The Steamboat Mississippi
They were somewhere in the middle of the river, aboard an old, rusty, and firmly anchored steamboat. Nothing around them looked familiar. In fact, this part of the forest could hardly be called a forest anymore — it had completely changed its color, from green to red.
The Spider’s Attack
Entangled in the silvery threads of a giant web stretched between two of the sword-like plants, Peter lay completely motionless. Looming over him, busy wrapping up his freshly caught prey, a massive, fat spider was softly humming to himself.
Fido’s Dwelling
Before their eyes appeared a large home, built on a sturdy platform suspended from the tree’s thickest branches. The fleshy crown had been literally hollowed out from within, like a giant watermelon someone had scooped clean with a spoon.
The Red Desert
“Right. Now listen carefully,” said Fido, while intently surveying the vast plain that stretched out before them. As far as the eye could see lay a barren field, dotted here and there with small clusters of trees.
The Battle with the Gorgons
Out of the red twilight above their heads, three nightmarishly hideous, terrifying creatures came hurtling toward them at great speed.
At first glance, they appeared to be women — their greenish, scale-covered skin glinting dully in the dim glow that passed for daylight in this place.
Inside the “Whale’s Belly”
They had ended up in something that, at first glance, resembled the interior of a ship — at least that was the impression given by the enormous ribs rising straight from the ground and covered on the outside with some coarse material. How large the entire structure was couldn’t be said, as its outlines vanished far into the darkness.
Outside the “Whale’s Belly”
No one knows what kind of monster left its bones here, nor where it came from. In any case, it’s long been dead — all that remains is the massive skeleton and fossilized skin. And as you can see, it makes quite a decent place to live.
The Island “Guards”
“Hey, you there!” shouted one of the guards — a small, terribly scruffy rooster dressed in torn jeans, a colorful shirt missing half its buttons, and boots with enormous, jangling spurs.
New Encounters with Old Acquaintances
Before any of the travelers could blink, they suddenly found themselves surrounded by three tall figures, tightly wrapped in long cloaks, their faces hidden behind masks. In their hands, long metal blades gleamed dully.
Knightly Duel
The Screen Knight was something like a crudely assembled iron frame on wheels — some strange kind of self-propelled contraption that moved with awful creaking and clanking, wobbling from side to side like a drunkard, since its wheels didn’t seem to be quite the same size.
Broken Freddy
The hideout was dimly lit, and at first, Pouchy couldn’t make out a thing. But soon her eyes adjusted, and she saw that her friend was holding in her lap… a giant hollowed-out pumpkin, from which two snapped sticks protruded, tied together in a cross.
A Courtroom Procedure
From the upper floor of the building emerged the three dreadful Gorgons. This time, they were dressed in long togas that billowed freely around them, and suspended between them on an improvised stretcher hung a massive cage — inside it lay Fido, curled up in a ball.
The Stolen Altar
At last! One by one, the massive stone pillars began to sway and slowly topple to the ground. Yes! Perfect! So they were going to make it after all. It was about time.
The Volcano
“Don’t pretend to be foolish,” Mr. Laptsev said with a crooked smile. “You already know what I’ve planned — admit it. Ha, ha, ha... So, who shall we throw into the mouth of the volcano today?”
Balloon Flight
“Prepare the balloon!” Mr. Laptsev ordered curtly. “And tie her up tightly — I don’t want any trouble from her up in the air!”
