Sophie Strikes back Chapter 20

The witch of Mount Buttock sat in her cave and looked around her. Even she could see that it was filthy. Since Rebecca had escaped nobody had cleaned it, and she felt she had been really unlucky to miss capturing those two hadrosaurs. She didn't like house work or cooking, and never did any herself. She munched a raw frog. Then she had an idea. Her friend Croc Capone had called in last week, and said to her that there was to be a race meeting at South pond. He was going to ride in it himself, and had told her to put a bet on his serpent, Bog Trotter, who would definitely win.

“Well,” thought the witch, “I will put on my Gypsy fortune teller's outfit, and set up my tent there. There are sure be some silly young animals hanging around, wanting their fortunes told. I will tell them they are going to be very lucky, and that after the race they will meet a kind lady, who will offer to take them on holiday to a wonderful snowy mountain. If they go with her they will have a marvellous time, with scrumptious food, and a chance to earn lots of money, if they are willing to do a little light house work.” The witch felt sure she could persuade Croc Capone to lend her one of the vans that he used to take his serpents to the races, to carry her captives back to Mount Buttock, if she let him keep one or two of them for himself. Having made her wicked plan, the witch felt a lot better, and started to look forward to the race meeting.

There were others looking forward to the races too. Rex and Queenie were going with Sir Edward, Boy and Lady. They would be taking Red Rum to enter in one of the races, and the five of them arranged to meet at Arthur's Seafood stall, at 1 o'clock. Sir Edward arrived early. He adored potted shrimps, and bought a large pot from Arthur. He also bought a tankard of Arthur's special brew, which was a deep brown liquid with creamy foam on top. It was made to Arthur's secret recipe, and all the brigade said it was the best thing ever invented to drink with potted shrimps. As he sipped it contentedly, he noticed a bunch of very shifty looking crocodiles on the edge of the pond. He wondered if Bad Jason was among them. He didn't think so. Bad Jason, with his loud voice and flashy clothes always stood out in a crowd, but this lot were whispering quietly to themselves, and darting sly glances at the other spectators, and the racing serpents that were frisking in the pond. Rex and Queenie arrived with Boy and Lady, and ordered more potted shrimps and tankards of Arthur's special brew. Sir Edward pointed out the disreputable looking crocodiles. 

“Do you know anything about them Rex?” he asked. Rex looked at them thoughtfully, 

“They could be the crocodile syndicate.” he replied and studied the programme. “Yes they have entered a serpent in the novice jockey's race, its name is Bog Trotter, and it's ridden by Croc Capone. The Crocodile syndicate are a lot of crooks, they should be banned from our meetings in my opinion. But come along, we have a surprise for you Sir Edward.” The five friends made their way to where the novice jockeys were preparing their serpents for the race.

“Good gracious!” Sir Edward exclaimed, “isn't that Sophie with Red Rum? I shouldn't have thought that Pteranadons would be very good jockeys, Rex. Too much windage.”

“Not at all,” Rex replied “remember that they are very light for their size, and Lester has been teaching Sophie how to ride in a very streamlined position. She is an excellent jockey.”

“I shall certainly put some money on you Sophie.” Sir Edward said, as he stroked Red Rum.

“I shall do my best to win,” Sophie said, “and Red Rum will too.”

“Don't forget to hold him back until the last hurdle,” Rex instructed her, “Then really let him go, he is so strong he will leave the others far behind. We shall be watching you from the VIP stand.” Boy and Lady gave her a kiss, and they all wished her good luck and went off to place their bets.

Sophie knew most of the Jockeys and their serpents, some were friends of hers who went to Lester's riding classes, but there was one she had not seen before, a crocodile who looked too old to be riding in a novice jockey's race.

“That's Croc Capone,” her friend Nina said, “My Mum and Dad say he's awful, and his serpent Bog Trotter tried to bite my serpent just now. Steer clear of him if you can.”

“Yes I will Nina, thank you.” Sophie said, and they all lined up for the start. 

“Ready, Steady, Go!” shouted the starter, and off they raced. Red Rum leaped easily over the hurdles, and kept just a bit in front of all the others. Sophie could tell he was enjoying himself. The last hurdle was coming up, over they went, a perfect landing. Then Sophie prepared to let Red Rum go as fast as he could. Suddenly she was barged, and turning her head she saw Croc Capone on Bog Trotter, he was pushing Red Rum into the rails.

“Stop that you cheat.” Sophie shouted. Croc Capone gave a wicked grin, and raising his whip, struck Red Rum a stinging blow on the nose. Red Rum squealed with pain, and slowed down just enough for Bog Trotter to push past him and reach the winning post first. Nina was close behind Sophie.

“I saw it all.” she gasped, “That dreadful crocodile cheated you, Sophie.” Rex and Boy hurried up.

“We all saw what happened Sophie.” they said, “There will have to be a stewards inquiry. You should have won the race.” But Sophie was very upset, not even Boy could calm her down.

“Look! Poor Red Rums’ nose,” she said, “I am going to put some ointment on it, and then I shall find that crocodile and give him a piece of my mind.”

It was not until the end of the races that Sophie saw Croc Capone in a far corner of the field. He was pushing some small animals into a van, which was parked beside a gaudy tent. Helping him was a creature in a gypsy dress. She looked familiar. Sophie read the notice on the front of the tent, it said “Rosie Buttock, Gypsy fortune teller.” Sophie hurried up to the van just as Croc Capone bolted the doors.

“Open up, you cheat!” she shouted at him, “and let those poor captives out.”

“Go away kid, it's none of your business,” snarled Croc Capone. A crowd began to gather. They were a rough looking lot.

“There aren't any captives in there.” said one of them, and they began to laugh, and some shouted,

“Little liar.” Boy strode up, “Stop!” he said. The crowd quietened down. This was an important member of the brigade, and they began to remember their manners.” This is my daughter, Sophie, she is not a liar, and if she says that there are captives inside the van, I am sure she is right.” Sophie stepped up to the van and struck the door with her riding whip. There were cries for help from inside.

“Open it, Croc Capone,” Boy ordered, and sullenly the crocodile opened the doors. Out poured a stream of bewildered animals, some snivelling, some crying for their Mums and Dads. Someone in the crowd shouted,

“Good on yer, Sophie,” and two strong Dinonychus seized Croc Capone. Rex arrived, with Sir Edward, Lady and Queenie.

“Bog Trotter has been disqualified,” Rex told Sophie, “and the Crocodile Syndicate banned from our race meetings for ever. You won the race Sophie, and Nina is second. We shall put Croc Capone in prison for a while and now we will have to deal with the Witch of Mount Buttock.” But when they looked for her, she and her tent had disappeared into thin air.