“THE STOWAWAY”

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3666, 10 February 1940, Page 5

“THE STOWAWAY”

CHRISTMAS COMPETITION FINISHING THE STORY In the Christmas Number of The Independent, published on December 14th last, a prize of 10/6 was offered to the Cambridge boy or girl who could write the most interesting and convincing conclusion to an unfinished story entitled “The Stowaway,” which concerned the adventures of sea-going cat. Evidently Cambridge school-girls are keener readers of sea stories than the boys, for all the entries came from girls. After careful consideration the Editor has decided to award the prize to June Latta, aged 14, of Leamington, whose version of how the story should end is published below.

Two other entrants, Joy White, of Cambridge, and Lois Winter, of Whitehall, deserve credit for their entries, which will be published at a later date. The Adventures of Peter.

It will be remembered how Peter, the bored and pampered pet of an elderly maiden mistress sets out in search of adventure and, having been chased up the gangway of a schooner while it is loading cargo, seeks refuge in the second mate’s cabin and is carried off to sea. Next day finds the ship caught in a storm. A crash on deck brings Peter scampering up from below to find the crew working frantically to clear away the wreckage of the mainmast, which is threatening to stove in the side of the ship. From this point June Latta continues the story. She has a dramatic touch, a sense of humour, and makes the most of an exciting situation. # # * But all in vain! For at that moment the ship rolled to one side and, with a tremendous crash that made Peter’s very whiskers curi, the wreckage thundered into the sea, carrying with it the wheelhouse and all that was in. its path. Peter gazed nervously about him, wondering what was going to happen next, for already the ship was tossing in. an alarming manner, and huge waves were dashing upon her, breaking in clouds of spray and quickly turning her deck into a mass of floating debris. “Man the life-boats!” came a hoarse cry from Peter’s side, and turning, he saw the captain battling his way to where the crew were already striving desperately to clear the remaining wreckage from the lifeboats.

Peter turned and fled into the nearest doorway, seeking refuge from the water. But none could he find. Everywhere the sea had found its way. , Turning tail, Peter dashed back to the streaming deck, just in time to see the last life-boat being lowered away! Realising that his last hope had gone, Peter gazed around him desperately, wondering where to find safety. Oh, what a fix he was in! Why had he run on to the ship? How he lopged for his warm, soft cushion aricl his kind-hearted mistress! Then, breaking into the midst of his thoughts, came another crash and horror-stricken, Peter felt himself being hurled out from the deck on the crest of a gigantic wave! With a howl of dismay he fought frantically to gain a solid position, but his struggles were of no avaii in the surging mass of water. Then, with a sickening feeling of terror, he felt himself being carried down —down into the sea, into the formidable deluge of water and wreckage! Peter struck the water suddenly and was immediately engulfed. The water swept over him, leaving him breathless and sodden, and although battling courageously, his instinct told him he could not remain above water long. Peter was about to give up hope when he found himself being picked up by a huge brown hand and heard a reassuring voice shout, “AH right, mate, you’re safe now!” Peter was thrown into the bottom of the life-boat none too gently, but he learned the reason when he looked around and saw his friend the mate, who had rescued him, pull strongly at the oars with a grim, set face. Peter scrambled to his feet and nervously peered over the edge of the boat to learn the cause of the frantic looks on the men’s faces. He saw the deserted ship pitch and toss in the heavy sea, but gradually sink, lower and lower, until at last only a few spars could be 'seen; then these too sank from sight! The ship was gone! Tpe men in the life-boat pulled at