Free Doveland by Martha Moore Page B

waiting band of enemy carrier pigeons. As soon as Clovis was sure the enemy carriers saw him, he made a startling turnabout performance. Leaping up and away from the oncoming band of enemy carriers, he kept the flock at a safe distance close to the ground, navigating around trees and shrubs. The moment Homer heard Clovis whistle, he pulled the pin and quickly fled into the forest followed by Clovis who passed over the ticking grenade at ground-breaking speed, dodging trees in his path.
    The explosion sent forest debris high into the air. When Clovis and Homer met up, they were overwhelmed by the success of their actions.
    Meanwhile, the grenadier noticed bird feathers floating in the air among the forest debris in the distance, and felt responsible.
    â€œThose poor birds,” he uttered. “I should have looked after them.”
    Clovis and Homer were safe for the moment. But, they were aware of the growing dangers of continuing their exploits. Their mission had ended on the sidelines for now. They decided to fly north to the Netherlands, a neutral country.

CHAPTER 11
    Clovis and Homer landed in the marshy region of the Netherlands and began foraging for food.
    â€œNo more adventures, Clovis, okay?”
    Before Clovis could reply, they heard a voice in the background.
    â€œHier, vogeltje, vogeltje” (Here, birdie, birdie), repeated in a higher pitch.
    They followed the voice to a nearby village where they watched an old woman, clinching her apron full of bread crumbs, and tossing them to the ground.
    â€œLook, bread crumbs, my dream come true!” Homer rejoiced.
    Clovis suggested that Homer wait before rushing to join the tiny birds. Among the summer visitors were sandpipers, plovers, and a few larks. Chirping sounds increased when a large vagrant grouse landed among them, and began devouring all the delicious morsels. The old lady warned Homer, and began to shoo the large bird, but he paid her no mind until she unexpectedly steamedtoward him with a brickbat in her hand. Homer dodged the flying missile which barely nipped his tail in his efforts to escape. Panting with fear, he returned to find Clovis amused at the whole incident.
    â€œIt’s not funny, Clovis. She would have killed me!”
    â€œYou are not a birdie, Homer.”
    â€œA bird is a bird, is a bird!” he grimaced as he watched the bread crumbs on the ground disappear one by one.
    They returned to the marshy grassland and began browsing for grass seeds. Soon, they noticed a large pigeon flying from the east, and they wasted no time hiding in the underbrush as its large shadow swept over them. The familiar red scarf sent chills over Homer.
    â€œIt’s Vogelzar, remember him?” asked Clovis.
    â€œKommandant Vogelzar, without his chain!”
    â€œThis could be an important mission, Homer.”
    â€œNo, Clovis, we’re no match for him.”
    It was too late. Clovis leaped up into the air to follow Vogelzar, and the reluctant Homer soon joined him. Staying a safe distance behind, they followed Vogelzar as he continued his flight across the Netherlands and out over the North Sea. Vogelzar landed aboard a light cruiser of the German Imperial Navy. Part of the northbound German fleet, it was already steaming out to sea near the coast of Jutland, the largest province in Denmark. Clovis and Homer landed on the rear deck of the ship where they waited and watched. The stern moved up and down in the high seas, tossing, pitching. Homer became seasick.
    â€œI don’t like this, Clovis. Let’s get out of here!”
    â€œNot yet, Homer, wait!”
    A portable pigeon pen in the middle of the deck was just a short distance away. It was partially draped at the top. Clovis carefully moved in closer to investigate, and hid behind the tarp.
    â€œLookout!” shrieked Homer. But, it was too late.
    Thinking the bird had escaped from the cage, a seaman grabbed a fishing net and captured Clovis.
    â€œTaube!