| Snake Chase | |
|---|---|
| Author |
Olivia Madden (From scripts by |
| Published |
1992 |
| Publisher(s) | |
Snake Chase is the sixth Buzz Book, it was based on the episode of the same name.
Summary[]
Joshua Jones was in a hurry. The Delilah was loaded with paying stones ready for Spanner to repave part of the wharf. When Josh got to the lock Admirable asked "Coming in for a cup of tea?" Josh said "I wish I could but I'm a bit late, the engines been playing up". Regretfully, Admirable watched Josh chug off down the canal. Then he noticed a curious sheen on the water-oil. The Delilah was losing oil. "Man the lifeboats" muttered Admirable climbing into his rowing boat and salting off in pursuit of Delilah. Over at the veterinary clinic Ravi was admiring a grass snake "Has it got deadly poisonous fangs?" "Grass snakes are harmless" said Daphne. There was a knock on the door. "Hold the snake for me, Ravi" Daphne said. "That will be Joe Laski". Sure enough it was Joe along with Fiona and Trojan. "My mower is broken" said Joe. "Trojan can ear the grass instead". "Lets go and watch" said Ravi to Fiona as he teased her with the snake. "Take it away" screamed Fiona. To his horror the snake wriggled out of his grasp and disappeared. "Oh no!" "Help me find it" he wailed. The snake slithered into the garden and onto the grass. For the moment snake and horse gazed at each other. Then Trojan reared up and leapt over the garden wall and cantered off down the lane. "Come back!" cried Joe. Ravi picked up the snake. "There you are" he said. "Quick! Joe into the car" said Daphne. We'll go after Trojan" She held the doors open for Fiona and Joe. "Hey! wait for me" shouted Ravi as she drove off. "You look on the towpath" shouted Daphne. Ravi ran to his bike and deposited the snake in his bag. Back at the wharf Spanner was hard at work he enjoyed being in charge of the cement mixer. Sharon arrived with a thermos of tea just as the mixer disgorged cement an over his feet. "Spanner!" roared Wilton from his balcony. "You should be laying those paving stones". "I'm waiting for Josh" called Spanner. Daphna wasn't sure which road to take when Fiona said "Look, I think I see Trojan in that field" "Okay, everyone hang onto to your hats" said Daphne. When Ravi reached the crossroads he turned onto the towpath. He was surprised to see his grandfather rowing down the canal. "Are you looking for Trojan?" asked Ravi. "No, I'm looking for Josh its urgent!" said Admirable. "The Delilah is losing oil". "Don't worry Bapu I'll soon catch him" said Ravi and sped off on his bicycle. Josh looked at his watch. "Oh dear, Fairport. If Spanner concrete sets we'll be in trouble". There was a squeal of brakes and Ravi appeared. Bapu says you're losing oil" he shouted. Josh checked the oil gouge it was falling rapidly. "Strewth! I'd better switch off", "You've saved my engine". Josh looked glum " I don't know how I'm going to get trough the funnel and deliver these paving stones without an engine". His face brightened "I know I'll leg it". Ravi looked bewildered "Leg it?" he repeated "Jump aboard and I'll show you" said Josh. Ravi placed his bike on board then took the tiller. Josh lay on his back on top of the cabin gripping tightly and started to walk upside down along the roof of the tunnel. The barge moved beneath him. "What a great idea" said Ravi. "This is how narrow boats went through tunnels before engines" punted Josh. "Now were through how are we going to get to the wharf?" "Look its Trojan" cried Ravi "Watch this. We'll make this delivery the traditionally way" said Josh. On the wharf Wilton Cashmore watched as Spanner smoothed out the concrete. Suddenly Daphne's car shot round the corner hooting furiously "Out of the way, were in a hurry" she shouted. Wilton jumped to safety. "Stop" cried Spanner helplessly. Daphne slammed on the brakes-too late. She'd already driven over Spanner's wet cement! "My lovely cement" Spanner gasped in surprise. Suddenly Daphne said "Listen" Everyone was quiet. They could hear a faint clop-clop along the towpath and Delilah slowly slipped into view. "Ahoy there" said Josh. "Anyone ready for some paving stone?" "Trojan!" cried Joe Laski. "He helps Josh make them delivery. But why did lebult?" "It was the snake, said Ravi as he hurried to retrieve. It from his bicycle bag. "Do be careful, Ravi" warned Daphne "Trojan will be off if he catches sight of it. Josh won't want his barge towed all the way back to the lock!"
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