Pirates Marooned

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 9 (Supplement)

Pirates Marooned

(Originiil, by Toe Dancer (12), Johnsonville.)

fGHN and June Melvon were staying with bheir auntie and uncle at the ** s aside, while their mother and father were touring Australia. "What can we do today?” asked John. “I'd like to explore that island over there,” said June, pointing to a simil. stretch of laud in the sea. "But how are we to get there?” said John sadly. "We can use Aunt Put’s boat,” was the reply. “You can row it, and when we reach the island. we cun tie it up. 1 like exploring eaves. It did not take them long to launch the small rowing boat, "'the Gliding Hind." John was an expert at rowing, and soon the boat was dancing over the waves, heading for the island. At last the boat landed on the shore oi the island, known as "Rocky Point.” They moored the craft to a large lock, so the,- w-ould know where io come for it when they returned. They scrambled over the rooks hunting for a cave. Suddenly they etiiue across a huge one. "Isn’t it just like pirates." John beamed’. "It’s getting more and more exciting every minute!” They entered the eave, a.nd touuil that it was huge and roomy, and had barnacles hanging from the root. "You can be ‘Barnacle Bill.’ and I’ll be ’Long John Silver. slud John. "I don’t want to play pirates,” cried Juno, “1 want to hunt lor some shells to take to school when we go home.” "You cuu still play pirates,” said John. “You can limit for shells and that can be our treasure.” . -AH right,” grumbled June, “but I’d rather go exploring than play in,, pirates.’’ She left Jbhu and clambered over the rocks. Soon she had collected some pretty shells. She wandered on. stopping now and again to pick nip a Btray*one. . "I think I have enough,” she muttered to herself. HI retain to th cave." On reaching the cave she found John sorting out some shells which lie had collected. "Here the.,- are. bong John,” June called. But Long John was plain John once more, as he anxiously watched tnc fast-gathering dusk. ’ „ "it’s getting dark." he muttered. "Vied better hurry back. They leached the rock where the boat was moored, when suddenly June CrieC "The'm>at! The boat! ’The Hind’ has gone!” John looked in dismay, and pointed to a small white speck dancing on the waves in the distance. June followed his gaze. "That’s our boat,” she sobbed. "What can we do?” cried John. -‘Our boat must have broken its mooiimss. and floated away!" . , , ,m They stared at each other in dismay. For pirates bold tluj were i startled'at the idea of being marooned. It. ivas some tune later when June, exclaimed, "There’s something red across there! It looks like it 1* *' °Th'ev scrambled up a high rock and waved their arms frantically. -HELP!” -they called together. To their joy the boat drew nearer and they saw. four men in it. When June and John were safely ashore, the errant Glidinfe Hi - recaptured. The children often rowed in it to picnic at Rocky Point, mla-, but they were always careful of its moorings, and they never pretended they were brave pirates.