Free Escape from Wolfhaven Castle by Kate Forsyth

boat.
    ‘I thought the food would persuade you,’ Quinn said. She saw a small locker to one side and opened it. ‘Look, here’s another lantern,’ Quinn said. ‘We won’t be in the dark after all.’
    She took Tom’s lantern, which had almost spluttered out, and managed to light the fresh lantern with a long taper she found in the cupboard. Light flared up, showing for an instant just how immensethe cavern was. Then it settled down, filling the boat with a warm glow. Tom refilled his lantern and hung it at the back of the boat, as the other two clambered in and made themselves comfortable.
    Then Tom whistled Fergus.
    The wolfhound ran back and forth on the shore, whining, then evidently decided he must risk the lake. He galloped towards the boat, sending up great sprays of water, then leapt in. The boat rocked wildly as he landed.
    ‘Fergus!’ Quinn moaned. ‘Must you?’
    The dog grinned happily, then shook himself violently. Water flicked all over the four children. They all groaned and hid their faces, till Fergus at last settled down at their feet.
    ‘Is there any smell worse than wet dog?’ Sebastian said, leaning as far away from Fergus as he could get.
    ‘Yes. Wet boy,’ Quinn replied at once, holding her nose and leaning away from Sebastian. He grimaced at her and she laughed.
    ‘How about some food?’ Tom said. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.’
    They investigated the knapsacks, and found bread, cold sausage, pork pies, apples and currant buns. All four fell upon the food with gusto. It had been a long and exhausting night. Fergus ate a whole pie and five sausages by himself, then begged titbits from each in turn.
    Once they had eaten their fill, they put the remains of the feast back in the knapsacks.
    ‘We’d better get moving,’ Quinn said, forcing herself to get up from her warm and comfortable position. She undid the rope, and used an oar to push the boat away from the shore.
    Sebastian sat up. ‘What are you doing?’
    ‘Seeing where the boat takes us, of course.’
    The boat spun out, and was quickly caught by a current.
    Sebastian gripped the sides of the boat as it gathered speed. ‘I’m not sure that was a good idea,’ he said. ‘We don’t know what lies ahead!’
    Quinn smiled. ‘Isn’t that half the fun of it? Anyway, Arwen must use this boat herself, so we know it can’t go anywhere too dangerous.’
    ‘But she probably uses magic to keep it under control,’ Sebastian retorted.
    The boat was now racing down a narrow river. The walls of the cavern loomed close on either side, the sharp stone icicles hanging right above the children’s heads.
    ‘Look out!’ Quinn yelled. ‘Duck!’
    Tom ducked, just avoiding smashing his head on a rock.
    ‘We’re going too fast,’ Elanor cried. ‘Can’t we slow down?’
    A great pillar of rock was right in their way.
    ‘Lie low!’ Sebastian ordered. He seized an oar, and pushed the boat away from the pillar. The boat swerved and spun, and banged against the far wall. Fergus whimpered, pressing against Tom’s leg. Tom pushed him away. He had seized the other oar and, pushing with all his strength, managed to shove the boat away from the wall. It steadied, speeding along once more.
    ‘There’s a curve ahead,’ Quinn said.
    Together the two boys worked their oars. Theysurged round the corner, and saw before them a heavy iron grate, with water gleaming faintly beyond.
    ‘We’re going to crash!’ Elanor shouted, crouching down in the bottom of the boat, arms over her head. Fergus whined, pressing himself against her, and she flung an arm around him, protectively.
    Desperately, the two boys heaved on the oars, trying to slow the boat’s progress. But nothing would work. The boat was speeding straight for the grate. A collision was seconds away.
    Look up, little maid , the mysterious old voice said. There are times when it is wise to wait, and times when thou must seize the moment by the tail .
    The tail? Quinn