Free Voyage of the Dolphin by Gilbert L. Morris

pale. She had not gotten over the shock of the shipwreck and certainly not of seeing the giant. She looked much younger than her eighteen years, he thought as she looked up at him—more like fifteen or sixteen.
    As she watched him, he said, “This is harder on you than it is on the rest of us, I'm afraid. Most of us have knocked around a little bit, but you never have, I take it.”
    â€œNo, I never have.” Dawn's voice was small, and she looked out into the darkness as if she were expecting one of the giants to come raging in. “I didn't know it could be like this—to be so afraid.”
    â€œWe're all afraid at times.”
    â€œNot like this.” Dawn huddled down, clasping her knees. Her voice was muffled as she said, “I didn't know anybody could be as ... as afraid as I am now.”
    Daybright patted her shoulder in friendly fashion. “Things look pretty bleak right now. We're cold and in a strange place with dangers all around. It'll look better in the morning.”
    Dawn looked up at him, her large green eyes warming. “You always try to say the best things.” She sat quietly a moment. “I think about how badly I treated you. I don't see how you can do it.”
    Sarah had been listening to this. “Come on, Dawn. You can sleep in the middle,” she said. “That's what I always wanted to do when I was at a bunking party.”
    â€œWhat's a bunking party?” Dawn asked.
    â€œA sleep-over. It's when a bunch of girls get together and spend the night.”
    â€œWhat did you do?”
    â€œOh, we drank hot chocolate and watched TV.”
    â€œWhat's hot chocolate—and what's TV?”
    â€œCome on, I'll tell you about it.”
    The girls snuggled together before the fire, and Daybright roamed about, staring into the darkness. Josh and Wash joined him, one on either side.
    â€œWhat do you think we should do, Captain?” Wash said.
    â€œI don't think we have any choice. We'll have to hope these are friendly folks. We need help getting off this island.”
    Josh stared into the darkness too. “If they're not friendly,” he said, “it's sure going to be one big mess!”
    The next morning they ate what was left of the berries and had a conference. All appeared unusually sober, and finally Daybright said, “We're going to have to trust these people. No other choice.”
    Josh stared at him but said nothing.
    They started their journey inland and soon found a wide road, at least forty feet across. It was well worn with wagon tracks and huge footprints.
    Sarah came up to walk beside Josh. “You don't think we should make contact with these people, do you, Josh?”
    Josh, not wanting to worry her, shrugged. “Oh, it's just a crazy feeling I have. You know how it is. Sometimes feelings are right, sometimes they're wrong.”
    Sarah was quiet for a while, then said, “If you're right, then we will be in trouble. But I suppose there's no help for it.”
    Thirty minutes later, Captain Daybright called out, “Look! There comes one!”
    Josh could not tell if it was the same giant they had seen last night. He was coming from the opposite direction, perhaps on his way home.
    â€œStand over to one side of the road,” Daybright said. “I'd hate for that fellow to step on me.”
    As the giant came closer, Josh saw he was at least thirty feet tall. He was dressed in some sort of rough, brown clothing and had a thick, rather dull-looking face, a full beard, and dark eyes. He held a staff in his hand and carried a large box by a string.
    â€œWe'll have to move to catch his attention. He'd never hear us,” Josh said.
    When the giant was some distance away, they began waving their arms. His gaze was fixed ahead of him, though. He didn't look down.
    Jake quickly picked up a small stone. “Maybe I can get his attention.” He flung the stone as the giant approached, and, since Jake