Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar Page #5

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There were a few strangers in the crew,

and at first they didn't look kindly

on a cougar being part of the team.

But pretty soon, Good-Time Charlie

was everybody's friend.

One thing about Charlie,

he didn't expect the workmen

to do anything he wouldn't do himself.

He was always willing to get in there

and lend a helping paw.

If the fellas seemed to be making

a fairly clean sweep of things,

Charlie was ready to move on

to other responsibilities -

after he'd made sure

the boat was shipshape.

For the next few days, the river drive

moved along in good order.

As one section was cleaned out,

the Wonigans moved downstream

to a new base of operation.

Today, that meant taking the Big Wonigan

through a rough stretch of white water

called The Devil's Elbow.

Now the crew would spot

the Big Wonigan downstream,

then come back for the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Jess was using the slack time

for some extra sack time.

And Charlie was killing a little time

with a piece of twine.

Charlie knew he'd done something,

but there was no way he could undo

what he'd already undone.

Well, in a case like this,

there was only one thing left to do:

Find the best vantage points

and enjoy the passing show.

Holy smoke!

What's going on?

Oh, no!

Oh, crock it!

It wasn't very far downstream that the river

men had come up against a tangle of logs

that manpower alone couldn't unravel.

Dynamite was the only answer.

Of course, they couldn't know

they were lighting a wick

that was gonna bust up something

more than a logjam.

Charlie moved in right on time

for the countdown.

Because there was one thing now

that was plain for all to see:

Charlie's river carnival

was headed straight for a flash finish.

Go back!

Go back!

- Dynamite!

- Go back! Go back!

Dynamite!

She's gonna blow!

How come you're acting so guilty?

It wasn't your fault.

Or was it?

Charlie!

Jess!

Jess, are you hurt?

- Man, we thought you was a goner.

- We sure did. Are you all right?

Oh, I'm... I'm fine.

Just fine.

The long chain of circumstances

that started on the river drive

finally ended up back at the mill,

with Charlie on the short end.

You see, when the big boss

started adding lost man hours

to mangled groceries,

to busted-up Wonigans,

he decided to subtract one cougar.

And he ordered Jess

to keep a curb on that cat.

Charlie didn't like the new setup at all.

He had the growing feeling

that he was getting left out,

put upon and neglected.

What's more, he was just plain bored.

Then Charlie heard the sound

of folks having fun.

What Charlie heard

was a bunch of the boys a-whoopin' it up

with a noon-hour roll-eo.

Round and round she goes,

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