THE WASHAWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18797, 19 November 1932, Page 15 (Supplement)

THE WASHAWAY.

(Con ■“There’s plenty of space between toe cllfTs and the creek,” said Dawson. "It's horrid and gloomy,” grumbled Janie, as she followed her cousin through the canyon-like opening between the headlands. This wound , and doubled almost upon Itself, until •i..they both became anxious because they seemed to be walking so far and yet did not seem to come to any opening. When the tide was high It evidently filled the whole of the apace between the cliffs. They could see the evidence of the height of the tide on either side. Both had heard etorles of the force of the furious northern tides washing through the openings leading Into the inlets, and the ridges on the cliff face showed Just how strong the rushing tide must be. At last they came to the end of the canyon, and a great stretch of deso-late-looking sand lay In front of them. This had been washed out into great channels and ravines by the force of the storm that had evidently formed a big swamp. Great trees, torn up by their roots, lay plied into long drifts, ■while uprooted mangrove trees littered ♦he ground In every direction. The •wash&way was an immense size. They ■con-ld not see the whole of it, but here and there they could see great ■cliffs and sandbanks where the storm had washed out the sand dunes. "There are heaps of 'gator tracks, isald Janie, pointing to the numerous footprints that crossed and reorossed the mud and sand. "And there are three great brutes running themselves on that sandbank over there,” added Dawson. d like to get a shot at one of them.” M They’re too faf off," remarked Janie, who was wandering about, examining the sand and picking up ehells. Suddenly she gave a squeal ■of delight. Several very tiny alligators wore basking on the sand. They were hardly more than six Inches In ■length, but 1, they bit - and snapped siv&g'Gly i/t stick that Janie touen*d them with. "Here are some of the dearest little baby ’gators," she cried. "I really must catch some and take them home with irffe. 1 don’t expect euoh babies could bite very hard.’ "I wouldn’t try," remarked Dawson, admiring the little snapping reptiles. 4l Thelr teeth look uncommonly sharp. "Oh 1 do let’s catch them," cried

V Janie. They were busy trying to corner ana eatoh the little alligators, and did not notice that one of the big reptiles on the distant sandbank was beginning to «ct excited. They heard a splash, and Dawson looked up. “The old one Is coming for us,” he •houted. “We’d bettor cut and run.” Janie looked up., The alligator evidently meant business, and the two daahed wildly away to a j)iled-np heap of tree trunks. Fortunately the branches of the prostrate trees had been very long and thick, and these •tood up in the air far out, of the reach of any reptile. They climbed up as high as they could up the strongest »nd tallest branch and looked down. The mother alligator was frantically trying to follow them, but could only Bucoeed In reaching half-way up one of the fallen tree trunks. She gazed up at them with furious little eyes tnd snapped her Jaws suggestively. “I wonder how long she Is going to stay there?" asked Dawson, with • grin. “She looks as If she had taken up her position for good.” "I wish she’d go away,” remarked Janie orossly. “I hate sitting perched In a tree, and I do want to explore this plaoe and look for shells and 'gator’s eggs. : Do shoot the brute, Dawson." . 4 . . “Let's see, what is the best place to plant a bullet?" “I don't know. She horribly scaly. Hadn’t you better try for her eye?” * “I can’t get a shot at It from here. I say I Just make her open her mouth. Ohuck somo sticks at her, and yell your loudest." janlo obediently picked some little branches and twigs and threw them at tho alligator, while Dawson carefully sighted Ills rlflo waiting for a chance. Tho alligator tried frantically to reach them, and snapped savagely, but Daweon could not secure a shot. At last the alligator struggled a little higher upon tho trunk, and, reaching up, snapped furiously at tho tormentors who wero Just beyond her reach. This was enough. Dawson need rapidly a couple of shots straight into the great lopen Jaws with their rows of pointed, gleaming teeth. The alligator slithered back, then fell, thrashed around for a few minutes ami appeared very *lok. Finally It stretched itself out on tho sand and lay still. The two watched it anxiously for eorne time, then, as it did not moic, they cautiously descended from the pile of fallen trees, ami would have examined it closer, only Janie said she was nice that it was still breathing. A lew minutes later Hie. hug" reptile rose slowly to Its fools and pinny«*d Into a pool of water that was quite close to it. Dawson was much disappointed, lie had been sure that it was dead, or else he would have tired another shot. Avoiding the alligators sandbank, they made their way across Hie wash away. H was very wide, and the two wandered nn and mi. There were so rianv faseinaling things to see, and goon' Janie's pockets were full of beautiful shells. Suddenly she stopped and gazed up a! Hie sky. ••Look at Hie sun." she exclaimed. “It Is ever so late. It's buig pas' noon. Aunt Mary will think we arc lost."

"That's all right.” said Dawson. "I think there Is a stranded boat over there. Let's go and see that before we start for home, if these washed out dunes pad lower banks we might climb out and go home overland. ’■'Wo might, and perhaps lose our

By Harris' T. Clarke

dnued.) | way, I wonder when tho tide will come ln,‘” sajd Janie, as she waded through a pool. “Late afternoon," said Dawson. “But as we have no Idea of the time, It Is no good guessing. Let’s hope that we’re out of this trap before it does." "Why?" asked Janie. "Because it is full moon and the tide will about fill the washaway to the brim. It’s a spring tide remember.”. ' “Oh I" murmured Janie, feeling rather alarmed, but as they had Just reached the boat the excitement made •her forget the danger of the hightide filling the whole of the washaway. “It isn’t a really and truly wreck," she ! exclaimed. "It Is quite whole and water-tight, and It is floating in that big pool. Let’s go for a sail.” "Who ever heard of sailing in a flatbottomed punt?” jeered Dawson. "We’ll get some of those old saplings, break off the branches and use them for p'oles. We’ll do some exploring. There are plenty of little streams running about this old washaway." “I’m sure we ought to go back to the camp," said Janie. "I'm sure I heard something Just now. A sort of moaning sound." "I can’t hear anything. “You’re getting nervous, Janie. Look here, I’m not 'going back until it is time for mother to return to the -camp. I’m sure the first word I should hear mother say would be something about being good, or perhaps it might be: 'the poor child la so dreadfully delicate !’” Janie laughed, for Dawson had mimicked his mother exactly. "Why don't you tell her you are not delicate?" she remarked. “I’m sure that moaning Is getting louder.” (To be continued next week.)