Swallows and Amazons Forever

Grab a chance and you won’t be sorry for a might-have-been.

You write not for children but for yourself. And if by good fortune children enjoy what you enjoy, why then you are a writer of children’s books.

BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS IF NOT DUFFERS WONT DROWN

A good square honest friendship is the most dependable thing on this earth. The thing they call love may improve it, but, without the friendship, it is nothing at all and not worth two taps of a typewriter.

Properly,“ said Titty, "John ought to nail a gold piece to the mast like Columbus did, and the one who sees land first gets it.” “I haven’t got one,” said John. “We’ll keep a look out, just the same,” said Roger. “I should jolly well think you will.

I say,“ interrupted Titty. "It really was piracy… We never thought of it, but of course it was… We’ll all be hanged at Execution Dock… in chains… jangling in the wind. Oh, I say, Jim, do prosecute. Nancy’d be simply delighted.

He tottered back and caught hold of the rail at the foot of the bed. There was a card hanging from it, a printed form. He read: “Patient’s Name…” Someone had written in ink, “Unknown seaman. ? Dane ??…” Then he saw that someone had drawn a line in pencil from the space for Patient’s Name down to the bottom of the card, where, in round, clear handwriting, he read the words, “Talks English.” “Well, I do like that,” said Jim Brading.

Now, the telegram she’ll get’ll read like this: GOBLIN AND CREW INCREASED BY KITTEN ALL WELL RETURNING TOMORROW NIGHT

Daddy reached out just in time to move John’s plate before he dipped his hair in it. John had fallen asleep with his head on the table. ‘Skipper’s been a long time on the bridge,’ said his father quietly.

Time went fast as the six mariners sat round the fire planning voyages. At last Captain Nancy looked up at the sun. ‘We’d better be sailing,’ she said, or there’ll be more trouble with the natives. We’ve been late for supper twice this week already. This wind always goes and drops about sunset, and it’s a tremendous way to row. Stir your stumps, Peggy.’ ‘One of them’s asleep,’ said Peggy. ‘It’ll wake up if you stir them both,’ said Captain Nancy.

Captain John had used his leading lights for the first time, and had made his harbour in pitch dark. ‘This is going to win us the war with the Amazons,’ he said with great delight. ‘It’s the one thing they think we can’t do, and we can. They think they are safe from us at night.’

‘War beginning tomorrow,’ shouted Captain Nancy. ‘Alright,’ shouted Captain John.