The Secret of the Ranch

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22509, 17 September 1938, Page 7 (Supplement)

The Secret of the Ranch

WHAT HAS HAPPENED June" Stenton 'is- alone on the ranch when' she • sees a man approaching. He tells her'.that he* father will not he home for two days. Later, another. man ..■ comes, and threatening her, searches the house. He makes, off with a plan of a secret cave.

CHAPTER II The Cave of the Diamond*

For some time after the departure of the visitor Jane stood silently at the. door of the house. She was still quivering with the thought of it all. Suddenly, someone came riding across the landscape, Jane's face brightened: .;;

"fatbtri" she called. "But what did Venters mean?" she asked, later. "He said you wduld not be back for two days." "Business is business!" Jane's father laughed down at her. "I meant to be longer - away, but a rumour reached me that a gang was on the way to the,hills. Jane, they are after the cave!" "Fathert Then that was what that man meant He found the plan and todk it!" * - ;. i "Then we must not hesitate.*' Mr Stenton had .his plans ready in a few moments. > "I'll get Ventors and some of the men, and we will tide off straight away." i It was only a matter of a few moments and-then Jane saw' them riding away' into the distance.' She sighed % and turned into the house again. - - • The mooivwas riding high in the heavens and the eerie hush of night was in the air. Somewhere, behind the bushes, lurked enemies, and the men's-eyes were, alert and watching. Suddenly, Ventors alighted and led the way through an almost im» perceptible opening in the earth. Ijeaving their horses the men followed.

UM$ JM4ie"Feiih>

The hole widened on either side end the low tunnel walls were lined with grotesque figures, the work of generations long dead. The men climbed silently, one by one,, gazing-in amazement at the walls. The last few feet-were steps that led abruptly downwards. - "tfo one make a sound," whispered Stax, one of the men. "We are coming to a pile of boulders which leads out on to'a ledge. I shouldn't be surprised if our friends- were sheltering here. We'll take them by surprise. Don't fire, unless they do first." - Dawn was- well up and visibility was good:as they made their way along the narrow track in silence. Suddenly Stax held up his hand. The shattering, ear-splitting noise, heightened by . the, reverberations from the cliffs, 'was very clear. e "They're firing!" he muttered. There were three men in the gang, and at the sight of the emerging party one whipped out his revolver. It. was hopeless, though, and. wisely they- turned and- galloped their horses in the opposite direction. Then the procession wound back through the cave, the boys* eyes filled with wonder, for the rocks

PRIZE LIMERICKS THE BRIDEGROOM

There !was a young man of Petone Who felt so terribly lonely, Till one day he wed, And so now instead, •- He's-, the happiest man in Petone.--rAKTHUR TOPP (aged 10).. Little River.

SHE COUGHED

There was an old-dame of Petone, Who went for a ride on a pony, It bucked her right off, *"»' Because she did cough. That funny old dame of Petone. —EILEEN BLAKE (aged .11), - « 657 North road, -"• - - Belfast.

*'GET ON HIS BACK"

There- once was a boy of Petone, Who owned a pretty grey pony, "I'll get on. his back . And ride down the track," Said, that.youijg. boy.cf Pe,tone. •—KEITH FRAMPTON, L.8.H., Wakanui.

were studded "with flittering Tg3»-; mends. There was *e>Jortun*";M" even two or three a€ the nagnif - ; cent gems. No. wonder had risked ?o much to obtain tfii*n._ At the head of the„canyoo-?ane was -waiting, her hair flying in;the. wind, .her bright, youthful '^eyes' sparkling/ at she saw bar ftWWr; safe. . - - -. * ---'..■ e.ir\« is -: "Dsd, I couldn't hear the suspense of waiting, {had; to cone,"-' „ (To be continued!.) ' .--"- *■

MIST AND WIND; V The mist swept over the mountain

Just floating like a sea, V The nor'-west came to meet it, - And drove it up the lee. .'.-,''

The sun came and kindly smiled, The crass waved to and fro, -■ c '- Birds sang sweetly in the tree*, . - j " The mist said, "I must go", . -* —•MATE BRER FOX,. . Kaiwara.

There wag a young girl of Fetonc. Who wore pretty jumpers—wool only. And what do you think? When washed they don't shrink, . Because they were made in Petone. —'MATE lORANGI ( aged 13), AJPS., L.8.H., 68 London itreet

"IT SHIED"

•There was a young man fro» Petone, Who went for a ride on a pony, The pony it shied, and he fell o* his side. That battered young man frofla Petone.

—'MATE TILLYTUCK. WaiUk

HONE

There once was a Maori call*! Hone, Who worked in the mill at Peton*. He sat at the loom In a big busy room, And worked till his fingers wer« bony. '-- —BEVERLEY STOOP <aged ID. 48 Orwell street Oaraaru.