Young Folk’s Corner

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 15, 12 January 1934, Page 8

Young Folk’s Corner

THE REAL THING David and Colin, who were having a wonderful cruise in the Mediterranean, sat discussing the events of the day in their cabin. “You know,” said Colin, “the cruise has been wonderful, but I am disappointed that we have not had a real adventure. I thought when you went

to sea something exciting always happened.” David was tired. “Some people are never satisfied,” he grunted. “Anyway, why don’t you take a book of adventure from the ship’s library?” Colin took David’s advice. Early next morning he made his way to the library. There were several people in the

room, waiting for the librarian. Colin went up to speak to an old lady he knew. “I really must sit down,” said she; “I am so tired of waiting.” To her amazement Colin pushed her violently aside. On the sofa was a snake! Colin had caught sight of its head. He seized the creature by the neck and looked round vainly for something with which to kill it. There was nothing. He rushed out. Down long corridors he fled to the deck. Reaching it, he threw the snake overboard, but not before he had been bitten. He ran to the ship’s doctor, who laughed at him, thinking the boy was joking. “Bitten by a snake!” The doctor chuckled. “How did the snake get here?” But there were plenty of people to confirm the story. The doctor realised the seriousness of the situation and knew that he would have a fight to save Colin’s life. Colin did not die. He was strong and healthy ; it was not long before he was completely recovered, and able to talk over his adventure. The boys and their father were sitting on deck. In the distance lay Corsica, bathed in a soft, rosy light, an enchanted 'island, shining in the sunset. Once again David went over Colin’s great adventure. “That was a mysterious snake,” said he. “How did it get on the ship ?” “I think it must have come from the West Indies,” said their father. “You remember when she started off on this cruise the S.S. Tangier was only just back from a cruise to the West Indies. I am told that there was a great deal of fruit from the West Indies in the vessel on that first voyage. It is not uncommon for snakes to hide among the crates—even inside them, among the packing.” “But still I cannot think how it got to the library,” objected David. “For the fruit was put into the vessel on a lower deck, and the snake could not possibly have reached the

upper deck.” “Well,” said Colin, “it is all very mysterious. But I do know this,” he added, “it is the greatest adventure that I have ever had, and it has made the cruise for me!” THE MAN WHO HELD BACK A FLOOD Maung was an unknown native of a Burmese village near Shwebo, where there is a large reservoir, and there came a day when he was known from end to end of the Province. One day, at the end of the monsoon, disaster threatened Shwebo. The rainfall had been unusually heavy, and the people of the district rejoiced in it, for now their big reservoir would be filled. But when at night the rain was still falling in sheets, and the waterways that fed the reservoir were flooded, they began to get anxious. When morning dawned a terrible cry arose that the reservoir was bursting its banks. Sheets of water ran over the sides; the roads toward the village were like rivers. If this could not be stopped the entire vilage, with its frail wooden and bamboo houses, would be swept away. The police did what they could. They fired blank cartridges to warn people, they sent to the town for help, and a handful of engineers hastened to the spot. Among them was Maung the villager. He was sent along the embankment to examine its condition, and he came on a place where the masonry had cracked and a trickle of water was coming through. He knew well 'enough that if the crack was not stopped it would burst, and the flood would sweep away all life in its course. Maung did the first thing that occurred to him. He wedged his body into the crack and stayed there. One of the engineers spied the rigid figure, and the handful of men on the spot worked with superhuman energy. Hour after hour passed, and still the brave Maung, motionless as a fallen statue, lay wedged in the crack. He was numb with cold, a mass of

aching misery, but he stayed there. Only the labours of a few men and his heroic body had saved the reservoir so far. At last one of the engineers saw that the brave man was about to collapse. He lifted the benumbed body away and thrust his own into the streaming crack in the embankment. For a time Maung could not move. As he staggered to his feet the reinforcements and equipment arrived. The reservoir was saved. Usually “Here’s one name on the committee that I never heard of.” “Oh, that’s probably the person who actually does the work.” CAN YOU PUZZLE THEM OUT? Riddle in Rhyme I’m in the pickle but not in the jar, I’m in the whitewash and also in tar, I’m in the meadow, but not in the field, I’m in the bell-pull and also in pealed, I’m in the parlour, but not in the room, I’m in the odour and also in bloom, I’m in the shutter but not in the door, I’m in the teashop and also in store. Together my letters will certainly be An object that all in the street may see. What Are We? We are a score, nay, sometimes more Within a cave reside ; Though seldom tis we disagree, We often do divide. If we fall out, there is no doubt We ne’er shall meet again ; Both boy and girl our worth can tell Though oft we cause them pain. In white array the ladies gay In mirth will often show us ; From what is said, we are afraid, You will too quickly know us. [Answers published next week] Answers to Last Week’s Puzzles Five Letters, Five Words.—Spare, parse, spear, reaps, pears. Transposition.—Art, rat, tar.