If Sean was not there to protect him when he was threatened, then he

used his final refuge: he crawled back into himself, into-the warm dark

mists of his mind.

They went to steal peaches: the twins, Karl, Dennis and two others.

There was a thick hedge around Mr Pye's orchard and the peaches that

grew on the other side of it were as big as a man's fist. They were

sweet as honey but tasted even sweeter when taken on the plunder

account.

You reached the orchard through a plantation of wattle trees. Don't

take too many off one tree! Sean ordered. Old Pye will notice it as

sure as anything.

They came to the hedge and Sean found the hole. Garry, you stay here

and keep cats for us. If anyone comes give a whistle. Garrick tried

not to show his relief, he had no stomach for the expedition.

Sean went on. We'll pass the peaches out to you, and don't eat any

until we're finished. Why doesn't he come with us? asked Karl.

"Cause he can't run, that's why. If he gets caught they'll know who the

rest of us are for sure and we'll all get it Karl was satisfied. Sean

went down on his hands and knees and crawled into the hole in the hedge

and one at a time the others followed him until Garrick was left alone.

He stood close to the hedge, drawing comfort from its protecting bulk.

The minutes dragged by and Garrick fidgeted nervously, they were taking

an awfully long time.

Suddenly there were voices, someone was coming through the plantation

towards him. Panic beat up inside him and he shrank back into the

hedge, trying to hide;

the idea of giving a warning never even entered his head.

The voices were closer and then through the trees he recognized Ronny

Pye: with him were two of his friends.

Each of them was armed with a slingshot and they walked with their heads

thrown back, searching the trees for birds.

For a time it seemed they would not notice Garrick in the hedge; but

then, when they had almost passed, Ronny turned his head and saw him.

They stared at each other, ten paces apart, Garrick crouched against the

hedge and Ronny's expression of surprise slowly changing to one of

cunning. He looked around quickly, to make sure that Sean was not

there. It's old Hobble-dee-hoy, he announced and his friends came back

and stood on each side of him. What're you doing, Peg-leg? Rats got

your tongue, Peg-leg?

No, termites got his leg! , laughter aimed to hurt. Talk to us,

Peg-leg. Ronny Pye had ears that stood out on each side of his head

like a pair of fans. He was small for his age which made him vicious

and his hair was ginger. Come on. Talk to us, Peg-leg. Garrick

moistened his lips with his tongue, already there were tears in his

eyes. Hey, Ronny, make him walk for us, like this.

the others gave a graphic imitation of Garrick's limp.

laughter, louder now, more confident and they closed in on him.

Garrick swung his head from side to side searching for an escape. Your

brother's not here, crowed Ronny. No good looking for him, Peg-leg. He

caught a hold of Garrick's shirt and pulled him out of the hedge.

Show us how you walk.

Garrick plucked ineffectually at Ronny's hand. Leave me, I'll tell

Sean. I'll tell Sean unless you leave me.

All right, I'll leave you, agreed Ronny and with both hands shoved him