucked back then jumped onto the rock with the seal. Even as she landed beside the creature she knew it was dead. Looking down she saw a deep gash around its neck. A brutal knife wound. How it had ever managed to escape, she couldn't begin to imagine. Something must have driven it to try and survive.

A wave crashed over the seal, lifting one of its flippers, and to Emeline it looked as if it was waving goodbye. It wasn't fair. None of them had a chance!

Turning away, she blinked hard as tears stung her eyes. Why did they have to be killed? The seals never hurt anyone. Neither did the whales. "It's work. And a man's got to feed his family, Emmie." Her father's words echoed in her head. "What about the seal's family?" she had cried. "Who feeds them when the parents are dead?" And without waiting for a reply, she had stormed out of the room. Much as she loved her Pa, she didn't have to love what he did.

Publisher: Scholastic, $13.95

Age group: 9-13 years