Call of the Cruins: Part 6

By ELIZABETH PUTFORD, Illustrator ANNABEL CRAIGHEAD

The young seal blinked and lay quietly.

Then Emeline noticed a nasty gash on its back. "You've been hurt." She peered closer. It looked like it had been torn on something. Perhaps the rocks.

Now what should she do? Emeline dithered, torn between two worlds. Her world and her father's. Should she try and protect the pup until its wound had healed and could look after itself? Or should she leave it to take its own chances? If she did help the animal, what then? Let it go so it could be slaughtered like its mother? The seals around the bay were getter fewer and fewer. All because their fur was valuable for the making of coats, boots and hats for the wealthy.

Besides, who did she think she was? How would saving one seal make any difference to what was going on? And a baby seal at that. It would take too much looking after. She really had no choice. Holding back tears, Emeline whispered, "I'm sorry. I really am." She stood up.

The pup closed its eyes as though understanding what she was saying.

Emeline took a few steps, and then her pain turned to anger. She turned and shouted, "It's not my fault. They'll get you. No matter what I do."

The wind howled through the waves.

Still Emeline hesitated. Then before she could stop herself she raced back to the pup. "Don't say I didn't warn you." Wrenching off her pinafore she placed it beside the creature. Then gently she rolled the young seal onto it.

This is crazy, she told herself. But she felt the creature was relying on her. "There! Hold on tight." And she dragged the injured baby seal over the wet sand towards the cave.

Publisher: Scholastic, $13.95

Age group: 9-13 years