The Raid.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20982, 19 September 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Raid.

By CLYDE A. WHITE FIELD, Kaitaia, North Auckland. There was a terrific din in the pig-pen for it was the young porker's birthday and ma had proposed a raid on a nearby turnip-patch, to celebrate it. The youngsters were wild with delight, and already, imagined themselves surrounded with juicy turnips. However, when they ventured forth to ask pa, they received a shock, for the old chap gave a fierce grunt, and told them to bo gone. " The idea," he grunted, " asking an aristocrat like me to go raiding," and he gave another snort. Somewhat surprised, but in no way downhearted, the youngsters left him and said no more about it. Soon as they had had their morning sleep ma gathered them together, and with a last peep at their lazy father, they waddled over to a well-concealed hole, through which they rolled. For the first time they saw the outside of their home, and so eager to leave it behind, they raced forward to gain the shelter of some willows. As the turnips grew on the opposite side of the river, they had first to find a shallow spot where they could cross in leisure. A rocky place ; where the stones served as a sort of bridge, suited their purpose and soon they stood grunting on the far side. " Now for the turnips," -grunted the greedy little porkers, and they would have scampered off, if ma had not turned and granted angrily. She ambled forward at a steady gait, and occasionally glanced at her now meek youngsters, who although eager for the feast, knew better than to leave their wise old ma. At last they topped the river bank, and stopped to gaze at tho wonderful sight which met their eyes. As far as they could see. lay rows and rows of delicious turnips—the most wonderful sight they had ever seen. With squeals of joy the youngsters rushed forward, only to come to a sudden stop, as a fence loomed up before thern. The grim old thing semed to say " you can't come in here," but ma quickly proved that it was wrong, for soon all of them were gobbling up turnips as quickly as they could. What a glorious feast they had, and there hadn't been tho least bit of danger. But hark! What was that ? There it was again, and much nearer this time. Ma was already half way through the hole, for well did she know that sound, i They had lingered too long, and the owner ! »was coming with dogs. Between grunts of anger, rna struggled on, only to find she had eaten too much, and could go no faster. Tho youngsters, now aware of I danger, made one rush for the fence, and again came to a stop. However there was no ma to help them this time, so with grunts and squeals they scrambled through tho cruel wires the best way they could. • Poor ma moaned in a queer way, and watched her children gain the river-bank and disappear. Left to herself, she | plunged and kicked but finding this only hurt Iter, she .decided to await her fate. It was a few minutes later that a man walked up, and, after examining her, let her go. But alas! If she thought she was getting off easily, she was greatly mistaken, for the cruel man at once set the dogs on her. This way and that she ran, but in vain, tor the horrid animals hung on to her ears and tail, until they felt as if they would drop off. Nearly "desperate, she charged a dog and, by a stroke of luck, managed to put it out of the fight. When her ! poor ears were all but off, she was left to go home. She soon reached the pen, and never before did it look so inviting. With a loud grunt she called the youngsters and as they limped in one by one they vowed that never again would they go raiding!