Rick and Ruddy: The Story of a Boy and His Dog

by Howard Roger Garis

And somehow, as the man smiled, it seemed to make Rick feel better. He was not so much afraid. But still he kept hold of Ruddy's collar.

And then, suddenly, that harsh voice called again:

"There he is! There he is!"

It reminded Rick of a time he had once been to an entertainment in the school, when a ventriloquist had seemed to make a wooden doll, which he held on his knee, speak as though alive.

The voice appeared to come from the ragged sailor, yet the strange man of the sea had not opened his lips.

And again came the harsh cry:

"There he is! Over the fence with him! Ha! Ha! The stormy winds do blow! Do blow! Do blow!"

And then, with a start of surprise, Rick saw, crawling up from behind the sailor, and sitting on his shoulder a green parrot. And the parrot, as he pulled himself along the sailor's coat, using claws and his big, hooked beak, opened his mouth, stuck out his queer, thick black tongue and cried:

"Ship ahoy! Where away! Two points off on the weather bow! Bow wow! Bow wow!"

Ruddy uttered a growl and started forward, his eyes fixed on the green bird, but Rick pulled him back.