"Go on," he urged.
"But the rhinosaurs...."
"Who's afraid of an old rhinosaur?" Johnny demanded.
"You are," Baba clicked. But he scrambled on.
They emerged into the blinding light in the center of a tangle of thick, high brush. They were out in the jungle, far away from the rock!
The boy and his bear were covered with mud from head to foot. They peered carefully around, listening. In the distance they could hear the rumble of moving rhinosaurs.
As they crept away from the cave, their view continued to be blocked by large bushes and trees. They couldn't even see New Plymouth Rock. Stepping quietly and carefully they finally came to an opening in the brush. Far to the right was the Rock—and, farther in the distance, a guard tower.
"Get back," Johnny shouted. "The guard will see us." The two jumped back.
There was a grunt behind them. They turned. Behind a screen of brush, a great blue-scaled rhinosaur was waking up. It was between them and the opening to the cave. It snorted with the sound of a deep bass drum, and heaved up on its feet.
Ahead, at the edge of the clearing, was a tall meat tree. They had two chances. They could turn quietly and creep away into the brush, hoping the big beast would not see or hear them. Or, they could make a run for the meat tree—in full view of the guard tower.