Finn Family Moomintroll Read Online Free PDF Page B

frightened, or angry because he was frightened. Then he turned tail and fled.
    'What has happened to the Muskrat?' said Moominmamma, anxiously. 'He was always so calm and dignified!'
    'To get into such a state just because the hammock cord broke!' said Moominpappa shaking his head.
    'I think he was angry because we forgot to take food to him,' said Sniff. 'Now we can eat it ourselves.'
    They continued their way to the beach a bit disturbed in their thoughts. But Moomintroll and Snufkin sneaked off in front of the others and took a short cut to the cave.
    'We daren't go in through the door - perhaps the Thing is still there!' said Snufkin. 'We'll climb up on top and look down through the crack in the roof.'
    Quietly they crawled up, worming their way like Red Indians towards the opening in the roof, and looked down into the cave. There stood the Hogoblin's Hat, and it was empty. The rug was thrown in one corner - the book in another. The cave was deserted. But everywhere in the sand strange footprints could be seen, as if someone had been dancing and jumping about.
    'It wasn't the Muskrat's paws that made those footprints,' said Moomintroll.
    'I wonder if it was some other paws,' said Snufkin. 'It looks awfully queer.' They clambered down again and looked nervously around.
    But nothing alarming happened.
    They never found out what had frightened the Muskrat so terribly, because he refused to talk about it. *
    But meanwhile the others had arrived on the beach. They all stood in a bunch down by the water's edge chattering and waving their arms.
    'They've found a boat!' cried Snufkin. 'Come on! Let's run and see!'
    It was true. A lovely big sailing-boat, complete with oars and fishing-tackle, and painted in white and mauve!
    'Whose is it?' panted Moomintroll when he had reached them.
    'Nobody's!' said Moominpappa, triumphantly. 'It has been washed up on our beach, so we have a right to keep it as wreckage!'
    'It must have a name!' cried the Snork Maiden. 'Wouldn't The Pee-wit be rather sweet?'
    'Pee-wit yourself,' said the Snork rudely. 'I prefer The Sea Eagle.'
    'No, it must be Latin,' cried the Hemulen. 'Moominates Maritima.'
    'I saw it first!' squeaked Sniff, 'I must choose a name for it. Wouldn't it be fun to call it Sniff? That's so short and sweet.'
    'Just like you - I don't think!' said Moomintroll, jeeringly.
    'Hush, children!' said Moominpappa. 'Quiet, quiet! Obviously Mamma will choose the name. It's her excursion.'
    Moominmamma blushed a little. 'If only I could!' she said, shyly. 'Snufkin has such an imagination. I'm sure he will choose much better.'
    Snufkin was rather flattered. 'Well! I don't know,' he said. 'But to tell you the truth, I thought from the beginning that Lurking Wolf would be rather nice.'
    'Get away with you,' said Moomintroll. 'Mother shall choose.'
    'Yes dears,' said Moominmamma. 'Only you mustn't think I'm stupid and old-fashioned. I think the boat should be called something to remind us all of what we are going to do with her - and so I think The Adventure would be a good name.'
    'Marvellous!' shouted Moomintroll. 'We'll christen her! Have you anything we can use for a bottle of champagne, mother?'
    Moominmamma hunted in all her baskets for a bottle of raspberry juice.
    'Oh dear, how sad!' she burst out. 'I think I've forgotten the raspberry juice!'
    'Well, I asked you if you had everything, didn't I, my dear?' said Moominpappa, virtuously.
    They all looked at each other sadly. To sail away in a boat that hasn't been properly christened can mean the worst possible luck.
    Then Moomintroll had a brilliant idea. 'Give me a saucepan,' he said. Then he filled it with sea water and carried it up to the cave and the Hobgoblin's Hat. When he came back he handed some raspberry juice to his father and said: 'Taste this!'
    Moominpappa took a gulp and looked very pleased. 'Where did you get this from, my boy?' he asked.
    But Moomintroll said it was a secret, so they filled a bottle with the juice and broke