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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter six of David in the Phoenix. This is a
LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
Recording by Greg Weeks. David in the Phoenix by Edward
ormand Dryde Chapter six, in which the Phoenix has a
(00:21):
plan and David in the Phoenix call on a sea monster.
Well you're in all the papers this morning, Phoenix, said
David as he sat down beside the reclining bird. Next morning,
they don't know who you are, but they're all talking
about what happened last night. They call you the Whispering Burglar.
The police are pretty worried.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
My dear chaps, said the phoenix apologetically.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Let me repeat my sincere regrets for causing alarm. It
was not my desire to the police. Did you say,
have they discovered any clues? No, said David, reassuringly. They
can't find a thing. They think the Whispering Burglar climbed
up a ladder, to say, piste into the upstairs windows.
(01:08):
Only they can't find the ladder. They call it the
missing mystery clue.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
The Phoenix gazed at the sky and mused.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
In all the papers, you say, well, fame at last,
although hardly the kind I had expected. What a pity
that there can be no photographs with the story. Imagine
a picture of me on the front page, a profile perhaps,
or would a full length shot be more effective or both?
Let us say with I know you'd look very handsome, phoenix.
(01:39):
David interrupted, But what we should be thinking about is
the scientist. What are we going to do? Oh that,
said the phoenix. I was coming to that, my boy.
The battle is already half won. I have a plan
good for you, Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
What is it?
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Aha, said the phoenix, with a mysterious smile. All will
unfold in time. Rest assured that the plan is brilliant.
In one stroke of genius, it solves everything tactics, my boy,
Napoleon had nothing on me.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
But what is it? Phoenix? Tut?
Speaker 1 (02:13):
My boy, said the phoenix in a maddening way. Control
your impatience, you will see. Now we shall have to
buy some things, so we shall need money. Let me see,
several of the leprechauns have large pots of gold. No,
I fear they would not part with so much as
a penny. Tight fisted, my dear fellow, you never saw
(02:33):
such misers. Hmm, Well there are the dragons, of course,
they guard heaps of treasure in caves. But no, they
are excellent chaps in most respects, but frightfully stuffy about
loans and gifts. No, the gin, No, his money is
all tied up in Arabian oil speculation.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Aha. Why didn't I think of.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
That before the Sea Monster. Of course, any monsters have money,
asked David.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
No.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
But the sea Monster should know where a pirate treasure
is buried, quite in its nautical line. We shall visit
the monster, my boy, tomorrow. Of course, I could not
fly a foot to day to save my life. My
muscles are killing me. Oh, poor phoenix, David said, but
he was so excited that he could not feel much
(03:23):
pity pirate treasure. They were going to dig for pirate treasure.
We shall need a spade. I trust you will arrange
for it, my boy, of course, phoenix, said David, jumping
to his feet. I'll get everything ready right away. Don't
move till I get back. Impossible, my boy, the phoenix
groaned as it shifted into a more comfortable position. David
(03:45):
raced home to collect the necessary things for the trip.
Remembering how cold it had been last time, he took
his leather jacket out of the closet and a pair
of gloves and a scarf for the phoenix. He borrowed
a bottle of liniment and took all the cookies from
the cookie jar, and he picked the shortest of three
spades in the garage. During the rest of the day
he massaged the phoenix's back.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
And wings with the lineament.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
He was exploding with curiosity about the plan, of course,
but the phoenix would only smile its smug a smile
and tell him to.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Wait and see, wait and see, which almost drove David mad.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Tomorrow took its time, the way it always does when
you are anxious to see it arrive. But it finally came,
and David found himself with the spade held tightly under
one arm, his jacket zipped up to his chin, gloves on,
and scarf nodded. Already to go to the west this time,
said the phoenix, as David got up on its back.
This is the monster's Pacific season. You know, ready, my boy, splendid,
(04:45):
we are off over the mountains and desert. They sped
over the shore out across the ocean for a long time.
They hurtled through a huge blue loneliness, dark blue below,
lighter blue above. Once they passed over a ship, a
pencil dot trailing a pin scratch of white. Another time
they startled a high flying albatross, which gave a frightened
(05:08):
squawk and plunged down out of sight with folded wings.
Aside from that, there was nothing to see until they
reached the islands. The phoenix slowed down to a glide
and dropped lower. These are the coral atolls of the Pacific.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
My boy, it called over its shoulder.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
That lake in the center of each island is called
the lagoon. David was enchanted by the atolls. They were
made of tiny islets struck together like the beads of
a necklace, and the colors the dark blue of the
sea became lighter around the islands, melting from sapphire to
turquoise to jade. The atolls were ringed with dazzling white
(05:48):
surf and beach, and they all had cool green swaths
of palm trees and underbrush. And each lagoon also had
its varying shades of blue like the outer sea. I
fear we may have trouble, my boy, said the phoenix,
as they scanned the empty beaches. The monster shifts about
from island to island to avoid discovery. We shall just
(06:10):
have to search and search. They did atoll after atoll,
until at the end of an hour they were rewarded.
David suddenly spotted a dark object stretched out on the
beach of a lagoon, and at the same time the
phoenix said Aha triumphantly. They began to spiral down. The
sea monster was immense. Its body could have filled the
(06:31):
living room at home. Its neck was twenty feet long,
and so was its tail, which ended in a barbed point.
It had huge seal like flippers, and its polished brown
hide was made up of scales as big as dinner plates.
Wake up, monster, the phoenix cried. We The next instant
they were lost in a cloud of flying sand and spray,
(06:52):
through which could be heard a prodigious splash. When it
had cleared, they found themselves alone on the beach. They
only only sign of the sea monster was a great
furrow in the sand, which led down to the agitated water.
Golly that was fast, David marveled as they shook the
sand from themselves. Do you think it'll come back, Phoenix.
(07:12):
Of course, my boy, curiosity. If nothing else will bring
it up again. In the meantime, we might as well
sit down and wait. They sat down and waited. David
took off his jacket. For fifteen minutes, they heard nothing
but the murmuring of the surf and the rustling clatter
of palm fronds. At last, there was a slight splashing
noise from the lagoon. There, David whispered, pointing thirty feet
(07:35):
off shore, an ear was being thrust cautiously above the
rippled surface.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
It twitched once or.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Twice, then pointed quiveringly in their direction. Come out, monster,
the Phoenix shouted, It is I the Phoenix. The sea
monster's head appeared slowly, followed by several yards of neck.
It peered at them short sightedly, weaving its head from
side to side to get a better view. David saw
that it had two short, straight horns just in front
(08:03):
of its ears, eyes that were soft and cowlike, and
a most expressive set of whiskers. The whiskers were now
at a doubtful half masted angle. Ah, Phoenix, said the
sea monster at last, in a mild voice. Can't you
remember to wake me a bit more gently. I thought
you were. Come on out, said the phoenix firmly, and
stop looking like a lost sheep.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Uh what about uh?
Speaker 1 (08:26):
That said the sea monster, hesitantly, pointing one ear at David.
This said, the phoenix is David. He is getting an education.
I assure you that he will not bite the sea
monsters swam toward them. Heaved itself out of the water
and offered it huge flipper for David to shake. Sorry,
I rushed off like that, it said. The trouble is
(08:48):
I've had such a bad case of war nerves. Why
sometimes I jump out of my skin at nothing at all?
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Were you in the war? David asked, Ah, was? I sighed?
Speaker 1 (08:58):
The sea monster flopped down comfortably on its belly, curled
its tail around its front flippers, and sighed again. But
David noticed that its whiskereds had perked up to a
quite cheerful angle. The sea monster was obviously delighted to
as some one listen to its troubles. Yes, it said,
heaving a third sigh. I was from the very beginning
(09:20):
much against my will. Guns all over the place, terrible.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Did they shoot you?
Speaker 1 (09:25):
David asked, horrified, Well at.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Me in a way.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
I'm thankful to say they never hit me, but there
were some pretty near misses. All the oceans were simply
packed with ships. I couldn't lift my head out of
the water without bringing down a perfect rain of shells
and bullets. The intelligent thing in that case, the Phoenix
broke in with a sniff, would have been to stay
under water. Thank you, Phoenix, said the Sea monster dryly.
(09:52):
But I do like to breathe now and then. Anyway,
I wasn't safe even under water. They'd dropped depth charges
on me. One ship even launched a torpedo at me.
How awful, said David tut my boy, said the Phoenix.
I have no doubt our friend is stretching the truth shamelessly.
You need not look so smug, monster. You are not
(10:15):
the only one in the war. I have gone through
anti aircraft fire a number of times. Some of it
was very severe. In fact, once I once I had
the whole North Atlantic fleet after me. The Sea Monster
interrupted proudly. And I remember the Franco Prussian War, said
the Phoenix, which I dare say, you do not well,
(10:38):
Uh no, I don't. There you are, the Phoenix, crowed
the sea monster, looking rather ruffled, pointedly turned from the
Phoenix and said to David, what should you like to do?
Speaker 2 (10:50):
David.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
David suddenly remembered what they had come for, and the
excitement rushed back into his heart. He opened his mouth
to I, we want to dig for treasure, and then
stopped short asking for money. He knew was an impolite
thing to do, especially from someone you had only just met,
and there was no telling how the sea monster might
(11:13):
feel about people nosing around for its treasure. So he
looked at the phoenix.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
And waited for it to speak.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
The Phoenix caught David's glance, cleared its throat several times,
and looked apologetically at the sea monster. Monster Old chap
It said soothingly, I am deeply sorry for having doubted you.
Just now, deeply sorry. Quite all right, said the sea
monster stiffly. Yes, the Phoenix continued, We both know that
(11:41):
you have passed through perilous times, through dangers which I
must confess would have left me a shattered wreck. The
sea monster sighed sadly, but its whiskers were beginning to
rise again. The monster bears up very well under this
fearful strain, don't you think so, my boy, a splendid
example for the rest of us.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Magnificent.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
The sea Monster's whiskers were quivering with pleasure. Monster, Old
chap old, friend, you are never one to let a
boon companion down. If I have said at once, I
have said it a hundred times, the sea monster, I
have said, the sea monster is the helpful sort. Mention
(12:24):
the words, staunch, friend, I have said, and immediately the
sea monster comes to mind. The phoenix reached up one
wing and began to pat the sea monster's slipper. Monster,
old chum, we ah, we well, the plain fact is
that we ah, we have need of such a trifling
(12:45):
matter here. The phoenix gave a careless laugh that I
should not really bring it up at all. Ah, we
need a bit of money, oh, said the sea monster.
Its whiskers sagged. Now, please do not be offended, monster,
said the phoenix hastily. After all, you have no need
for the treasure, and it does absolutely no good buried
(13:06):
under the ground. It doesn't do any harm there either,
said the sea monster. Really, Phoenix, I never thought you, monster,
said the phoenix solemnly. This is a matter of life
or death. Life or death. Ha, please, monster, said David.
It really is life or death, because the scientist is
(13:28):
chasing the phoenix, and the phoenix has a plan to
escape him, and we need some money to carry out
the plan so the scientists can't hurt the phoenix. A
few small coins will do, added the phoenix, with a
winning smile, A Lewis dieure, for example, or some pieces
of eight, after which you may bury the rest again, please, monsters,
(13:51):
David begged. The monster looked at David, at the Phoenix,
and then at David again, and then at the It
sighed a very doubtful sigh. Oh all right, it said reluctantly.
But for goodness sake, don't go telling anyone where you
found it. Of course not, said the phoenix, and David
(14:12):
leaped up and shouted hooray and grabbed the spade and
his jacket. The stuff is on the next island, said
the sea monster. I can swim over with you two
on my back. This way, please, we have to leave
from the outer beach. The sea monster was a magnificent swimmer.
Its neck cut through the water like the stem of
(14:32):
a Viking ship, and it left a frothing wake behind.
Every once in a while it would plunge its head
into the water and come.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Up with a fish, which it would swallow whole.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
Should you like some breakfast, David said the sea monster. No,
thank you, David answered, but you go right ahead, phoenix,
He added, what are you doing? The phoenix, which had
been walking up and down with its wings clasped behind
its back, stopped and over the sea pacing the quarter deck,
My boy, scanning the horizon. That is what one usually
(15:06):
does at sea.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
I believe.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
You'll be wanting us to call you, admiral, next, said
the sea monster acidly.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
They steamed on.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Twenty minutes and seventy six large breakfast fish later, they
sighted the island, a little smudge on the horizon. Dead
ahead land ho A voice croaked, thank heavens. David turned
in surprise. The phoenix was no longer pacing the quarter
deck and scanning the horizon. It was sitting limply, with
(15:38):
its head down and a glassy stare in its eyes.
You had better hurry up, David said to the sea monster.
I think the phoenix is sea sick.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
I am not.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
The phoenix gasped, merely, ulp temporary. The sea monster turned
and smiled sweetly at the phoenix. You'll get used to
it in no time, Admiral. When they land, how the
phoenix recovered rapidly and even began to put on a
slight nautical swagger. The sea monster humped off down the beach,
(16:09):
followed eagerly by the two treasure hunters. In a few minutes,
it came to a halt and sniffed the sand very carefully,
swinging its head snakelike to and fro. It settled on
one spot, sniffed, it thoroughly felt the sand with its whiskers,
and then solemnly announced here a hoy me, hearties. The
(16:30):
phoenix shouted, turn to and stand by to splice the
main brace. Steady as she goes mates. David needed no
encouragement from anyone. He began to dig furiously, flashing in
the sun.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
The spade bit into the beach, and.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Coarse white sand spurted in all directions. The phoenix was
quite as excited as David. It danced around the deepening
hole with isa sparkle, shouting such piatical terms as shiver
me timbers, strike your color, and give him no quarter lads.
Suddenly it began to beat time with its wing and
to sing in a raucous voice. Cut the king's throat
(17:09):
and take the king's gold. Heave ho bullies for Panama.
There's plenty of loot for the lad who is bold.
Heave away bullies for Panama. You're flat on that last note,
said the sea monster. My dear monster, I have perfect pitch. Oh, yes,
you have perfect sea legs too.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Well.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Ah, how are you coming along, my boy? Any signs
of treasure? David did not hear. In fact, he heard
nothing from the first crunch of the spade onward. His
education was now richer by this fact. Once you start
out after treasure, you can think of nothing else until
it is found. The sun was beating hotly on him.
(17:49):
Little rivulets of sweat poured down his face and arms,
his muscles ached, blisters were beginning to form on his hands.
Heedless of all, he dug on. He had settled into
the rhythm of it now, and nothing could distract him.
Tell you what's a good thing for sea sickness, said
the sea monster. Slyly, you take a pretending not to hear.
(18:11):
The phoenix stood first on one leg and then on
the other, and stared into the sky. David dug tirelessly
Suddenly the spade grated on something solid, and they all jumped.
David shouted, here it is, and shoveled up sand frantically.
The phoenix danced around the hole, also shouting. Even the
(18:31):
sea monster arched its neck to get a better view.
They could see a brass ring crusted with verdigris, fastened
to a partly exposed piece of wood. The sand flew.
Now they could see studded strips of metal bound to
the wood in a rusty padlock, and in a few
minutes a whole chest with slanting sides and a curved
lid and tarnished brass hinges was uncovered. David, through the
(18:56):
spade on the beach, seized the brass handle and tugged.
Came off in his hand. Here, let me, said the
sea monster. David got out of the hole, and the
sea monster worked one flipper carefully under the chest. Look Out,
it said, and heaved its slipper up. The chest shot
into the air, tumbled down end over end, and split
(19:19):
wide open.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
On the beach.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
David gasped a dazzling, sparkling heap spilled out on the sand.
There were heaps of gold and silver coins. The silver,
black with tarnish, but the gold still bright. There were pearls, rubies, diamonds, barrels, emeralds, opals, sapphires,
amethysts and bracelets, necklaces, pendants, sunbursts, brooches, rings, pins, combs, buckles, lockets, buttons, crucifixes,
(19:48):
and carved pieces of jade and ivory and coral and
jet and coronets, crowns, tierras, armbands and jeweled daggers, picture frames, vases,
silver knives and forks, and spoons, sugar bowls, platters, goblets.
For an hour they examined the treasure. David fairly wallowed
(20:10):
in it, exclaiming, look at this one, or oh, how beautiful,
or just golly. The phoenix muttered such things as king's
ransom and wealth of the Indies. The sea monster was
not interested in the treasure, but kept glancing nervously out
to sea.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
At last, the.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
Phoenix said, I think we had better make our choice.
Three or four coins should do it. The sea monster
gave a relieved sigh. Let's get the rest of it
underground right away. You have no idea what trouble it
can cause. The choice was difficult. There were so many coins,
all of them with queer writing and heads of unknown
gods and kings. David finally picked out four gold pieces
(20:53):
and tied them up in his handkerchief. Then the sea
monster swept the rest of the treasure into the hole.
They all pushed stand in on top of it and
jumped on the mound till it was level with the
rest of the beach. The Phoenix turned to the sea
monster and said solemnly, monster, old fellow, I.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Knew you would not fail us.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
You stood forth in our hour of need, and we
shall not forget. And David echoed, thank you.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Monster.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
The sea monster ducked its head and blushed. A wave
of fiery red started at its nose, traveled rapidly back
over it its ears, down its neck, along the body,
and fanned out to the tips of its flippers and
the extreme end of the barb in its tail. Even
its whiskers turned peak. Well, uh, glad to help. Nothing
(21:39):
to it, really, it mumbled. Then it turned abruptly, galloped
down to the sea, plunged into the surf, and was gone.
End of chapter six
Chapter six of David in the Phoenix. This is a
LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
Recording by Greg Weeks. David in the Phoenix by Edward
ormand Dryde Chapter six, in which the Phoenix has a
(00:21):
plan and David in the Phoenix call on a sea monster.
Well you're in all the papers this morning, Phoenix, said
David as he sat down beside the reclining bird. Next morning,
they don't know who you are, but they're all talking
about what happened last night. They call you the Whispering Burglar.
The police are pretty worried.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
My dear chaps, said the phoenix apologetically.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Let me repeat my sincere regrets for causing alarm. It
was not my desire to the police. Did you say,
have they discovered any clues? No, said David, reassuringly. They
can't find a thing. They think the Whispering Burglar climbed
up a ladder, to say, piste into the upstairs windows.
(01:08):
Only they can't find the ladder. They call it the
missing mystery clue.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
The Phoenix gazed at the sky and mused.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
In all the papers, you say, well, fame at last,
although hardly the kind I had expected. What a pity
that there can be no photographs with the story. Imagine
a picture of me on the front page, a profile perhaps,
or would a full length shot be more effective or both?
Let us say with I know you'd look very handsome, phoenix.
(01:39):
David interrupted, But what we should be thinking about is
the scientist. What are we going to do? Oh that,
said the phoenix. I was coming to that, my boy.
The battle is already half won. I have a plan
good for you, Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
What is it?
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Aha, said the phoenix, with a mysterious smile. All will
unfold in time. Rest assured that the plan is brilliant.
In one stroke of genius, it solves everything tactics, my boy,
Napoleon had nothing on me.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
But what is it? Phoenix? Tut?
Speaker 1 (02:13):
My boy, said the phoenix in a maddening way. Control
your impatience, you will see. Now we shall have to
buy some things, so we shall need money. Let me see,
several of the leprechauns have large pots of gold. No,
I fear they would not part with so much as
a penny. Tight fisted, my dear fellow, you never saw
(02:33):
such misers. Hmm, Well there are the dragons, of course,
they guard heaps of treasure in caves. But no, they
are excellent chaps in most respects, but frightfully stuffy about
loans and gifts. No, the gin, No, his money is
all tied up in Arabian oil speculation.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Aha. Why didn't I think of.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
That before the Sea Monster. Of course, any monsters have money,
asked David.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
No.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
But the sea Monster should know where a pirate treasure
is buried, quite in its nautical line. We shall visit
the monster, my boy, tomorrow. Of course, I could not
fly a foot to day to save my life. My
muscles are killing me. Oh, poor phoenix, David said, but
he was so excited that he could not feel much
(03:23):
pity pirate treasure. They were going to dig for pirate treasure.
We shall need a spade. I trust you will arrange
for it, my boy, of course, phoenix, said David, jumping
to his feet. I'll get everything ready right away. Don't
move till I get back. Impossible, my boy, the phoenix
groaned as it shifted into a more comfortable position. David
(03:45):
raced home to collect the necessary things for the trip.
Remembering how cold it had been last time, he took
his leather jacket out of the closet and a pair
of gloves and a scarf for the phoenix. He borrowed
a bottle of liniment and took all the cookies from
the cookie jar, and he picked the shortest of three
spades in the garage. During the rest of the day
he massaged the phoenix's back.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
And wings with the lineament.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
He was exploding with curiosity about the plan, of course,
but the phoenix would only smile its smug a smile
and tell him to.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Wait and see, wait and see, which almost drove David mad.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Tomorrow took its time, the way it always does when
you are anxious to see it arrive. But it finally came,
and David found himself with the spade held tightly under
one arm, his jacket zipped up to his chin, gloves on,
and scarf nodded. Already to go to the west this time,
said the phoenix, as David got up on its back.
This is the monster's Pacific season. You know, ready, my boy, splendid,
(04:45):
we are off over the mountains and desert. They sped
over the shore out across the ocean for a long time.
They hurtled through a huge blue loneliness, dark blue below,
lighter blue above. Once they passed over a ship, a
pencil dot trailing a pin scratch of white. Another time
they startled a high flying albatross, which gave a frightened
(05:08):
squawk and plunged down out of sight with folded wings.
Aside from that, there was nothing to see until they
reached the islands. The phoenix slowed down to a glide
and dropped lower. These are the coral atolls of the Pacific.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
My boy, it called over its shoulder.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
That lake in the center of each island is called
the lagoon. David was enchanted by the atolls. They were
made of tiny islets struck together like the beads of
a necklace, and the colors the dark blue of the
sea became lighter around the islands, melting from sapphire to
turquoise to jade. The atolls were ringed with dazzling white
(05:48):
surf and beach, and they all had cool green swaths
of palm trees and underbrush. And each lagoon also had
its varying shades of blue like the outer sea. I
fear we may have trouble, my boy, said the phoenix,
as they scanned the empty beaches. The monster shifts about
from island to island to avoid discovery. We shall just
(06:10):
have to search and search. They did atoll after atoll,
until at the end of an hour they were rewarded.
David suddenly spotted a dark object stretched out on the
beach of a lagoon, and at the same time the
phoenix said Aha triumphantly. They began to spiral down. The
sea monster was immense. Its body could have filled the
(06:31):
living room at home. Its neck was twenty feet long,
and so was its tail, which ended in a barbed point.
It had huge seal like flippers, and its polished brown
hide was made up of scales as big as dinner plates.
Wake up, monster, the phoenix cried. We The next instant
they were lost in a cloud of flying sand and spray,
(06:52):
through which could be heard a prodigious splash. When it
had cleared, they found themselves alone on the beach. They
only only sign of the sea monster was a great
furrow in the sand, which led down to the agitated water.
Golly that was fast, David marveled as they shook the
sand from themselves. Do you think it'll come back, Phoenix.
(07:12):
Of course, my boy, curiosity. If nothing else will bring
it up again. In the meantime, we might as well
sit down and wait. They sat down and waited. David
took off his jacket. For fifteen minutes, they heard nothing
but the murmuring of the surf and the rustling clatter
of palm fronds. At last, there was a slight splashing
noise from the lagoon. There, David whispered, pointing thirty feet
(07:35):
off shore, an ear was being thrust cautiously above the
rippled surface.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
It twitched once or.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Twice, then pointed quiveringly in their direction. Come out, monster,
the Phoenix shouted, It is I the Phoenix. The sea
monster's head appeared slowly, followed by several yards of neck.
It peered at them short sightedly, weaving its head from
side to side to get a better view. David saw
that it had two short, straight horns just in front
(08:03):
of its ears, eyes that were soft and cowlike, and
a most expressive set of whiskers. The whiskers were now
at a doubtful half masted angle. Ah, Phoenix, said the
sea monster at last, in a mild voice. Can't you
remember to wake me a bit more gently. I thought
you were. Come on out, said the phoenix firmly, and
stop looking like a lost sheep.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Uh what about uh?
Speaker 1 (08:26):
That said the sea monster, hesitantly, pointing one ear at David.
This said, the phoenix is David. He is getting an education.
I assure you that he will not bite the sea
monsters swam toward them. Heaved itself out of the water
and offered it huge flipper for David to shake. Sorry,
I rushed off like that, it said. The trouble is
(08:48):
I've had such a bad case of war nerves. Why
sometimes I jump out of my skin at nothing at all?
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Were you in the war? David asked, Ah, was? I sighed?
Speaker 1 (08:58):
The sea monster flopped down comfortably on its belly, curled
its tail around its front flippers, and sighed again. But
David noticed that its whiskereds had perked up to a
quite cheerful angle. The sea monster was obviously delighted to
as some one listen to its troubles. Yes, it said,
heaving a third sigh. I was from the very beginning
(09:20):
much against my will. Guns all over the place, terrible.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Did they shoot you?
Speaker 1 (09:25):
David asked, horrified, Well at.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Me in a way.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
I'm thankful to say they never hit me, but there
were some pretty near misses. All the oceans were simply
packed with ships. I couldn't lift my head out of
the water without bringing down a perfect rain of shells
and bullets. The intelligent thing in that case, the Phoenix
broke in with a sniff, would have been to stay
under water. Thank you, Phoenix, said the Sea monster dryly.
(09:52):
But I do like to breathe now and then. Anyway,
I wasn't safe even under water. They'd dropped depth charges
on me. One ship even launched a torpedo at me.
How awful, said David tut my boy, said the Phoenix.
I have no doubt our friend is stretching the truth shamelessly.
You need not look so smug, monster. You are not
(10:15):
the only one in the war. I have gone through
anti aircraft fire a number of times. Some of it
was very severe. In fact, once I once I had
the whole North Atlantic fleet after me. The Sea Monster
interrupted proudly. And I remember the Franco Prussian War, said
the Phoenix, which I dare say, you do not well,
(10:38):
Uh no, I don't. There you are, the Phoenix, crowed
the sea monster, looking rather ruffled, pointedly turned from the
Phoenix and said to David, what should you like to do?
Speaker 2 (10:50):
David.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
David suddenly remembered what they had come for, and the
excitement rushed back into his heart. He opened his mouth
to I, we want to dig for treasure, and then
stopped short asking for money. He knew was an impolite
thing to do, especially from someone you had only just met,
and there was no telling how the sea monster might
(11:13):
feel about people nosing around for its treasure. So he
looked at the phoenix.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
And waited for it to speak.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
The Phoenix caught David's glance, cleared its throat several times,
and looked apologetically at the sea monster. Monster Old chap
It said soothingly, I am deeply sorry for having doubted you.
Just now, deeply sorry. Quite all right, said the sea
monster stiffly. Yes, the Phoenix continued, We both know that
(11:41):
you have passed through perilous times, through dangers which I
must confess would have left me a shattered wreck. The
sea monster sighed sadly, but its whiskers were beginning to
rise again. The monster bears up very well under this
fearful strain, don't you think so, my boy, a splendid
example for the rest of us.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Magnificent.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
The sea Monster's whiskers were quivering with pleasure. Monster, Old
chap old, friend, you are never one to let a
boon companion down. If I have said at once, I
have said it a hundred times, the sea monster, I
have said, the sea monster is the helpful sort. Mention
(12:24):
the words, staunch, friend, I have said, and immediately the
sea monster comes to mind. The phoenix reached up one
wing and began to pat the sea monster's slipper. Monster,
old chum, we ah, we well, the plain fact is
that we ah, we have need of such a trifling
(12:45):
matter here. The phoenix gave a careless laugh that I
should not really bring it up at all. Ah, we
need a bit of money, oh, said the sea monster.
Its whiskers sagged. Now, please do not be offended, monster,
said the phoenix hastily. After all, you have no need
for the treasure, and it does absolutely no good buried
(13:06):
under the ground. It doesn't do any harm there either,
said the sea monster. Really, Phoenix, I never thought you, monster,
said the phoenix solemnly. This is a matter of life
or death. Life or death. Ha, please, monster, said David.
It really is life or death, because the scientist is
(13:28):
chasing the phoenix, and the phoenix has a plan to
escape him, and we need some money to carry out
the plan so the scientists can't hurt the phoenix. A
few small coins will do, added the phoenix, with a
winning smile, A Lewis dieure, for example, or some pieces
of eight, after which you may bury the rest again, please, monsters,
(13:51):
David begged. The monster looked at David, at the Phoenix,
and then at David again, and then at the It
sighed a very doubtful sigh. Oh all right, it said reluctantly.
But for goodness sake, don't go telling anyone where you
found it. Of course not, said the phoenix, and David
(14:12):
leaped up and shouted hooray and grabbed the spade and
his jacket. The stuff is on the next island, said
the sea monster. I can swim over with you two
on my back. This way, please, we have to leave
from the outer beach. The sea monster was a magnificent swimmer.
Its neck cut through the water like the stem of
(14:32):
a Viking ship, and it left a frothing wake behind.
Every once in a while it would plunge its head
into the water and come.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Up with a fish, which it would swallow whole.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
Should you like some breakfast, David said the sea monster. No,
thank you, David answered, but you go right ahead, phoenix,
He added, what are you doing? The phoenix, which had
been walking up and down with its wings clasped behind
its back, stopped and over the sea pacing the quarter deck,
My boy, scanning the horizon. That is what one usually
(15:06):
does at sea.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
I believe.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
You'll be wanting us to call you, admiral, next, said
the sea monster acidly.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
They steamed on.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Twenty minutes and seventy six large breakfast fish later, they
sighted the island, a little smudge on the horizon. Dead
ahead land ho A voice croaked, thank heavens. David turned
in surprise. The phoenix was no longer pacing the quarter
deck and scanning the horizon. It was sitting limply, with
(15:38):
its head down and a glassy stare in its eyes.
You had better hurry up, David said to the sea monster.
I think the phoenix is sea sick.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
I am not.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
The phoenix gasped, merely, ulp temporary. The sea monster turned
and smiled sweetly at the phoenix. You'll get used to
it in no time, Admiral. When they land, how the
phoenix recovered rapidly and even began to put on a
slight nautical swagger. The sea monster humped off down the beach,
(16:09):
followed eagerly by the two treasure hunters. In a few minutes,
it came to a halt and sniffed the sand very carefully,
swinging its head snakelike to and fro. It settled on
one spot, sniffed, it thoroughly felt the sand with its whiskers,
and then solemnly announced here a hoy me, hearties. The
(16:30):
phoenix shouted, turn to and stand by to splice the
main brace. Steady as she goes mates. David needed no
encouragement from anyone. He began to dig furiously, flashing in
the sun.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
The spade bit into the beach, and.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Coarse white sand spurted in all directions. The phoenix was
quite as excited as David. It danced around the deepening
hole with isa sparkle, shouting such piatical terms as shiver
me timbers, strike your color, and give him no quarter lads.
Suddenly it began to beat time with its wing and
to sing in a raucous voice. Cut the king's throat
(17:09):
and take the king's gold. Heave ho bullies for Panama.
There's plenty of loot for the lad who is bold.
Heave away bullies for Panama. You're flat on that last note,
said the sea monster. My dear monster, I have perfect pitch. Oh, yes,
you have perfect sea legs too.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Well.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Ah, how are you coming along, my boy? Any signs
of treasure? David did not hear. In fact, he heard
nothing from the first crunch of the spade onward. His
education was now richer by this fact. Once you start
out after treasure, you can think of nothing else until
it is found. The sun was beating hotly on him.
(17:49):
Little rivulets of sweat poured down his face and arms,
his muscles ached, blisters were beginning to form on his hands.
Heedless of all, he dug on. He had settled into
the rhythm of it now, and nothing could distract him.
Tell you what's a good thing for sea sickness, said
the sea monster. Slyly, you take a pretending not to hear.
(18:11):
The phoenix stood first on one leg and then on
the other, and stared into the sky. David dug tirelessly
Suddenly the spade grated on something solid, and they all jumped.
David shouted, here it is, and shoveled up sand frantically.
The phoenix danced around the hole, also shouting. Even the
(18:31):
sea monster arched its neck to get a better view.
They could see a brass ring crusted with verdigris, fastened
to a partly exposed piece of wood. The sand flew.
Now they could see studded strips of metal bound to
the wood in a rusty padlock, and in a few
minutes a whole chest with slanting sides and a curved
lid and tarnished brass hinges was uncovered. David, through the
(18:56):
spade on the beach, seized the brass handle and tugged.
Came off in his hand. Here, let me, said the
sea monster. David got out of the hole, and the
sea monster worked one flipper carefully under the chest. Look Out,
it said, and heaved its slipper up. The chest shot
into the air, tumbled down end over end, and split
(19:19):
wide open.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
On the beach.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
David gasped a dazzling, sparkling heap spilled out on the sand.
There were heaps of gold and silver coins. The silver,
black with tarnish, but the gold still bright. There were pearls, rubies, diamonds, barrels, emeralds, opals, sapphires,
amethysts and bracelets, necklaces, pendants, sunbursts, brooches, rings, pins, combs, buckles, lockets, buttons, crucifixes,
(19:48):
and carved pieces of jade and ivory and coral and
jet and coronets, crowns, tierras, armbands and jeweled daggers, picture frames, vases,
silver knives and forks, and spoons, sugar bowls, platters, goblets.
For an hour they examined the treasure. David fairly wallowed
(20:10):
in it, exclaiming, look at this one, or oh, how beautiful,
or just golly. The phoenix muttered such things as king's
ransom and wealth of the Indies. The sea monster was
not interested in the treasure, but kept glancing nervously out
to sea.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
At last, the.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
Phoenix said, I think we had better make our choice.
Three or four coins should do it. The sea monster
gave a relieved sigh. Let's get the rest of it
underground right away. You have no idea what trouble it
can cause. The choice was difficult. There were so many coins,
all of them with queer writing and heads of unknown
gods and kings. David finally picked out four gold pieces
(20:53):
and tied them up in his handkerchief. Then the sea
monster swept the rest of the treasure into the hole.
They all pushed stand in on top of it and
jumped on the mound till it was level with the
rest of the beach. The Phoenix turned to the sea
monster and said solemnly, monster, old fellow, I.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Knew you would not fail us.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
You stood forth in our hour of need, and we
shall not forget. And David echoed, thank you.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Monster.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
The sea monster ducked its head and blushed. A wave
of fiery red started at its nose, traveled rapidly back
over it its ears, down its neck, along the body,
and fanned out to the tips of its flippers and
the extreme end of the barb in its tail. Even
its whiskers turned peak. Well, uh, glad to help. Nothing
(21:39):
to it, really, it mumbled. Then it turned abruptly, galloped
down to the sea, plunged into the surf, and was gone.
End of chapter six
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