“I’m Sheriff Anderson,” he announced, coming close to the ark. “Is Dan Grebe aboard?”
“Do you mean Old Noah?” Penny asked doubtfully.
“Most folks call him that. An old man who’s lost his buttons, but harmless. He’s been maintaining a public nuisance here with his ark.”
As the sheriff started to come aboard, Old Noah himself stepped out on deck.
“So here you be again!” he shouted angrily, grasping the narrow railing of the gangplank. “Didn’t I warn you not to trespass on the property of the Lord?”
“Noah, we’ve been patient with you,” the sheriff replied wearily. “The last time I was here, you promised to clean up this dump and move your ark down stream. Now you’re going with me to talk to the judge.”
“Stand back! Stand back!” Old Noah shouted as the officer started across the gangplank. “Beware, or I’ll call the wrath of the Lord down on your head!”
The sheriff laughed and came on. With surprising strength and agility, Old Noah jerked the gangplank loose from the ark and hurled it into the water. Sheriff Anderson made a desperate lunge for an overhanging tree branch. Failing to seize it, he fell with a loud splash into the muddy river.
CHAPTER
8
THE GREEN PARROT
Old Noah slapped his thigh and cackled with glee as he watched Sheriff Anderson splash about in the muddy water.