Forest Shadows Read Online Free PDF

J-Jim.’ Then, changing the subject asked, ‘Wh-where are they? The n-new grounds?’
    â€˜South.’ He stabbed at the chart. ‘Tomorrow we’ll head towards Strahan. We can set some pots outside the Strahan harbour. From there we’ll head further south towards Port Davey. We’ll drop the rest of them there. With a bit of luck we’ll do okay. We’ll come back Monday morning and sell our catch at the processors in Strahan.’ He slapped Arnie on the back. ‘So, let’s haul anchor and get out of here.’ He looked to the sky and the sea again just as another large wave smashed into side of The Shandora. He turned the key to start the inboard motor.
    Arnie frowned as he tapped Jim on the shoulder. ‘Wh-what about Snook and Jars? They’ll be l-left on their own if we go away d-down there.’
    â€˜Don’t worry. I’ve already thought about that,’ he said as he turned the boat for home. ‘We’ll take ’em with us.’
    Arnie broke out into a broad grin. ‘That’s good J-Jim. They’ll like that.’
    They knifed homeward through the waves. Jim fell silent. A sudden uneasiness had come over him. He couldn’t figure out why. There was nothing to worry about, was there? They were only going to try some new fishing grounds – to try and change their luck. He grimaced. ‘It had better change,’ he found himself saying aloud. ‘It’s our last chance.’
    The two-way radio squawked. Who the devil could that be? he wondered. He’d covered all bases with the coast guard. So who could it be?
    He handed the wheel to Arnie, snatched the speaker from its mount on the wall, and listened.

Chapter Ten
----
    J ars and Snook both turned their heads at the sound of muffled voices coming from outside the front door.
    â€˜That’ll be your dad and Arnie,’ Jars said to Snook. ‘Good timing too; dinner’s just on ready.’
    Jim, followed by Arnie, walked into the kitchen. The smell of cooking hung in the air. He smiled. The kids had been busy.
    Shadow, who was still lying under the table, wagged his tail and rose to say hello. Snook, who was hurriedly setting the table, looked up. ‘How was the fishin’, Dad?’
    â€˜Don’t ask.’
    â€˜N-no, Snook, um, d-don’t ask,’ Arnie said, agreeing with his boss.
    â€˜You’d better set an extra place,’ Snook’s dad said crossing over to the stove. He lifted the lid on a pot and sniffed. ‘Just checking that we’ve got enough for our guest.’ He replaced the lid and pointed towards the kitchen doorway.
    Jars and Snook craned their necks to see around Arnie, who was blocking their view.
    â€˜Hi, you two, long time no see.’ A smiling Reg Carter edged around Arnie and into the kitchen. Dressed in jeans, flannel shirt and duffle coat, he still looked the same as a year ago when they’d first met. He was a Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife ranger then, a job he’d since given up to pursue some higher calling. Something to do with research and law enforcement in New South Wales. And now, here he was, with his tousled, sandy hair and permanent grinning face. The kids liked Reg.
    â€˜Reg!’ they both said at once hurrying over to him. Shadow liked him, too. He gave a short yip and scurried from beneath the table. When Reg was a ranger, Shadow had belonged to him, but when his new job meant an interstate posting, he’d thought it best that his dog be given another home. When he asked Jars to have Shadow, she’d jumped at the chance. And from the very first, they’d developed an instant bond, a friend-ship that even Reg found hard to believe.
    â€˜We picked this reprobate up at the jetty,’ Snook’s dad said, clapping Reg on the back. ‘He rang us on the Harbour Board’s two-way radio to let us know he was in town. He’s going to spend the night with us.’
    He