FERN FRIENDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

FERN FRIENDS.

(By Zela Carter, Hltlmutn. R. 1&2., Taumarimui; aged 17.) Betty and Joan turned swiftly—the oirl who had just passed them—how ill "she had looked. With consternation they saw her stagger against a near-by fence, and with quickened steps they hurried to her side, "Jnst lean on us, tEtt you feel a little Letter," said Joan kindly. Jill Mason smiled wanly. "It is awfully silly of me," she said, "I have heen ill lately, and as I have been looking all day for work, I think I have overdone it." Betty and Joan smiled sympathetically; they sensed that not only had failure to find work helped on this girl's weakness (they were not girl guides for nothing); 'hut the thin face and body told a tale of its own. "We are going to see you hpme, said Betty quietly. "Joan Bedford and myself, Betty Fields, are girl guides; we were just going to a meeting; but captain will excuse us if we are a little late." "I am Jill Mason," the other girl replied, "it seems too bad to put you two girls to any bother, but really—" Her voice faded away—T-I live at 25, Denham Street, with my aunt."

Captain listened gravely to Betty and Joan's story. "Do say we can take her with us, captain," pleaded both girls eagerly. "A fortnight -will work wonders," continued Betty, "in onr summer camp, and then Joan and I with the aid of others, will see that work is found for JiH, when she returns with us, strong twd healthy.^ "I think you have won your case, returned captain, smiling at the two eager faces, "jem may now go and break the news to JiTL" "Thank yon, captain," The two chums went off in high spirits; the captain's eyes were rather moist as they followed her young guides, till they were out of eight.

"Hurrah! Hurrah! What a glorious spot for a camp, isn't it, Jill?" Jill nodded happily to her chums. "Pinch me, Jill," eaid Betty, "so I will know I am not dreaming." Til help you," and Joan gave Betty a real hearty pinch. «,,».-, "Come on girls, make camp first, said captain cheerily, "then vent your exuberance after—you, Jill, sit here where you can watch and give us any helpful suggestions." . Jill watched the happy throng of girls —how quickly and deftly they fixed camp, while others under their lieutenant's orders were preparing tea. Jill loved the smell of the, smoke and watched its blue clouds wreathe upwards to a still bluer sky. How lovely and cool the bush looked with- its beautiful trees, and the mountain stream that rushed by was icy coid and crystal clear. The tui's beautiful notes rang so sweet and clear through the evening air, that all stopped to listen in delight. Later the camp lay deep in slumbers-all except Betty and Joan, who were planlining how they would pass the days. "You never know," whispered Joan, "what thrills we may have in store for

us." "Even if we don't have thrills," replied Betty, "it will be. lovely, collecting ferns and. leaves for pressing." A low from nearby startled the girls for a second. "I believe Peg and Mab arelistening," said Betty, "perhaps they are concocting up some thrills for us. "Good-night, Betty, I'm so .sleepy,' murmured Joan in drowsy tones, "never mind Peg and Mabs." Silence soon reigned, broken only by the mopoke's mournful cry.

A week passed only too quickly. Jill already looked a new girl, and Betty and Joan, if not getting thrills were certainly getting extremely puzzled. Every morning when they went to see how "their pressed leaves were getting on, they always found extra ones beside them, and much nicer ones than their own. They had watched carefully to see if 3Jab and Peg were doing it, but it was of no avail. They asked Jill, but no, it wasn't her; so then they asked captain to question all the girls, and if it wasn't any of them, well, they would pet up earlv one morning, take their lunch end investigate all day. _ The answer was again in the negative, _ so the two girls prepared for the following day. Ifc -was a beautiful morning; Betty and Joan had another peep at their pressed ferns before leaving, for they had put a really beautiful fern under

the night before and were anxious to see if another strange one was there this morning. Yes, there was indeed another—a real beauty. "It's the very limit," gasped Joan, "we might find out who it is and thank them?"

"Look!" interrupted Betty eagerly"foot prints leading to the stream 1" "That's funny," said Joan thoughtfully, "I wonder why no foot prints have been left before." Nevertheless, the girls followed them, forded the stream and still followed the foot prints till they came to a decided looking track; and here the trail ended. "Let's follow the track," said Betty, "and see where it brings us to, anyway—it will be a Steep climb, though. "Lead on, Mac Duff," sang Joan cheerily, "and your trusty mate will follow."

They climbed steadily for an hour, then Betty called a halt. "Let's rest a little while, Joan, why, I'm puffing like an old grampus." "Same here." Both girls sat down to rest on a mossy seat, and to enjoy their morning meal in the stillness. "It's lovely," 6aid Joan in low tones; but it makes one fell so alone and small." Betty nodded, then a look of fear spread over her face—also Joan's. Both girls had been seized from behind, in firm grips. They struggled —their captors were tall, stern-looking Maoris, in ancient tribal attire. The two girls could Scarcely believe their eyes, had they come across some hidden tribe? But, no, that couldn't happen in these times—the twentieth century —impossible! ""Perhaps we are trespassing on sacred grounds," whispered' Betty faintly. "Well, we wanted thrills," said Joan wryly; "but we didn't bargain for this kind—head up Betty I" "Follow," commanded the taller of the Maoris, and f the girls followed, the other Maori taking up the rear. They climbed 6tead'ily again and never for the moment realised that their captors c6uld have travelled at a much greater pace; nor did they see those stem faces relax in wide, merry grins.

After another hour of climbing they came to the summit, and a little further a Maori village, where a pretty Maori girl came forward to meet them, saying: "Forgive me, guide girls, -it was I who laughed that night by your tent when you first came. I heard you say you might have thrills, so I provided them. I am Huia, and these are my brothers, Rua and Tori. It was we three who, at different times, added to your fern collection." Betty and Joan fairly gasped, then both smiled broadly. "Let's all shake hands," said Betty, which they all did, then she said: "And you left the foot prints there purposely? Oh, Huia, you have certainly 'had' us nicely!"

The last week passed quickly with the help of Huia and her brothers, who gave all the guides some Wonderful trips and picnics that would never be forgotten; and still, added some rare ferns to Joan and Betty's collections.

"Back home again—Jill's strong and healthy and in a nice position (this is a leaf from Joan's diary), is also a guide, and Huia, wayback, is a lone guide—going to camp there again next year. Three cheers!"