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ORLANDO'S ADVENTURES - Part VII - The Expedition by Jackie S Brooks
Swampy
had once been a woodsman
until an accident in Cumberland gap,
while there he had the misfortune
to put his foot in a nasty old trap.
Now he limps with a hop and a skip
and grumbles and grouches all day,
but if you want to travel the river
he’s the best man to show you the way.
He’s planning a new expedition
and invited the friends along.
It will be a dangerous journey
and many things could go wrong.
They’ll be travelling down the Ohio
in Indian birch bark canoes,
and sometimes travelling on foot
so they’ll need hard wearing shoes.
Calli set to work with her needle
she’s not going to stay behind.
“I can make some new moccasins
and a better cook you’ll never find.”
Swampy tried to dissuade her
with stories of wild Indians and bears,
and of all the terrible hardships
to be endured by any who dares.
But Calli is quite determined,
she’s a brave pioneer at heart,
and Orlando has won her affection
so from him she refuses to part.
Orlando and Omar build a birch bark canoe
with help from Swampy the boatman.
“It’s strong, and it’s water tight too,
we’ve done the very best that we can.”
Soon it was time to leave Fort Pitt
and their old travelling companions.
A sad farewell to Old Smokey Joe
and to the horses, Piet and Hans.
Their friends came to wave goodbye
as they paddled away at dawn,
little Calli shed a few sad tears
and Omar stifled a yawn.
To be continued …..
Jackie S Brooks ©
7 March 2006
http://uk.geocities.com/selbybrooks/ http://www.scribblerscorner.com/
Co-author:
"Pink Jasper: Gems From The Journey"
Pink Jasper
Sisters:
http://homepage.mac.com/emaedel/Personal1.html
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