The heron gave a call and the other herons flew out of the trees to land around them. Then they started to walk downstream from the pond.

"Wait!" Leaper said. He tugged on one line and the heron turned to look at him. Leaper pointed to a place in the pond. Not far from where he had trapped the heron. The bird walked over, then looked at Leaper who motioned the bird to crouch. Hopper sat in the mud with just his head out of the water.

"You're in charge," Leaper pointed at the ...