Free Tiger by the Tail by Eric Walters Page B

stop.
    “What are we supposed to do here?” Nick asked.
    “Nothing. Just sit down here with Calvin and looklike you’re studying the situation,” Mr. McCurdy said.
    “Studying?”
    “Yeah, studying. You remember, that thing you never do in school?” I taunted my brother
    “I just didn’t want to leave you sitting there with the captain. He asks too many questions. Wait here,” Mr. McCurdy said.
    As we watched, Mr. McCurdy started moving toward the barn. He crouched down low and walked in a zigzag pattern. He stopped and pulled up a handful of grass. He tossed it into the air so it got caught by the wind and blew back toward us. He turned around and gave us the thumbs-up.
    “What is he doing?” I asked.
    “Probably just putting on a show. He can’t just walk up and say hello to Buddha or people would know something was up.”
    Mr. McCurdy pushed the front door closed and then let the bar fall into place. He started circling around to the left side of the barn. As he passed by gaps in the boards he pressed his face against the building and peered inside. He turned the corner, and continued to do the same thing along the whole side of the barn, before disappearing around the back. Nick and I exchanged looks and waited for him to come back into view.
    Within half a minute he appeared around the cornerand continued to peer through gaps and openings. He came back to the front door, turned back to where we were waiting and motioned for us to come forward. Nick sprinted toward him. This was the opportunity he’d been waiting for. Calvin and I followed behind. Before we even arrived at Mr. McCurdy’s side, my brother was heading around the back.
    “Where is he going?” I asked nervously.
    “Back of the barn.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I told him to go there.”
    “But why?” I questioned.
    “He’s going to get Buddha’s attention. Nick is going to go to the back and make a scraping sound against the boards.”
    “How will that help?” I asked.
    “When Buddha’s head is pointed toward Nick, his back will be aimed at me. That way I can get in a shot. I want you to go and quietly open up the barn door, just a crack.”
    “Me? Why me?”
    “Can’t ask Calvin to do it. He’s never done anything quietly in his whole life. Of course I could open the door and you could take the shot. Here, you want the rifle?” he said, offering it to me.
    “No!”
    “Okay, then you better get the door. And Sarah, assoon as I shoot, slam the door closed again.”
    I got up and moved toward the door. I took the bar with both hands and slid it out of the slot so the door could swing free. I heard a noise from inside the barn. I had to fight the urge to seal the door back up.
    “It’s just your brother,” Mr. McCurdy whispered.
    “How can you be so sure?” I whispered back.
    “Because tigers don’t make any noises. Open the door.”
    I took a deep breath and started to pull it open. My plan was to hide behind the door. Mr. McCurdy moved closer. He brought the rifle up to his shoulder and took aim. I held my breath and waited. Unexpectedly he lowered the gun. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his glasses. He put them on and then raised the rifle again. He peered into the barn and then brought the rifle up to his shoulder.
    There was a “BAM,” followed instantly by a “SWOOSH,” and then a “ROAR” from Buddha.
    “Close the door!” Mr. McCurdy screamed. “Close the door!”
    I threw myself against the door and slammed it shut. I fumbled with the bar as I grabbed it off the ground and slid it into place.
    Mr. McCurdy motioned toward the captain for him to come closer. The captain, followed by a group of officers, jogged toward us.
    “In a couple of minutes I’ll be going in and getting that tiger. I’ll need you to get all your men farther away. The tiger will be dopey but I still don’t want to get it all excited.”
    The captain nodded his head to signal agreement and waved the officers off to follow