Dan Dare's Eagle Magazine: First 10 Issues published in 1950

NATIONAL STRIP CAR TOON WEEKLY

EAGLE

EAGLE - T HE NEW

THREEPENCE

21 APRIL 1950 No. 2

FUTURE

Dan Dare and Digby, his
batman, are driving to
Space Fleet HQ in answer
an urgent call from
the Controller

I WONDER
IF ANYTHING HA S

WELL , l'LL SOON KNOW-
PACK 7UE CHARIOT AND
WAIT FOR ME, DIG

’'THEY RE Tj

MAKING A BIG
EFFORT TO KEEP
IN TOUCH WITH

the"kingfisher“

UP THERE <

“ MOCNIN SMITH \ HES IN THE SPACE

WHERE'S THE CONTROLLER?) VIEWER ROOM, SIR

CROSS BEARING N!
FROM THE MOON]
XC51-NT 178 }

KINGFISHER BEARING
ZN 76 -AL34- y

JUST GOT HER IN /GOOD-SWITCH

AH, THERE YOU ARE , DAN .

THIS IS /r—THE KINGFISHER'S
JUST ENTERED THE AREA
WHERE THE ’ORION ‘AND j—

’ARGONAUT' VANISHED—

THE VIEWER, SIR / /XT THROUGH ON
; / TD THE SCREEN

OOT NINE BUCK VO/D OF SPACE THE
'KINGFISHER " STREAKS STEADILY
TOWARDS THE UNEXPLORED PLANET
OF VENUS

KINGFISHER'

KINGFISHER 1

KINGFISHER/

^TOP JETS! CLOSE 5,7 AND 8 BULKHEADS!

BREAK OUT EMERGENCY OXYGEN AND
PRESSURE SUITS'

EXTINGUISHERS , QUICK <

C> :

ITS NO USE.MAN- SHE'S GONE THE SAME
WAY AS "THE OTHERS —IT'S ABSOLUTELY
UNBELIEVABLE. EVERY TINIEST PART
OF THAT SHIP WAS CHECKED AND
DOUBLE-CHECKED. THERE COULDN'T'
HAVE BEEN^ANVTWlNG WRONG ,
WITH HER /

WELL, THAT'S THE LAST CREW I'LL
SACRIFICE - ORDERS FROM THE
CABINET OR NOT -POOR OLD CRANE.
- I FEEL LIKE A- MURDERER/

BUT YOU KNOW WE'VE NO CHOICE
REALLY. SIR — SOMEBODY'S GO X
TO GET THROUGH
TO VENUS I

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO REACH
VENUS? SEE NEXT WEEK'S ISSUE'

yfce *4cU*e*tfHfce*i atf P.C.49

FROM THE FAMOUS RADIO
series by ALAN STRANKS

ALL RIGHT CONSTABLE
LET'S HAVE A FULL
REPORT ON THE MATTER
BEFORE you GO
off oury.

THAT'S ALL !

CANT I HELP ON
THIS CASE, SIR?
THIS KID WAS A
CHUM OF MINE.
It> GIVE ANYTHING
FOR THE CHANCE
TO GET EVEN
WITH THE SKUNKS
WHO RAN HIM
DOWN,

REPORT 6JiOM FINGER PRINTS, SIR. THEyVE
TRACED A SET OF DABS ON THE GUN
FOUND IN THE HOLD-UP CAR . THE/'RE

PLOT AGA/NSr THE WORLD

A gripping Serial
Chad Varah

The story so far

Chapter z

“ They’ll Stop at Nothing! ”

B LINK three limes if you'll promise to
keep quiet!' whispered Ray's "ghost"
hoarsely

Jim obeyed, and the man released him.
He tried to speak, gulped, and then tried
again.

"Are you a - a spirit, R-ray?" he quavered
"! should hope so!" grunted the "ghost",
grabbing Pro's towel and mopping his faix
"Aren't you 7 "

“Ye-cs of course : but I mean
“You mean, am I a disembodied one? A
spook 1 I should have thought you could
have answered that for yourself," said Ray.
towelling his hair till it stood on end. and
puffing like a grampus as he used to do when
he and Jim had been swimming together.

"You felt solid enough." admitted Jim,
rubbing his bruised arm. “but -

"Seen a comb anywhere 1 ' . interrupted
Ray. rummaging on the dressing-table. " Ah,
here we are " He straddled his tegs until he
could sec into the mirror, and began combing
his hair

“If there ore such things as ghosts,” he con-
tinued. squinting sideways at his parting in
the way he'd always done, "they obviously
can t hurt you except by frightening you. and
il you refuse to be scared, what can they do?
Never ‘thought you'd be afraid of me.
though "

He pitched the comb down and went
"Wboo-hoo at Jim's pale reflection in the

Jim grinned feebly

"Well." he excused himself, "thinking you
were drowned and then suddenly seeing you
standing there dripping wet. as if you'd risen

Ray jerked his head towards the window.
Only then did Jim become conscious of the.
rain sluishing down.

"You want to help me?" asked Ray.
sitting on the bed.

"Why, of course but how did you
"That can wait. Get dressed, and talk fast.
Who was in that house when you left?”

J im rolled painfully out of bed and began to
get into his grimy clotpes
"1 don’t know who was in the house," he
said, “It’s supposed to be empty. But when
the man with the gun ran away from the
cellar, I untied the prisoner and took the gag
out of his mouth — "

"What did he say?"

' He asked me to help hint to get out and
find him a bed, so 1 came here to get Ken--"
• Help? Bed? Washchurt?" snapped Ray.
Jim nodded.

"A wound in the shoulder I don't think
it was serious, but he’d lost a lot of blood 1
"Then why arc you here?” demanded Ray.
"Pro thought I was a burglar, and nearly
kilted me — ''

"Alla girl!" put in Ray,

" so she and Ken put mt to bed and went
to get Dick Rawlings lo help - you reffiember
Dick

"So that's why the cellar was empty when
I went back just now. " mused Ray. "Here,
let me do that for you." Jim was having a
job to bend and lie his shoelaces. "Sure
you're going lo he all right 1 "

Jim nodded vigorously

“Know where they were taking him?"

"Dick's place, 1 gathered," said Jim." We
can ask them if you like. They’re sure to be
back by now."

"No. I don't want anyone else to know I'm
alive, just at the moment."

“I won't tell anyone but I say, how did
you escape? And who was the man in the
cellar who didn’t want the police? You're
not doing anything wrong or or illegal, are
you. Ray?"

"We're not doing anything wrong"
answered Ray. "but some things wc have to
do may be illegal in certain countries. In any
cast, police means explanations, not to men-
tion reporters - and our work is 'deadly 'ush'
at the moment. As for the man in the cellar,
if tie’s the chap I think he is, he’s 'one of us'
and I have to rescue him or die in the attempt.
I was trying to trace him when I saw you pop
up oui of that manhole. I didn't recognise
you until you passed me. then 1 miaouwed
to attract your attention, but you hared off.”

Jim fiddled with his tic at the mirror, to
hide his blushes.

"Why didn't you call my name?” he

mumbled.

"’Cos I didn't want the 1 lough who was
after yt*u to know I was there."

Jim gaped, feeling his heart miss a beat

"Alter me?"

"My dear chap," drawled Ray. "you don't
really suppose a gang like that just gives up
and goes home crying for Mum because
they're interrupted at their dirty work, do
you? Not with So much at stake!"

"But what is

"When I came hack here. I had no intention
of involving a kid like you. 1 didn't even
mean to see you, But you seem to be in it
already How did you come to be in the
gang's hide-out. anyway?”

"The manhole cover was off and I fell
through it into the cellar. Your friend told
me he'd pushed tt off, He was trying to
escape, but they dragged him back,"

"Well. it’S too late to keep you out of it
now. I don't know whether any of them
would recognise you but the trouble is they
know this house."

“You mean that bloke followed me
here?" enquired Jim breathlessly.

“Of course." Ray felt for a cigarette. ”1
shadowed him but as he made no move to
attack you. I kepi on his tail, hoping he'd lead
me to the rest of 'em. As luck would have it.
a car was waiting for him round the corner'.

I was just in time to see it drive off. Looked
like a Morris 14.”

"Oh!” Jim s face fell. "Pity you didn't rub
him out while you had the chance."

Ray flicked on his lighter and lit his cigar-
ette, studying his young cousin's face over the
liny flame.

“I don’t like to hear you ralk like that.
Jim" he said quietly "If you'd use plain
English, and say 'kill him', you'd see how
wrong it was. What do you think I am?"

Jim's mouth set stubbornly.

"He's a bad man. isn't he?”

"Probably. Aren't wc all? The point is.
I'm not a Judge and Jury, let alone an execu-
tioner. If you're going to join us, you'll have
lo have some respect for human life."

"Have they!" demanded Jim,

"Not much."

"Well, then!"

Ray tossed his cigarette into the fireplace.

"We're Wasting time,” he said. “I've got
to get along to Dick's place and sec if toy
friend's safe."

He matte far the window. but Jim seised
his sleeve

"Don’t leave me out. Ray!" he pleaded.
“1 was wrong. I’m sorry. I don't really think
your side are murderers, too."

Ray turned and gripped his shoulders.

“Good man." Ray smiled approvingly,
and Jim felt all his hero-worship of his cousin
come flooding back, as in the days of the
Battle of Britain. He'd had to forget it during
tint two bitter years since Ray s "death".

“You mustn't think we're soft." added Ray
grimly. "Believe me. we can get tough when
it's necessary. Some of us have even bad to
kill at times in self-defence. Bui mostly wc
'take' more than we 'dish out’. You ready

“Ready for anything!” exclaimed Jim.
"But I'd rather go out by the door if you
don'i mind." He limped over to close the
window "What's this gang after?"

"Atomic secrets," replied Ray curtly
"And they’ll stop at nothing."

As he spoke, something whizzed through
the window, so close to Jim that it flicked his
car as it passed, and stuck qutvcnng in the
wall.

It was a knife.

S n what I mean 1 " said Ray, snatching at
the light-switch. "Meet meat Dick's
better take Ken with you. and be careful r
Heedless of bis own advice, Ray dived for
the window and climbed oui. Assuming lhai
the would-be assassin wasn’t likely lo have
lingered, lie ran across the slippery roof where
Jim had nearly come to grief and along the
wall, without any attempt at caution.

By the time he reached the alley, his eyes
had become adjusted lo the darkness. He
hadn't been a night-fighter pilot for nothing.
He could sec the gangster slinking along
towards a car at the <nd oi the altey the
same car Ray had encountered before The
man was keeping close under the wall, to
avoid observation from the houses. He didn't
seem to have noticed his pursuer, so Ray
stayed on tlie wall and ran nimbly along the
top. blessing his crepe soles but cursing the
ramshackle roofs of outhouses which stowed
him up.

The knife-merchant had too much of a
start for Ray to jump on him before he
reached the car, but in the split second
between the door slamming and the car

shooting off. Ray transferred himself to the
roof. He was nearly thrown off as the driver
swerved violently into the lane, but managed
to hold on by forcing his linger-tips into the
crack made by the front of the sunshine roof
and bracing his knees against the back edge
of the inch-deep depression into which it slid
back when opened. It was a most uncom-
fortable and undignified position, and Ray
hoped he wouldn’t have to hold it for long.

He didn't think he had made any sound
that would be heard above the noise of the
engine, but as he wasn't sure if he'd been
spotted on the wall, he kept a good look-out
for possible attack as the car careered through
the deserted streets.

It was as well that he was on the alert. He
heard no sound as the back offside door was
opened. A man crept out backwards on to
the running board, clinging to the door-
frame with his left hand and groping for Ray
with his right.

Ray rolled as far as he could to the left and
kicked out. He heard the man’s nose crack
and a thin scream as he fell, but one of the
others must have had hold of him. for he was
dragged back into the car - though not before
the door had swung viciously back at him as
the car rounded another corner.

“Can't be more than three to deal with
now," thought Ray. wincing in sympathy
with his assailant. ' Wonder what they'll try
next? A shot from the other side, most
likely f"

Sure enough, a hand holding a gun snaked
up towards him from the front nearside
window. But Ray had under-estimated the
cunning of the enemy. As he let go with his
left hand and grabbed at the gun, the driver
braked with a violence that made the car
shudder as it skidded to a sudden stop. Ray
was literally catapulted from the roof. He
turned a somersault on the bonnet, clutched
at the shameless young lady decorating the
radiator-cap. and fell on to the road with a
thud that jarred every bone in his body.

W hkn Ray disappeared through the win-
dow. Jim stood still for a moment, his
heart throbbing painfully in his throat. He
stretched out a hand towards the knife to
assure himself that it hadn't all been a ghastly
nightmare: then, thinking "Fingerprints!"
he withdrew his hand.

Mechanically wiping a trickle of blood
from his ear. he went out on to the landing.
There was no sound from Pru's old room.
Should he warn her that the house was under
attack by desperadoes'.’

"They know this house". Ray had said.
Jim gritted his teeth in sudden rage at the
thought that Pru and her family might be in
danger from a gang who would "stop at
nothing ". He wished now that he hadn't
agreed to her going to the cellar with Ken.

"Anyway, she'll be safely back now." he
assured himself. "But perhaps I'd better

warn her that the house may he besieged
again, even if Ray has drawn off the gang for
the time being.”

He tapped gently on the door. There was
no response. He didn't dare to knock louder,
for fear of disturbing her parents. He felt a
bit shy about going into the room, and he
didn't want to frighten Pru (hough his
aching ribs reminded him that she wasn’t
easily frightened!

Cautiously he turned the knob and opened
the door a few inches, listening intently.
There was no sound of breathing or move-
ment.

A bruptly he entered the room ami groped
his way to the bed.

"Pru!" he whispered urgently.

In sudden anxiety he pul out his hand and
felt in the bed. There was no one there, and
the bedclothes were quite cold. He sniffed
at the pillow, trying to recognise the elusive
scent of whatever it was Pru shampooed her
hair with. There was no trace of it.

She hadn't come back!

"But they must have been gone hour x." he
muttered as he dashed for the stairs. He
made his way swiftly but silently to the living
room and snapped on the light. He was
l»htnd the settee, but he could see at a glance
that Ken wasn't there.

He tried to comfort himself with the
thought that if neither of them was back, at
least they were together and Ken could pro-
tect Pru.

But could he? The gang was armed with
guns and knives, and wouldn't hesitate to use
them.

Jim suddenly felt sick. He couldn't think
of it all as a great and glorious adventure any
more. Pru might be in the hands of un-
scrupulous ruffians.

He clenched his lists. Until now, Pru had
only been “Ken's kid sister" quite a good
sport for a girl, but no more. Now . .

He- stood cudgelling his brains, which
seemed to have gone numb.

The room was silent, except for the ticking
of the clock on the mantelpiece.

On the mantelpiece?

Jim cocked his head, puzzled. Then he
leapt forward and stared in horrified fascina-
tion at the settee.

There, where Ken should have been sleep-
ing like the Village Blacksmith, after rescuing
a chap who was probably an atomic scientist,
was a small brown suitcase. Hanging out on
one side, where the lid had been closed care-
lessly, was a little loop of wire covered with
red insulation. And something inside the case
was ticking.

Jim drew in his breath so sharply that the
sound was like a snort. He'd never seen a
lime-bomb before, but he didn't need anyone
to tell him what this was.

His first impulse was to hurl it out of the
window. Then he took a grip on himself.

remembering the neighbours especially the
kid next-door-but-one who was subject to
fits. There was only one place for the infernal
machine, and that was the bomb-site opposite
the cellar where he'd found Ray's friend.

It would take him at least live minutes to
get there, even if his limp and his sore chest

A s he streaked round the comer, he ran
slap into the arms of a solid figure who
gripped him like a bear. He let out a yell;
then he noticed the blue uniform, and stopped
struggling.

"What's the hurry, sonny?" enquired the
policeman placidly.

“Gotta get home mum'll be worried."
mumbled Jim.

The policeman released him.

"Bit late for you to be out, isn't it?” he
said. "Been up to anything you shouldn't?"

"N-no." replied Jim, edging away. "I-I've
been at a friend's house, and . .

His voice trailed away He was conscious
all the time of the dock that was licking away
his life. The policeman didn't seem to have
heard it, but he noticed Jim’s involuntary
glance at the suitcase.

"What have you got there?"

His time was still kindly, but he wanted an
answer. Jim licked his lips. He felt a
sudden impulse to confide in the fatherly
copper. After all. it was his duty to dispose
of anything that was a public danger.
"Time-bomb!" said Jim impulsively. Then

he remembered Ray s words: Police mean
explanations and our work is deadly 'ush' !"

Before he could feel ashamed of his weak-
ness. the policeman threw back his head and
laughed

"All right, sonny, carry on," he said. “You
look like an honest lad. Get home to bed."

Jim was off before he had finished speaking.
He clasped the bomb like a rugger ball in
order to run more easily.

The policeman stood looking after him.
stroking his chin uneasily. The boy had
looked honest, for all his dirty appearance:
but he'd also looked scared. As stared as if
he realty had . . .

Remembering another strange event in the
neighbourhood that night, the policeman
sprinted in pursuit, calling himself all kinds
of a fool.

"Come back!” he shouted.

"Keep away!” yelled Jim, as he vanished
into a narrow passage. He had a good start
and he knew the district inside out. As he
ran, he remembered Ray's words. "We re
not soft - we're tough, and we can ’take it’."

How much longer would the fuse last’’
He'd been lucky so far but surely the gang
would only have allowed enough time to
enable them to get well away before the
explosion.

He could hear the sharp, urgent blasts of
the policeman s whistle but he could no
longer hear Ms pounding footsteps. He him-
self was running as softly as possible. His
throat was parched with exhaustion and fear,
and his skin prickled uncomfortably as
though he had pme-ncedles stuck in his
underclothes. The thing he was holding
repelled him as if it had been a venomous
snake, and again he was sorely tempted to
hurl it from him and go to look for Pru But
he was still amongst inhabited buildings and
he resisted the impulse.

He had managed to evade the policeman,
that was one good thing. But he didn't know
how much longer he could keep going. He'd
had to make a considerable detour already.
His legs were beginning to drag, and his eyes
were blinded with sweat.

He had almost reached his destination
when his weary feet stumbled on the uneven
cobbles of a back street, and he fell. In
striving to keep his balance, one leg got in
the way of the other, and he toppled side-
ways and crashed his head against the wall

He felt the stunning blow, and struggled
desperately to retain consciousness. By a
tremendous effort of will he managed to gel
up on all fours. Then his body refused to
respond any more, and he flopped in a faint,
the sinister suitcase ticking away against his
oblivious ear. His last thought was that Ray
(and Pru, too, if she were still alive) would be
proud that he had died in a vain attempt 10
save others.

To he continued next week

CRICKET COACHING by LEARY CONSTANTINE

REAL LIFE MYSTERIES

THE WHITE QUEEN OF THE SAHARA

In the heart or the southern Sahara desert lies
a flat-topped range of rocky hills. The Roof
of the Sahara is the native name for them. On
maps of Africa it is the Hoggar Plateau.

The natives told the first explorers a weird
story " Long ago these parched hills were cov-
ered with grass Our forefathers lived here,
giowmg theit crops.

'Then, out of the western desert, came a
Great White Queen. With her marched a vast
army of soldiers, slaves and attendants. The
Queen was a white woman, golden-haired and
very beautiful Her soldiers were brave
fighters whom she led into battle against her
enemies She was over six feel in height and
as strong as any of her warriors. We called
her Tin-Hinan For several hundred years
her people lived in the Hoggar. Then the

streams slowly dried up The rich country-
side turned to dust. The whiles died out."

In 1932 a young prolessor named Count
Byron de Prorok began a search for the tomb
of 1 Tin-Hman. At last he came across a huge
pyramid of stones. His servants tunnelled into
it and de Prorok shone his torch into the
black interior.

Before him was the Great White Queen.

“The Queen.” said de Prorok. “was lying

on a canopy of sculptured ivory and wood
Her gorgeous wrappings had lurried to dust
Around her neck was a marvellous necklace
of 800 precious stones. Beside her lay her
bronze sword and shield.”

Tin-Hinan, the Great White Queen, now
rests in the National Museum in Algiers. No
one has yet discovered who she really was,
what land she came from or why she inarched
into Africa

S£IH ANi> SHORTY

PETE- THE
REDSKINS ARE
OUT OF THEIR i
RESERVATION.
THE BOSS WANTS
THE CATTLE .
v — - .ROUNDED /
— . \ OP )

you dont SAy !
WAL.‘ I NIVER
THOUGHT THEM
VARMINTS WOULD
GIVE ANy
\ MORE

TROUBLE

PETE SEEMS TO THINK
SOMEBODyS RAISING
V 'X THE INDIANS
AGAINST

A^V^S /

IT WOULD BE A GOOD
IDEE IE WE RODE
INTO TOWN SOMEDAy

SEE IF ANy

V STRANGERS ARE
1 KNOCKIN' AROUND,

'WATCH

OUT

FOR

youR

SCALP

SHORTY

LOOK f*

SHORTY. . .
REDSKINS ! !
RIDE FOR IT

HECK !

SOME

CROWD

TAKE IT EASV
OLD GIRL
j JlST YOU LAY

t QUIET

N you 'LL BE
V ALRIGHT

( LOOK SHARP
SHORTY !

THE VARMINTS ARE
~7 GETTI N ' READy

listen! Boys

GUNFIRE

^CONTINUED

BRINGING 10,000 TONS OF FOOD TO OUR SHORES

A I Y P I ( A L R b F R 1 G b R AT b D ( ARGO b I IN b K
KbV TO NllMBbRS

1. Hatches. 2. General ( argo Spaces. 3. C hilled Bed, cooled to 30 I-. 4. Frozen
Mutton, cooled to 15 F. 5. C Doling Air Duels. 6. Cooling I ans. 7. Ian ( ontrol Room
H. Accommodation for 12 Passengers. f. ( lulled Fruit. cooled to 35 F. 10. (Trilled
Cheese, cooled to .Ml F. II. Meat Store. 12. Diesel bngine Room. 13. Diesel bngiiM
F.vhaust Pipes. 14. Officers' Quarters. 15. Refrigeration Control Room. 16. Refrigera-
tion Machinery. 17. ( hilled Shell bggs, cooled at 30 F. 18. Frozen Boxed Buttei
cooled at 15 F. I 4 ). Starboard I’ropellor Shaft Tunnel. 20. Frozen T inned bggs.
cooled at 15 F. 21. Chilled Cheese, cooled ut 30 F. 22. Starboard Propclloi
23. Rudder. 24. Crews’ Quarters.

S K I P P Y

w

THE

KANG

I N BEGINNING TO
FEEL THE CALL OF
THE JUNGLE AGAIN
ALREADY - IT MUST
BE THESE BOOTS.

I cAN SEE T Mb
HEADLINES ALREADY -
’MOUSEWORTHY DOES
IT AGAIN"

PT WELL HERE WE ARE
y AGAIN THIS PLACE HAS
SEEN THE START OF A
GOOD MANY ADVENTURES

WELCOME HOME

YOU DON'T WASTE If
ANY TIME, WHATS 1
YOUR PROPOSITION ? 1

f\\)

how y

/*

D YE DO SIR I
MARLBOROUGH

4*T~g t 0

iW J7

HEROES OF THE CLOUDS

iTHfc FIRST AIR PASSENGERS

SUCCESS AT LAST, ETIENNE 1
NOW WE CAN BUILD BI6GER.
BALLOONS AND EXPLORE
THE HEAVENS/ /

“TT MAN MOUNTS THE SHIES
__ TOR THE RUST TIME IS IME
DRAMATIC STORY BEHIND THE
SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENTS OF
.THE TWO FRENCHMEN. JOSEPH
S AND ETIENNE MONTGOLFIER
LN PAPERMAKERS FROM
K)ANN0NAY,NEAR LYONS
1g> v FRANCE IN THE REIGN

K. 0F L0U,S XVI -

1ZS.2. AT AVIGNON, THE BROTHERS FOUND THAT
A BAG OF SILK PLACED OVER A FIRE OF WOOL E
STRAW WOULD RISE RAPIDLY INTO THE AIR/

1783. VERSAILLES. ONLY INJURY SUSTAINED
WAS BY THE WING OF THE COCK WHICH WAS
BROKEN BYA KICK FROM THE SHEEP/

HIGHER AND HIGHER ROSE THE

BALLOON UNTIL IT REACHED A

HEI6HT OF SOME 300 FT.

THE FIRST ASCENT WAS MADE BY J F PILATRE de ROZIER AND
THE MARQUIS d 'ARLAN DES, AS PASSENGER. FROM THE BOISde BOULOGNE
PREVAILING WINDS CARRIED THE BALLOON ACROSS PARIS - . .

HIGH OVER THE ROOFTOPS OF PARIS. THE ENVELOPE CAUGHT FIRE
AND THE OCCUPANTS WERE IN GRAVE DANGER OF LOSING THEIR LIVES!
THE BALLOON CARRIED ITS OWN FIRE IN A BRAZIER SLUNG IN THE NECK
OFTHE ENVELOPE. IT WAS FEO BY BALES OF WOOL AND STRAW IN
THE 6ALLERY. WILL THEY STOP THE FLAMES? SEE NEXT WEEKS NUMBER

DISCOVERING THE COUNTRYSIDE

l mwE/i i
MCJORHEN;

t m I-X mI , \ it lit/

NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL JOHN. FUNNILY
ENOUGH YOU HAftOLY EVER SEE A
MOORHEN ON THE MOORS, SO IVAT6RHEN
IS PROBABLY A BETTER NAME. SEE
IHAT ONE ON THE BANK WITH ITSLONGISH
LEGS. WHITE MARKINGS AND BRIGHT /
RED SHIELD ON THE FOREHEAD.

THE MOORHEN HAS A SHORT TAIL AND
WINGS. AND VERY LONG TOES-NOT WEBBED
. MORE LIKE LAND BIRDS FEET HE STARTS
\ HIS FLIGHT WITH A CLUMSY SPLASHING
Z'b-^RuN - NOT AT ALL GRACEFUL.

ir VARIES, ANN ROUGHLY T
T ii i A? BETWEEN S AND 9- THE NEST IS
iiA' LARGE AND SHALLOW, BUILT AMONG
Y THE REEDS OR RUSHES. FROM WHICH THE
' YOUNG CHICKSCAN SCRAMBLE EASILY AFTER
HATCHING. TOO SEE, A BABY MOORHEN CAN ,
RUN AND SWIM WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF /
LEAVING THE SHELL THOSE CHICKS ON At
k THE POOL ARE THE FIRST - BROOD OF AMf
A. THE SEASON - THERE MAT BE
Ijv TWO MORE BROODS TO

follow. ilr) h

WEVE LEARNT A LOT
TODAY - THANKS MR DYKE

^ WE LL HAVE >
another Stroll
NEXT WEEK >

THE EAGLE CLUB

AND EDITOR'S PAGE

The Editor's: Office

EAGLE

43 Shoe Lane, London, EC4

I T looks as if wc are going lo haw the
country swarming with eaglers at this
rate. An Eagiei, of course, is a member
of the eagle club - before he does
something special and becomes a mug. The
postman could do with one of Dan Dare's
Jcpccts to carry all the letters of application
to join the Club and the badge-makers are
going cross-eyed with working overtime.

You can't all be among the
first hundred members of Ihe /

Club, of course, and win a free _
trip to Silverstone Motor
Races, pr Earn borough Air
Display, or the Test Match at "

Manchester, or the Highland Games. We
shall announce the names of the winners as

Meanwhile, don't forget that if you apply
for membership in the first four weeks be-
fore May 14th - you can get the EAGLE Badge
without any extra payment, simply by sending
in your I /- Membership fee. Just send a postal
order wrth your name, address, age ami date
of birthday, name of school and dub to The
Editor at the above address. After May 14th,
there will be an extra charge of fid. for the

Kemembet that after you've joined the
Club, the second step is to become a mug.
You can't do this by applying for it yourself.
Someone else has got to write and tell us
about something you've done to deserw the
award, Wc have heard already of a good
many readers whose parents, or teachers, or
club leaders - or someone like that believe
they have done something rather special ami
deserve to be elected a mug, Wc arc looking
into each case carefully and if elected we shall
award them the MUGS Badge which will
entitle them to a good many privileges. We
hope, in the next two or three weeks, to be
able to announce the first mug or t nr

We hope you have goi the idea of what a
mug really is. Some of our readers have been
getting their parents to send us accounts of
things they have done that were just plain

The pouit is this: a mug isn’t a nitwit who
gets taken in and then squeals; he's a chap
who deliberately sets out to do the worth-
while things, whatever the cost. He’s never
imposed on or taken advantage of, except
when he's willing to be. There's nothing lo be
proud of in being diddled (though even that
is better than diddling some other poor,
blighter). A mug gires service, knowing what
he is doing. He doesn't have it taken from him
by force or trickery.

There arc any number of ways you can cam
the title of mug. It may be by some especially
brave action like rescuing someone from
drowning, or like the boy wc read about the
other day who chased off a couple of louts

21 April 1950

trying to break into a shop. It may be by
raking a stand against the gang hooliganism
that's going on nowadays. A mug may he
someone crippled or ill in hospital who shows
great cheerfulness and endurance; or some-
one who gives up the chance of enjoyment
he’s been looking forward to in order to let
someone else have it.

Those are only some of the things that
would earn the mugs badge. It might be
something quite different but it's got lo be
something that's of service to others.

A s we said last week, we've got a great many
ideas for the eagle club. But, after all.
it's your (Tub and we really want to know your
ideas about it and what you like. So will
you start thinking between now and next
week, about the sort of things you’d like the
Club to organise.

Here, for example, are some of the things
you might be interested in. Some of you will
like one thing, and others something else. In
ihe next issue wc shall ask you to let us know
which you prcfci. Don’t do anything about it
now - except think !

The idea is that there should be several
groups within the Club, fot
those interested in, forexampk:
T' */ I. Stamp collecting or collect-
ing other things. 2. Amateur
Theatricals. 3. Handicrafts and
Model making. 5. Engine Spot-
ting. 6. Amateui Photography.
Overseas Pen-pals. 9. Swop

run features in
r all of

these, if you decide you w
them and you will probably
have a groat many other f
ideas of your own. But
meanwhile don't forget to make sure of get-
ting your copy of lag if regularly. There's
an order form at the bottom of this page
which wc suggest you use,

Last week we mentioned some of the great
mugs of history People like the Wright
Brothers - folks said they were wasting their
lime when they were experimenting with
aeroplanes or Elorcncc Nightingale when
she devoted her life lo improving military
hospitals, or Keats,
when he went on
writing poetry 1 in

Our picture this week
is another famous
mug - Wilberforce.

People laughed at
him when he said he
would set that slav-
ery was abolished.

Yours sincerely

THE EDITOR

COMPETITION CORNER

Answers on p. 13

1. SWINGING THE LOAD Study this illustration carefully and see if
you can solve this worrying problem. A bale of meichandise (marked clearly with
an "X”) has to be transferred to a quay (marked "Y"). Unfortunately - as you no
doubl have already seen the width of the water is considerably greater than the
span of the crane that is to lift the goods. The arm of the crane is rigid.

The whole crane itself can swing, but
the arm cannot he. either raised or
lowered.

Imagine yourself in charge of the job.

What would you advise? Transfer the
bale by other means? Or attempt it with
the crane? If you decide on the crane,
what method can you possibly use? If
you decide against Ihe crane, ask your-
self whether ii is absolutely impossible
by this means. Look very, very carefully
at the picture before replying!

2. OHIZ(I) Which is the brightest star in the heavens (not counting the sun)?
(2) Which is the smallest of these: grain, atom, electron, moi ,£CULE?(3)Which
is the lightest of these boxing weights : feather, fly, light, bantam? (4) On
which side of a penny is the dau heads or tails? <51 Does sound travel fastci in air
ot in water? (6) What flags are these: jolly rcgf.r, old glory, blue peter,

3. OPPOSITES There are several words which need only their first letter-
changing to make a word with an entirely opposite meaning. For example, "tarnish"
tto make dull) and "varnish” (to make bright).

Can you disco vet the following foul pairs of opposite words? Only the first letter
is different in each pair

<«) Change a word meaning "Something that gives colout" into a word meaning
"something that removes colour" , (i) "To withhold help" into "to help a greai deal"
<c) “A ship" into "no ship”, id) “The winner" into "the loser".

4. FILL-INS Here is a drawing competition for which we offer a first prize of
10/0. In the left-hand picture some of the artist's lines got rubbed out leaving only
those that you can see here. Can you fill in other lines lo make a picture? The right-
hand drawing gives one example of what can be done. The pnze will go lo the best
and most original drawing. Last date for entries is Wednesday. May 3rd. Send your
entries to The Ediioi, the Eagle, 43 Shoe Lane. London, fc.c.4 and mark envelop*
"Competition". Don't forget lo include your name, address and age

C«/ this out —

To my Newsagent : please order i agu
J or me every week until further nolice

Name - ..... >

Address

HAND THIS FORM TO YOUR NEWSBOYOR
TAKE ITTO YOUR N E WSAGENT ’ S SHOP

Lash Loner gan's Quest

By MOORE RAYMOND

The story to far

Chapter 2

L ASH LONERGAN explained to
Rawhide and Squib what Mopoke the
black-fellow had mumbled to him:
“The message got through to the blades'
camp that I was coming home. When
Mopoke saw that Dago Mcssiter was up to
some dirty work, he took a horse from Coola-
bah Creek and rode to meet us.

“He thinks the mounted police might be
after him for stealing the horse. That's why
he wouldn't come out on to the road. He
threw a warning boomerang instead."

Squib, who had been silent for some time,
put a question to the roughrider. "What's
going to happen when we get to Coo la bah
Creek?”

"That. " replied Lash grimly, “is something
for tomorrow to decide.” Thrusting out his
jaw. he added : “But whatever it is. I'm look-
ing forward to dealing with Mr. Dago
Messiter.”

Just before noon next day the three horse-
men rode up to the gate of Coo la bah Creek.

As Lash entered the property, his feelings
were a mixture of sorrow, anger, and gladness
to be home again.

Dago Mcssiter was waiting for him. Dago's
men were waiting, too.

Tall, handsome, and swarthy. Dago leaned
nonchalantly against a verandah post and
watched the trio ride up the road to the
homestead.

A splendid stockman, he had been Uncle
Peter's foreman for years. Though both
Lash and Rawhide had admired his skill, they
had never liked him. There had always been
something sinister about the man.

Now they saw that Messiter's smile was
half a sneer as he leaned against the post and
watched them with sharp, dark eyes. He
made no sign and said no word. Neither did
any of the men who stood on either side of
him in hostile array.

Lash reined his horse in front of the
verandah steps. Rawhide and Squib pulled
up on either side.

“Well, well. Rawhide!” exclaimed I .ash
gaily. "I expected a better welcome home
than this!”

“Isn't it quiet around here?" replied the
Irishman with a grin.

Dago Messiter spoke softly but clearly.
“You might even say it was quiet enough for
a funeral."

Lash’s eyes narrowed as he glanced over
the other men. “I see a lot of strangers here,
but none of my old friends."

“I got rid of your lot when I took over the
station. ' said Dago casually.

“I hear you've proclaimed yourself boss
and owner of Coolabah Creek." replied Lash
just as casually.

Dago nodded. “You were disinherited the
day your Uncle Peter kicked you out," he
said in precise tones that could not conceal
his delight. "Your uncle told me I was to
take over the place when he died. "

“Do you know what I think T' said Lash.
"I think you're a liar."

Dago started and flushed. Recovering his
composure, he went on : "I’ve got witnesses.
There’s Joe Horgan for one."

He pointed to the fat man beside him, and
continued, “Joe was there when — "

“Greasy Joe!" bellowed Rawhide, who
could contain himself no longer. "Greasy
Joe the dingo! Greasy Joe the snake! If ever

there was a putrcfvin' piece o' pong it’s
Greasy Joe Horgan!”

The fat man. furious at the abuse, suddenly
bent down and produced a rifle.

Lash's quick eye saw the move. He swung
his whip, and the writhing lip hissed out and
wrapped itself around the barrel.

“Look out. Lash!" yelled Squib.

The boy had seen Dago's lightning move
as the foreman flung out his arm. As if by
magic, a knffc appeared in his hand.

As [.ash's whip jerked the rifle from Greasy
Joe s hands. Dago hurled the gleaming knife
straight at the unsuspecting roughrider -

L ash glimpsed the flying blade too late to
duck. The knife pierced the crown of his
hat and whipped it off his head.

Amid cackles and guffaws from Dago's
henchmen. Lash swiftly hooked a knee
around the pommel as Monarch wheeled
away. The roughrider swung head down and.
with the ease of a circus acrobat, snatched his
hat from the ground. The cackling laughter
was checked by the sight of such a feat.

But Dago still smiled his sneering smile.
“I didn't intend to touch you," he said. “I
only wanted to demonstrate that a knife is a
better weapon than a whip, because it can
be thrown further than a whip can reach.
Savee?"

Lash replied quietly: “Maybe you've heard
of something they call the law of the land.
You'll be hearing more about it soon."

"Possession is nine points of the law,"
quoted Dago smugly.

"And," replied Lash, “possession can be
proved by a will."

Dago Messiter started up surprised.

"Uncle Peter made his will in my favour."
the roughrider went on. “He showed it to me
years ago when he said the place would one
day be mine."

Dago advanced down the steps and looked
intently at Lash.

way of proving he left you Coolabah Creek."

Rawhide burst in: “Ah. Lash, me boy!
Don't listen any more to the blatherin'
dingo."

lash, keeping his eyes fixed on Dago, con-
tinued to address him. “Maybe you did find
uncle's will here in the homestead - and may-
be you destroyed it."

“Are you calling me a liar?" snarled the
swarthy man.

"Or maybe you didn't find the will because
it isn't here. Maybe it's in the bank at
Tarrawarra."

A buzz of excited comment broke out
among the men. Dago looked discomfited
for a moment or two. Then he burst out:
“You get off this place! You get off my
place!"

"One more question before I go,” replied
Lash calmly. "Where is the opal that was in
Uncle Peter s hand when they found him up
there 7”

Dago blinked in feigned surprise. "Opal?"
he repeated. "What opal?"

A snigger ran through the group of men on
the verandah.

“I think you know what I mean." said Lash
grimly.

"Yabbayabba was one of the blacks that
found your uncle." said Dago. “And he
didn't see any opal."

Messiter turned and beckoned to the black-
fellow who had been squatting on the veran-
dah. The big. ugly, and aimost-naked Abor-
igine rose and came forward to the railings.

"Now, Yabbayabba," said Dago. “Tcllcm
this fella if you see opal longa Mister Loner-
gan when you findem longa gully."

Clutching his boomerang and nullanuila,
the black shook his head vigorously. "No
see opal. Likem you say, Missa Messiter. no
opal longa Missa Lonergan. No see

Rawhide again blurted out his opinion.
"Who'd believe you?" he roared. “You
horse thief and cattle duffer!”

The Aborigine scowled insolently at the
Irishman and raised his boomerang in a
threatening manner.

“Rawhide Squib come on." ordered
Lash, who saw further argument was futile.
The three companions wheeled their horses
and rode off, followed by hoots and jeers.

Only Dago Messiter did not laugh. With
speculative eyes he watched the trio go
cantering down the road. He knew he had
not seen the last of Lash Lonergan.

Meanwhile Squib, who had listened to the
recent argument in timid silence, boldly
started firing questions at Lash.

"I suppose he wouldn't own up about the
opal because he wants to keep it for hissclf? "

"Oh, it’s more than that, me innocent little
cobber," interposed Rawhide. "You can
bet your sweet life that Uncle Peter made an
opal strike somewhere up there in the hills.
And I'll bet me best pants to a clutch of
cockatoo's eggs that Dingo Messiter and his
mob have been up there fossickin' for the
opal vein that rightly belongs to Lash."

“Do you reckon they’ve found it?"

“I don't reckon so or the news would
have got around by this."

“Strike me 'andsome!" exclaimed Squib,
suddenly changing the subject. "I’m terrible
hungry ! ”

Lash and Rawhide burst into laughter.
Then they agreed they felt the same way.

“I thought wed get some tucker at the
homestead." said the roughrider. “But all we
got was the boot. We won't be in Tarrawarra
till about sundown, so we’d better see what
we can catch."

Rawhide pointed at the fat. pink-and-grey
parrots squabbling among the honey-laden
flowers of a gum tree. “If I had a gun." he
said. “I'd potshot a tribble o' them gaiahs
one for each and all of us.”

“Look!" hissed Lash, pointing towards a
streak of dry. yellow grass beside a parched
billabong.

They glimpsed the alert, grey-feathered
head of a plain-turkey above the top of the
grass. Lash swung Monarch off the road and
made for the billabong.

The plain-turkey broke cover and ran
swiftly across the mud flat towards a dense
clump of waitawhile bushes. Its liny, useless
wings flapped furiously in a vain attempt to
fly as Monarch went racing in pursuit.

The roughrider felt for the handle of his
whip and jerked the coiled rawhide free.

Swish f went the darting lash. It struck the
outstretched neck and coiled itself round the
grey feathers. Lash flicked back his wrist
and the plump plain-turkey lay dead, ready
for plucking and cooking.

"She loves me! She loves me not!”
exclaimed Rawhide a few minutes later as he
sat on a log, pulling out the feathers by the
handful and tossing them into the air.

M eanwhot Lash lit a fire of mulga and
sandalwood, and then showed Squib how
to dig for yams with a. sharp stick. By the lime
they had dug up six of the potato-like tubers.
Rawhide had the turkey plucked and cleaned
He went over to a patch of wet clay on the
edge of the billabong and, scooping it up by
the handful, smeared it thickly over the
turkey.

“Help me make a bushman's oven, kid,"
Lash invited the boy.

He and Squib soon made a hole in the
earthabout three feet deep. Rawhide came back
with the bird completely covered with day.

While the curious boy stood and watched
the strange sight, the two men shovelled big
embers from the fire into the bottom of the
hole. In went the turkey. Then came more
embers. Finally the earth was pushed back
on top.

"Where are the yams?" asked Squib.
"Inside the beautiful bird." replied Raw-
hide, rolling his eyes and licking his lips.
"And when that tasty turkey is ready for our
gullets, so will those yams be cooked as well.
Oh, the thought of it makes me mouth water
like the Niagara Falls.”

“Well." began Lash, "we've got about an
hour to wait, so — "

“Listen!" interrupted Squib, whose keen

cars had caught the strange drumming sound

Lash cocked an inquiring eat. Rawhide
jerked up his head and lisiened intently. It
was the booming, throbbing sound of swift
feel on hard earth.

"It's Dago and his push!" exclaimed the
boy. "They're after us!"

“Here they come." remarked Rawhide,
winking at Lash. “And they all seem to be
weann' fancy costumes."

At that moment the runners came into view
on the other side of the billabong. and then
Squib realised Rawhide had been joking

“Emus’" he exclaimed as a score of the
great birds thudded across the mud flat. With
necks outstretched and brown feathers
streaming, they raced as fast as ponies
Ignorant of the men’s presence, they bolted
madly into the bush again.

"Dingoes!" cried Squib at the sight of the
two wild dogs that followed in swift pursuit.
Like two creatures of a nightmare, the wild
dogs, their huge jaws open to show savage
teeth, raced across the flat and disappeared
among the trees.

"They'll never catch those emus," said Lash
to Squib. “Unless they run any of them into
a netting fence which is one of their tricks
when they get the birds in a corner. They
just run full tilt into the fence and break their

P in some more wood on the fire, kid, and
gel ready to boil the billy in time for the
roast turkey."

At last the bird was ready They scraped
away the earth, then the almost-dead embers,
to reveal a turkey-shaped mass of baked clay.

Holding the turkey by the charred feet.
1-asli tapped at the clay with hts big knife. It
flaked off. to reveal Ihc beautifully cooked
flesh The delicious smell made their mouths
water furiously.

Lash broke off a leg and handed it to ihc
boy. Squib grabbed it greedily and sank his
teeth into the succulent flesh.

Between the three of them they finished the
whole turkey. Squib and Rawhide, gorged
and somnolent, lay hack in the shade with the
intention of drowsing and digesting

"There's a westerly wind rising," said Lash,
pointing towards the horizon " And do you
see the colour of the sky over there? 1 reckon
we're in for a dust storm Come on. cobbers,
we're on the road again."

As they rode south towards Yarrawarra,
the wind was hot and dry on their faces,
parching their lips.

Then came the dust soft and powdery
at first . drifting into their eyes and noses
and throats

Like a dark mist, the dust storm came
slowly down Ihc wind, turning the slanting
sun to a golden yellow ball.

The horses snuffled and snorted The men
coughed and spat, trying to get rid of the
gritty taste.

"Ugh, me throat's as dry as a sunstruck
bone," croaked Rawhide.

"I could spit chips.” gasped Squib.

Lash muttered "We’ll jusi have to get used
to it. It might keep on for days "

Just as the sun went down - leaving an
cene. murky dusk the riders saw the l-ghis
of Yarrawarra. It was only a tiny settlement

a cluster of buildings on the main road
south but never had the riders seen a more
welcome sight.

They rode to the house of Colin McPhec.
the manager of the township's only bank.

McPhee greeted Lash with huge delight
After sympathising about the death of his
uncle, McPhee said ■ "We've all been follow-
ing your career with great interest, Lash, and
we're all' very proud of you m these parts.
Your Unck Peter was, too."

"Did he know what I've been doing?"
asked the rough rider eagerly.

"Oh, yes. He wutchcd ihe papers for the
results of all the roughriding contests. He
was always talking about your success."

On the subject of Coolabah Creek Station,
McPhee said he had heard that Dago
Messiter had claimed the properly as his own.

"Bui of course il's yours," went on the
hank manager. "You’ll soon have him slung
out when you produce your uncle's will.”...

"Have you got it in the bank - ’" asked Lash
quickly.

"Of course. It’s in a strongbox in Ihc safe
with other papers of your uncle’s."

"Could I see it now. please? Just to make
sure it’s all in order still."

"Don't be impatient, young man," laughed
McPhee. "It's after banking hours, you know .
It would be a lot of bother going out into the
dust storm just to satisfy your curiosity
You'll have it in the morning, my boy."

McPhee invited all three of them to stay
the night at his place provided they did not
mind bunks on the back verandah, where
ibey would be sheltered from the gritty wind.

After the evening meal they yarned for a
while. Bui they were so tired that even Lash,
young and tough as he was, could fight off
fatigue no longer It was early to bed for all.

The westerly wind, fatderi with dust, drifted
steadily across the nigh! The stars were
blotted out. Soon the yellow lamps of the
township were extinguished, leaving an inky,
gritty darkness.

Boom '

The roar of the explosion shattered the mid :
night silence and sent the inhabitants of

Yarrawarra tumbling from their beds
Lash was awake in a second. Shouts .
confused cries . . . noises of alarm
"What's up?" cried McPhee, hopping oui
of bed.

"It s Ihe end of the world!" roared Raw-
hide. plunging about in the darkness
"Eire!" The cry came clearly to their cars
as Lash, McPhee, and the others hurried
round the verandah

'Fire!” shouted more voices
"The bank's on fire'" bellowed McPhec
Across the road the little wooden building
was abla/c The flickering yellow- flames lit
up the faces of the excited townspeople as
they hurried to the spot The fire hell was
ringing furiously down the road, and they
knew thai help was on the way,

"Look! Look!" cried excited voices.
From ihe shadows at the back of the bank
dashed half-a-dozen horsemen,

They were all masked by handkerchiefs
across their faces - all except their leader
This man had a wide, ugly, vicious face,
that gleamed yellow in ihc light of the fire.
More grotesque still, he had a great hump on
his back and he looked like a creature of evil
as he crouched over his galloping horse.

'The Hunchback!" shouted men and
women. “Look the Hunchback!"

"Who ’’ began Lash, as he watched the

riders dash off into the darkness.

"Bushrangers!” exclaimed McPhec He
hurried down the verandah steps and across
the road to the bank.

The fire truck came roaring up, and the
flames were scion extinguished.

Lash, with a premonition of disaster clutch-
ing at his heart, followed McPhee into the
hank.

The safe had been blasted open. Papers
and documents were scattered everywhere
many of them soaked and charred.

"The strongbox?” snapped 1jh.Ii "Uncle
Peter’s strongbox?”

McPhec peered into ihe damaged safe,
looked frantically around the room, and
groaned: "It’s gone. All the money and

strongboxes have gone The Hunchback has
taken the lot !”

(T o be continued)

Answers to Competition Comer on p. 11

I Transfer hv crane if possible in the hand ot an expert operator. Main thing to
mile i.\ that the quay " ix much Inner than the first quay, which is an aildcil help.
The hale is lilted hr the crane-chain amt, at the moment it leaves the quay " X ", the
whole crane is swung round at top speed. Right directly the crane begins to swing,
the chain is lei out as fat as It will go without fouling the fust quay. The momentum
n! swing, plus the lengthened chain, would enable the hale to be dropped snugly fast
where required.

Quiz: (It Shins.

(2) Electron

(.«> Fl>

Q I Tails

(5) In water.

(6) The pirates' flag ( black , with white skull and rrossbones). the Rag <>/
the V.S. A. (Stars and Stripes) : the Hag indicating that a ship is about
to sail (white square inside hlne border ), the flag imliraling that a ship
is in quarantine or has fever aboard t yellow ami black squares) : the
Hag of the British Merchant Navy (red, with a union Jack in lop corner ).

J. (a) Dye; lye (hi Hamper: Tamper <c) Junk Sunk (d) Fast: Last

ived com missioned, rank.

*+

day. If you

cboMti to Ire an R.A.F. !
Apprentice you will Ik |
trained for a skilled trade. [
arid nintinue your general j
education. You will have fai
more op)Mirt unities for sport i
than most boys. Y ou will Ik
well fed and cared for, and '
receive good pocket money.
.And you may end up not j
only with a commission but i
with a living commission j

SAVES SHIPWRECK*!

SHIPWRECKED?

I GOLLY, I MUST
SAVE THEM

AWf A BOTTLE /

I WONDER /
WHtf’S IN If J

(sharp boy

! THAT/ KNOWS

• mar's good/

SURE, IF
YOU'LL STEER
THE SAU Cy
SSUE,

"JCt THEY'LL BE ,
—S STARVING/ ‘
> MUST GET SOn£
SHARP'S TOffEE

UUn*Y.JUST*\

l-f/ME-rtErtaftS'
iVfARiy ALL M/ i

HERE, THESE UHL PVT \
NEW LITE t* HtM — [

THEY'RE SHARP'S ~
THE WORD TOR Toff El!

ALL ABOARD
TOR PEANUT,
ISLAND/

THE WORD FOR TOI

ROB CONWAY

14

u.l.i 21 April 1950

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

tommy wails

GEE, LOOK AT IT RACE

THERE'S

PHEW! LET5 HAVE
A BREATHER
R TOMMY

HOW MUCH

BETTER HURRY

FURTHER
THIS MORNING

the river

— -'CHAPS - I PONT
LIKE THE WAY THE
6R.lt> 6E /S
V Sway in 6 1

_jpfeOSH

JT’S swollen

/""WELL HAVE ,
r DINNER ON /
THE OTHER SiP!
, OF THE NEXT
\ RIVER

L 0 OR OUT ’

\ IT'S GOING

POOR BOBBY - IMVST SAVE HiM
AND I WILL ' THAT WALL'S
I HAP WHEN WE STARTED OUT
HAS GIVEN ME THE EXTRA ENERGY
I NEED FOR THIS EFFORT

BOBBTls HAD IT 1

TOMMY 1 -

You c/ia/'t

he's INTHE RIVER

THERE HE IS

TH E R E THE Y ARE- GOOD OLD TOMMY Jg

[gosh .Tommy, HOw di d

YOU'RE A
yWONDER.

‘NOT ME, CHAPS-
ITS THE EXTRA
ENERGY / GET
.PROM WALL'S ICF
V CRE AM_^

youever swim in
V. 77/AT CURRENT •>

A/VO WITH
8CBBY 1

or advert lung, literary or pictorial

ect to the following , „

I that it shall not be lent, re-sold. hired ou

Hut it ahall not, without wr
[or otherwise diapoeod of in i

*1 of the publishers first given, be lent, re-sold, hired out or
I condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of Trade; or

15

I CAN STAMP *T OUT \N

IT'S DONE SAUL- YOU SMALL GO!
BUT FIRST l SUGGEST THAT
YOU QUESTION SOME OF OUR
NAZARENE PRISONERS —

v YOU MAY PICK UP

^ SOMETHING

/ J) USEFUL

DAMASCUS. SIR. IF YOU WILL
GIVE ME YOUR COMMISSION
TO GO THERE % ARREST ANY
NAZARENES l FIND.

AND NOW, I UNDERSTAND,
YOU WANT TO GO AND STOP
THE SPREAD OF THIS NEW
NAZARENE BELIEF IN
DAMASCUS?

COME OM OUT, YOU NAZARENE SCUM- THERE’S A

WRETCHES
' YOUR HONOUR

TARSUS /