PETER, POLLY AND WALLABY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 8 June 1927, Page 8

PETER, POLLY AND WALLABY

Richard and Gwendoline set off to overtake Pedro and Poppy with the firm determination to recover the stolen bicycle. Prowler took them to the spot where he had last seen the wicked pair. "Now," hb said, this is wnere I left them, and. they were making straight along the road If yotx riae straight on you ought to catch them before the day is out." So Richard and Gwendoline said good-bye and hurried along. i ...

With Gwendoline clinging oh the bicycle, Richard pedalled along the road at a rapid pace. Now and again they of whit appeared to be.wheel tracks .of Poppy's arid Pedro's, cart, "There 10. one good thing, said Richard. "With all that weight bcnind them, they cannot go so fast as we can." "That's so;"'answered Gwendoline. "Look! I can sec again, Tshoiildri't be surprised if ,wb come up with them before very long."

w«t matters were not to turn out so wcil for tfieni! . suddenly arrived af a SossS,la, as there wis no sigh, of the iricU, **■£?«£ Gwendoline were sorely perplexed. Resting the bicycle gainst a ft*** thirScheofarduiid for any trail that would help them, but said Richard. "We shalUave .to wait until someone com? along S fee if they can help us," said Gwendoline. "I can't see a single mark."

As it happened,'Richard and Gwendoline, did not have, to wait long fpr assistance. Willie, the wild duck, came strolling.along and they explained the position to him. "I haven't seen thcm,".he. said, "but I'll help you if you like. Now if one of you will get on my back I'll take you up in, the air and you'll be able to see what is going on along the roads around just like they do with aeroplanes." Neither Richard nor Gwendoline was delighted with the scheme!

Something had to be done, however, to find the whereabouts of Poppy and,Pedro, so Richard very courageously volunteered to take a flight on Willie's back. In, a very few seconds h<: found himself the air clinging for dear life and staring down over the fields and roads. Suddenly Willie cried: "Look! There they are.. I can oec, them!" "Where?" yelled Richard, all excitement. And then, in his hurry to get a glimpse, he fell off!

Down, down, down fell poor Richard, He wondered when he was going to stop, and more especially where he was going to land! At last, plop! he fell into a pond, and Gwendoline, who had ridden along the ro3d, was just in time to enquire whaf he was up to. "Don't talk silly," cried Richard, as he scrambled out. "I saw them on the road a long way ahead." And jumping up behind Gwendoline, ne continued the pursuit. "I don't mind a bath so long as we catch them," said Richard.