The Young Adventurers

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 201, 24 August 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Young Adventurers

"Here. Beside you. Go to sleep. I'll cover your face up." "Where am I?" asked Selina, knitting her brows. "What on earth had happened?" "In my lap," sftid her. mother, with another smile. "Go to slee.p again." "Is it too early to get- up?" "Much too early." So S'elina shut her eyes and drifted off again. A shout woke her. Still more what roused her was the, tremor that shook her mother. "A eail!" someone yelled. "A eail!" Everyone laughed, muttered, sobbed, making extraordinary noises. Selina had never heard people make such extraordinary noises. Then she remembered. Of course. The firo. They had been shipwrecked. It rushed back on her and shook her in a storm of sobs. "A eail, darling* It's all fight," cried her mother, and clasped her tight. "A eail, Selina. We're saved. Don't cry now. You've been eo good. They'll pick us up. You'll be safe on another big ship." The very word "ship" made SeJina tremble anew, but she did her best to swallow her eobs. "Pull, my boys," said Mr. Nielson, in a voice suddenly grown hearty. "We'll get to her. There's a square meal and a safe bed in that fiaili And Selina felt the boat leap forward like a living thing.

SELWA IS SHIPWRECKED

"Anyone got a white shirt?" someone asked. No one had. Most people hadn't a shirt at all; but Mrs. McLe.llali had a white petticoat. Astonished, Selina watched her mother take it off though she had only a flannel one underneath— her mother, who never allowed anyone to enter her room until she was fully dressed. It was hoisted, mid cheers, on a ejmre oar, and there it fluttered, a fine flag of distress, with the, lace tearing off and making a streamer of its own account. "I'll take a turn, mate," someone eaid, and the boat rocked in the calm sea as the sailors changed placea. Turn about they rowed steadily and the sail came, nearet; but slowly, very slowly. The sun slipped down low ill the sky, the world greyed and dimmed; it grew very cold. There was nothing whatever to eat or drink. "It's a very long way off," Selina whispered to her mother, and got "Not nearly so long as it looks" for a comforting reply. Mr. Nielson took his turn at an oar, then moat surprisingly, was found to posseEs a voice. "With a long, long pull, and a strong, strong pull," he trolled out, and everyone joined in. Then he gave them a long comic song that had two lines in it that Selina Was to remember for the rest of her life. "Wlien the sea begins to talk, Faith, you'd best get out and walk." Nearly everyone laughed at that, and Mr. Nielson went on to some funny stories. Her mother sanp; "Wilikins find his Dinah" ill a voice that wavered a little, but the tune had a grand lilt in it that helped the rowers. "Too-ral-ly, 100-ral-Iy, 100-ral-ly-lay"; they all sang the chorus together, even Selina learned it. The long afternoon and evening seemed to stretch and stretch until it Was if they had b£en days arid days in the boat.

At last th«y felt near enough to give a hail. "One—two—tfiree. AH together," ehouted Mr. Nieleon, and Selina lifted her voice with the rest of them. In dead silence they waited. There wae no answer. They waved their flag. "Once more," cried Mr. Nielson, and once more they let fly a ghout that Selina thought must carry nearly to England. Joy! The sails of the Dutch boat Went back; she ewung slowly towards them; an answering hail wavered across the sea and reached them. They were seen. (The End.) * Cor relit Helper* (DeVonport)—Last parcei to be opened for Hie weeK belonged to the Corrella Helpers. Wβ were pleased to flnd a Jovely and artistic quiit, lined wtth brlg-frt cotton and consisting of 84 patches. Thank you, Yvonne and members! * • • • Cuckoo (Epsom) sends us this week a little parcel or (rood used clothing'. Best wishes to our Epsom friends. • • • • Fantail (Mangrere Bridfe)—This club had a nice surprise tVhen they discovered that a friend had been knitting- on thelf behalf. A jolly little parcel consisted of 23 patches sewn together, three cosy pairs or bed socks and 6d Tor the fund. *•• • • fttininint (Grt-y Lynn)—Nine heautirully knitted patches were a very welcome β-ift. Sunshine Club. ♦ • • • Woolly Workers (Mount Eden)—A bU? welcome to Shirley Smith, a new member or this busy club. This week's parcel was a very nice one—seven patches, a baby's feeder, two little singlets and a patch of lining- material. • • • • WIW Ron (Epsom)— Hurrah, one or our unnamed parcels has been claimed by this club. It contorted 23 patches, a pair or stooettes, a woollen purse and a bag- or chokos. The latest parcel consisted or patches amounting- to 18, nine oranges and lemons, and a pair or bloomers. Yes, Marjorle, blanketing- is very acceptable for lining. Sew your patches together and line—-which means many extra points, you know. • • • • Thames Twinkle* (Thames)— Thanks to Helen and her helpers Tor 1/ tor the rund. • • • • Purple Kttohee (Mount Eden)—A quite excellent parcel Tor which to say thank you this week. It contained some lining: material, two pairs or cosy bed socks, some used garments or various sorts. Including: baby singlet, two pairs or bootees, 11 purse and a cap. Teiipence ror the ruhd was welcome, too.