COMPLETE THE STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 56, 7 March 1934, Page 18

COMPLETE THE STORY.

TO-DAY'S COMPETITION.

Below is part of a story about Tony Hamilton, the twelve-year-old son of a barge owner, who, left alone to take care of his baby brother, suddenly found himself adrift in a motorless vessel. Collision with other craft was possible, the vessel might turn sideways to a bad sea and be capsized, she might might run aground and be wrecked. Danger was all about the gallant Tony, but he did not quail. It was hi« to s?ve baby brother and the boat' if .possible.

Just how he did this cannot at the moment be said, for the story is left unfinished. Budgetites will find an interesting task in supplying an ending to this thrilling tale, for many things could happen to the Betsy Jane, and in completing the tale one has a good opportunity of giving full rein to the imagination.

For the best endings to this story received by Wednesday next prizes of 7/6, 5/, 3/ and 2/6 are offered.

The Betsy Jane was a solid craft. True she may have appeared clumsy to a landsman's eyes, lacking as she did the graceful lines of the sailing ship or the steamer. The Betsy Janes was a barge, engaged in the carrying of cargo from Buffalo, Lake Eyrie, to New York, quite a large part of this journey being made through canals. Two horses, stabled on board, supplied her principal motive power, for when the barge was travelling through the canals they towed her from the bank by means of a long rope.

But the Betsy janes was a comfortable boat, and Tony Hamilton spared her a lot of affection. She had been built when he was a baby and since then she had been the only home that he had known. State rooms there were aboard her, besides a completely equipped kitchen; indeed Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton saw to it that the barge contained most of the comforts of the average home.

The date was June 2 and Tony was feeling rather proud, for only the day before he had celebrated his twelfth birthday and somehow one who has been eleven for a whole year is pleased to be twelve. Besides the Betsy Jane was Hearing Troy and this meant exciting times ahead. In the early afternoon the Hamilton's barge was roped on to the end of a long string of barges, planks were put between the tiny vessels isi order that the people could move freely from one boat to another, and when a tug was attached the great concourse of cargo carriers put off from Troy. That night the tug anchored in midstream and the long string of barges swung with the tide. Upon one of the boats a concert was being given that night, and Tony, after the monotony of the cruise, was looking forward to attending. Baby

brother, however, could not be taken out at night and it was a case of mother and father' remaining at home, or of Tony forgoing the pleasure of the entertainment.

"Oh, well," he said resignedly, "I've a book to read and I suppose I'll be able to hear some of the music from the cabin."

Early after tea Tony saw his mother and father off.

"This mooring rope is wearing rather thin," remarked Mrs. Hamilton as she stepped across the gangplank. "It is," agreed lier husband, "I'll attend to it in the morning."

Back in his cabin Tony soon became absorbed in the adventures of "The Swiss Family Robinson," and after that the hours simply flew. Once only did Tony leave liis book. That was when a steamer, passing upstream, caused the Betsy Jane to rock violently, and he went into the main cabin to see if the baby had been disturbed. The little one, however, was sleeping peacefully, and the boy returned to his reading. When next he looked at the clock the time was 10.15. Surely, he thought, the concert was over by now. What could be detaining his people? Tony went on deck to see if they were coming. No sooner was he in the open that he realised that something was amiss. No lights were visible; it mtist have been later than he thought. Had the clock stopped? Ah, but a light would be showing at the end of the last boa C.... what could have happened? Like a flash it came to Tony. The frayed tow-line had parted and they were adrift. What did he do? Hide in fright? Fall down and cry? No! This twelve-year-old was a captain's son. He set his lips firmly. "I'm going to save the barge and baby brother," he said, and set to work to do so.