DYNAMITE VALLEY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

DYNAMITE VALLEY

| A Thrilling Tale Of Pirate Treasure.

you see that fiend Thompson coming, I know." And as Kenny was talking, Seth Thompson was sitting in a room of his house—the room whero ho had exhibited a few of his tortures to Tommy and bis friends. His head was resting on his cupped hands. He was moody and low-spirited. Yet he was saner at the moment than be had been for years. Gold and jewels! They wouldn't contribute much to the few years that remained to him! Yes, he'd do it! Those boyH, and tho other—Kenny—would not secure ono golden coin! All the valuables would go back—to the spirits of tho old pirates and buccaneers! Yet he was loath to take the step his brain suggested. Not on account of the boys, but because what ho contemplated doing would lake a lot out of bis life. A daring idea came to him, making him smile at tho thought. Ih'M do it! First, though, he would have to make preparations. There was his snake pen! The reptiles would have to be liberated. And his underground railway would have to bo hidden. Ho was jealous of bis secrets.. His various pieces of electrical apparatus would have to be destroyed. They must not bo given to an unsympathetic world. Ho walked to his little hangar and took his scat in his tiny plane, the produce of his own brain. His fingers hesitated longingly over the controls. Ho would take one more flight before doing nnythintr—to Dynamite Valley. Probabl*- ere this tho three boys would have found Kenny! Maybe they were all gathered together on tho deck of the Mary Dear discussing the division of tho spoils 1 Thompson's faco hardened at the thought. Those pirate riches were not for others! He pressed a button and tho roof of the hangar swung back. A minute later be was in tho 'air, his aeroplane headed towards tile immense valley, Tracy Trohnan' was the first to glimpse the approaching machine, lie eyed it for a while, saw it was coming towards the spot they were now using as a camping ground. He muttered something to ],j s fried,,. Instantly they were on their feet, hurrying away. They had no desire to be seen by Thompson. Their last experience had been bad enough. The next would probably be worse. (To be continued.)

"I've overcome many difficulties. A few more won't matter much. As for Thompson, the next time wo. meet I'll show him just where he stands." Ben Bonito said nothing. It was hard to have to give way- to Kenny just'as success appeared to ho in his grasp. "You don't seem to be overpleascd, Benbon," Kenny taunted. "In this case might is right. I've taken possession of the good ship Mary Dear and all its cargo. I've salvaged a wreck, if you like, and therefore am entitled to all it contains." "You have the air of a pirate skipper, Kenny. I can visualise you taking tho old hulk out to sea," Trotman observed. Again tho boy was to bo prophetic. Ho didn't know it. Ho was only talking to gain time, while they marshalled their ideas and arranged a. plan to entice Kenny from the vessel. Kenny's eyes drifted to tho bankedup sand and rock that now held tho sea back, the onc-timo mouth of the stream by which tho pirate' ship bad sailed. It was as if ho wcro longing for a miracle to happen and open up the old inlet again. "I'm a dry-land sailor," ho said with a chuckle, treading the deck as though horn to it. "It's safer, I reckon. This old craft w still sound, though, you'll be surprised to fearn, I don't think she's even sprung a ; leak. I'd be game to risk my life in her." * , "She'll bo the scene of as fierce a battle as ever was waged on her deck if you aren't careful," Bonito snarled, ■ clenchiP" bis fists and advancing ; boldly. - Kenny bad a proposition to put before them. "Suppose wo join forces. I'll take half and you can j divide the rest between you. The • four of us should be able to devise ] ways and means of getting the valu- - ables away from here." ! "When a division is mado it will lw three ways, Kenny. You don't '. come into the picture at all. If we ', can't do anything else we can wait j hero until you are forced to leave , because of hunger or thirst," . - "I can last out for" as long as a I fortnight,' Kenny advised. ][ c ],ad husbanded tho meagre supply of food , and water be bad found. "A lot may happen ,„ that time. I'm getting | tired. I flunk I'll stretch myself do;™ -below. You'll let me know if