-
‘
It
’
where
they used to bring the wine in from
the
river, before the war,
’
said
Harry with relief.
‘
come on!
We
’
ll soon be out of
here.
’
The doors
were kept closed with a huge metal
rod
and to climb on to Harry
’
s
shoulders to
loosen it. The doors
creaked open.
The boys screambled up
and through the
opening. They found
themselves looking down a
long dark
tunnel.
They could hear water dripping
in the distance,
and the wall of the
tunnel shone wetly in the
breams of
torchlight.
Raf had a bit of trouble
climbling up, and
Harry had to yank him
through by his collar. He
seemed
reluctant to go any further.
‘
I
don
’
t think he likes this
place,
’
said Harry.
‘
Don
’
t
blame him, either. It
’
sspook
y,
’
whispered
Jack.
He kept behind Harry
as they made their way
forward. The
tunnel seemed to go on and on .
There
was no sound but the drip, drip, of water.
‘
Hey! Come on,
Raf,
’
called Harry.
They could see Raf hanging back near
the doors.
He came forward slowly, and
they all started off
again.
The tunnel hadn
’
t been used
since the
beginning of the war. Odd
bottles lay about, and
empty cases and
half-made barrels littered the
way. The
boys picked their way along carefully.
Suddenly, they realized that Raf was no longer
with them.
Harry flashed
his torch back along the tunnel.
They
could see Raf leaning against the wall. When
Harry called, he stumbled torwards
them.
‘
What
’
s the matter with him?
’
said Jack,
worriedly.
When Raf reached
the boys, he sank slowly to
the ground.
‘
Poor dog. What it
is?
’
they said, bending down
to him.
Raf sighed deeply
and rolled over.
‘
He
’
s
drunk!
’
cried Harry.
Raf looked blearily at Harry and
yawned a
great yawn.
A
blast of wine-laden breath hit the boys in
the face. Then Raf sighed again, and
fell into a
deep sleep.
‘
That
’
s done
it,
’
Harry.
’
Now
I
’
ll have to carry
him!
’
He put his armsaroun Raf
’
s
chest, and stood up.
At once,he
staggered back with the weight of the
sleeping dog. Raf was so long that his
back legs
scraped along the the floor.
His nose was rammed
under
Harry
’
s chin, and his front
legs stuck ou.
Jack giggled. Harry
slumped against the wall of
the
tunnel.
’
We
’
ll have to think of
something
elae,
’
he gasped.
‘
I
know, let
’
s make a
stretcher,
’
suggested Jack.