THE ADVENTURES OF POLLY, PETER AND WALLABY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19858, 4 June 1927, Page 22 (Supplement)

THE ADVENTURES OF POLLY, PETER AND WALLABY

Richard. and Gwendoline set off to overtake Pedro and Poppy with the firm determination to recover the stolen bicycle. Prowler took them to tho spot where he had last seen the wicked pair. “Now,” he said, “this is where I left them, and they were making straight along the road. If you ride straight on you ought to catch them before the day is out.” So Richard and Gwendoline said good-bye and hurried along.

With Gwendoline clinging on the bicycle, Richard pedalled along th a road at a rapid pace. Now and again they caught Eight of what appeared to be wheel tracks of Poppy’s and Pedro’s cart. “There is one thing,” said Richard. “With all that weight behind them, they cannot go so fast as we can.” “That’s so,” answered Gwendoline. “Look! I can see the trail again. I shouldn’t be surprised if we come up with them before very long.”

But matters were not to turn out so well for them! Suddenly they arrived at a cross road, and, as there was no sign of the tracks, Richard and Gwendoline were sorely perplexed. Resting the bicycle against a sign-post, they searched around for any trail that would help them, but without success. Here’s a pretty go!” said Richard. “We shall have to wait until someone comes along and. see if they can help us,” said Gwendoline. “I can’t see a single mark.”

As it happened, Richard and Gwenoline did not have to wait long for assistance. Willie, the wild duck, came strolling along and they explained the position to him. “I haven’t seen them,” he said. “But I’ll help you if you like. Now if one of you will get on my back I’ll take you up in the air and you’ll be able to see what is going on along the roads around just like they do with aeroplanes.” Neither Richard nor Gwendoline was delighted with the scheme!

Something had to be done, however, to find the whereabouts of Poppy and Pedro, so Richard very courageously volunteered to take a flight on. Willie’s back. In a few seconds he found himself high in the air clinging for dear life and staring down over the fields and roads. Suddenly Willie cried: “Look! There they are I can see them!” “Where?” yelled Richard, all excitement. And then, in his huriy to get a glimpse, he fell off?

Down, down, down fell poor Richard. He wondered when he was goziif to stop, and more especially where he was going to land! At last, plop! he fell into a pond, and Gwendoline, who had ridden along the read, was just in time to enquire what he was up to. “Don’t talk silly,” cried Richard, as he scrambled out “I saw them on the road a long way ahead.” And jumping up behind Gwendoline, he continued the pursuit. “X don’t mind a bath so long as we catch them,” said Richard.