Meanwhile Topcat's team with the excellent help of Fred the Ferret dug down.
They dug down and started a tunnel to rescue the captured crew members. Jack Bunny and Eddie Rabbit were
excellent tunellers as was the turtle Speedo.
Much to their surprise as they dug down they meet the Catavenger crew digging out; lead by Paul The Pirate Rat,
"let's go he said it's almost high Noon and they will be coming to execute us soon! The rushed out of the tunnel and in
darkness and confusion Topcat didn't notice that the crew were burdened with heavy satchels.
They ran off and were soon being followed then chased. The gendarmes had found their trail and were after them.
They ran to the top of a high hill and were soon surrounded on all sides with no place to go.
Topcat had noticed the crew carrying heavy bundles and boxes "That's why we have been so slow" he hissed at them.
You insisted on taking those. Still the crew stubbornly clung onto them even as the gendarmes closed in on them.
The forces of "law and order" (so called) were also after Panther, following her in fast boats.
Emily, Tabby, Pugsley, Molly and Dolly were firing the golf ball bazookas had brought from Cat Cay but the patrol boats kept coming. Panther sailed to the rendezvous point. stopping only long enough for Jujube the bird to fly over with a thin golden line to Frosty in the catamaran.
Still the patrol boats came on catching up to the two ships.
As the valiant critters on the hilltop were being set upon, Topcat pulled out a strangely shaped pistol and
fired one shot. It was a flare pistol, the signal to the zeppelin "Spirit of Spooky"
The airship dropped down numerous lines and all the animals scrambled up them to safety. The crew still lugging their
bundles and boxes. Once aboard Topcat hugged the fabulous Bandita and collapsed into an exhausted catnap. The Catavenger was now taking fire over the bows from the following patrol boats. Soon however a glowing mist began to form around it and it started to shimmer and crackle.
This force force quickly followed the golden line, to the Catamaran.
(Gold and silver have an affinity to the ship and can impart some it's powers to objects attached to it.)
The catamaran now had some of the enchantment of the Catavenger and they both were engulfed with its power.
Since The Catavenger is capable of sailing through time it's crew returned the Catamaran to where it had been taken.
Returned as promised with a full tank of gas.
Back at base Topcat reprimand the crew. "First you let yourself get captured then you slowed us down by carrying out the heavy bundles. I spent most of my loot paying for helpers to rescue you."
The crew just grinned as they opened their bundles. These contained cold hard cash. For when they had tunneled out they went through the vault of an adjoining bank!
