The Old Punt

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1939, Page 2

The Old Punt

One day, Jack and Harry, two boys who lived at Wild Wood farm, went to the nearby river to fish. Jack took the fishing rods and flies, while Harry took the lunch and game-bag. Whey they arrived at the river they put the lunch under a broom bush where Snooks, their black and white spaniel, could not get it. Then they went along the bank to where Mr Brown’s old punt was moored. They rowed the punt into mid stream and unfolded their rods after the anchor had been least overboard. They had not been fishing long when Harry cried, “Look, Jack! A log! A huge log!” Jack looked, and saw a big log within 10ft of the old punt. In a few seconds it would be on them.

“Help! help!” yelled Jack, as the log struck them. The rotten wood of the old punt crumpled up like paper, and the two /boys fell into the water. As neither of them could swim they wore almost helpless. Suddenly Jack felt Snooks grab his jersey and start to too him ashore.

I “Harry.” he cried, “grab my leg.” Harry did so. and Snooks towed them both ashore. When they were on dry land once more they gave their lunch to Snooks, and went home dripping with water and wet to the skin. When they reached home their mother put them to bed and gave them some gruel, and next day they were none the worse for their adventure.

As Snooks was a life-saver he was awarded a silver medal with a new collar and chain. And now he is very smart, as he wears his medal always.