THE GREY WOLF'S EYE

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 189, 12 August 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE GREY WOLF'S EYE

—By Conrad Templeton

CHAPTER IX. The Moccos. For once Captain Bob was wrong. The word ".Moeeo" meant a lot, not only to the three who had set out to discover the secret of the (!rey Wolf, but to the whole of Australia. It" Frank Thomjison and Ceorge Jenkins hadn't had their curiosity aroused by the story Captain Bob had told them and demanded that lie should take them to the spot, Australia might have—. But why look ahead? Let us rather consider what the men who called themselves "Moccoe"' really represented.

The originator of the word was a Captain Kric Trcvalyn. whose exploits in the air were second to none. Captain Trcvalyn got into trouble. He wasn't content to become rich slowly by honest means; he wanted to make a lot of money in the shortest possible time. For a while no one thought of linking the many aeroplane mishaps with the daring pilot. He usually took pains to hide

his identity when lie was forcing aeroplanes to land. His face was always co\ end with a slip of hlack silk when lie landed a few seconds later—just in case some of the passengers or pilots were conscious. Usually they were in such a condition that they "conkl not recognise anyone—certainly not the man who quickly went through the luggage for valuables.

The old saying regarding the liability of breakage of the pitcher that too often is carried to t lie well held good in the case of Captain lrevalyn. He became too reckless. On one occasion his plans miscm 1 ied badly. Me was recognised. 1 en years seemed a heavy sentence to receive.

et when he was liberated—with a few years taken off for exemplary beha\ iom he was st ill a comparatively young man. lie was a man of courage, culture and optimism. He was determined to make good. Hut, although he wanted to be honest, lie was shunned 011 every side. His exploits of some years before wore held against him. Yet he was a man of courage, culture and optimism, the initial letters of the kev words spelling the word "Mocco."

C ontact wit }i another Mich as himself brought about an exchange of confidences. After some discussion the two decided to hand themselves into a partnership which they facetiously styled Mocco. Soon, other kindred spirits were introduced, and the band bewail to assume larae proportions. Members came from almost every country in the world —China, Japan. America, Alia-

At first the visitor thought of settling in the north of the continent. Above everything else, however, he valued personal comfort; and this he could not get in tne tropical parts. He. therefore, came south, finally deciding on x large lump of virgin country fringed with a very rocky coastline. His choice was helped by the fact that the country was honeycombed with limestone caves, many of which were large enough to be habitable. He got in touch with other members, and soon others of the newly-formed organisation arrived until before very long several thousand men of all nationalities were encamped there, all living in caves. Macliine-guns were landed, together with a large number of rifles and a plentiful supply of ammunition. The .Moccos had decided to attack Australia, and so optimistic were they that they really believed their attempt would be successful. Australia was not expecting an attack, they argued, and. therefore, half the fight would be won before a shot had been fired. The rough coast prevented ships from coming in too near to the land, and the virgin bush that extended almost to the water's edge veiled them from any sightseers. To make detection the more difficult an electric installation was built and a light arranged in an opening of the huge, projecting rock that mariners knew as the Grev Wolf. And so was born the Grey Wolf's eye. Most seamen were superstitious, it was argued, and the light would act as a deterrent to any who ventured too near to the rock. The average mariner hates to be ridiculed. He, therefore, would not mention the winking eye to others, preferring to keep the fact to himself in case liis storv should be disbelieved.

Unfortunately for the theories of the Moceos. Captain Bob's little vessel, the Xancv Lee, had been forced close to the rock." Tlie skipper had thought nothing of telling the story of the winking eye to the boys. Although he had not appeared too eager at the time he was <rlad of an excuse to make a closer examination.

Captain Trevalyn was the dictator of the unlawful organisation. His word was law. He had the power to give any orders, knowing full well that they would be obeyed implicitly. The time was not yet ripe to stage the attack. More {(reparations were necessary. The captain had a scheme of setting up other groups in various parts of the continent and arranging for attacks to be made simultaneously in several places. When —he did not know. The organisation wasn't strong enough yet! More men were needed. More fighting equipment had to be landed before such a thing could be considered seriously. (To be continued on Saturday next.)