As he crept into the great open space, he could smell the longpaw-place, all old fires and burnt food as Bella had described it. He saw the strange shapes of tables and benches, silvered by the Moon-Dog’s light. Beneath one of them, a cracked and overturned board of nailed planks, he saw curled shadows that moved slightly: flanks that rose and fell with breath.

Bella and Mickey, huddled together and fast asleep. Lucky padded to them on silent paws and licked gently at their faces.

“Bella? Mickey?”

They were awake in an instant, leaping to their feet, hackles high and snarling. Lucky saw the bright glint of their wide eyes.

“It’s me. Lucky.”

Both Bella and Mickey relaxed, their breaths coming out in a relieved sigh. Tails lashing, they yipped soft greetings, exchanging licks with Lucky. He was so happy to see them again; it felt like an age since he had left his friends to join the Wild Pack. And he was shocked to realize just how much he had missed his litter-sister. Fondly he nuzzled her ear.

“It’s good to see you safe,” he murmured. “How are Bruno and Martha?”

Bella seemed to hesitate for a moment, but Mickey shook his head and barked gruffly, “Not good. We’ve given them the best of the food and the cleanest of the water, but they don’t seem to be getting any better.” The Farm Dog’s eyes were downcast, as if he was ashamed to give Lucky such bad news.

Lucky’s heart sank. His friends could not be eating or drinking well if there had not been much recovery; he felt bad now for resenting his small share of the Wild Pack’s prey. At least he had been able to eat. . . .

Again he felt his loyalties shift, and the guilt gnaw at his belly. “I’m sorry it’s taken so long. I did not dare creep away before now. There were always dogs watching.”

“We understand. But the poison creeps farther and farther downriver,” said Bella quietly. “And the hunting is poor. I suppose the prey is all moving away from the bad water, too. And every time it rains, we have to get out of the caves quickly, in case they flood. I can’t afford to have that river water touching anyone else.”

“That’s sensible.” Lucky licked her. “But it must be very difficult.”

“Please, Lucky.” Bella raised her golden eyes to his. “Please tell me you’ve found a way for us to get to the lake.”

“Yes, I have.” Lucky did his best to look cheerful, for Mickey’s and Bella’s sake. “Listen, the Wild Pack still will not let you share.”

“But—”

“No, wait. I’ve scouted out a way we can get to the lake without them seeing us, and I know the best time as well. There’s a gully—I’ll show you where it runs—and we need to follow it around the long way to the far side of the lake. The patrols do not go that far, and if it’s a still night there won’t be enough wind to carry our scent to them. I think it will be safe for us to drink then.”