Ah! Ah! Paul Parrots, you speak for themselves! Ah! Ah! Chippahoy, you lovers! All aboard for the transcribed premiere production, The Cruise of the Paul Parrot, that thrilling, exciting story of the sea. In our last adventure, Johnny and Sue, with first mate George Wainwright and old peg-legged Dickon, hid in the secret compartment Alteste had used, and listened to a very startling conversation between Alteste and the owner of the ship, Paul Parrot, Ezra Grange, in Grange's cabin. In that conversation, every bit of the mystery was cleared up. The map Ezra Grange has, and the true purpose of the cruise of the Paul Parrot, is the key to a very valuable mineral vein on a small South Sea island, and half of this map really belongs to Johnny's father. Alteste has wanted this map, that's why he has caused so much trouble, and now he threatens to reveal Grange's plot to cheat young Johnny, if Grange will not let him in as a partner. When Grange refuses, Alteste produces a gun, and at that moment, Captain Dalton, who has heard everything, demands entrance to the cabin. Grange realizes his plot has been discovered, and opens the door while Alteste plans to shoot Captain Dalton as he enters. However, Captain Wainwright hurls Dickon's wooden leg at Alteste and knocks the gun out of his hand. A great struggle ensues in which Dalton knocks out Grange, but Alteste suddenly grabs a knife, seizes Sue, and threatens to stab her if he has followed. The men all stand back at Witt's end, while Alteste is retreating into the secret passage back to the hold, and carrying Sue with him. Blow me down, our hands are tied. We can't follow the lover into the hold, he might harm little Sue. Well, I'm going to save Sue, and I'll have her free in ten minutes. Wait a minute lad, you'll only be hurt trying to outwit Alteste, and you'll put Sue in greater danger. Don't worry, I won't let Alteste see me. I'll be careful. Alas Roy, what do you suppose the lad means to do? He can't do anything George, he's just excited. He likes little Sue, you can lay to that. He's probably just gone on deck to think up some boyish plan. Captain Dalton, Captain Dalton, Mr. Grange is coming too. Well, after that blow you gave him on the chin Roy. I'm surprised he didn't stay asleep a lot longer. Oh, where, where, oh, so I'm here, yeah, I remember. You've gotten us into a pretty reef Grange. If you hadn't tried to help that swab Alteste, your sister wouldn't be in danger now. My sister? What's happened to her? Where is she, and where's Alteste? Alteste grabbed her and rushed down the passageway. We couldn't follow her, he'd have used his knife. You mean that scoundrel has Sue in his hands? Good Lord, we've got to get her free. You should have thought of that before you hooked into Alteste's dirty game Grange. Oh, what have I done? If anything happens to Sue it'll be... What can we do? What do you suppose he's going to do to her? My guess is that he'll clamp in the hold and keep Sue as a protection. He'll probably be wanting us to set him a sea in a boat with some provisions. And not until then will he free the girl. That's my guess too George. We'll have to go down in the hold with a white flag and offer him protection until he hands Sue over to us. Pardon me sirs, but he can't stay there below forever or he'd starve. Not much chance of that Dickon. Since we know that Red Mulhollay was in this plan with him, Red must have kept him well supplied with provisions when he hid below in that secret passage. He'll still have enough to last him for some time. But for heaven's sakes, give him anything he wants, anything to save Sue. It seems to me Grange, you're blooming soft-hearted all of a sudden. Up to now nobody's life has meant much to you and your scheming, cheating plans of getting money. Oh I know, I know I deserve all you can say about me. I guess I deserve that blow Captain. I realize now what a fool I've been. Nothing matters now that Sue's in trouble. She's very dear to me and we've got to speak to Al Testy and talk terms. I'm glad to hear you talk like that. It brings back some of my faith in men. But you're right, we're wasting words up here. We've got to get below and talk to that Spaniard. We've got to do what he says to get Sue back. And batten down my hatch, it's a sorry thing to me to have to do what that swab says. Have ass then. Come along with us Dickon, you've been a great help to us up to now. Hold on just a second till I lash on me big leg sir. It's the lion wear where it fell when you heaved it at Al Testy. Go ahead Dickon, we'll go in advance. We'll head right for the hole, down here along the companion way. Nothing can happen to Sue, we can't let it happen. I know Mr. Grange that you're at your wits end about your sister. But there's one thing I want to make clear. We know all about this cruise now and we know all you had planned. We know the reason for every list of port you might say. Well you're still the owner of the ship, Pal Parrot, and you have the right to say about her. You're to say what's the purpose of the cruise and where she goes. But from now on, as captain, I'm true master of this ship. What will you aboard, how everything's run above or below deck, I'm to say that. I'm to be true master of this ship from now on. Is that understood Mr. Grange? Yes captain, you're right. Skipper, that's your duty. I know my place from now on. Avast sirs, I wish to be alone. Come ahead Dickens, here's the hatch to the hold. Down we go. I'd say captain, that you'd better let the squad know that you're here. That you've come peaceable. Or he's apt to think that you're sneaking up on him and he might even harm Miss Sue. You're right Dickens. Avast there, I'll testy. This is Captain Dalton speaking peaceable. We're here to talk terms with you. There's no answer. Do you think he's in the hold? Maybe he stayed back in the secret passageway. Oh good lord, I hope nothing's happened to Sue. It isn't likely he's in the passage. My guess is that he's hemmed himself in some place among these empty whale oil casks. Blow me down, I believe you're right captain. Look over to the starboard ceiling. Do you see how those casks are stacked around in a circle and very high? They were never stowed down here like that. Ah, I'm stung in the lumber of ship, ram him in midship. Stow that you slab-sided animal. You're in a better not squall it is. Ahoy there, that's Hesty. We're here on a peaceful mission. Will you talk terms with us? Come forward to this group of casks. We have built a fortress here, so do not try any tricks. He said we built a fortress captain. Who else does he mean by we? Shiver me timbers sir, look. The iron's there. Where you had Red Mulhollay chained up. They're empty. So that's it. He's freed Mulhollay and they're both back of those casks. Is Mulhollay back there with you? Of course, we work together. Ah, captain, you and Senor Grange approach the casks. The others must stand ten paces behind you. And don't try any tricks. Go ahead captain, we'll stand back. All right, but how do we know you won't heave that knife at us? Ah, you are a fool captain. If I threw a knife at you, how could I harm the girl I am holding as hostage? That sounds reasonable. Avast then, we're here. Now what do you want us to do before you return the girl unharmed? You must outfit a whale boat with a month's provisions in case we are some time at sea. You must pile all weapons aboard the ship in the bow. And you and all the crew must stand in the stern. You yourself must lower the boat with Mulhollay and myself and the girl in it. The girl? What do you mean? You will also supply us with an empty cask. As soon as we have been set afloat, we'll lash the little lady to the casks and set her in the sea. Then you can pick her up and take her aboard. Of all the outrageous plots that I ever... Careful of your tongue, Senor Grange. You have nothing to gain by it. Very well. We'll do whatever you say. But understand this, Altesty. The girl must be returned unharmed. I assure you she shall be. If you doubt about her now, you may see her. See? Look, he's lifting her above the casks. She's waving. Sue, Sue, are you all right? I'm fine, Ezra. You and Captain Dogg mustn't worry about me. Just do whatever you think best. All right, Sue. Very well, Altesty. We'll do as you say. I hate to do this, you billed scum, but our hands are tied. There's nothing we can do. We'll have the whale boat ready in 30 minutes. You are very sensible, Captain. Much more sensible than I thought. One more condition. When we go above, Captain, you must walk ahead of us right before us. I do not trust your fists. You strike quickly and very well. As my companion here, Senor Mulhollay, can attest. I'll get even with him for that someday. Aye, aye, Mulhollay. I look forward to a pleasant scene when we meet again. Be sure, Senor Captain, that the whale boat you prepare for us is equipped with canvas, properly trimmed. We shall need a sail, or we will wish to leave you in quite a hurry. Blaster, you think of everything. Very well. Wainwright and Dickon, come here. You heard the conditions this swab Altesty has set for us. Aye, sir. We'll have to comply in every detail. I'll remain here until they come out of their hiding place. Then I shall walk before them, just as they said. It's blooming dangerous. The lover can stab you in the back. I'll have to take that chance. Don't turn around, sir. Something blooming funny is happening to one of those casks on the top row. Over where Altesty's voice was coming from. What do you mean? It's rocking very slowly, to and fro, and it's always moving further in. Blow me down. What could that be? Suffering whitefish. I know, Captain. Johnny went away from the cabin ahead of us. I'll lay you that he's stowed away in that cask, and he's losing his balance. I think, sirs, what if Johnny is in that cask? He knows what he's doing. Boil me and blubber the cask is ready to topple over. I've got to look. Avast, there it goes. Falling inside their stockade. What is it? How did that fall on that thing? I'll get Altesty's knife, and if you step forward or turn around to me, I'll jab it into your back. Come on, rush the cask. It's our one chance. Why, you little heron, threatening me with a dirt. I'll show you, count on it. Hit me with a stick. Johnny, watch out. I'll show you. Heave the cask aside, men. Oh, Johnny. Look out. You've reached the end of your rope, Mulhollay. Stow me in there, Brinie. Look. There's Johnny beating him over the head with the pieces of that cask, and Sue standing behind him with a knife. And Altesty's lying on the floor out, dead to the world. Stand aside, Mulhollay. We've got you. You win. You win. I give in. It was all his idea. I wouldn't have hauled a girl. What are you going to do with me? What usually becomes of mutineers and murderers, Red? I knew it. I knew it. I knew if I'd cast it with that snake, I'd swing it in. I knew it. Quainright, take him away and put him back in irons. Then, Lash, I'll testy here. I think it'll be quite a few minutes before he wakes up, though. Sue, thank heaven you're safe. Oh, Brother Ezra, I'm so glad it's all over. And a braver pair of young ones than her and the lad I've never heard of on land or sea. Johnny, you've got the courage of the best of men, and you can lay to that. I had to do it, Captain. It's a miracle you weren't hurt when you fell with that cask on top of Altesty. Oh, I just got a couple of scratches. A vast lad. How did you ever do it? Well, I'd just sneak down here in the hold, behind all these casks. And those two men were so busy piling up casks to make that stockade, they never even heard me. Then, while they were talking to you, I climbed up the casks. I always was good at climbing trees back on the farm. And I knew none of the casks had lids on them. So I crawled in that one right over Altesty and watched my chance to rock it and make it fall on him. You've saved my sister, lad, and helped get these blackers. Yes, Mr. Grange. And just what do you propose to do about her? I've been a money-grabbing fool, Captain. I suppose it always works out this way when you try to cheat. Well, I know when I'm wrong. I bought Ezekiel Kip's interest in that treasure map. And as outfitter of the crews, I suppose I'm rightfully entitled to half the minerals we find. But so help me, the other half goes to Johnny Robbins. Mr. Grange, thank you. Brother Ezra, you're a darling. Now, Sue, watch out for my crook map. You're messing me all up. Mr. Grange, you've come through like a real man. We all make mistakes. And I'm proud to shake the hand of a man who admits his mistakes and makes them good. Thank you, Captain. And from now on, it's bend on all canvas for the island in the South Sea, which is to be our goal. Blow me down. This is a happy time for all of us. I've not felt so good since I caught me first whale. Smooth sailing ahead. Smooth sailing from here on out. And so thus ends our story of the crews of the Paul Parrot. With Alteste and Mulholley caught at last, with Johnny Robbins in for a large share of a great treasure, with Mr. Grange coming through like a true honest New Englander, and with Captain Dalton in full command of his ship, all's well. For from this moment on, we know that no ship ever sailed the sea on a happier journey than this. The crews of the Paul Parrot. Your Paul Parrot announcer is Dave Ward.
