ADVENTURES OF THE CHUMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 10 December 1938, Page 13

ADVENTURES OF THE CHUMS

We left the Chums with the Professor discussing the arrival of the bandits. They were still puzzling over the problem the following morning having spent the night in the cave. The trouble was that they had very little food, and how they were to get over that difficulty, and avoid capture by the bandits, they simply did not know. Richard was the most cheerful about it. ‘‘The best thing to do is to look on the bright side,” he said. “Perhaps something will happen.” Something was sure to happen of course.

Here you see Richard and Ted endeavouring to solve part of the problem. They knew that the leader of the bandits had departed in his sea-plane in quest of the Professor, having, of course, no idea that the Professor was already on the island. But it was necessary to discover what the two men he left behind were doing, and also to find out if they could obtain food in some way. Ted and Richard volunteered for this task, feeling quite sure that they could accomplish it without being seen by the men.

Ted and Richard soon discovered what the two men were doing. That is apparent to you as well. Creeping up Rebind a large rock, the Chums watched them, wondering what would be the best thing to do. for they felt that now was the time to act. “What do you suggest. Richard?" asked Ted. “I’m thinking that it would be a good idea to steal their clothes.” said Richard. “Could we do it?” asked Ted. “We ll try." replied Richard.

You can see from this picture that the attempt to steal the men’s clothes was successful. It was, in fact, very successful, for they managed not only to get then: without being seen, but also to get away without the men having the least idea of what had happened. Gleefully they scampered back to the cave. “This wil surprise the Professor,” said Ted. It was not only a surprise for the Professor but it also presented another problem of which the Chums had not thought.

Richard and Ted were quite correct when they thought the clothes would astonish the Professor. But he did not seem delighted, and they could not understand why. "I am afraid it has made things more difficult for us." said the Professor. "You see, now that their clothes have disappeared they must recognise that there is someone on the island besides themselves.” Neither Richard nor Ted had seen matters from that point of view. A bit of a problem, wasn’t it'

The problem of the clothes turned out better than expected, lor the Professor found a revolver in the pocket of one of the suits. That gave him a fine idea. “We have them at our mercy,” he said. And that is why he stood on a rock commanding the men to come ashore. Of course they were compelled to do .so. as captives of the Professor and the Chums. But what to do next the captors had no definite idea. 1 expect they worked something out, though.