Dingo: The Dog Who Conquered a Continent Read Free Page B

all her life and his family’s worth — had chosen someone else?
    In a few years, when he’d proved his worth as a hunter, he could have his choice of wives. He’d be taller and stronger, instead of being only just a man. But now?
    He gritted his teeth. He was already a hunter! Hadn’t he caught the sow this morning and with his first spear thrust too?
    He’d show the men of the giant-headland-near-the-sky clan just how strong he was, despite his age. He’dhunt pig with them. Show them Loa the hunter! They’d see his fine fish spear, his obsidian knife …
    The canoe bucked as it reached the rougher water beyond the lagoon. He paddled out far enough from the reef to be safe from the waves that might suck him onto the jagged teeth of the coral or swamp him in their froth and tumble, then turned the canoe expertly and began to paddle parallel to the reef and the beach. The sun beat hot on his back. It was almost midday now. Back at the camp the women would have baskets of wild figs. The young men would be dozing in the shade till the feast was cooked.
    The coastline began to curve. Soon he wouldn’t be able to see their campsite, the dark figures on the beach, the faint hint of smoke in the air. He looked ahead.
    He couldn’t bear to look back now.

CHAPTER 9
The Dog
    The day grew hotter. The light bounced from the sea, brighter than the sky. She wanted to pant, but the cords that held her were too tight.
    Where were her brothers and sisters, the older dogs? Where were the smells of soil and bones and trees?
    She had never been so hot before. Never so thirsty. There wasn’t even the scent of fresh water out here. She didn’t like these smells, or the way the world bounced beneath her.
    Her thirst grew worse. She could feel her strength ebbing like the waves from the sand, but she forced herself to keep rubbing the cords around her jaws against the wood of the canoe.
    She had to get free.
    She didn’t try to think how she would get back to land after she had freed her paws. Her world had narrowed to one fierce thought.
    Attack the boy.

CHAPTER 10
Loa
    It was mid-afternoon when he felt the current change, tugging at the canoe. It was as though the reef was pulling him towards it.
    He was far beyond anywhere he’d paddled before. The uncles hadn’t said what winds and currents they’d faced when they’d paddled to the camp on the giant-headland-near-the-sky. It was best to show a boy how to do a new thing, not tell him.
    He should have waited till tomorrow, tried to persuade one of the older, more experienced men to come with him. Two canoes and four men, perhaps, or even three canoes. Three canoes were safest. Yet here he was, one boy and one canoe out on the broad expanse of the sea, alone …
    Except for a rubbish dog. He glanced back at it.
    The rubbish dog lay on her side. She had been scratching against the edge of the canoe, but she stopped moving as soon as he looked around.
    She must be thirsty, he thought. He’d forgotten she’d need water, here in the glare of the sun. A dead dog wasn’t as useful as a live one. Sharks liked their prey fresh. But there was no time now to give herwater. He needed to keep the canoe from the reef, or they’d both be dead.
    He turned the canoe out towards the open sea, not directly opposing the rip but at an angle to it, and began to paddle as strongly as he could.
    His arms ached as he fought the current. At last the drag on the canoe lessened. He relaxed, undid one of the water bladders, then took a deep drink.
    The water cleared his head. He crawled over to the rubbish dog, then dripped a little water into his hand and held it out to her.
    The cords around her muzzle wouldn’t let her open her mouth wide enough to bite him, but were now loose enough for her to put out her tongue a little. She lapped, feebly at first, and then more eagerly.
    He filled his hand again, then tied the bladder up,