The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-30
John Dough q The Cherub
Copyright. 1896, by L. Frank Baum.
CONTINUED.
SPORT OF PIRATE ISLAND.

bPOHT OF PIRATE ISLAND.
The birds few close together and made
great speed, and in about three hours from
the time they started an island appeared
just ahead of them. Whereupon John said
to the bird that bore him:
-Let us stop here, so we can examine the
island and see how we like it. This cord is
cutting into my gingerbread body, and I'd
like to stop for a time anyway"
very we'll, answered the bird, and when
they were over the centre Of the island
the fiamiDgOes gradually descended and
ahghted upon the ground.
John united the cord from his waist and
also assisted Chick and Para Bruin to free
themselves. The bear was not injured at
all, but the cord had worn a straight line
around Johns body, although not very
deep; and the gingerbread man had lost
another Of his lozenge buttons.
The place where they had alighted was
covered by grass and surrounded by beauti-
fnl groves Of trees.
This looks like a fine country said
Chick. gazing AROUND.
@It's better than our old island. anyway
remer ked Para Bruin.
BIT just as he spoke the ~famingoes
uttered shrill screams and flew quickly into
the air, and our friends turned In time to
see a most curious creature come from the
grove and approach them.
IL had somewhat the likeness OF a man,
yet was too queer ever to be mistaken for a
human being. although it was certainly
alive. Its body was a huge punching bag
and its head was a football.
For legs il had two OF those golf clubs
caIled putters, and one OF its arms was q
tennis racket and the other a baseball club.
This was curious enough in all conscience,
but the face was more curious yet.
For the eyes we're golf balls and the nose
a square of billiard chalk and its mouth
mere slit in the football where the lacing
had come undone. Taken altogether. this
odd creature presented a most surprising
appearance. and while John Dough and
Para Bruin stared at it in amazement Chick
boldly asked:
-Who are you?"
sport il my name, and sport my ma
ture." answered the creature, winking one
eye frightfully and g~rinning until its queer
mouth Curled up at both corners.
Sport remarked the rubber bear
gravely. sis something amusing, so l am
sure you are misnamed."
"Ohl you're a balloon" returned Sport,
kicking at the bear with one Of his golf
club feet; the kids a chucklehead, and
the others a bun"
Tn not a BUM" exclaimed John in
dignantly.
-Yes, you are. Cross bun, too. Hot
cross pun. Cool off, old chap, and look
pleasant"
John was too angry to reply to this speech,
but chick said to the creature:
IF you're going 10 be so disagreeable
you'd better leave us. We don't care to
associate with people OF your sort"
"Ho, no, ma, hal" laughed Sport. Don't
car 10 associate, Ell? Do you know where
you are?"
-No," said Chick, and 1 don't care"
well, this island is inhabited by retired
pirates and bandits who make every one
who lands here pay a heavy ransom or
else they
"Or else they what2" asked John, as
Sport stopped short and gave another
horrid wink.
-Or else they boil 'em in oil for three
days. was the reply.
well" said the bear, we can't pay a
ransom, that's certain; but I'm not afraid
Of being boiled in oil. I'm practically
indestructible."
But I'm not" cried John much alarmed.
1T would ruin my gingerbread to be boiled
In oil, and Chick would certainly get over
heated. I'm afraid it would melt your
rubber, too, my dear Para"
would it?' asked the bear with a start.
sThen let US get away from this island at
once"
by all means agreed job Dough.
And the sooner the better" declared
Chick.
But as they turned to look for the fam
ingoes, the creature h called himself
Sport began pounding his punching bag
body with his tennis racket arm, and at the
sound a crowd Of men ran out of groves
of trees and quickly surrounded the rubber
bear and Chick and John Dough.
These men had heavy boards, hooked
noses n piercing black eyes: and they
wore red sashes tied around their waists.
and laced ~leggings, and blue flannel shirts
open at the Threats; and in their belts were
stuck daggers, knives and pistols.
-whoopl w~hoo-o-o!- they screeched,
yelling like Indians; and their leader, who
was uglier looking than any OF his followers.
cried out:
-Avast there, my heartiesl Here's a
chance for either a fine ransom or a pot OF
boiling DILL"
-Then it's the OIL said Para Bruin des-
pondently, ~for we have no ransom"
-You may as well start the bonfire, !"
remarked Chick.
But John Dough stepped up to the pirate
chief and asked:
How much ransom do you require?'
WELL" answered the chief, you're not
worth much yourself, and the child's TOO
small 10 count, but a fine rubber bear like
that is worth ten pieces Of eight or a spark
ling Jewell
II will give you a sparkling jewel for him
rs a ransom. y said John. IF you will then
permit us TO depart in peace"
AN right" agreed the pirate, hand
over the s~parkler and you may go"
SO John borrowed a dagger from the chief
and picked out Of his body one Of the three
diamonds which the inventor had given
him in the Isle Of Phreex. IL glittered
beautifully in the sunlight and the eyes
OF chs pItIte also glitterei with greed.
Cor be had noticed two other scars on
Johns gingerbread body, similar 10 the
Uu- tps diamond had been picked out Of.