Yes, Mr. Socrates still had his gun pointed at him, Lizzie had raised her machete, and Octavia was holding her stiletto, but it was the look on Tharpa’s face that Modo loved the most. He’d surprised his teacher! He’d sneaked through the trees above them without even the slightest creak of a branch or rustle of a leaf. Tharpa’s smile grew ear to ear, and Modo believed he even looked proud. Mr. Socrates shook his head; was it pride on his master’s face too? It was all so perfect! Octavia ran toward him and he prepared to catch her in his arms, but just before she reached him he heard a rustling above him, and behind him, the soft thud of feet. He turned to see three of the Rain People, their spears out and aimed at his companions. The warriors had followed him the whole way! Tharpa lifted his machete as Mr. Socrates raised his elephant gun. The warriors prepared to launch their spears. “No!” Modo shouted, standing between the two parties. Then he remembered their situation and whispered, “No!
