Jack and Annie climbed onto the rock ledge andstepped into the cave. The air inside was cleaner andcooler than the air outside.
"I can't see anything," said Jack.
He patted the head of the baby kangaroo.
"Me neither," said Annie.
Arf! Arf!
"I guess we'll have to follow Teddy's bark," saidAnnie. "Let's hold hands." She held out her free hand to Jack. Jack took it.
Then he put his other hand out and touched the wall.
The joey moved in his pack.
Jack and Annie walked into the darkness.
Arf!
Teddy kept barking, leading them on.
Arf!
Arf.'
Arf!
Suddenly, Jack felt something thump against hisleg. He stopped and gasped.
"What is it?" said Annie.
Arf!
It was Teddy! His tail was wagging and hittingJack's leg.
"What is it, boy?" Jack asked him.
Teddy let out a howl.
As he howled, an amazing thing happened.
A white line began to glow in the air. The glowingline grew until it looked like a giant snake. Thenglowing handprints appeared below the snake.
Jack felt Annie squeeze his hand.
"I think it's painted on the wall," she said.
"But what is it?" whispered Jack.
"I don't know," said Annie.
She let go of Jack and put her hand inside one ofthe painted handprints.
Jack did the same.
Despite the glowing painting, the rock felt smoothand cool. It almost seemed to breathe.
A ghost-like whistling sound came through thedarkness Then a loud boom!
"What's that?" Jack quickly took his hand off thewall.
The boom came again.
"It sounded like thunder," said Annie.
Arf! Arf!
"Teddy's leaving!" said Annie. She grabbed Jack'shand. They turned back the way they had come andfollowed Teddy's barking again.
Arf!
They followed the little dog until they saw a flashof light.
"Lightning," said Annie. "Lightning and thunder!
We're at the front of the cave! Yay!"Annie pulled Jack toward the mouth of the caveand out, into a pouring rain. |