Lulu Bell and the Sea Turtle Read Free Page B

kids all stood on the edge of the reef. They peered over. The water poured between their feet.

    Below them was a lower ledge. This ledge was a few metres wide then dropped away into the deep sea.
    Zac scrambled over the edge of the waterfall. His cousins followed, carrying their spears.
    â€˜Come down,’ invited Zac. ‘You can have a shower under the waterfall.’
    Lulu clambered down more slowly, using footholds in the rock. Lulu helped Rosie and Gus down too.
    The boys dunked under the sheets of sea water pouring off the reef above. They splashed and laughed. The Bell kids joined in.
    â€˜It’s amazing to think that this will be under the sea soon,’ said Lulu.
    â€˜Yes, we have to be careful,’ said Jacob. ‘The tide will turn. Then it comes rushing in. The water rises very quickly.’
    Zac stood on the edge of the lower reef. He peered into the deeper sea water. A golden shape flickered past. Suddenly Zac threw himself off the edge.
    Lulu got a shock. ‘Zac?’ she cried.
    Zac emerged from the sea laughing. Salt water dripped from his hair and skin.

    Pierced on the end of his spear was a large golden fish. The boys all cheered.
    â€˜It’s a golden trevally,’ said Jacob.
    â€˜Fish for dinner tonight,’ said Zac.
    Mum took a photo of Zac proudly holding up his catch. He grinned from ear to ear.
    â€˜That was amazing,’ said Mum.
    Anthony came over. He carried two big fish. ‘Well done, Zac. What a great catch. But now we need to get going. The tide has turned and it’s coming in fast.’

Chapter 7
Turtle Rescue
    Everyone headed back to the boats. Dad carefully packed up his fishing gear and stowed it under the seat. He hadn’t caught any fish. Anthony stowed his fish in a bucket.
    Dad fired up the engine. To get back to Ardyaloon, they had to navigate in a loop around the rocks and sandbanks. The boats chugged slowly. They were having trouble making headway against the strong rush of the tide.
    The water gushed and surged, swirling in eddies. The boat was tossed from side to side. It was a long ride back towards shore.
    After a while, Anthony turned his boat towards a small deserted island. It rose straight from the sea, rocky and barren. Lulu could see a small beach of powdery white sand. The rocks were banded in rusty red, topped with a haze of greenery.
    Dad followed Anthony’s lead. They steered the boats under a rock overhang.
    â€˜Look up,’ called the boys from the boat in front.
    Lulu craned her head upwards. There were paintings on the rocky roof. Figures were marked in red and cream ochre and black charcoal. She could tell they were sea creatures –stingrays, sharks, dolphins, fish, turtles and whales. The whales reminded Lulu of the ones Anthony had painted. Carved deep in the rock were the outlines of boomerangs and spears.
    â€˜It’s beautiful,’ said Mum. ‘It feels very ancient in here.’
    â€˜Our people have been coming here to fish and hunt for thousands of years,’ said Anthony. ‘Although in the old days they came on rafts, not with outboard motors!’
    â€˜Could I take some photographs of the art?’ asked Mum. ‘I think it would be interesting to include some photos with the show.’
    â€˜Yes,’ replied Anthony. He grinned. ‘Just as long as you remember to send me some copies of your photos.’

    Next stop was the beach for a swim. The beach was littered with dozens of beautiful shells. There were large white clam shells, pale beige bailer shells and delicate purple conch shells.
    Dad started digging a hole in the sand with Gus. The other boys took their spears. They scrambled over the rock pools hunting for stingrays.
    Lulu pulled out her snorkel, diving mask and flippers from the bag of swimming gear.
    â€˜Keep your shirt on, honey bun,’ said Mum. ‘This sun is strong.’
    Lulu splashed into the water. It was clear and clean and calm.