Chapter 6 THE TALE OF ANDRA'S TREASURE
　　THE Viking Star was now going off to cruise among the islands of the Aegean Sea. The water was abeautiful dark blue, and the children thought it was the nicest part of the trip, seeing the islands loomup out of the purple-blue sea.
　　Lucian proved himself quite useful here, because he knew that part of the sea very well. He was ableto tell them about the different islands, and he was full of exciting stories of old pirates and robberiesat sea, and the taking of treasure.
　　"See that island we're coming to," he said. "That's Oupos. It's only small, but it's got an old castle onit with one of the biggest dungeons² in the world. The old sailors used to take prisoners at sea, and sailto Oupos, and dump their prisoners in the dungeons. Sometimes they left them there for years — tillthey were old men."
　　"How horrible!" said Lucy-Ann. "Have you been on Oupos?""Yes, once," said Lucian. "I saw the holes for the dungeons too. Nearly fell down one myself.""What do you mean — holes for the dungeons?" asked Philip.
　　"Well — the yard of the old castle was pitted with holes — deep, very deep holes," explained Lucian.
　　"And when a prisoner was landed on the island he was dragged to the great yard and popped downthe nearest hole. He fell down, down into the dungeons below, and joined the other prisoners there.""How awful! Couldn't he get out again?" asked Jack³, in horror.
　　"No. The only way out was up the steep, deep holes," said Lucian. "No one could climb up those.""But how were the prisoners fed?" asked Philip.
　　"Easy," said Lucian. "The guards just went to the holes each day and tipped food down.""I don't know whether to believe that or not," said Jack.
　　"I tell you, I've been on the island and seen the holes," insisted Lucian. "Of course, the dungeonsaren't used now — the yard is all overgrown, and you can hardly see the dungeon¹ holes. That's how Inearly fell down one."
　　"Would you have been there till you were old?" asked Lucy-Ann.
　　"Of course not. My uncle would have got a rope and hauled me up," said Lucian. "I should probablyhave broken my leg though."
　　"Tell us some more tales about these old islands," said Jack. "I wouldn't mind visiting one or two!""Well, I daresay we could, if I asked my uncle," said Lucian surprisingly.

分享到：