They didn’t exactly come to a bridge, but they did drift toward the cemetery and Ann Templeton’s castle. Even from a distance they could see there was a lot going on there. As they drew closer, they saw over a dozen Cold People circling the witch’s home. The Cold People seemed to be laying siege to the place. Perhaps they knew of Ann’s great powers. She had withdrawn the bridge that crossed her moat. Through the surrounding trees, Adam could just make out strange creatures loyal to Ms. Templeton guarding the walls and windows of the castle. The Cold People appeared to be trying to lay a huge fallen tree across the moat to invade the place. Over in the other balloon, Bum laughed at their efforts.

“They’re not going to get to her,” Bum said. “I’d bet everything I own on it.”

“Yeah, but you’re a bum,” Sally said. “You don’t own anything.”

“Just watch,” Bum said. “She’ll give them a scare.”

Bum knew his witch. Just as the Cold People toppled the tree across the moat and started to climb aboard, a bright flash of fire stabbed down from the top tower of the castle. There was a loud cracking sound, like lightning striking. The tree burst into fire and several of the Cold People were plunged into the water.

“There are crocodiles in that moat,” Bum said.

Again he was right. As they watched, the Cold People in the water were attacked from below. Sally let out a cheer.

“They’re falling faster than we thought they would!” she said.

But she spoke too soon. A couple of Cold People sank beneath the surface, but bobbed quickly back up. And in their hands they each held a crocodile. The gang watched in horror as the cold monsters snapped the huge reptiles in half.

“I can’t believe this,” Cindy cried.

Another blast of fire shot down from the high tower. It hit the water and there was an explosion of steam. The Cold People retreated up the wall of the moat, away from the castle. They had been driven off, but none of them was destroyed.

“They might not be able to get to the witch,” Adam said for all of them. “But she can’t get out of her castle.”

Bum agreed. “I think this is one battle we’ll have to fight without her help.” Bum stopped and peered into the cemetery, which was now directly below them. He pointed at a tombstone in the corner of the graveyard. He spoke with excitement. “Is that Watch?”

8

It was definitely their friend.