In my haste to take possession of the singing cat, I had not given consideration to how Scourge might receive a new member to our troop.

The cat followed me toward the van, trailing a few feet behind the sprigs of catnip I dragged behind me from a string. My plan was to coax kitty into my van and trap it in a cage then hitch up and get out of town. Dear Scourge obviously thought I was leading prey to her. Without warning the great owl swooped down from the tree where she had sat waiting and watching. In her eyes the cat was a fine fresh meal.

I had heard the swoosh of her wings before I saw her but recognized the sound immediately. I looked up and saw her diving towards me and realized what she was thinking. I yelled, "Scourge, NO!" just before her talons could slice into the cats svelte body and carry it away to be dinner in the tree top. My yell startled the cat at the same time Scourge veered to miss her target. The next thing I knew, there were sharp claws sinking into and tearing my skin as the cat climbed my body. I grabbed the cat gripping it tight and holding it away from me. Poor Scourge scraped the ground with one wing and went rolling and flopping along the hard ground. Once she caught wind beneath her wings she flew atop the van sulking and embarassed. Ignoring the stinging scratches I had received from the cat I worked at soothing it until it slumped in my arms it's tail still twitching in indignation.

I looked qickly around and saw no one nor did I hear any laughter at what would undoubtedly have been a hilarious site to an onlooker.

I rushed to the van, secured the cat in a nice cage with a few morsels of food, water and catnip then hurriedly hitched Lightfoot to the traces and finally we were on our way. Once I felt comfortably away from the town I would make camp and get to know my latest acquisition.