STORMY HOLIDAY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22004, 30 January 1937, Page 7 (Supplement)

STORMY HOLIDAY

WHAT HAS HAPPENED • Jill, Silvio, Bob, and David are staying at Sunshine Bay. They make friends with Hon and Ngaire, Farmer Brown s nephew and niece, who live with him. One evening, after a chapter of accidents, there comes a knocking at the door.

CHAPTER HI. More Accidents Mrs Brown jumped while Jill, who was just regaining her feet, slipped again The next moment a jovial face appeared, and a merry voice said "hello, everyone!" Silvie flew at him. "Cousin Ben, she screamed. "Yes. cousin Ben," replied a merry-laced lad of 13. "Uncle sent me off here for the holidays as mum and dad can't have a noisy boy round the house just now. He turned to Jill who was in an upright position once more. "Well, Snowy, you haven't said a word; aren't you glad to see me?" "You haven't given me a chance to say anything. You chatter so hard," retorted his cousin, with some spirit. "Quits!" shouted Ben, "I can see that my fair cousin is quite a match for me. He bowed gravely, "Madam, some day I hope to have the honour of challenging you to a contest of wit. What say you, my fair one?" t "Shucks," said Jill, simply and briefly. • . , With the advent of Ben the days seemed to fly at Sunshine Bay. Ben was such a jovial fellow, and he seemed to have the knack of making friends with everyone—everyone, that is, except Ngaire. That thorny little creature showed her prickles every time Ben came near her, until he was forced to leave her to her own devices.

After a few nights at the farm, Ben begged that the boys might be allowed to sleep in the tent which had been dismantled and taken up to the farm. Mr Brown consented, and Hori, Ben, Bob, and David proudly carried tent, blankets, and tuck for a late feast, down* to the bay.

Those boys were certainly not adepts at erecting a tent. Twice it collapsed, nearly smothering Da\;id, who was too small to dodge, but at the third attempt they were successful, and the tent stood —well, rather wobbly to be sure, but ■it satisfied the boys. After feasting rather unwisely on a . rich assortment of goodies, they tumbled into bed, and in a short time silence, punctuated by happy snores, reigned. Hori was a sound sleeper, but Ben, who was not yet familiar with all the sounds of the country, slept lightly. Suddenly he gave a start, and his hair almost stood on end with fright. Someone was trying to enter the tent. Ben, was a brave boy, but his knees positively shook with fright, as he shouted, “Who’s there?” There was a fearful snort, heavy footfalls, and the next instant the tent collapsed once again, engulfing the four boys. What a commotion there was. A heap of wildly kicking boys, all shouting and trying to get out. At last Bob succeeded in finding the tent flap, and making his way Into the world once more. Quickly he helped the others, ahd

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soon, shivering with tear and excitement, they were on their way to the farm, for —“I’m not staying down there to let people try and smother me,” Bob said, and the others heartily agreed. “What’s the matter,” a cheery voice hailed them. It was Farmer Brown, who had heard the noise, and came to find out the cause of Quickly the tale was poured out. The boys expected sympathy, but to their surpi’ise Farmer Brown began to roar with laughter. “You donkeys,” he said. “Hon, my lad, I thought you were a farmer’s boy, and yet you didn’t recognise your old friend Neddie, when he paid you a visit. You left the gate open when you brought the tent down. That’s how he got through. It isn’t the first time a horse has got entangled with a guy-

rope, but I vow you won’t forget it." He began to laugh afresh, and the boys, although they were ashamed of themselves, had to Join in.

“Well, well,” he continued. “It’s no use trying to put that tent up m

the dark. You’d better come back to the house for to-night” The boys agreed. How surprised Jill and Silvxe were to see them the next mbinjng, and how they scoffed when they heard the tale of last night’s adventure. “Huh,” said Jill, "what a lot of babies you are. . Fancy being afraid of old Neddie. Really you are silly-billies.” , ~ „ “That’s all you know about it, said Ben, “and just for that, Miss Valiant, we won’t take you on our picnic to-day. We’re going to explore the caves at the head of the valley, and we’ll Jtave no end of fun.” t “Mind you don’t meet a horse! was Jill's only retort. . In an hour the boys and Silvie were oft, complete with tea-billy, water-bottle, and plenty of good things to eat. Left to herself Jill felt rather hungry, but she would not swallow her pride, and go after the others. After some thought she decided to go for a bathe. There was no one else down on the smooth little beach, but Jill did not mind that. She was a strong swimmer, so she decided to swim out to a rocky ledge which stood some 300 yards out in the bay. She swam steadily, but the rocks were further out than she had thought, and she was certainly glad' to reach them. The minutes sped by while she rested, sunning herself on a warm rock. At length she determined to return. She lowered herself until she stood knee-deep on a ledge in the water, and prepared to launch out. Her foot slipped, and she gave a startled cry. as she fell on her knees. She tried to stand up, but that was impossible, for one foot was caught firmly in a crevice in the rock. She struggled and struggled, but it was all of no avail.

With a sickening fear she remembered the tide. It was coming in. She would be drowned. Then Jill lost her nerve, and began to scream for help. Wildly she called to her father, mother, and’ her brothers, but the bay was deserted, and no one heard. She called until her voice was cracked and hoarse, but no one came. Wildly she beat

upon the rocks with her hands, un- - til at last she sank down exhausted. . - And still the waves came gn.- . (To be Continued.) AKAROA I live up on a hiU and when! look out of the window I can see the Akaroa harbour. -MARJOKIE roifi Wainin- .. ON THE HORORATA We live on the banks Hororata River, and we have «*W so we frequently go for rows up fte riVer " -ANNIE EABLY, - Greendil*'