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Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1929, Page 25 (Supplement)

Last week we saw how Richard got blown into the sea through not obeying the Professor’s orders. Of course he had to tell his friend all about it. „ “I’m really very sorry, Professor,” he said, “I’ll promise never to do it again. “Very well,” said the Professor, "There was no harm done, so we can forget all about it. Now’l have something to propose for to-day.” "Good,” exclaimed Gwen, “I hope it will be exciting?

The Professor was very secretive about the, little adventure he had arranged, but he told them it had something to do with the very boat Richard had been so inquisitive “We shall be out all day,” he said, “so pack a basket of provisions, and we II get a, ° n9 Richard and Gwen carried the basket down to the sea, while the Professor carried a mysterious little box. . - “I believe we are in for a day’s good fun,” cried Polly. “I’m .sure of it,” beamed the Professor. z

Soon they were in the boat and on the water. Then the Professor proceeded to explain his new invention, and the fun they were going to have. P “It is an electric fish,” he said. “You simply , drop it into the water andlt travels along, gently pulling the boat with it. It is a.I worked by electricity. ® the great invention is that is attracts all the other .fishes around, and all you have to do is to put down your net and drag them in.” “My!” cried Gwen, smacking her lips at the idea of so much fish, its .wonderful. Let’s try it.”

The Professor dropped the electric fish into the water.and gently turned on the electric current.' Polly, Richard and Gwen peered excitedly into the sea. It was clear and calm, and they could see the fish floating under the surface. “Turn the current on,” cried Polly. ‘I have," said the Pofessor. “But nothing’s happend,” Richard pointed out. “That’s funny,” muttered the Professor. “It ought to work." Then he gave the switch an extra jerk. Little did they know what was in store for them!

The extra jerk the Professor gave the switch must have broken the mechanism, ror something began to buzz loudly, and the electric fish flew along under the water with a sudden jolt. The Professor fell into the bottom of the boat, Polly nearly got thrown into the sea, and Richard and Gwen had to cling to the mast. "Stop it," shouted Polly, as the boat flew along. “It will sink the skip.” “I don’t think I can,” spluttered the Professor from the bottom of the boat. “Here's a pretty go,” cried Richard.

The Professor did not get a chance to stop the boat, because, before he could get ud bana t they bumped into a great big rock. This was really very fortunate, for otherwise’they might all have been drowned. They scrambled on to the rock just aS have been wrong with the works,” said the Professor. “Don’t talk about it,” implored Gwen, who was very wet and irritable, or you II tnake me begin to hate fish.” “How are we going to get away from here?” asked Polly. “That’s the question.” That is a question, isn’t it?