Kitabı oku: «The Story of Doctor Dolittle / История Доктора Дулиттла. Уровень 1», sayfa 10

And Polynesia said, “Yes. We don’t have enough onions.”

“There is an island not far from here,” said the dolphins. “The wild onions grow tall and strong there. Keep straight on—we will get some and catch up to you.”

So the dolphins swam away through the sea. And very soon the parrot saw them again. They were coming up behind and dragging the onions through the waves in big nets made of seaweed.

The next evening, as the sun was going down, the Doctor said,

“Get me the telescope, Chee-Chee. Our journey is almost over. Very soon we should be able to see the shores of Africa.”

And about half an hour later they thought they could see something in front that might be land. But it began to get darker and darker and they couldn’t be sure.

Then a great storm came up, with thunder and lightning. The wind howled; the rain came down in torrents. The waves got so high they splashed right over the boat.

Soon there was a big BANG! The ship stopped and rolled over on its side.

“What happened?” asked the Doctor, coming up from downstairs.

“I’m not sure,” said the parrot; “but I thinkwe’re ship-wrecked¹⁵. Tell the duck to get out and see.”

So Dab-Dab swam right down under the waves. When she came up, she said they struck a rock. There was a big hole in the bottom of the ship; the water was coming in; and they were sinking fast.

“Africa must be near,” said the Doctor. “Dear me, dear me! – Well—we must all swim to land.”

But Chee-Chee and Gub-Gub did not know how to swim.

“Get the rope!” said Polynesia. “I told you it would come in handy. Where’s that duck? Come here, Dab-Dab. Take this end of the rope, fly to the shore and tie it on to a palm-tree. And we’ll hold the other end on the ship here. Then those that can’t swim must climb along the rope till they reach the land.”

So they all got safely to the shore.

But the ship was no good anymore. The rough sea beat it to pieces on the rocks and the timbers floated away.

Then they all took shelter in a nice dry cave they found, high up in the cliffs, till the storm was over.

When the sun came out next morning they went down to the sandy beach to dry themselves.

“Dear old Africa!” sighed Polynesia. “It’s good to get back. Just think—it’ll be a hundred and sixty-nine years tomorrow since I was here!And it hasn’t changed a bit!¹⁶ Same old palm-trees; same old red earth; same old black ants! There’s no place like home!”

And the others noticed she had tears in her eyes—she was so pleased to see her country once again.

Then the Doctor found out his high hat was blown into the sea during the storm. So Dab-Dab went out to look for it. And soon she saw it a long way off. It was floating on the water like a toy-boat.

When she flew down to get it, she found one of the white mice, very frightened, sitting inside it.