The Adventurer (S1,E13)

Laramie heard a loud metallic click and turned to see his companion with a pistol in his hand. Jumping to his feet, Laramie clutched the map very tightly in his hand. 

"I've done a lot of work and risked my life to get this map, and if I get it back to Cap'n Jim, I'll get a fair share of the goods we find. I've come this far for the map and I'm not going back without it!" Laramie thought to himself with determination. To the barber he said, "Put that away, and let's get to the ship. The Governor is sure to find this map missing in a short time and then we won't get out of Calcutta alive!"

"I'm keepin' this pistol handy, cuz it's my insurance thet you an' your Cap'n give me my share! Now whitch way to the ship?"

Laramie heaved a sigh of relief as he felt his tense muscles relax a little bit. "I'd better watch my step with this fellow, and then there will be no more of these confrontations!" Laramie gently placed the crumpled old map back into his pocket and smiled. "This is where you belong." He thought. With that Laramie and the barber turned in the direction of the little port where Lady Jane was anchored. The sun hid his face beyond the horizon and dusk fell heavily around the two men so they hastened their steps across the cobbled streets...to be continued...

The Adventurer (S1,E12)

"Here it is!" Exclaimed Laramie in excitement as he lifted the priceless document out of the crate. 

The two men knelt on the ground as Laramie spread the map out on his lap. 

" it's beautiful!" Remarked the barber. The menacing scowel was gone and an expression of awe replaced it. He looked down at the dusty, dirty parchment map, but saw trunks full of gold and jewels. In his imagination he could see himself draped with sapphire rings and pearl chains, a golden and diamond studded watch in one hand and a silver goblet in the other. 

"Ay can have anything Ay want!" he thought lustily. "The most beautiful estate, the finest horses, the most expensive carriages, dozens of servants that jump at my every beck and call, there all mine with this map!"

As these thoughts seeped into the all the crevasses of his mind, the expression of awe was ousted by a gleam of greed. He looked over at Laramie who sat beside him. His eyebrows curved down into a deep notch, and he reached his hand to the inner pocket of his coat to produce a pistol. He gingerly cocked back the hammer. 

Laramie heard the metallic click of the hammer and turned to see his companion with a loaded pistol pointed at him!

The Adventurer (S1,E11)

The barber rubbed his thumb along the blade of the razor and stepped toward Laramie with a dark glare in his eyes.

"The man wi' thet treasure map is apt to become very rich!" Said the barber. "I think I'd be entitled to a small part if Ay let ya go!" 

"Oh yes, sir, but you see, I've lost the map and I must go now to find it. I just needed a shave to pass off my disguise." Laramie ventured timidly. 

"Lost the map? Where did ye lose it?" Roared the barber. 

"Well, to be exact, sir, it's in a box of bread on its way to a banquet at Sir Waller's, and I was on my way there, but I needed a shave so I stepped in here and then..."

"Stop blubbering!" Shouted the barber, "I've got a friend who is an extra cook for thet event." The barber grabbed his coat with one hand and Laramie's arm with the other and dragged them both out the door. A two-wheeled dog-cart bumped Laramie and the barber to the great estate. 

"Ye had a box o' bread delivered today?" Asked the barber. 

"Right we did, sir, the empty box is out there." The cook pointed. As soon as the cook closed the door the two men dashed to the rejected crate and tore through the paper packaging. 

"Here it is!" exclaimed Laramie in excitement as he lifted the priceless document...to be continued. 

The Adventurer (S1,E10)

Laramie stepped out of the tailor's shop looking like a refined gentleman. There was, however, one glaring error in his disguise: his scraggly pirate beard. This forgotten detail would signal to all those around him that he was an imposter. Yet without a backward glance, he set off on his mission. 

He was walking pleasantly along, trying to feel the part he was now playing when a child's voice broke into his thoughts. 

"Mommy, why does that man have such a funny beard?" Questioned the little boy. 

"Shhh, son, he's a pirate, but he trying not to be noticed by the governor's soldiers. Quickly cross to the other side of the street!" She said with urgency. 

Laramie looked around for a moment for this imposter when he realized that the child had been speaking of him!

"Uhh ohh!" Thought Laramie as he rubbed his hand across his face. "I'd better find a barber!"

This task was no as difficult as the task of finding a tailor had been. In fact, just as he finished thinking the thought, a barber's sign presented itself. 

Laramie was more cautious of himself by this time, and seeing only one other man in the shop to be shaved he decided to stay. 

Laramie watched in awe as the pudgy barber wielded the razor with cunning accuracy. 

"I wonder if he fences," Laramie thought, "I'd hate to cross swords with him!"

Soon the other man was finished and Laramie was left alone in the room with the barber. He sat down comfortably in the chair and said, "Take off the beard, but leave the side burns." He smiled pleasantly up at the barber, but stopped short. The barber was not smiling at him. Truthfully, he looked like a wolf that had just entered a sheepfold. 

"If he's the wolf, then I must be the sheep!" Laramie gulped. 

"Ay know who ye are, an' Ay know who ye wark for!" He said in a low dramatic tone. "Ye are master Laramie the safecracker from the Lady Jane an' Cap'n Jim sent ye here ta steal thet map of ole' One-Eye's!"

Laramie could hardly believe his ears, but since his eyes confirmed it, he knew he had to believe it. 

The barber rubbed his thumb along the blade of the razor and stepped toward Laramie with a dark glare in his eyes...to be continued. 

The Adventurer (S1,E9)

"We're goin' ashore to find Laramie, an' if you try an' stop us,Cap'n, we'll throw you in the sea!" Cried a red faced pirate. 

"Tha'd be mutiny!" Interrupted the tall mate. 

"Yea it would!" hollered the pirate as the angry mob began to surge forward. 

For a fleeting moment it seemed to Captain Jim that all was lost. Laramie had not returned. He had no way of knowing where the map was now. Perhaps Laramie had it and had double crossed him. Maybe it had been lost or destroyed. His ship was stuck in a dark secluded cove. The British Royal Navy had blockaded the port so nobody could get in or out. If that weren't enough, his once faithful crew was now threatening mutiny. If Captain Jim had ever been close to running, this would have been the time. As he gazed out at the angry mob, they could never have guessed the turmoil in his mind for he faced them with a look of cold determination. 

This was a look they'd seen before when they were surrounded on a desert island with no way to escape, yet they had lived throught that situation. The mob that faced their Captain knew only that he stuck things out even when all hope was gone. They knew that anyone who stood against Captain Jim lived to regret it. Ordinarily they would be sacrificing everything to fight with and for Jim against all odds, but with promise of finding the greatest pirate treasure loot in history, greed and distrust had suddenly entered their hearts. After all, what assurance had they but the word of Captain Jim and Laramie?

So the two groups faced each other, both wondering which would survive...to be continued. 

The Adventurer (S1,E8)

Laramie sat on the curb with his face in his hands, plagued by gloomy thoughts of what his fate would be. He had lost the map, and the crew would surely keel haul him for that. 

"Sir Waller's banquet..." The words echoed in his mind. Then a daring idea presented itself, "What if I dressed up and went to that banquet. I could disguise myself and they'd never recognize me as a pirate. Why they'd think I was some high-society aristocrat!" 

With renewed faith in his ability to retrieve his lost map, Laramie jumped up off the curb. He darted from street to street in search of a place where he could trade his sailor's outfit for some fancy duds. He finally settled on a place called "Dressed to the Hilt tailoring shop". 

"That's just what I need!" He said grinning to himself, and in he went. 

An hour later a tall, refinedly dressed gentleman stepped out of a tailoring shop. On his feet were black boots, polished so they shone brighter than the sun. He was wearing a pair of long white slacks that touched the vamp of his boots. His collar was tied around with a fine linen handkerchief tie, and his grey vest added a tone of dustinction. A gold watchchain hung from the little pocket in the vest, and a crisp beaver pelt top-hat crowned his sandy locks. Last, but certainly not least was his smart blue jacket which could have passed him for a baron in London. Laramie felt rather proud of himself in his new get-up, and set off for Sir Waller's estate. 

There was, however, a very glaring error in Laramie's disguise, and that was his his scraggly, unkept pirate beard. This one forgotten detail would signal all those around him that he was an imposter. Yet without a backwards glance, he set off on his mission...to be continued. 

Thanks to God

Everyone has a bowed head,

We thank Thee for our daily bread. 

You've blessed us with our every need,

So those who have not we will feed. 

You we will now serve with zeal,

Because we do your blessings feel. 

The Adventurer (S1,E7)

Laramie sat down on the curb in utter defeat, "I'll never get the map now!" He thought. He put his face into his hands and began to wonder what Captain Jim would say. "Maybe he'll understand..." Laramie's thoughts drifted off. "No, he probably be mad enough to keel haul me!" A shudder ran down his spine. He had seen worse punishments for a much slighter offence before...but Captain Jim was usually very fair. Maybe he would just be put out of the crew. "What if I just disappeared?" He questioned himself. "The crew might think that I'd been captured...no, they'd think I ran out with that map and they'd hunt for my carcass in every two bit port in the South Pacific." These gloomy thoughts continued to plague him as he searched for a solution to his problem. 

Meanwhile on the ship, the crew was becoming restless. They were now all assembled before the captain and his two ship's mates (both of which we met in E1). 

"Laramie ain't comin' back!" Hollered a half drunk sailor. "He got thet map an' ran off wi'out us to find the treasure!"

"He wanted it all for 'imself, the greedy, two-faced liar!" Yelled another. 

"Let's go after 'im, an' we'll teach 'im what 'appens to turncoats!" Exclaimed another pirate who had been yelling till he was red in the face. 

"Yea, let's go after him!" Echoed the mob. 

Captain Jim stood there with eyes like stone and unmoving lips. 

"We're all a little nervous, I know thet, but Laramie'll be here if the Cap'n said so!" Retorted the shorter, bearded mate. 

"We're goin' ashore, an' if you don' like it, we'll throw all three of you into the sea!" Said the red faced pirate. 

"Tha'd be mutiny!" Cried the tall clean shaven mate at the captain's left. 

"Yea, it would!" Shouted the pirate as the angry mob surged forward...to be continued. 

Essay on Michael Faraday (part 2)

Michael's sister, Elizabeth, found him a job with a book-binder. There he could read books. He learned many things but became especially interested in the science of chemistry and electricity. By paying close attention to those around him, he also learned how to pronounce the letter "r".  

When Michael was 21 he attended a series of lectures by Sir Humphrey Davy, one of the most well known scientists of his day. So Michael quit his job at the book-binder's and went to work for Davy as a lab assistant. Many years later on his death bed, Sir Humphrey Davy said,"My greatest discovery was Michael Faraday. 

No matter how famous he became, Michael Faraday never became prideful. It is no wonder that Albert Eienstine ranked him beside Galelao and Newton. God greatly used Michael Faraday and I think theses are the two main reasons why He did: Michael Faraday had an unwavering faith in God, and he had a determination to overcome obstacles. 

The Adventurer (S1,E6)

Laramie, helpless to do anything, watched the box that contained the map being carried out the door. 

Frantic and desperate, he jumped up and chased after the man with the box. "Oh, why didn't I just go straight to the ship when I had the map. Now I'll have to chase that thing all over India!"

Laramie's state of mind was frustrated even more by the throngs of people in the streets that were hindering his ability to follow the man with the box. Squinting in the bright summer's sun and weaving his line of sight around the many other pedestrians, Laramie caught a glimpse of the man putting the box of bread onto a flat backed cart that was being pulled by two horses. Into the mash of crowed streets the cart disappeared and Laramie sat down on the curb in utter defeat. "I'll never get that map now!" He thought. 

Essay on Michael Faraday (part 1)

Michael Faraday was one of the most prominent scientists in history. Thanks to him, we have many modern convienences. Other scientists and inventors have taken Faraday's discoveries and made products which are very useful to us. 

EARLY LIFE:

Michael Faraday went to school like any other kid. However, Michel had a speech impediment. Instead of learning things at school, he was mocked and ridiculed-even by his teacher! One day his teacher attempted to beat him for his inability to say the letter "r". She sent Robert, Michel's older brother to go get a switch, but instead he went and told his mother. 

Mrs. Faraday, who was usually a quiet and reserved person, came into the school and informed the teacher that the Faraday children would not be coming back. Michel was disappointed, for he wanted to learn. Not long later, Michel was talking to his father, and his father told him, "You can learn manny things on the streets of London, just read the signs."

Jesus in Me

Can those around me see

The love of Christ in me?

When I speak, do they hear

And know that God is near?

Oh, can they see His care

Coming from my every prayer?

Is He close enough to me

That others too can see?

The Adventurer (S1,E5)

Two of the governor's soldiers marched into the shop. 

"You, sailor, empty your pockets!" Barked the tall blonde sergeant. 

Laramie's heart dropped to his knees. 

"They're going to find it!" He thought. "M'hum" he grunted in reply shoving another bite of roll into his mouth with his left hand, and with his right he gingerly removed the map from his pocket and stuck it under the lid of a box beside him. 

Laramie stood up and brushed the crumbs off of his knickers, then pulled out the lining of his pockets. A gold sovereign hit the floor with a crash and rolled around. 

"Do you have your commission papers?" Asked the sergeant. 

"No, sir, I leave 'em with my Cap'n." He answered. 

This seemed to satisfy the two soldiers, and they left as abruptly as they came in. Laramie picked up the sovereign and went to pay the baker. He looked at the crate with the map in it out of the corner of his eye. "You're a quick thinker, Laramie!" He said to himself with a smile. However, no sooner had he thought that when a burly man came in and picked up the crate. 

"This the bread for Sir Waller's banquet?" He asked the baker. 

"Sure is! An' I hope 'e likes it!" He answered. 

So Laramie, helpless to do any thing, watched the map walk right out the door...to be continued. 

Shelter in the Storm

When I upon the seas am tossed, 

And on the cruel waves am lost,

As I utter my last and faintest cry

And I feel there's nothing left but to die,

You never fail to take my hand

And lead me into that bright land. 

You're always there to hear my prayer

Lord, I know You really care!

The Adventurer (S1,E4)

Laramie turned around and slowly lowered himself out the window. Something sharp jabbed his back and his heart froze. 

"Is it a bayonet? Or a cutlass?" He panicked. He reached his hand around to feel his aprehender, but instead of cold steel, he felt leaves. Confused, he turned to find the "bayonet" was actually a young cyperus tree. Laramie laughed at himself for being so jumpy and managed to get out of the courtyard with no trouble. 

Back in the crowded streets of Calcutta, Laramie sauntered confidently. He felt that the worst was behind him and it was clear sailing from here on. 

As Laramie passed a local bakery, he was reminded of his hunger. Beautiful aromas wafted enticingly towards him. His stomach growled in an attempt to persuade him to turn inside. So Laramie listened and stepped into the shop for a roll. 

No sooner had he bitten into the warm buttery roll, when two of the governor's soldiers marched into the shop. 

"You, sailor, empty your pockets!" Barked the tall blonde sergeant. 

Laramie's heart dropped to his knees. "They're going to find it!" He thought...to be continued. 

Only Learn to Pray

Don't forget to pray

As you walk along each day. 

God will your burdens bear, 

For really He does care!

He will always be right there

To hear your faintest prayer. 

I know He'll pick you up

And with blessings fill your cup

If you only learn to pray!

The Adventurer (S1,E3)

Laramie held his breath in fear as the footsteps echoed closer and the door latch creaked under a firm grasp. The door swung open slowly and a beam of light shot across the floor of the dark office. Laramie dodged behind some heavy drapes in the nick of time. He stood there like a statue, afraid to move, afraid to breathe. He would face an unpleasant punishment if they caught him. 

The governor sat down heavily into a large wooden chair and patted the top of his safe. 

"Now, men, this is what we need to defend. You all are aware of its contents, I'm sure." 

The robust group of soldiers nodded solemnly. 

"One man in particular wants the map, and that's Captain Jim of the Lady Jane," continued the governor. "Jim will stop at nothing to get his hands on it!"

Laramie breathed a silent sigh of relief.

"He doesn't know how close Cap'n is to having it yet." He thought "and he need never know!" Laramie felt his pocket to make sure the map was still there. 

He then looked around for a way to escape his curtain prison. Seeing a window, Laramie moved noiselessly towards it while still listening to the drone of the governor's voice. 

He opened the latch and gently lifted the sill wondering if it would squeak. His eyes darted left and right to see if there were someone watching him. He turned around and slowly lowered himself out the window. Something sharp jabbed his back. Laramie's heart froze. 

"It it a bayonet? Or maybe a cutlass?"...to be continued. 

Pray

It is a command from God

It hasn't been suggested. 

We shouldn't need a prod

When our time is being invested. 

So why are we so reluctant 

To come before the Lord?

One day we'll be repentant

For we really can't afford 

To loose this time with God!

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Lord, teach us to pray,

To do it every day. 

We know You hear our cry, 

And quickly You reply. 

Yet in trouble now are we, 

And though we try, we cannot see

Our direction or our way. 

So, Lord, teach us to pray!

The Adventurer (S1,E2)

"I hope Laramie comes soon." Said the captain as he watched the sun sink into the horizon.

Now, poor dear Laramie was a long ways off from rejoining his captain and crew on their pirate ship. He had been sent to steal the famous treasure map that had belonged to Ole' One-Eyed the Pirate. Recently One-Eyed had been captured by the British Royal Navy and on his body they had found this famous treasure map. The map now lay in the governor of Calcutta's safe. Captain Jim had wanted to lay his hands on this infamous document for many years, but One-Eyed had cheated him out of it several times. Now he had his chance to get it, for the governor of Calcutta was not an equally matched foe. 

Laramie, the ship's mate, was known for being handy at safecracking, so he was sent in after the map. It was not, however, quite as easy of a job as Captain Jim and Laramie  had originally figured. 

At about noon, Laramie snuck a shore and quickly located the governor's house. Finding a convenient bush to hide behind he disguised himself and waited for a an opportunity to enter. 

He successfully got into the governor's office safe and removed the map. 

"The Cap'n will be mighty happy when he sees this!" Laramie thought as a grin broke over his face. 

Then suddenly the pounding footsteps of soldiers echoed through the corridor.  Laramie shoved the map into his pocket and closed the safe hoping that no one would notice it missing. He held his breath in fear as the echoing footsteps drew nearer and the latch on the door creaked under a firm grasp...to be continued. 

The Adventurer (S1,E1)

The sun smiled down at the grass, the trees waved at the fluffy clouds, and the brook seemed to laugh its way through the hollow. Jimmie Harris lay sprawled out in the grass with his straw hat plopped over his eyes. Beside him sat a large, somewhat browned with age atlas. Now, to the casual observer this may not seem like a very adventurous scene, but to one who knows Jimmie and his atlas, they also know that some great adventure is taking place secreted in the mind of the boy in the grass.

So that we might enjoy Jimmie's adventure with him, we must take a closer look at the open atlas. South Pacific islands splatter the page. 

"Ayy, the day is far spent!" Said a grizzle chinned, grizzle voiced sailor. He was quite a picture with his red and white stripped night cap, knee high leather boots, and glittering cutlass that hung at his side. 

"Ayy, an' if we don't be gettin' on, we'll be stuck in this miserable cove!" Replied another similarly dresses swashbuckler. 

Both men were eyed by a tall man in a white cap. His features seemed similar to those of our friend Jimmie Harris, except they were older and browned to a deep mahogany by the relentless sun. 

"We ain't leavin' wi'out Laramie, an' thet's final!" He said in a voice colored by determination.  

"But, Cap'n, he oughta' been back three hours ago. I don' think 'e's comin'.

"He's comin', you'll see." Said the captain. 

The two sailors walked away from the captain, but their doubts were not eased.

"Laramie will never git into the Governor's safe an' out again alive, an' thet's a fact!" Said the shorter and bearded one of the two. 

"Ayy, can't be agreein' more, but ye know the cap'n when 'is minds made up, an' 'is minds made up about gettin' thet treasure map they found on Ole' One-Eye the Pirate's body." Said the taller clean shaven man. 

The two men watched the sun as it began to sink into the horizon.

  "I hope Laramie comes soon." Thought the captain, for he to was watching the sun....to be continued. 

Homeward Bound

Oh when I see the lights of Home,

And hear the angels there,

When I have no more to roam,

But meet my Saviour in the air. 

Then when I hear Him call my name

His child I'll ever be. 

I then shall find my home the same,

And know that Christ loves me. 

Thought wretched sinner once I came,

And how could it all be? 

For now it is my only aim

To thank the One who died for me. 

A Sinner's Resolution

I am now free from fetters,

My name written in red letters. 

I belong to no other,

He's better than a brother.  

Now of my Saviour to sing

And let the anthems ring. 

To Him my song shall ever be:

Oh thank you, Jesus, for loving me!

My Friend (part 2)

I will forever love,

And look up above

To see Tour wondrous care;

To give Thee every prayer. 

Why do I shame you so?

Or will I ever know?

Help me to follow Thee

Where you want me to be. 

My Friend (part 1)

Thou art my dearest friend,

My hope 'til the end. 

You're ever near to me;

With Thee I'll safely be!

Who else could I follow?

Hold to while here below?

I feel Your mighty hand

Helping me to stand!