The Treasure Chest

Andy, Jimmy and Tony were on holidays from school.  They decided to go to the docks and rent a boat, to go and explore.  Andy's father's family owned the rights to an island off the coast.  Andy was fifteen and a very responsible person.   Jimmy and Tony were twins' (14), so their parents readily let them go for a few weeks to the island.  They went on Monday morning and the sky was blue and sunny.  They set off at around 12 o' clock- Suddenly they hit rough weather, Andy tried his best but he couldn't control the boat and collided with the rocks.  Andy fell down with the impact. A few minutes later Jimmy and Tony came up to see what had happened.  Andy tried in vain to start the engine.  Andy was level-headed and didn't panic but he was worried and frightened, yet he didn't show it to his younger brothers.  Andy tried to send an SOS but there was no power............... 

We docked the boat.  Andy decided to get out.  Then one of the twins (Jimmy) asked Andy 'should we swim back'?  "No" said Tony "we'll freeze to death.  Where do you think we are?  The Canaries' said Andy '0k!  Ok!  " @d Jimmy ' I was just asking. I'm sorry Jimmy' said Andy "but I'm just so tired and I'm getting really mad with the hunger'.  They all walked around the rock- Soon when the mist cleared they saw a funny long island 'Maybe its the Aran Islands.' 'No we would at least have to go another 7 or 8 miles before we could reach the Aran Islands'.  'Look lets get into our own boat and go over there to that strange looking island, the boat may be a bit shaky but we have an emergency paddle".  They eventually reached it.  By now the storm had died down.  We got out of our boat.  "Get your rucksacks and your sleeping bags and lets go!". So the boys did that.  Soon they were walking around the Island. It was getting dark so they pitched the tent and started the fire and then had something to eat and went to sleep.  The next morning Andy went for a walk along the beach. Jimmy and Tony were still asleep in the tent.  Suddenly he fell through the sand and when he woke up he saw a shiney treasure chest.  He got out of the hole and went back to the tent.  "We're rich, rich I tell you.  "What are you talking about?" said Jimmy.  So they went back to the hole but the chest was gone............

The boys heard drunken shouts from the northern side of the island.  A thick forest separated the boys and the rowdy poitín makers who were a terrible racket.  The boys all had a scout knife each. They ventured into the deep, dark dingy forest.  The boys were hacking their way through the overgrown undergrowth, on the forest floor and the vines above their heads.  Suddenly Jimmy yelled hoarsely.  An anaconda was crushing him to death.  Just then Andy saw the glint of sun shining on metal.  A machete was stuck in the bark of an oak tree.  Then a huge succulent boar ran out of the forest and Andy killed it.  He dangled it in front of the anaconda's nose.  It slackened its death grip on Jimmy and grabbed the carcass in front of it.  He had bitten off more than he could chew and his jaws locked.  The boys grabbed the stunned anaconda and they dragged him along.  Finally they reached the other side of the forest.  Then the boys saw the treasure chest all right.  But the poitín makers were sitting comfortably on it.  The leader had a big pimply nose, and a big black beard.  He was the drunkest of the lot.  Tony swung the anaconda and threw the anaconda into the middle of the group. They fled for their boats.  But the boys were too quick.  Andy grabbed the chest and the boys vaulted into one of the boats.  The boat had an outboard engine.  Andy steered carefully.  The boys made quick progress home.

They were last seen with Julia Roberts and Pamela Anderson in Bali !!!

Section 1:    Dromina N.S., Charleville, Co. Cork

Section 2:    Newtownshandrum N.S., Newtownshandrum, Charleville, Co. Cork

Section 3:    Newmarket Boys' N.S., Newmarket, Mallow, Co. Cork