Chapter 18.
Jip to the Rescue.
Dab-Dab and Tutu knew they could not look everywhere.
It would be hard, even with the swallow's help.
So Tutu went to talk to the eagles.
He found a black eagle, a bald eagle, and a golden eagle.
They all agreed to fly over the jungles, forests, and mountains to look for the uncle.
The eagles returned to the boat the next day.
I'm sorry, the bald eagle said.
We didn't see the man you described.
We'll keep our eye out, but I don't think he's anywhere on land.
Dr. Doolittle thanked the eagles for their help.
He shook his head.
I think I'm running out of ideas, he said.
I have no idea where to look now.
Why don't you let me try, Jip said.
You!
Dab-Dab said.
What can you do?
I might be able to find him by smell, Jip said.
Oh, don't be ridiculous, Dab-Dab said.
We're in the middle of the ocean.
You won't be able to smell anything out here.
You would be surprised, Jip said.
He held his head high.
He was not going to let a duck insult him.
Dr. Doolittle, the dog continued.
You could ask the boy if he has anything that belongs to his uncle.
Dr. Doolittle did as Jip asked.
The boy gave him a gold ring on a string.
My uncle handed it to me as soon as we saw the pirate ship, he said.
No, Jip said to the doctor, that won't do.
Could you ask him if he has anything made of cloth?
Once again, Dr. Doolittle did as Jip asked.
The boy handed the doctor a bright red bandana.
Perfect, Jip said.
Now, if you'll just let me smell it.
Jip stuck his nose to the bandana.
He took many deep breaths.
Don't worry, Dr. Doolittle, the dog said at last.
Please tell the boy I will find his uncle.
I'll definitely find his trail. but it took several days.
The problem was the wind.
Jip could only smell scents that were blowing toward them.
For the first few days, the wind was blowing from the east, therefore Jip could only smell things from that direction.
Someone was making a lamb stew, someone else was burning some leaves.
However, there was no smell of the uncle.
Then, one morning, they woke up to winds from the west.
Chip walked quickly to the railing on that side of the boat.
He sniffed the air a few times, then called to the doctor.
"'I've got it,' he said.
"'I know where we should go.'
"'Really?'
Dr. Doolittle said.
"'That is so exciting.'
"'I'll stand at the front of the boat,' Chip said.
"'Follow my nose as I sniff the air.
We'll go straight to the uncle.'
They did exactly as Jip asked.
But instead of finding the uncle, they found a large rock.
They sailed around and around it, but no one was there.
I can smell him, though, Jip insisted.
He is definitely on that rock.
One of the swallows flew over the rock.
She went back and forth a few times, then she hurried back to the boat.
She told Dr. Doolittle that there was a large hole at the center of the rock.
All right, then, he said.
We'll have to go ashore.
They anchored their boat by the rock, and Dr. Doolittle climbed out.
He walked over to the hole.
There was a long path leading inside.
He lit a match and walked into the dark.
It took a moment for his eyes to adjust.
At last he noticed something right in front of him.
It took a moment to realize what that was.
The boy's uncle.
He was sound asleep in the cave.
