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Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1928, Page 21

Peter returned from school shortly after Sinbad the Sailor had finished recounting his adventures to the chums. Of course they had to tell him all about the strange stories they had heard. The adventures got terribly mixed up, because they all wanted to talk at the same time, but at last Richard barked them all down, and told it his own way. “I should have liked to have met Sinbad,” said Peter, “because I read all about him when I was quite a little boy. But I’ve got something that will surprise you.”

Of course the chums were very curious to know what Peter’s secret was, and were awfully excited when he fetched from the shed a huge wooden box. "Whatever can be inside it?” cried Polly. “Ah!” said Peter, “that's a secret. It’s a ‘latest invention,’ and we can get plenty of fun with it. Try to guess what it is.” “A motor boat,” said Richard. “Don’t be silly, Richard,” cried Gwendoline, “you could not get a motor boat in that box.” “How do you know” argued Richard. But Peter was busy opening the crate.

At last the crate was opened, and, to the surprise of the chums, they discovered al! the parts of a model aeroplane. It was awfully good fun putting it together. At first they did not know how it went at all, but, by persevering, they at last succeeded in getting it all fitted up, and there was the finest model aeroplane they had ever een. “How does it go?” asked Richard. “I can't see any engine.” “And where do we sit?” queried Gwen. "I can't see any seats!” “Just wait and see,” said Peter.

“This machine doesn’t have an engine, and you do not sit inside it,” explained Peter. “We take it up to the top of a high hill, and then give it a run, and you hang on to the wheels. That makes the propeller go round, and the machine glides in the air for ever so far, and you get a beautiful ride. It’s Just like real flying.” “Who will have the first go?” asked Peter, when they had reached the hill-top. “Ladies first,” said Richard, who wanted to make sure it was safe before he had a turn. “I think Gwendoline ought to have first go.” Gwendoline did not like to say “no.”

Gwendoline was very nervous, but she did not like to let Richard think she was afraid. She said very politely that Richard could have her turn, as-she was sure he was very eager. But Richard said’ he would not dream of doing Gwen out of the privilege of going first, and so poor Gwen had to go. She caught hold of the wheels as instructed, and they gave the machine a good run, and away it went. The propeller flew round, and Gwen sailed into the air. “Meow!” cried Gwen, “I'm sure I shall have to let go in a moment.”

Poor Gwendoline hung on as long as she could; then she got so frightened that she let go, and down she went! Fortunately for her, she fell into a pond, and so got nothing worse than a s,ood wetting. What annoyed her most was the way the others laughed at her, especially Richard. “Do come and have another go!” laughed Richard. "S-s-s-s-s” growled Gwen. “You shouldn’t have let go you know,” said Peter. "Oh dear! Oh dear!” laughed Polly, “Peter said we should have plenty of fun.” U took them ever m long to pacify poor Gwen.