In Search of Adventure:

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23827, 30 November 1940, Page 3 (Supplement)

In Search of Adventure:

LIONEL was cross ; but lie could not have told you with whom he was angry, for he was not sure himself. Move's the pity, he thought, kicking with a stout leather boot at a stone lying in the path, while he wished it could have been the rascally thief that had stolen his cousin's motor-bike. To think that this lovely afternoon he would have been seated on the bucking pillion seat, clinging to the dusty leather coat of the rider in front as the panting machine almost flew down tho winding road to the river . . instead of which he was seated 011 a hard limestone rock with tho sun burning his uncovered head! Nearly every Saturday Lionel and his grown-up cousin went for a swim in a sheltered pool below the Northland hills. It was something pleasant to look forward to each week, but Lionel was well aware that the good times could not last much longer, for the country was at war and his cousin was soon leaving to join the forces. And now . - . well, he might as well go home and clean out the rabbit hutch. Turning a corner 011 the road, Lionel saw ahead of him. a stationary motor-bike. For one wild moment he hoped it might be the missing machine, but, 110, a figure detached itself from the side of the bank and bent over the back wheel. "Broken down?" risked Lionel. "Looks like it, doesn't it?" snapped the man abruptly. _ "My cousin's bike has ncjver done that. He has a Speedway . . . at least he did have one, but somebody stole it last week." Here the man straightened up and whirled around. "Perhaps I can help you. I used to help 111 y cousin with—"

"Perhaps you can mind your own business." interrupted the man savagely. Throwing his leg across the saddle he kicked at the starter, and disappeared in a cloud of dust. What a horrid man. thought Lionel, as ho proceeded homeward; so rude and rough-looking, and be talked in a strange way, too. like those foreign stokers off the overseas cargo boats that occasionally put. into the harbour. The following' Saturday, Lionel was left to amuse himself as best he could, and he decided to go in search of adventure. One of the limestone hills, reached by way of a disused timber tramway, 'was a favourite spot, and there were caves to explore. Glancing across the broad valley to the rugged hillside. Lionel was surprised to see a brilliant light flash from a gully that led to one of the larger caves. It shone just like the reflection of the sun on a window pane or a light ray caught by the windscreen of a passing car, hut there was no house within a mile of the mysterious gleam, nor could a car pass up the rough track to the old mill. Puzzled. Lionel climbed on a bank and watched. Again came the fash, this time a little higher on the hill With a feeling of curiosity, he jumped down and ran at a swift pace through the paddocks that would brine him to the site of the abandoned mill. From there lie followed the bush ti*am-track. pushing his wav through thistles and stunted scrub that almost covered the rofting wooden rails and crumbling "sleeners" of the line. Suddenly, with a whirr of wings, a lien pheasant flew out of the tangled bush and seemed to land behind a thick patch of toitoi grass. Wondering if she

had a nest near by, the boy crept quietly toward the dump, but there was no sign of the bird It was then that Lionel received a shock, for coming down the track toward him was a man, and to the lad's consternation it' was the horrid man of the motor-bike. Whatever was he doing up in this deserted spot? Crouching down behind the toitoi, Lionel watched until the unwelcome passcr-bv had gone, and feeling it better to go 011 than return, lie took to his heels up the line. More alert than before something brought him to

a sudden halt. It was the mark of a damp tyre 011 some of the drier sleepers A motor-bike had passed quite recently!

Here was adventure. Cold with excitement, Lionel now pursued his way with caution, watching and listening, and then creeping 011 as silently as he could. Soon he stood at the entrance of the cave, where it was easy to pick up the frequent traces of the tyres on the soft ground. Lionel always carried a battery torch when or. these exploring adventures, and this time he was sure he would find something worth while. But lie was not prepared for the queer tarpaulin-covered objects that confronted him at a turn in the cave. Near bv was the motor-hike, for its wheels were only partly hidden, but alongside were five more machines! With a gulp of surprise, be pulled off one of the covers, knowing quite well what lie

By D. E. Tyson

would find, and there, well lubricated with oil was his cousin's missing Speedway. Stifling a triumphant cry the boy noticed a pile of boxes by the limestone wall. To his astonishment they were packed with tins of benzine and oil. A Mother long-shaped bundle lay in the shadows of the cave, and dragging aside the numerous covers Lionel was staggered to find the folds contained rifles such as his cousin used in the territorial camp. What did it mean?

It was now that Lionel began to experience real fear, for this was no ordinary robber's hoard, but something beyond his youthful understanding He sensed he was in danger, and that he must get away at once without being seen. With a wisdom beyond his twelve years, Lionel avoided the tramline, and returned home by another route.

Tho experience that Lionel had for' the next few days were something to remember all his life* His cousin, as soon as he could make sense of the almost incoherent story told by the excited youngster, immediately called a taxi, but instead of the police station that Lionel expected to be their destination, it was to the military headquarters that the speeding car was headed.

Here Lionel hao again to tell of his discovery, and before he had finished, instructions for the arrest of the thief were sent out. The man was caught on the way to the cave with another load, and was promptly placed where he could do no further harm ... for Lionel's mysterious "pirate" was a friend of the • Empire's enemies. In fact, he was a spy' -r. , Soon after the arrest, Lionel was asked to make a second call at the militarv headauarters. and there he was praised for what 110 had done. "But I—" began the boy a little nervously

"Yes. I know quite well what you are poing to say," broke 111 the "that you only did your _ duty. The country is depending on its sons to do that, but it is grateful all thesajue, and wants to shows its appreciation. What do you want most of all?" he asked. "A—a —a motor-bike," gasped Lionel. "I'm afraid you are too young for that just vet. my lad." the officer smiled. "Would a really good push-bike do io go on with?" "I'm sure it just would, thank you. sir," was Lionel's quick reply.