Royal Ransom by Eric Walters

about the bugs, and how hard the seat was, and how she didn’t want to be here and how hot it was?”
    â€œNo, nothing like that.”
    â€œThen you got the better half of the pair.”
    â€œWas he that bad?”
    â€œWorse. If those bodyguard fellas hadn’t been in the canoe right behind me I would have hit him with the paddle just to get him to shut up.”
    â€œDo you want me to take him tomorrow?” I asked, regretting the words as I spoke them.
    Ray shook his head. “Can’t do that. Kid hardly paddled a lick the whole way so it’s best he stays with me. Worst part was those ears of his.”
    â€œHis ears?”
    â€œDidn’t you notice them?”
    â€œNot really,” I said, although thinking it through I did think they were on the large side.
    â€œThey’re huge! ” Ray exclaimed. “Him sitting in front of me like that in the canoe those ears blocked my view, and I swear when he turned his head the wrong way they caught the breeze and practically turned us around!”
    I burst out laughing. Victoria and Andrew both turned around and stared down at us from the campsite. They were probably wondering what I found so funny. I’d have to think something up in case one of them asked later.
    â€œI figure if I could only get him facing the right way with the wind behind us, those ears could work like sails and neither one of us would need to paddle!”
    â€œThen maybe he should be in my canoe,” I said.
    â€œI can’t do that to my little cousin. I’m stuck with him. Simple as that.”
    â€œProbably best.”
    â€œBut do me a favour, you take Prince Charming with you when you gather wood for the fire. With any luck you might lose him.”
    I grabbed my pack and brought it up from the canoe. Victoria and Andrew sat silently. Neither looked like they had much energy left.
    â€œTime to get moving,” Ray said.
    â€œMoving? You mean we’re getting back into the canoes?” Andrew asked.
    â€œMoving your legs. Andrew, you go with Jamie and gather firewood.”
    â€œI am far too tired,” he said.
    â€œAnd you’re going to be far too cold and hungry without a fire,” Ray said.
    â€œI can go,” Victoria volunteered.
    â€œNope,” Ray said. “Setting up here at the camp is harder work than gathering firewood and I need the stronger of the two of you here.”
    â€œCouldn’t Jamie just go by himself?” Andrew asked.
    â€œNobody goes anywhere by themselves up here. Not smart.”
    â€œPerhaps I could have Nigel or Albert go?” Andrew suggested.
    Ray walked over until he was practically standing on top of Andrew. “Your bodyguards aren’t here right now, so I think that maybe, if you’re smart, you’ll do what I tell you to do. Understand?”
    Andrew practically jumped to his feet. I guess he wasn’t used to people talking to him like that.
    I started off into the bush. Reluctantly, Andrew followed behind me. We’d hardly lost sight of the campsite—and Ray—when he sat down again on a rock. I walked back to him, carrying the first few small pieces of wood that I’d picked up.
    â€œDo you know why we never go out anywhere by ourselves?” I asked.
    He didn’t answer.
    â€œBears.”
    â€œBears?” It sounded like I’d got his attention.
    â€œMainly blacks, but some grizzlies as well.”
    Andrew looked slowly around like he was expecting to see one.
    â€œThis is bear country. I’ve hardly ever gone on a trip without seeing some bears. Do you know the difference between the two types?” I asked.
    â€œThe colour, I would imagine,” he said.
    â€œOf course the colour and the size, but the biggest difference is in the attitude.”
    I started walking again and he jumped up and came after me. “What do you mean?”
    I bent down and picked up a piece of wood. “Here, take