For the Children

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17189, 5 November 1923, Page 10

For the Children

THE KNIGHT ERRANT. Cyril picked up liis tin sword anti began to sharpen it in a most determined manner against the leg of the nursery table. Meanwhile, his little sister, Molly, stood by looking very solemn as ho tightly grasped the reins of the wooden rocking-horse. “Do not fear. J will soon bring Lady Clementina safely home!” cried Cyril, waving his sword aloft with one hand while picking up his paper admiral’s hat with tho other. Molly glanced anxiously at a far corner of the room, across which two chairs had been laid, with a threelegged stool, a small screen, and one or two other things on the top of them. Standing outside the barricade were a huge Golliwog, a largo stuffed monkey, and a Teddy Bear, while right in the corner behind them, with her arms bound to her sides, and tied to a rail in the wall, was Lady Clementina, the flaxen-haired, waxen-cheeked beauty who had been kidnapped and imprisoned by the cruel robber chief. Golliwog, and was being thus guarded by him and his two fierce comrades. “ Bo quick! Be quick!” cried Molly, stamping her foot excitedly, “or she may lie dead from fright. Besides. I don’t suppose those horrid robbers have given her anything to cat evei since they took her away!” ‘ T am off now at once,” replied Cyril, placing his hat on his head and leaping 'astride his wooden steed ‘‘Forward! Charge! ’ he cried, as, grasping the reins and.pushing his feet tightly into the stirrups, he made the horse’rock in a truly alarming manAfter a few minutes of this reckless riding he again brought it to a staud’still, when, springing from the saddle, lie advanced, with outstretched sword and manly stride towards the stronghold of the robber gang. 1 here were a few wild dashes with the sword arid some loud buttle-crios. during which, the guards were sent flying on either side and an entrance to the fortress was gained. Snatching up the captive. Clementina. Cyril ran with her to his horse, and. having mounted, sat her astride behind hint. Then with a ringing shout of victory the brave knight and rescued lady galloped borne, (o be received with’open arms by the rejoicing and wildly excited Molly. “ We must now go and sec to llie wounded.” said ( yril. ' A brave knight never leaves bis wounded •enemies to die. You must come with me. Molly, and help carry them to hospital.” So. having placed the Lady Clementina on her bed with toed and drink beside bet*, the two went off. like good knights and true, to attend to the injuries of their fallen foes. These. L am glad to say, lived to repent of their evil ways, and even attended as flag-bearers at the wedding of Ladv Clementina and Prince Alphonso. which v>ok place with great pomp.a few weeks later. TH E N A CGHTY B V LLOON. Once AA'hiskevs and Fluff bought a smart balloon, In order to sail to the bright round moon, For Whiskers declared it was made of cheese. He said he barl smell it when climbing trees. But Fluff cried: “ It is nt, you silly old cat! I’m certain it’s butter, a nice big pat- ’ Then AYhiskers grew angry; * * > oiu’re wrong.” said he. • AA'e’H sail along faster and then you'll sec.” Up went the balloon, through a huge wet cloud. AA’hich frightened Fluff so that she shrieked aloud • Tt wobbled and wriggled, then, worst of all. It suddenly turned and began to fall. i Down, down, to their terror, they went so fast. Then landed, unhurt, in. a field at last; i But what the moon’s made cf they could not say ; i Indeed, they don’t know to this very day! w

THE LONELY JTELDTJack English hurried across the lonely veldt as quickly as- the warm South African sun would let hum Ihe dav before lie had left the little farm, j where he lived with his younger brother, Dick, to take some cattle to sell to the owner of a ranch seven miles oft. Flo had been well paid, and was enjoying the thought of returning with , the good news to his brother, of whom he was very fond. Although Dick was onlv twelve lie was such a fine, manlv fellow that Jack had felt quite easv in leaving him in charge of the far in and Kaffir servants, and knew that he would work just as well as it Jack had been there himself. As the young man plodded on. Ins fingers gripping the leather moneybag at liis waist, he felt himself suddenly clutched round the neck from behind. while before be had a chance to see who had attacked him. he received a sharp blow on the head which stretched him unconscious uoon the ground. About an hour later, when, slowly recovering liis senses, he opened his eves and looked about him. at first he felt too weak and dazed to realise what had happened. But gradually remembrance came back to him. and with n stifled cry he felt for his leather bag —to find it gone ! ‘•Robbed! robbed!! be crieci ivijdly. making a frantic effort to raise himself. But ala?! the blow be bad received, together with the fierce, rays of the sun under which he had been lying, made him fall back again weak and dizzy. He then eagerly felt tor flie water flask lie had carried with him upon his journey, for he was parched with thirst- and longed to cool his burning fevered brow. To liis great horror be found that too bad been taken from him. •‘ AA'liat cowards!” he gasped..as closing liis eyes he lay still in an agony of despair, thinking he must die there alone on the desolate veldt. But just as he felt his . senses gradually leaving him once more there came the sound of hastening footsteps, and next min- ! ute he opened his eyes to see Ins ! brother bending oyer him. Oh! the rej lief and joy of that moment, and bow ! lovely was the cool water which Dick ' gave him to drink. He had never tasted j anything so refreshing. I At last, with Dick’s aid. he managed ! to get upon his feet and walk towards i the waggon which was coming to meet I them from the farm. c; How did you get here. Dick? lie aslcetl. as they went along together. Jack leaning heavily on Dick’s strong I young arm. and glad of the support it vi m vluln'L come I siren ( afraid.” replied the boy- •So 1 starti' *»d off to meet you. T told them to ! follow me with the waggon in cas*' ! anything bad Imppencd to you. A yard or'two from where v-ui v.0.- c » King 7 1 picked up this dub” (here be bcl-i oni ; short, thick, knot ted stick - '. “ and ■ that made me guess w;<k j gone wrong. Ob. Jack, if l J—'o't come, wb«t would liave barvnened?” » shudder at the cruel vultures who ho' -

ered round about the spot where uack j had been lying. “ T should have died, old fellow, answered Jack, looking down at his 1 companion with tears of love and gra- j titude in bis eyes. “The wretch who robbed me took my water too. Aon f can imagine how 7 felt!” “The black-hearted scoundrel!” cried I Dick, clenching his fists. “ But, never i mind, old chap : let’s be thankful you are alive! And we will soon get the money together again, and then we 11 take good care how you cross the lone--Ily veldt.”

THE MARCH HARE. The hunter had a bagful of bunnies, but when he saw a strange hare sitting beside the pond lie wanted that. too. “ 1 never before saw one so plump, nor with such long ears and fine fur.” said he to himself. ” J will try to catch it alive, and keep it for a pet.” j And lie began to creep quietly towards j the water. *• Pf off! Look at him!” cried the ; Jittle brown hare, sitting up among the j grass, and shaking with laughter. - “ AVhere are you going, master?” i barked Toby sharply. “ This is no fit j oport. for you and me.” “ Be quick, and mind your own busi- I ness!” replied the hunter, and lie crept The-strange hare did not move. It seemed quite, happy, and cooed sleepily to itself. ” A most remarkable animal! I believe it’s a March hare,” thought the hunter, creeping nearer every minute, ‘‘and wonderfully tame! I shall be able- to catch it by its long ears in another moment.” But even as.lie stretched out his nand to seize it the lit-lc creature raised its head and looked up. Then it stopped cooing and began to bowl instead. 800-boo-boo 1 Go away!" it shouted. “ Bicss me! It’s a baby!” cried the astonished hunter, running away as fast as liis legs would carry him. “ Pf-ff! What a joke!” said the little- brown hares, kicking up their heels a.s they rolled with laughter among the grass. “ Whatever are you thinking of. mas- ' tor?” harked Toby. I told you it i was no lit sport for you and me!' 1 STRANDED. “ I would rather he at the seaside than anywnere!” cried Basil, as he and liis little sister, Grace, ran along tne boa mi ;il .sungate. thev I'.rvrl come front London, with their parents, the day before, and ot ; course their first thought the next ; sands. So. having given them each a ! bucket and spade, their mother sent I them iu charge of «.neir governess, Miss j Collins, to enjoy tlicmseiv.es in the way ! they wished- “ Here's n lovely sandy place L” cried Basil. “ Let’s stay here, jifen.se. Aliss Collins come on. Gracie, and we’ll build a big sand castle!'' “ Oh, yes!’’ replied Grace, danefug w ith excitement. “ And we may take off our shoes and stockings to paddle, mayn’t we. Mits Collins?” “ Y'es. if you promise to be very careful not to go too far in the water,” answered their governess, who had seated herself on the bench, and was preparing to do some sewing while watching her little charges at play. Having pulled off their shoes and stockings', the children gave them into her keeping, then scampered off to begin their castle. They went as near the sea. as Miss Collins would let them, for they loved to be quite close to the rippling blue waves which tumbled over one another so lazily and gently that still summer morning. The castle soon began to grow an.acs for Basil and Grace worked at it with a . will, banging the damp sand into a firm head with their spades as they piled it higher and higher. “Oh. look Basil!” suddenly cried Grace. “ The water is coming right up to us and some of the waves touch the castle. Do you think they will knock it down ?” *‘ The title is coming in fast, children !” called ATiss Collins- “ You will have to come higher up the beach-” Basil looked at the rising water, : which was gradually surrounding their sand fortress. Then suddenly his eyes sparkled as with one spring ho sat himself on the top of the mount. “Oh. Miss Collins!” lie shouted. “Do let mo. sit up here just till Hie water is all round, and pretend I’m shipwrecked on a desert island.” “ Oh. -and me too!' cried Grace, as she tried to clamber up by the side of her brother. “ Be careful, - Grace-!” said Basil, making room for her on the sand heap, and putting his arms round her. “ You may stay there till the water meets right round. - ' said Miss Collins; “but you will have to get off directly it does. I will make you a flag of distress, Basil, so that you may attract some rescuers to your desert island Then, having carefully tied two corners of her handkerchief to the handle of Basil’s spade, she handed it to liim to signal with. i It was fine snort. the children thought, to sit upon their stronghold while the water came higher and higher until at last it met around them. The moment it did so Aliss Collins came running up. and. as the wave rolled back, caught Grace in her arms and carried her up the beach laughing and shouting, while Basil jumped down and waded through the water after them. “ Bring the buckets and spades with you. Basil.” cried Aliss Collins, or they will he washed out to sea/’ Sure enough. Basil was only just in time io save them, and very soon after the sand castle itself had entirely disappeared. A DANDELION CLOCK. ‘* Dandelion Fluffy-head, whither are you sailing?” “ All about the meadow green, then across the paling. AVkat there is the other side, that I Do not catch me then. I pray, but give a gentle blow, .sir! “Little master, little maid. Do not touch me! T’m afraid I should fall to bits at once ii ; I had a shock: Nothing is so fragile as a dandelion