Jennifer Jane and the fireworks 2/3

Jennifer Jane was very grateful, but before she went she asked politely if she could have a short ride in the paddle steamer.

"Why shiver my timbers, of course you can," smiled Barnacle Bill. Jennifer Jane was quite sure that he was only too pleased to be able to show off.

There was plenty of room in the steamer for them both. Barnacle Bill fussed about importantly, lighting the fire under the boiler and tapping the glass front of the pressure gauge to see if the steam pressure was high enough.

At last he announced, "A full head of steam, cast off forrard, cast off aft."

Jennifer Jane untied the ropes that held the steamer to posts set in the beach. Barnacle Bill started pulling levers, at the same time giving himself orders, most of which Jennifer Jane couldn't understand.

"Slow astern port engine, slow ahead starboard," he called and then," slow ahead both."

The paddle steamer nosed out of the trees with a chuff chuff from the funnel and a hiss of steam.

"Now then young lady, push this lever right forward when I give the word."

Barnacle Bill went up onto the foredeck and started to tidy up some ropes. A moment later they were well clear of the island and Jennifer Jane heard him shout,

"Full ahead both."

She pushed the lever as she'd been told and the steamer began to move along much faster than she could hope to go in her canoe. They went right round the island and all too soon had returned to the harbour. Jennifer Jane was sorry to go, but as soon as the paddle steamer was safely moored, she had to get back into her canoe and go straight home. She thought she heard Barnacle Bill's foghorn a long way behind her as she arrived at the magic fog. Then she wished for the giant's pool.

When she arrived at the pool, the giant helped her lift 'Drawrof' from the water and Jennifer Jane told him how she'd spent the day. Then she set off for home pulling her canoe along behind her on its trolley.

Her father was rather surprised to learn that she had friends who were going to give her some fireworks. He didn't ask any questions, but Jennifer Jane noticed that on the fourth of November he was nearly as excited as she was.