The Forgotten Map Read Free Page A

Rats tiptoed out of the room, leaving Wentworth alone with his thoughts. Finally, his anxious body began to relax and he drifted off to sleep.

A Mysterious Letter
    It was late afternoon when Wentworth stirred from his slumber. He hadn’t eaten in two days, and was overjoyed when Fred arrived at his bedside with a freshly cooked plum pie. Wentworth devoured every plum and every last crumb.
    He’d barely finished eating when the rest of the crew marched into the cabin.
    â€˜I trust you’re feeling better this afternoon, Wentworth?’ the Captain asked cheerfully.
    After eating an entire pie, Wentworth wasn’t sure how he felt, but nodded all the same.
    â€˜From now on,’ the Captain said, ‘you will no longer be known as Wentworth Winterbottom.’
    â€˜But that’s my name,’ Wentworth gasped.
    â€˜Was your name,’ Pete corrected. ‘It would never do for a Pie Rat name.’
    â€˜W-what are you talking about?’ Wentworth stammered. ‘Why do I need a Pie Rat name?’
    â€˜Because,’ the Captain replied, ‘we don’t carry passengers and we don’t take prisoners, and because I have sworn to protect you, I can’t throw you overboard. Therefore, from this day forward, there is only one other option – you are now one of us.’
    Wentworth was speechless. He tried to appear grateful, but this wasn’t a career choice he would have willingly made.
    Ruby crossed her arms and looked down at him with a frown. It was obvious she had similar reservations about him joining the crew.
    â€˜As a new recruit,’ the Captain explained, ‘you will undertake a Pie Rat apprenticeship. Once you have passed the seven Pie Rat tests you will become a full member of the crew.’
    â€˜But what if I fail?’ Wentworth blurted out.
    â€˜Don’t worry, you won’t fail,’ Horace encouraged. ‘You’ve already passed the first test.’
    â€˜Which is?’ Wentworth asked.
    â€˜Surviving when you should have died,’ Horace replied. ‘It’s a great skill to have. If you’ve done it once, you can do it again.’
    Wentworth had no desire to test this theory.
    â€˜On the subject of survival,’ the Captain said, ‘I thought your new name should reflect the dramatic nature of your rescue.’
    Wentworth crossed his fingers and hoped it wasn’t something ridiculous like Washed-up Waterbottom .
    The Captain extended his paw to Wentworth. ‘From this day forth, you will be known as Whisker , the brave Pie Rat who narrowly escaped death. Welcome to the Pie Rats.’
    With a hesitant shake of the Captain’s paw, Wentworth’s story ended and Whisker’s began.

    It wasn’t long before Whisker was back to full health. Pete made it perfectly clear he wanted his cabin back, so Whisker moved into the cramped sleeping quarters of Horace and Fred. His hammock wasn’t as comfortable as Pete’s soft bed but it certainly beat sleeping on the floor of a circus tent.
    â€˜If you’re going to make it in this industry, you’ll need a new look to match your new name,’ Horace said, fossicking through a pile of old clothes. He pulled out a familiar navy blue shirt with his hook and held it up for Whisker to see. ‘Perfect!’ he exclaimed. ‘This one’s your size.’
    â€˜I can’t wear that,’ Whisker protested. ‘It’s missing an entire sleeve.’
    â€˜All the better,’ Horace argued. ‘You’ll have easier movement for swashbuckling sword fighting. Besides, it gives you a roguish charm – and the ladies will love it!’
    Whisker awkwardly put on the shirt, fastened a large pie-buckled belt around his waist and unsuccessfully tried to straighten the messy fur on the top of his head.
    â€˜Don’t do that,’ Horace scolded. ‘You look too respectable as it is. No one will ever take you seriously as a