21

Mr. Tiger’s hot-air balloon, crewed by the Gongalong acrobats, sailed into the blue sky. Dad looked down on his café by the harbor. It seemed no bigger than a dollhouse.

A seagull flew past with a puzzled look on its face. Mr. Tiger let out a growl and the startled seagull flew away, squawking.

“I could get used to this,” said Dad, loosening his grip on the edge of the basket. “Oh, I can see the mayor on his balcony—still in his pajamas. And look, there are Myrtle and Betsy in the water,” said Dad. “But where’s Floss Grimm?”

Mr. Tiger took out his pocket watch and studied it.

“There is, I fear, some worrying news concerning Floss Grimm,” he said.

“Oh no,” said Dad. “Not more worrying news.”

“Remember, Alfonso—brave hearts,” said Mr. Tiger. “That is what is needed. Floss Grimm has been kidnapped by pirates.”

“How do you know?” said Dad.

“Tigers have their secrets and their whiskers, their tales and their tails.”

“Oh dear,” said Dad. “First the sea dragon’s egg is swapped for a hen’s egg, and now a merboy has been captured by pirates. This is very bad indeed.”

“Onward and upward,” said Mr. Tiger, and the Gongalongs filled the balloon with another burst of hot air. This time the hot-air balloon went further out to sea but still they could not see a pirate ship anywhere. Mr. Tiger studied his pocket watch again. “Fly us over the shoreline by the caves, if you please,” he called to the Gongalongs.

As the balloon rounded the cliffs at Pendragon Cove they spied the Kettle Black.

“We’re too high up,” said Dad. “I can’t see Floss anywhere.”

“Take us down, my gutsy, gusty friends,” said Mr. Tiger to the Gongalongs.

The balloon went lower until Dad could make out the pirates standing on deck, pointing up at them.

“Can you see Floss Grimm now?” asked Mr. Tiger.

“No—go lower,” said Dad.

Lower still they went, and now they were close enough to see the pirate captain’s wooden hand and his blue beard. He appeared to be giving orders as the pirates dashed below decks and returned with blunderbusses.

“There,” said Dad. “In that barrel, tied to the main mast—look, it’s Floss Grimm and he’s waving at us.”

Mr. Tiger produced a megaphone and shouted to Floss.

“Young hearts are the bravest hearts of all! Stay strong—it won’t be long until we save you. Courage! Take courage, my dear young friend.”

At that moment there was a barrage of explosions and lead shot flew into the air, narrowly missing the balloon.

The Gongalongs gave the balloon several blasts of hot air and it rose rapidly into the sky as more lead shot came hurtling their way. It was clear to both Mr. Tiger and Dad that there was no way they could rescue Floss by balloon, and that another plan of action was needed if he was going to be saved from such savage pirates.