THE MODERN PIRATES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1934, Page 20

THE MODERN PIRATES

(Original.)

A grotip df seven boys were busily chatting amongst themselves chiefly of what they were preparing to do. that afternoon. They had formed a gang called "The Bold Pirates," and had given each other names. Jimuiy Black, their leader, had chosen for his One-Eye Jake, and- had borrowed his cla,d's eyeshade for the purpose of looking more real. At last they decided to look for treasure iii the caves, each one of them to dress up. Had this bold band known it they would have been very angry, but little Betty Clarke, Jim's sister, had overheard from behind a boulder hear by. Merrily she sped across the sand to her liomej an idea in her mind. Amongst her jewellery were several coloured glass beads. She tied these; in a, bundle, and in the shadow, crept down to the cave, loosened some sandy and hid the bag containing tho. beads, the blue representing sapphire's, the red rubies. After marking the exact spot with, a cross, she went along the sand making castles, all the while trying to .Conceal her mirth. . .■••■"'. '"' "Forward, my jolly ■seamen,", shouted Captain Jim. "Shoulder your spades.'^ His voico rang through the'hollows of the .cavern. Groping over,the. rocks they clambered in: the. darkness th only a candle to guide them. • Standing still Jimmy bade them.stop, so they sat down together and partook of the sandwiches which they had • brought. Their treasure map told them the place was marked with a cross so thpy were very excited when one of the boys observed that this sign was on the sand. As they worked with a will it did not take them long to unearth the treasure which was really Betty's, beads.. In the darkiiess . these looked actual precious .stones and the boys greedily gazed at them. Gloating over their good luck the pirates proceeded to scramble back with such eagerness that several stumbled. , . When they discovered the truth they were truly "disappointed, but they got their revenge by taking Betty prisoner until she promised to give them her collection of pretty shells. "ATfiE" (10). Samoa.