The SpineChiller Collection 050 (TGMG) Download issue

e ' la again .next week? we a a .sureyou your copy of The _ g g ,ler Collection every week, ask an a adult either to place a regular order with your magazine retailer or take out a subscription to The SpineChiller Collection. Subscriptions/Back Numbers Simply write to The SpineChiller Collection. PO Box 1, Hastings, TN35 4T], enclosing a cheque/ postal order made payable to Eaglemoss Publications Ltd for the cover price x the number of parts you wish to receive (minimum subscription 12 parts). Or call our credit card hotline on 01424 755 755- UK Enquiries Subscriptions/Back Numbers Customer Services: 01424 755 755 UK Trade Enquiries Gary Neale 01715811371 Australia and New Zealand Subscriptions: Write to the relevant address below or call the order hotline. Please enclose a cheq ue/money order for the cover price x the number of parts you wish to receive (minimum subscription is 12 parts). Back Numbers: Either ask your magazine retailer to order the copies for you or, in case ofany difficulties. write to the relevant address below, enclosing a cheque/money order for the cover price x the number of parts you wish to receive. Australia Enquiries Telephone: (03) 9872 4000, Address: The SpineChiller Collection. MC Box 460. Eastern Mail Centre, VIC 3110. Please make cheques payable to Bissett Magazine Services P/L. New Zealand Enquiries Telephone: (09) 625 3010, Address: The SpineChiller Collection, PO Box 24013. Royal Oak, Auckland. Please make cheques payable to Mercury Direct Marketing. South Africa Subscriptions: Please call the order hotline on (0106521807. Back Numbers: Please write to The Spluerillor Collection. Private Bag 18. Centurion, 0046, enclosing a cheque/money order made payable to taglrzmnss Publications for the cover pricta x the number oi parts inI Wish in nu ralvv Singapore, Malaysia, Malta & Cyprus liar i' lallillilallalar errlllrlhlt' from your illilllrl/lllla Halrailll'l Credits Night Cries {rum More Bonediilling Tales of Fright A(c)1994 by RGA Publishing Group. Inc. Key To strands: Front CoveraPC, Super Scary StoryaSSS. Our Haunted WarldaOHW, Strange But TrueaSET, PuzzlesaPUZ. Classic SerialaCS. The u nexplainedaTU. Photographsa: Mary Evans Picture Library Ltd 0HWI(b). SBT1(tl).SBT2(c):Fortean Picture Library TUZ. (Janet & Colin Bord) SBTI(C). (Paul Broadhurst) SET2(b): images Colour Library TUi; The Kabal Collection Ltd SBTth): Oxlard Scientii!c Films Lid (Doug Allen) OHWI(!): Mick Sharp (lean Williamson) SBTIlb]. lllustratlons': Lee Gibbons TUt-2(Sp):LEO Hana; PUZi'i!JUlIn Higgins SBTI~2(SD):Pau|lohnson SSSi- 7;David Millgatc FRONTCOVERill:JerryParis C510); Lee Sullivan OHW3-4l5pl:Andrew Wheatcroft (Vlrgil Pornfrei) CSI-4: Steve White OHW2(cr): David Wyatt (Sarah Bown Agency) FRONT COVER(b). OHWilcll. OHWI-zlsp). a While the publishers have made every effort to contact all copyright holders oiillustratlons published in this issue. we would be pleased to hear from any thatwo have not been able to locate. Editorial and distribution ofi!ces Eaglemoss Publications Ltd 7 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2HR Editnnlenny Curran Art Editor: Chantal Newell Section Editors: Carey Demon, Christine Halt, Amanda Maclean. Vanessa Morgan Deputy Art Editor: Andy Archer Designer: Jessica Watts Picture Researcher: Barry Pells Production Controller: Teresa Magnowska A(c)1998 Eaglemoss Publications All rights reserved Printed by.CSM Impact. England Colourariglnatlon by: Cnlinlrstan. Singapan Next week in SUPER SCARY STORY Bloodlines OUR HAUNTED WORLD Czech Republic and Slovakia Cutaglass Clot! STRANGE BUT TRUE Dreamtimc l 1 SUPER SCARY STORY Night Cries j iOUR HAUNTED WORLD 3 Eastern Canada 1 A Nagging Feeling STRANGE BUT TRUE a King Arthur CLASSIC SERIAL A Christmas Carol Chapter 2 THE UNEXPLAINED . Magical Mermaids PUZZLES Freaky Forest CLASSIC SERIAL A Christmas Carol Chapter 3 THE UNEXPLAINED Plant Power PUZZLES Grisly Gods yan stood on a rise above the cold, wind-whipped seashore. Wave after foam-tipped wave rolled in from the steel-grey ocean and crashed on the rocky strip of beach below his vantage point. Ryan had always loved the ocean. He was an excellent swimmer and head taken sailing lessons for the past three summers. Something about the power of the sea and the loneliness of the shore reassured him. He felt as if he were standing at the edge of the Earth. This was the perfect place to start a new life. When Ryanas mum had died in a car accident eight months before, it had seemed as if the whole world had been turned upside down. His dad had tried to be strong and help their relatives and friends through the grief and anger, but Ryan soon realised that something in his father had died, too. For a while, everyone had tried to help and be supportive. At i!rst people were patient and understanding, but then things had begun to fall apart. Ryan realised that his dad was becoming more and more withdrawn. He cotildrft seem to concentrate, and his work suffered. Eventually. head lost a3 his job, and theyad had to sell their house. Ryan did \ everything he could to reach his father, but nothing seemed to work.

e ' la again .next week? we a a .sureyou your copy of The _ g g ,ler Collection every week, ask an a adult either to place a regular order with your magazine retailer or take out a subscription to The SpineChiller Collection. Subscriptions/Back Numbers Simply write to The SpineChiller Collection. PO Box 1, Hastings, TN35 4T], enclosing a cheque/ postal order made payable to Eaglemoss Publications Ltd for the cover price x the number of parts you wish to receive (minimum subscription 12 parts). Or call our credit card hotline on 01424 755 755- UK Enquiries Subscriptions/Back Numbers Customer Services: 01424 755 755 UK Trade Enquiries Gary Neale 01715811371 Australia and New Zealand Subscriptions: Write to the relevant address below or call the order hotline. Please enclose a cheq ue/money order for the cover price x the number of parts you wish to receive (minimum subscription is 12 parts). Back Numbers: Either ask your magazine retailer to order the copies for you or, in case ofany difficulties. write to the relevant address below, enclosing a cheque/money order for the cover price x the number of parts you wish to receive. Australia Enquiries Telephone: (03) 9872 4000, Address: The SpineChiller Collection. MC Box 460. Eastern Mail Centre, VIC 3110. Please make cheques payable to Bissett Magazine Services P/L. New Zealand Enquiries Telephone: (09) 625 3010, Address: The SpineChiller Collection, PO Box 24013. Royal Oak, Auckland. Please make cheques payable to Mercury Direct Marketing. South Africa Subscriptions: Please call the order hotline on (0106521807. Back Numbers: Please write to The Spluerillor Collection. Private Bag 18. Centurion, 0046, enclosing a cheque/money order made payable to taglrzmnss Publications for the cover pricta x the number oi parts inI Wish in nu ralvv Singapore, Malaysia, Malta & Cyprus liar i' lallillilallalar errlllrlhlt' from your illilllrl/lllla Halrailll'l Credits Night Cries {rum More Bonediilling Tales of Fright A(c)1994 by RGA Publishing Group. Inc. Key To strands: Front CoveraPC, Super Scary StoryaSSS. Our Haunted WarldaOHW, Strange But TrueaSET, PuzzlesaPUZ. Classic SerialaCS. The u nexplainedaTU. Photographsa: Mary Evans Picture Library Ltd 0HWI(b). SBT1(tl).SBT2(c):Fortean Picture Library TUZ. (Janet & Colin Bord) SBTI(C). (Paul Broadhurst) SET2(b): images Colour Library TUi; The Kabal Collection Ltd SBTth): Oxlard Scientii!c Films Lid (Doug Allen) OHWI(!): Mick Sharp (lean Williamson) SBTIlb]. lllustratlons': Lee Gibbons TUt-2(Sp):LEO Hana; PUZi'i!JUlIn Higgins SBTI~2(SD):Pau|lohnson SSSi- 7;David Millgatc FRONTCOVERill:JerryParis C510); Lee Sullivan OHW3-4l5pl:Andrew Wheatcroft (Vlrgil Pornfrei) CSI-4: Steve White OHW2(cr): David Wyatt (Sarah Bown Agency) FRONT COVER(b). OHWilcll. OHWI-zlsp). a While the publishers have made every effort to contact all copyright holders oiillustratlons published in this issue. we would be pleased to hear from any thatwo have not been able to locate. Editorial and distribution ofi!ces Eaglemoss Publications Ltd 7 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2HR Editnnlenny Curran Art Editor: Chantal Newell Section Editors: Carey Demon, Christine Halt, Amanda Maclean. Vanessa Morgan Deputy Art Editor: Andy Archer Designer: Jessica Watts Picture Researcher: Barry Pells Production Controller: Teresa Magnowska A(c)1998 Eaglemoss Publications All rights reserved Printed by.CSM Impact. England Colourariglnatlon by: Cnlinlrstan. Singapan Next week in SUPER SCARY STORY Bloodlines OUR HAUNTED WORLD Czech Republic and Slovakia Cutaglass Clot! STRANGE BUT TRUE Dreamtimc l 1 SUPER SCARY STORY Night Cries j iOUR HAUNTED WORLD 3 Eastern Canada 1 A Nagging Feeling STRANGE BUT TRUE a King Arthur CLASSIC SERIAL A Christmas Carol Chapter 2 THE UNEXPLAINED . Magical Mermaids PUZZLES Freaky Forest CLASSIC SERIAL A Christmas Carol Chapter 3 THE UNEXPLAINED Plant Power PUZZLES Grisly Gods yan stood on a rise above the cold, wind-whipped seashore. Wave after foam-tipped wave rolled in from the steel-grey ocean and crashed on the rocky strip of beach below his vantage point. Ryan had always loved the ocean. He was an excellent swimmer and head taken sailing lessons for the past three summers. Something about the power of the sea and the loneliness of the shore reassured him. He felt as if he were standing at the edge of the Earth. This was the perfect place to start a new life. When Ryanas mum had died in a car accident eight months before, it had seemed as if the whole world had been turned upside down. His dad had tried to be strong and help their relatives and friends through the grief and anger, but Ryan soon realised that something in his father had died, too. For a while, everyone had tried to help and be supportive. At i!rst people were patient and understanding, but then things had begun to fall apart. Ryan realised that his dad was becoming more and more withdrawn. He cotildrft seem to concentrate, and his work suffered. Eventually. head lost a3 his job, and theyad had to sell their house. Ryan did \ everything he could to reach his father, but nothing seemed to work.

Then things suddenly began to take a turn for the better. Ryanas dad had once been in the Navy and he loved the sea, so when the job of lighthouse keeper at Bowmanas Cove had been offered to him by an old Navy friend, head jumped at the chance. Ryan had been pleased, too. They had decided to start life over again as far away from their life in the city as possible. hey had arrived in the seaside _ village three weeks ago, and the a locals had welcomed them warmly. Ryan had even made friends at his new school. Their new home was a small but cosy two-storey cottage at the base of the lighthouse, which stood on a widejetty known as Landas End. It deserved its lonely name. The jetty was a rugged mass of black rock that jutted out into the frigid Atlantic Ocean. A narrow, dangerous channel separatedjagged Castle Rock from the tip of the point. Ryan took a deep breath of the crisp salt air and turned up the collar of his jacket against the autumn chill as he surveyed the scene. aItas absolutely perfect,a he said aloud. His dog, Shah, wagged her tail in agreement. She, too, loved their evening walks along the cove. 1a I a i 5 (Ry-A<<x Ryan bent down and picked up a chunk of drift-wood. Shah looked up expectantly. aGo get it, girl,a he shouted, tossing the wood with all his might. As the dog bounded across the sand, a i!ash of colour drew Ryanas attention to the rolling sea below the jetty. Straining to get a better look in the gathering dusk, he caught a glimpse of a bright yellow boat and the i!utter of oars. aDad?a he said softly. aWhat is he doing rowing out to the point now?a aWhat, indeed?a The sound of a deep voice made Ryan jump. A tall, burly man was sitting nearby on a jumble of rock. aJoshua.a Ryan sighed with relief. aYou startled me. I didnat see you there.a Shah racedup and dropped the drift- wood at Ryanas feet, then greeted the old i!sherman happily. Shah liked Joshua. He had been very nice to Ryan and his dad ever since theyad first arrived in Bowmanas Cove. He and his wife had invited them to dinner at their home, and Joshua had even taken Ryan for a boat tour of the local sites. Joshua patted Shah on the head and glanced again towards thejetty. aThis isnat a good time for anyone to be in these waters,a he said with concern. aIam not worried,a Ryan said. aDad can handle a boat in any kind of weather. He must be rowing out to check the buoys in the channel. One of them broke loose last night.a Still, Ryan couldnat help being a little troubled. It was an odd time for his dad to be doing a chore like that. aIt isn't the sea that is to be feared, son,a Joshua said. He tapped his pipe on the rock, and then began to rei!ll it with tobacco from an old leather pouch. aItas Sarah Malone.a Joshua struck a match and held it to the bowl of the pipe. Ryan studied the old manas face in the i!ickering glow of the Inatch light. aOK,a he said, grinning. aIall bite. Who is Sarah Malone?a aIn life, she was a spiteful woman who did little good for most and seemed to go out of her way to be unpleasant to people,a the i!sherman began. aShe didnat have that many friends in Bowmanas Cove. But in her defence, everyone said she was a devoted wife.a aDid you say in life?a Ryan asked. Joshua nodded. aThat I did. Sarah Malone drew her last, tortured breath one hundred years ago, at the end of that very jetty.a He tilted his head towards Castle Rock. aA powerful gale was blowing in from the northeast, and those that could brought their boats to port ahead of the fearsome storm. Colin Malone was said to have been a i!ne sailor, but the ocean is unpredictable. He never made it." Joshua paused to draw on his pipe. aSarah would not accept that he was lost at sea. She came down to the shore that very night and crawled out on to the rocks. aV Screaming with rage and shaking her fists, she demanded that the ocean give her husband back.a I aWhat happened to her?a Ryan prompted. aThe sea claimed her as well.a Joshua answered in a sombre tone. aAnd since then, every twentyai!ve years, on the anniversary of her death, she returns to Castle Rock to seek vengeance by claiming another soul before the sun rises. Someone always drowns on that fateful night.a Ryan laughed. aThat's a great tale to scare tourists with, but you donat mean to tell me that the locals really believe it?a The look on Joshuaas face made Ryan's smile fade. aI do,a the old man said, gazing out at the waves. aYou wonat see a ship from Bowmanas Cove leaving the harbour all on this day or the next. The time is only i two nights away, and Sarah might be working her evil enchantment. She a chooses her victim carefully and ways his thoughts.a Joshua leaned closer to as if to tell him something of great importance. aYouall i!nd all of the local

Then things suddenly began to take a turn for the better. Ryanas dad had once been in the Navy and he loved the sea, so when the job of lighthouse keeper at Bowmanas Cove had been offered to him by an old Navy friend, head jumped at the chance. Ryan had been pleased, too. They had decided to start life over again as far away from their life in the city as possible. hey had arrived in the seaside _ village three weeks ago, and the a locals had welcomed them warmly. Ryan had even made friends at his new school. Their new home was a small but cosy two-storey cottage at the base of the lighthouse, which stood on a widejetty known as Landas End. It deserved its lonely name. The jetty was a rugged mass of black rock that jutted out into the frigid Atlantic Ocean. A narrow, dangerous channel separatedjagged Castle Rock from the tip of the point. Ryan took a deep breath of the crisp salt air and turned up the collar of his jacket against the autumn chill as he surveyed the scene. aItas absolutely perfect,a he said aloud. His dog, Shah, wagged her tail in agreement. She, too, loved their evening walks along the cove. 1a I a i 5 (Ry-A<<x Ryan bent down and picked up a chunk of drift-wood. Shah looked up expectantly. aGo get it, girl,a he shouted, tossing the wood with all his might. As the dog bounded across the sand, a i!ash of colour drew Ryanas attention to the rolling sea below the jetty. Straining to get a better look in the gathering dusk, he caught a glimpse of a bright yellow boat and the i!utter of oars. aDad?a he said softly. aWhat is he doing rowing out to the point now?a aWhat, indeed?a The sound of a deep voice made Ryan jump. A tall, burly man was sitting nearby on a jumble of rock. aJoshua.a Ryan sighed with relief. aYou startled me. I didnat see you there.a Shah racedup and dropped the drift- wood at Ryanas feet, then greeted the old i!sherman happily. Shah liked Joshua. He had been very nice to Ryan and his dad ever since theyad first arrived in Bowmanas Cove. He and his wife had invited them to dinner at their home, and Joshua had even taken Ryan for a boat tour of the local sites. Joshua patted Shah on the head and glanced again towards thejetty. aThis isnat a good time for anyone to be in these waters,a he said with concern. aIam not worried,a Ryan said. aDad can handle a boat in any kind of weather. He must be rowing out to check the buoys in the channel. One of them broke loose last night.a Still, Ryan couldnat help being a little troubled. It was an odd time for his dad to be doing a chore like that. aIt isn't the sea that is to be feared, son,a Joshua said. He tapped his pipe on the rock, and then began to rei!ll it with tobacco from an old leather pouch. aItas Sarah Malone.a Joshua struck a match and held it to the bowl of the pipe. Ryan studied the old manas face in the i!ickering glow of the Inatch light. aOK,a he said, grinning. aIall bite. Who is Sarah Malone?a aIn life, she was a spiteful woman who did little good for most and seemed to go out of her way to be unpleasant to people,a the i!sherman began. aShe didnat have that many friends in Bowmanas Cove. But in her defence, everyone said she was a devoted wife.a aDid you say in life?a Ryan asked. Joshua nodded. aThat I did. Sarah Malone drew her last, tortured breath one hundred years ago, at the end of that very jetty.a He tilted his head towards Castle Rock. aA powerful gale was blowing in from the northeast, and those that could brought their boats to port ahead of the fearsome storm. Colin Malone was said to have been a i!ne sailor, but the ocean is unpredictable. He never made it." Joshua paused to draw on his pipe. aSarah would not accept that he was lost at sea. She came down to the shore that very night and crawled out on to the rocks. aV Screaming with rage and shaking her fists, she demanded that the ocean give her husband back.a I aWhat happened to her?a Ryan prompted. aThe sea claimed her as well.a Joshua answered in a sombre tone. aAnd since then, every twentyai!ve years, on the anniversary of her death, she returns to Castle Rock to seek vengeance by claiming another soul before the sun rises. Someone always drowns on that fateful night.a Ryan laughed. aThat's a great tale to scare tourists with, but you donat mean to tell me that the locals really believe it?a The look on Joshuaas face made Ryan's smile fade. aI do,a the old man said, gazing out at the waves. aYou wonat see a ship from Bowmanas Cove leaving the harbour all on this day or the next. The time is only i two nights away, and Sarah might be working her evil enchantment. She a chooses her victim carefully and ways his thoughts.a Joshua leaned closer to as if to tell him something of great importance. aYouall i!nd all of the local

i!shermen safely at home in front of a i!re, with the shutters secured across the windows to close out the sound of the sea.a From high above, Ryan heard the strange, eerie call of a large sea-bird circling through the mist overhead. aThatas the Great Northern Diver,a Joshua said .soalemnly. aIts arrival is another sign that time is near. The bird is waiting a ' 'igoping to rescue the unfortunate soul from . : "Sarah Maloneas grasp and escort the ' phantom into eternity.a 4A>> ater, at home in his warm bed, a Ryan couldnat fall asleep. Usually he found the sound of the waves soothing, but tonight was different. He hadnat really believed the old legend that Joshua had told him, but now something about the ocean sounded sinister. After tossing and turning for a while, he stood and looked out of his bedroom window. The water shimmered with rei!ected moonlight, and the dark jetty stood out sharply. Ryan studied the stark outline of Castle Rock and watched the angry sea foaming around the rocks that lurkedjust beneath the surface. Then he saw something else. Huddling beside him, Shah nudged gently at his hand and whimpered. aDo you see it, too, girl?a Ryan whispered. aIt looks like...a Ryanas eyes widened and he tried to make sense of what he was looking at. aThereas someone standing on Castle Rock. Thatas impossible! How could anyone...?a The words died in his throat. For a moment, Ryan clearly glimpsed the form of a young woman. Her long hair and i!owing white gown danced 0n the wind. Then, before his eyes, she seemed to fade into a wispy haze. aI donat believe it,a he said firmly to himself. aIt was just sea foam or fog or something. New Old Joshuaas got me seeing things.a Shaking his head, Ryan dropped his gaze to the beach below and caught his breath. There was his father, standing on the beach in his pyjamas. He was staring in the direction of the point a as if in a trance. Ryan was up early the next morning. He noticed that the sky on the horizon was a deep Shade of red. aRed sky in the morning, sailor take warning,a he recited to Shah. aWeall probably be getting a pretty bad storm soon.a Ryan knew there was some truth to that old saying. It had something to do I. P . 'Rlvng a \y . t" with moisture in the air and how it rei!ected sunlight. ' He dressed quickly and marched downstairs. It was Saturday, and he and his dad always drove into town on Saturday for a special fried breakfast at the cafe. He found his dad in the kitchen preparing toast and hot cereal. aWhatas up, Dad?a Ryan asked. aArenat we going to town for breakfast?a His father grinned and set a plate of toast on the table, then turned back to the oven. He seemed to be in a great mood. aI have a lot of work to catch up on around here, son. Would you mind terribly if we skipped it today?a Ryan tried to hide his disappointment. aI suppose not,a he murmured picking up a triangle of buttery toast. aDad, did you see it, too?a aSee what?a his father asked. Ryan could tell that something was amiss. aI know it sounds crazy, but I was sure I saw a woman out on Castle Rock last night. I thought that maybe you went outside because youad seen her, too.a His father stiffened slightly, and his mood seemed to darken. aI wasnat outside last night,a he answered. "You must have been dreaming.a aBut, Dad, I... a aYou must have been dreaming,a his dad repeated, sternly. aSit down and eat your breakfast before it gets cold. I have to see to some things outside.a Ryan i!inched as the kitchen door banged shut. Glancing down, he noticed his father's slippers on the i!oor near the door. He picked them up and ran his W: took a turn for the- Snug in his bed, 7 suddenly woke , , listened as the howIa the wind rose outside _ rattled the window panes He squeezed his eyes . shut. He wanted to stay where he was a safe from whatever terror was building out there in the dark: But somehow he felt himself being drawn to the window. Slowly, he pushed the blankets aside and went to the window. He stood looking out at the seething ocean. "' ~ his time, he could see the woman ' clearly. She raised her hand and 2&5: seemed to beckon him. a aSarah Malone,a Ryan a I whispered under his breath. But all at once - he became aware that it wasnat him that she wanted. A sense of panic gripped him. Ryan looked down and frantically scammed , the beach. Stunned, he saw his father untying one of the small boats secured ata the dock. He threw open his windowand ii screamed out into the stormy night. - aDad! No!a But the icy wind stung his . face and whipped Ryanas wan-mini. , a " His father jumped into the crni! ' headed out into the rough wamr. a a a his own terror, Ryan threw In his?a and sprinted to the dock. " a He worked to untie the.

i!shermen safely at home in front of a i!re, with the shutters secured across the windows to close out the sound of the sea.a From high above, Ryan heard the strange, eerie call of a large sea-bird circling through the mist overhead. aThatas the Great Northern Diver,a Joshua said .soalemnly. aIts arrival is another sign that time is near. The bird is waiting a ' 'igoping to rescue the unfortunate soul from . : "Sarah Maloneas grasp and escort the ' phantom into eternity.a 4A>> ater, at home in his warm bed, a Ryan couldnat fall asleep. Usually he found the sound of the waves soothing, but tonight was different. He hadnat really believed the old legend that Joshua had told him, but now something about the ocean sounded sinister. After tossing and turning for a while, he stood and looked out of his bedroom window. The water shimmered with rei!ected moonlight, and the dark jetty stood out sharply. Ryan studied the stark outline of Castle Rock and watched the angry sea foaming around the rocks that lurkedjust beneath the surface. Then he saw something else. Huddling beside him, Shah nudged gently at his hand and whimpered. aDo you see it, too, girl?a Ryan whispered. aIt looks like...a Ryanas eyes widened and he tried to make sense of what he was looking at. aThereas someone standing on Castle Rock. Thatas impossible! How could anyone...?a The words died in his throat. For a moment, Ryan clearly glimpsed the form of a young woman. Her long hair and i!owing white gown danced 0n the wind. Then, before his eyes, she seemed to fade into a wispy haze. aI donat believe it,a he said firmly to himself. aIt was just sea foam or fog or something. New Old Joshuaas got me seeing things.a Shaking his head, Ryan dropped his gaze to the beach below and caught his breath. There was his father, standing on the beach in his pyjamas. He was staring in the direction of the point a as if in a trance. Ryan was up early the next morning. He noticed that the sky on the horizon was a deep Shade of red. aRed sky in the morning, sailor take warning,a he recited to Shah. aWeall probably be getting a pretty bad storm soon.a Ryan knew there was some truth to that old saying. It had something to do I. P . 'Rlvng a \y . t" with moisture in the air and how it rei!ected sunlight. ' He dressed quickly and marched downstairs. It was Saturday, and he and his dad always drove into town on Saturday for a special fried breakfast at the cafe. He found his dad in the kitchen preparing toast and hot cereal. aWhatas up, Dad?a Ryan asked. aArenat we going to town for breakfast?a His father grinned and set a plate of toast on the table, then turned back to the oven. He seemed to be in a great mood. aI have a lot of work to catch up on around here, son. Would you mind terribly if we skipped it today?a Ryan tried to hide his disappointment. aI suppose not,a he murmured picking up a triangle of buttery toast. aDad, did you see it, too?a aSee what?a his father asked. Ryan could tell that something was amiss. aI know it sounds crazy, but I was sure I saw a woman out on Castle Rock last night. I thought that maybe you went outside because youad seen her, too.a His father stiffened slightly, and his mood seemed to darken. aI wasnat outside last night,a he answered. "You must have been dreaming.a aBut, Dad, I... a aYou must have been dreaming,a his dad repeated, sternly. aSit down and eat your breakfast before it gets cold. I have to see to some things outside.a Ryan i!inched as the kitchen door banged shut. Glancing down, he noticed his father's slippers on the i!oor near the door. He picked them up and ran his W: took a turn for the- Snug in his bed, 7 suddenly woke , , listened as the howIa the wind rose outside _ rattled the window panes He squeezed his eyes . shut. He wanted to stay where he was a safe from whatever terror was building out there in the dark: But somehow he felt himself being drawn to the window. Slowly, he pushed the blankets aside and went to the window. He stood looking out at the seething ocean. "' ~ his time, he could see the woman ' clearly. She raised her hand and 2&5: seemed to beckon him. a aSarah Malone,a Ryan a I whispered under his breath. But all at once - he became aware that it wasnat him that she wanted. A sense of panic gripped him. Ryan looked down and frantically scammed , the beach. Stunned, he saw his father untying one of the small boats secured ata the dock. He threw open his windowand ii screamed out into the stormy night. - aDad! No!a But the icy wind stung his . face and whipped Ryanas wan-mini. , a " His father jumped into the crni! ' headed out into the rough wamr. a a a his own terror, Ryan threw In his?a and sprinted to the dock. " a He worked to untie the.

i '5 aed on the wind. ' ' (1 out above the clamour . Onat leave me again!a screamed. aSheas tricked Malone!a Ryan howled li!aantly. aI wonat let you win!a' The spiteful phantom turned her eyes on the terrii!ed boy, and the oars i!ew from his hands. Suddenly trapped in the churning surge, the small boat began to splinter beneath Ryan. He was thrown into the icy, black water. aDAD!a he screamed, choking and gasping for breath. aDAD! HELP ME!a uddenly,a Ryan felt h a i1 held safely above the surfac a saw the sky begin to lighten With the i!rst glimmer of sunrise. He also sensed his fatheras strong arms around him and heard his voice. But he couldnat actually feel his fatheras physical presence. aHang on, son!a His fatheras voice was strange and distant. aYouare g gto make it!a to free me. , . Ryan sat the beach. He sfaa a saw nothing but wav barren rock. Then, the eerie call of the as it began its journe . lost her battle to cap a1 Ryan knew that

i '5 aed on the wind. ' ' (1 out above the clamour . Onat leave me again!a screamed. aSheas tricked Malone!a Ryan howled li!aantly. aI wonat let you win!a' The spiteful phantom turned her eyes on the terrii!ed boy, and the oars i!ew from his hands. Suddenly trapped in the churning surge, the small boat began to splinter beneath Ryan. He was thrown into the icy, black water. aDAD!a he screamed, choking and gasping for breath. aDAD! HELP ME!a uddenly,a Ryan felt h a i1 held safely above the surfac a saw the sky begin to lighten With the i!rst glimmer of sunrise. He also sensed his fatheras strong arms around him and heard his voice. But he couldnat actually feel his fatheras physical presence. aHang on, son!a His fatheras voice was strange and distant. aYouare g gto make it!a to free me. , . Ryan sat the beach. He sfaa a saw nothing but wav barren rock. Then, the eerie call of the as it began its journe . lost her battle to cap a1 Ryan knew that

THE AMHERST MYSTERY A troublesome spirit called aBoba was out to get young Esther Co , THE FROZEN VOYAGE sailing thousands of miles before drifting into ' icy waters off Newfoundland. ' 1 Its voyage was considered a nautical miracle. Octavius had sailed the north-west passage between the Atlantic and Pacii!c Oceans a the i!rst ship ever to do so! Amherst, Nova Scotia, in 1878, so the story goes. One night, Esther woke up';., in bed screaming. She had swelled up like a balloon, her eyes were popping out a I on end, Moments later, she pen and a fork, hit over the head with a 1 . 7 had i!aming matches i!y on her bed. But, i , frightening of all, was a message that appe a . , _ her wall, signed by Bob. It read: aEsther, you I a ,_ 7 mine to kill.a Esther i!ed from her home (left). When she returned months later, Bob had vanished. Eastern Canada is home to some frightening things... a ly moved into a beautiful ' d farmhouse in southern A<<e i0, with their two large eep dogs. Everything was effect, except for the back room, which had an eerie it and was always freezing a ven the dogs refused to go o the r00m. They growled, ed and put their ears back ey went near it. If anyone eep in the room, they had about death. The mystery d when locals told them n had been murdered in the er jealous husband, before he Wrists and bled to death on the 1a hearing that, the family turned . 'v a the bedroom into a storage room! In 1775, in icy waters off Newfoundland, sailors on the Herald climbed aboard the battered ship Octavius. A spine-chilling sight greeted them belo deck. Octaviusa captain had frozen to death, slumped over his log. Behind him lay his crew, a39, r frozen in their bunk beds, huddled in blankets. The captain had logged the i!rst part of the shipas journey a 13 years earlier a when it sailed north of Alaska ini frozen waters. Tragically, the log ended there. With frozen cargo on board, Octavius continued the v0 THE FIRE STARTER 41, golfers at the Dominion Country indsor, Ontario, were afraid to touch g in the clubhouse in case in caught , re. Tablecloths, curtains and towels all - ' furst into i!ames for no apparent reason, members claimed. When the manager reached for the telephone book to phone the i!re chief, i!ames jumped ' out of the pages at him. one article i reported! Then when a doubting u insurance man came to the V clubhouse to investigate, a :hroom caught i!re right in front . of him! After 43 incidents, the 1., mystery fires i!nally stopped.

THE AMHERST MYSTERY A troublesome spirit called aBoba was out to get young Esther Co , THE FROZEN VOYAGE sailing thousands of miles before drifting into ' icy waters off Newfoundland. ' 1 Its voyage was considered a nautical miracle. Octavius had sailed the north-west passage between the Atlantic and Pacii!c Oceans a the i!rst ship ever to do so! Amherst, Nova Scotia, in 1878, so the story goes. One night, Esther woke up';., in bed screaming. She had swelled up like a balloon, her eyes were popping out a I on end, Moments later, she pen and a fork, hit over the head with a 1 . 7 had i!aming matches i!y on her bed. But, i , frightening of all, was a message that appe a . , _ her wall, signed by Bob. It read: aEsther, you I a ,_ 7 mine to kill.a Esther i!ed from her home (left). When she returned months later, Bob had vanished. Eastern Canada is home to some frightening things... a ly moved into a beautiful ' d farmhouse in southern A<<e i0, with their two large eep dogs. Everything was effect, except for the back room, which had an eerie it and was always freezing a ven the dogs refused to go o the r00m. They growled, ed and put their ears back ey went near it. If anyone eep in the room, they had about death. The mystery d when locals told them n had been murdered in the er jealous husband, before he Wrists and bled to death on the 1a hearing that, the family turned . 'v a the bedroom into a storage room! In 1775, in icy waters off Newfoundland, sailors on the Herald climbed aboard the battered ship Octavius. A spine-chilling sight greeted them belo deck. Octaviusa captain had frozen to death, slumped over his log. Behind him lay his crew, a39, r frozen in their bunk beds, huddled in blankets. The captain had logged the i!rst part of the shipas journey a 13 years earlier a when it sailed north of Alaska ini frozen waters. Tragically, the log ended there. With frozen cargo on board, Octavius continued the v0 THE FIRE STARTER 41, golfers at the Dominion Country indsor, Ontario, were afraid to touch g in the clubhouse in case in caught , re. Tablecloths, curtains and towels all - ' furst into i!ames for no apparent reason, members claimed. When the manager reached for the telephone book to phone the i!re chief, i!ames jumped ' out of the pages at him. one article i reported! Then when a doubting u insurance man came to the V clubhouse to investigate, a :hroom caught i!re right in front . of him! After 43 incidents, the 1., mystery fires i!nally stopped.

Some time later. Fred's neighbours started to smell ; something strange - a smell one normally associated with the countryside. A friend of a friend heard a tale about a Canadian Mountie... and told them to go away. , I . _ _ a house But managed to i!nd an apartment a minute's walk from his famil . Fred was getting too old for his job in the Rockies. After he was forced to retire. he moved to Toronto to be near his grandchildren. a ' To their utmost surpriSe, niiddle of the room; favourite old horsethafh ] stlcouldn't bear to leave behind in the Rockies. .v W, coming from his bothered them. Mysterio thudding and scraping so gave them sleepless ni_ 7The neighbours could stand it no longer and called the police. The officers banged hard on the door. It flung open.

Some time later. Fred's neighbours started to smell ; something strange - a smell one normally associated with the countryside. A friend of a friend heard a tale about a Canadian Mountie... and told them to go away. , I . _ _ a house But managed to i!nd an apartment a minute's walk from his famil . Fred was getting too old for his job in the Rockies. After he was forced to retire. he moved to Toronto to be near his grandchildren. a ' To their utmost surpriSe, niiddle of the room; favourite old horsethafh ] stlcouldn't bear to leave behind in the Rockies. .v W, coming from his bothered them. Mysterio thudding and scraping so gave them sleepless ni_ 7The neighbours could stand it no longer and called the police. The officers banged hard on the door. It flung open.

ll I \ e a a a Evidence no: 5014 1 Arthur pulls his sword from a stone in the 1981a film aExcalibur' a | l l JpegiaLInyesi!gationIi!eLSLI Subjectiandancriaentii!ritishmlera J1ace:1axions..sitesjn_theji!test4__ .JMM__,A_.__W , . a laSpineChillericlteates..a,file l Evidence no: _50IZ The rums of Tlnta el Castle in present- ; 'A>> l 5 Kings of Eng Cornwall a 6507'de Ar hu 1 l t ' T 215 a king and 1m ' ' aglnative account ofhis life 12th century onwards, the legend a6 and m THE MYTH Arthur was born in Tintagel Castle, Cornwall, in the 6th century AD. He was educated by Merlin, a. wizard, and became king at 15. Arthur set up his court in Camelot with his trusted Evidence no: 5016 Round Table knights. One of the knights, Lancelot, fell in love V 4 The memorial aone in with his beloved wife, Guinevere, and was banished from ' 1a cai!i!i!i!ldi!gi!ri!avi!'lbggm Camelot. Arthuras nephew, Mordred, also a Round Table a a ' fatally wounded kni'ght, then tried to seize power. The two men met in battle * a ' ' ' at Cani!ann. Modred was killed and Arthur was wounded. He was taken to Avalon where he died. a A . _ CONCLUSION THE REALITY . t ' _ , f I a > Many historians now say that A-rthur is a purely Arthur could not have been born in the existing Tintagel - a . a . _ r ; - legendaiy character. Others thmk that myths Castle as in dates from the 12th century. But in 1998, a a a a about him were based on the adventures of a stone with the 6th-eentury inscription aThe man known A>> t . " . a y Y -_ '7 A>>_ real warlord. But some people will always believe :EfEhEQEHii!e :mS'WaS i!our? in the If??? town ' V . , i " .1 ' a- a that Arthur was a mighty ruler ola all Britain a u ess 1a anim oran ersono a. name ia t- " . . A<< . I' .v . .. .- onoe lived there. Also, alihaelogiial evidence has led some people . .. ; ' I he ome and huma: lung a.aho Que dd} a Ia to believe that Camelot was possibly Cadbury in Somerset, that the ' mum] to 5"a6 Bruam- 0an ame aa1a [em Battle of Camlann may have taken place in 55a? near Camelford, Cornwall, and that Avalon was probably Glastonbury in Somerset. (V'v* " ; 'r

ll I \ e a a a Evidence no: 5014 1 Arthur pulls his sword from a stone in the 1981a film aExcalibur' a | l l JpegiaLInyesi!gationIi!eLSLI Subjectiandancriaentii!ritishmlera J1ace:1axions..sitesjn_theji!test4__ .JMM__,A_.__W , . a laSpineChillericlteates..a,file l Evidence no: _50IZ The rums of Tlnta el Castle in present- ; 'A>> l 5 Kings of Eng Cornwall a 6507'de Ar hu 1 l t ' T 215 a king and 1m ' ' aglnative account ofhis life 12th century onwards, the legend a6 and m THE MYTH Arthur was born in Tintagel Castle, Cornwall, in the 6th century AD. He was educated by Merlin, a. wizard, and became king at 15. Arthur set up his court in Camelot with his trusted Evidence no: 5016 Round Table knights. One of the knights, Lancelot, fell in love V 4 The memorial aone in with his beloved wife, Guinevere, and was banished from ' 1a cai!i!i!i!ldi!gi!ri!avi!'lbggm Camelot. Arthuras nephew, Mordred, also a Round Table a a ' fatally wounded kni'ght, then tried to seize power. The two men met in battle * a ' ' ' at Cani!ann. Modred was killed and Arthur was wounded. He was taken to Avalon where he died. a A . _ CONCLUSION THE REALITY . t ' _ , f I a > Many historians now say that A-rthur is a purely Arthur could not have been born in the existing Tintagel - a . a . _ r ; - legendaiy character. Others thmk that myths Castle as in dates from the 12th century. But in 1998, a a a a about him were based on the adventures of a stone with the 6th-eentury inscription aThe man known A>> t . " . a y Y -_ '7 A>>_ real warlord. But some people will always believe :EfEhEQEHii!e :mS'WaS i!our? in the If??? town ' V . , i " .1 ' a- a that Arthur was a mighty ruler ola all Britain a u ess 1a anim oran ersono a. name ia t- " . . A<< . I' .v . .. .- onoe lived there. Also, alihaelogiial evidence has led some people . .. ; ' I he ome and huma: lung a.aho Que dd} a Ia to believe that Camelot was possibly Cadbury in Somerset, that the ' mum] to 5"a6 Bruam- 0an ame aa1a [em Battle of Camlann may have taken place in 55a? near Camelford, Cornwall, and that Avalon was probably Glastonbury in Somerset. (V'v* " ; 'r

hapter 2 (Mamas Card SERIAL Retold from a story by Charles Dickens crooge awoke to hear the church bells A(r) striking the hour. But something was wrong. The bells were chiming one oaclock, but he had fallen into bed after that time. Had an icicle frozen the clocks workings? Or had he slept through an entire day? Before Scrooge could think further, a bright light i!lled the room and the miser found himself face to face with a visitor. Scrooge jumped in fright. The unearthly i!gure before him was either a child or a very old man. Scrooge was so rattled and confused that he could not work out which. A strange light flickered around the i!gure, who wore a tunic of pure white. aAre you the sasaspirit, Sir, whose cacacoming was foretold to me: stammered Scrooge. aI am! I am the Ghost of Christmas Past a your past, Ebenezer Scrooge. I am here for your welfare.a The voice was soft and gentle, but deep and low at the same time. aSurely my welfare would be better served by a good nightas rest. I have work to do tomorrow,a Scrooge protested. The spirit said nothing, but took hold of Scroogeas arm. Suddenly, Scrooge found himself heading towards his bedroom wall, caught in the ghost's grip. He screamed, but miracle of miracles, he and the ghost passed right through the wall and out into a countiy road, many miles from the city. aGood Heavens!" gasped Scrooge. uI was born here.a Scrooge stared wide-eyed as many scenes from his past floated into view. Some were wonderful to behold, such as times spent playing with his younger sister. Others were much more tragic. Scrooge shuddered as he watched his father and teachers beat him. Then he cried for help as they locked him in his room night after night. aThese are but shadows of people that have been. They cannot see or hear us,a said the ghost. aTake me away, I cannot bear it,a Scrooge begged. Scroogeas mood lightened when he saw 3 13M): greyahaired man at work in an ofi!ce. aWhy, thereas old Fezziwig. As a young lad I was an apprentice of his, you know,a Scrooge said with a smile. The ghost and Scrooge watched Fezziwig shut his shop early on Christmas Eve, then hold a joyful party in his ofi!ces. Scrooge watched his younger selfjoining in the celebrations. As the scene unfolded, Scrooge looked on and lost himself in the party. He remembered all the dances that the i!ddler played, and watched as he, Scrooge, jigged and polkaed with the guests. He smiled, too, at the tremendous buffet of cold meats, mince pies and ale that old Fezziwig had provided for the partyagoers. ajust three or four pounds worth of food and drink! Surely Fezziwig didnat deserve all unproi!table dream. May you be happy in the praise those silly people gave him,a said the ghost as the party ended. aOh but he did," replied Scrooge, aand not just for the party. He employed many people and could have made their lives hard and miserable, but he chose instead to make them happy..." Scroogeas words tailed off as he fell into thought. The ghost watched him and smiled to itself before showing Scrooge a new, much later scene. ClaOOgC \NZIS a()al 21 healthy young man with greedy, hawkalike eyes. He sat under a tree with a beautiful woman, who was speaking. aI have been replaced by another idol in your life, Ebenezer," she said. aThere is no point in your denying it. I have seen it in your actions during the past few years. Money is all that interests you now. My decision to end our relationship may cause you pain. Part of me hopes it does, for you have caused me much. But, eventually, you will dismiss our romance as purely an g 1a? the life you have chosen!a Scrooge found hot, salty tears streaming down his face as he watched the scene. He tried to say aBah! Humbug!a but the words stuck in his throat. So instead, in a broken voice, he said, aSpirit! Please remove me from this place." Slowly, the ghost and the scene faded and Scrooge found himself back in his bedroom. Utterly exhausted and upset. he fell into a deep sleep. <39A>> hen Scrooge awoke, an unnatural light in his living room drew him towards it. What a transformation! The room was decked in Christmas decorations and warmed by an enormous i!re in the grate. An enormous feast i!lled the floor. aCome in and get to know me! I am the Ghost of Christmas Present," boomed a jolly giant clothed in a green robe with a white fur border. Scrooge entered timidly, his eyes gazing at the floor. He was not the coni!dent Underlined words are explained in WORD POWER. i i

hapter 2 (Mamas Card SERIAL Retold from a story by Charles Dickens crooge awoke to hear the church bells A(r) striking the hour. But something was wrong. The bells were chiming one oaclock, but he had fallen into bed after that time. Had an icicle frozen the clocks workings? Or had he slept through an entire day? Before Scrooge could think further, a bright light i!lled the room and the miser found himself face to face with a visitor. Scrooge jumped in fright. The unearthly i!gure before him was either a child or a very old man. Scrooge was so rattled and confused that he could not work out which. A strange light flickered around the i!gure, who wore a tunic of pure white. aAre you the sasaspirit, Sir, whose cacacoming was foretold to me: stammered Scrooge. aI am! I am the Ghost of Christmas Past a your past, Ebenezer Scrooge. I am here for your welfare.a The voice was soft and gentle, but deep and low at the same time. aSurely my welfare would be better served by a good nightas rest. I have work to do tomorrow,a Scrooge protested. The spirit said nothing, but took hold of Scroogeas arm. Suddenly, Scrooge found himself heading towards his bedroom wall, caught in the ghost's grip. He screamed, but miracle of miracles, he and the ghost passed right through the wall and out into a countiy road, many miles from the city. aGood Heavens!" gasped Scrooge. uI was born here.a Scrooge stared wide-eyed as many scenes from his past floated into view. Some were wonderful to behold, such as times spent playing with his younger sister. Others were much more tragic. Scrooge shuddered as he watched his father and teachers beat him. Then he cried for help as they locked him in his room night after night. aThese are but shadows of people that have been. They cannot see or hear us,a said the ghost. aTake me away, I cannot bear it,a Scrooge begged. Scroogeas mood lightened when he saw 3 13M): greyahaired man at work in an ofi!ce. aWhy, thereas old Fezziwig. As a young lad I was an apprentice of his, you know,a Scrooge said with a smile. The ghost and Scrooge watched Fezziwig shut his shop early on Christmas Eve, then hold a joyful party in his ofi!ces. Scrooge watched his younger selfjoining in the celebrations. As the scene unfolded, Scrooge looked on and lost himself in the party. He remembered all the dances that the i!ddler played, and watched as he, Scrooge, jigged and polkaed with the guests. He smiled, too, at the tremendous buffet of cold meats, mince pies and ale that old Fezziwig had provided for the partyagoers. ajust three or four pounds worth of food and drink! Surely Fezziwig didnat deserve all unproi!table dream. May you be happy in the praise those silly people gave him,a said the ghost as the party ended. aOh but he did," replied Scrooge, aand not just for the party. He employed many people and could have made their lives hard and miserable, but he chose instead to make them happy..." Scroogeas words tailed off as he fell into thought. The ghost watched him and smiled to itself before showing Scrooge a new, much later scene. ClaOOgC \NZIS a()al 21 healthy young man with greedy, hawkalike eyes. He sat under a tree with a beautiful woman, who was speaking. aI have been replaced by another idol in your life, Ebenezer," she said. aThere is no point in your denying it. I have seen it in your actions during the past few years. Money is all that interests you now. My decision to end our relationship may cause you pain. Part of me hopes it does, for you have caused me much. But, eventually, you will dismiss our romance as purely an g 1a? the life you have chosen!a Scrooge found hot, salty tears streaming down his face as he watched the scene. He tried to say aBah! Humbug!a but the words stuck in his throat. So instead, in a broken voice, he said, aSpirit! Please remove me from this place." Slowly, the ghost and the scene faded and Scrooge found himself back in his bedroom. Utterly exhausted and upset. he fell into a deep sleep. <39A>> hen Scrooge awoke, an unnatural light in his living room drew him towards it. What a transformation! The room was decked in Christmas decorations and warmed by an enormous i!re in the grate. An enormous feast i!lled the floor. aCome in and get to know me! I am the Ghost of Christmas Present," boomed a jolly giant clothed in a green robe with a white fur border. Scrooge entered timidly, his eyes gazing at the floor. He was not the coni!dent Underlined words are explained in WORD POWER. i i

t\ 7 Worm POWER a My a' supernatural; not of this world wed a uneasy; frightened pi!y a fat; bulky apprentice a a person who works for another while learning a trade from him or her eked out a shared out (a limited amount) in small portions illipgs a- metal splints or supports recital a a musical performance l a l l l , for legs a smarted a (here) felt mental pain ,J \. if n Scrooge of before. The next instant, he and the ghost were standing unseen in the home of Bob Cratchit, his clerk. Scrooge looked on as the clerkas family celebrated Christmas as best they could. Scrooge watched keenly as they eked out several small pans of boiled vegetables, til? arranging them thinly to i!ll each plate. He also obsewed Bob Cratchit carve every last sliver off the Christmas goose. a Scrooge counted the Cratchitsa children. He had no idea that his clerkas family was so large. His eyes were drawn to the smallest of them all a a tiny, frail boy with his legs in illipg. This was Tiny Tim. Scrooge found it hard to stop looking at him. Every possible compliment that could be given to a meal was uttered by the family as they ate. No one suggested or even thought that it was sparse for Christmas Day, or small for such hungry people. aA Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!a cried Bob Cratchit, and all the family echoed his words. aGod bless us every one!a said Tiny Tim, his withered hand clasping his fatheras fingers tightly. aSpirit,a said Scrooge, with an interest that he had never felt before, atell me if Tiny Tim will live.a The spirit shook his head. aN0, N0!a wailed Scrooge. aIf he is to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population,a said the ghost in reply. Scrooge winced as his own words were repeated back to him. Then he hung his head and remained silent. But on hearing his own name, he looked up again. Bob Cratchit was proposing a toast to him. aTo Mr Scrooge, the founder of this feast!a aThe founder indeed!a cried Mrs Cratchit, angrily. aI wish I had him here. Iad give him a piece of my mind to feast upon.a aMy dear,a soothed Bob, ado not speak so harshly in front of the children on Christmas Day." aI will drink a toast to you and our family, but not to that hard, unfeeling brute,a she replied. As Mrs Cratchit said those words, the ghost whisked Scrooge away through the city. They journeyed through kitchens, parlours and dining rooms. Then they left the city and visited farms, mines and ships on the high seas. Everywhere they went, people were engaging in Christmas festivities. ventually, the ghost lecl Scrooge to his nephewas lodgings. There, a dozen guests were engaged in all sorts of party games and fun. The sound oflaughter echoed through the house. Scrooge saw his niece, then heard her husband's voice. aHonestly, Scrooge said that Christmas was a humbug!" The guests all laughed, but Scrooge smarted. aShame on him,a scolded Scrooge's niece. aBut I think heas the one who misses out, not us.a aTrue. His wealth does him and others no service,a said his nephew. A little later, Scroogeas nephew and niece gave a on piano and harp. Scrooge normally hated music, but this seemed enchanting even to his ears. He became completely lost in its sweet sounds. Scrooge applauded along with the guests when the recital finished. Without realising it, he had become so light of heart that he joined in all the parlour games they played afterwards. He was surprisingly good at charades, even though the guests could not hear any of his answers. At length, the ghost indicated that they had to leave. aCan we stay just one more half-hour?a Scrooge begged,just like a little boy. He was having so much fun. But the ghost shook its head and they left the house. azeba aC y time is nearly over," said the phantom, unveiling two wretched children, who had been hidden beneath his robe. They were miserable creatures, painfully thin, dirty and frightened. Scroogeas heart went out to them. aAre they yours, Spirit?a he found himself asking. aNo they are Manas,a replied the ghost. aThe boy is ignorance, the girl is want. Beware them both, especially ignorance. For if you donat pay attention to the lessons we have tried to teach you, (loom will follow aHave the boy and girl no refuge?" cried Scrooge. aAre there no prisons? Are the workhouses still in operation?" the ghost said, repeating Scroogeas earlier words. Then it disappeared. Scrooge immediately found himself back in his bed and began to think about everything he had just seen. Suddenlt. a chill ran down his spine and he looked up. There before him stood another solemn phantom. Like a mist, it started drifting slowly along the ground towards him. m.a 4:2) K ' " Chapter 3: The Ghost of Christmas To Com. a M 1...... l

t\ 7 Worm POWER a My a' supernatural; not of this world wed a uneasy; frightened pi!y a fat; bulky apprentice a a person who works for another while learning a trade from him or her eked out a shared out (a limited amount) in small portions illipgs a- metal splints or supports recital a a musical performance l a l l l , for legs a smarted a (here) felt mental pain ,J \. if n Scrooge of before. The next instant, he and the ghost were standing unseen in the home of Bob Cratchit, his clerk. Scrooge looked on as the clerkas family celebrated Christmas as best they could. Scrooge watched keenly as they eked out several small pans of boiled vegetables, til? arranging them thinly to i!ll each plate. He also obsewed Bob Cratchit carve every last sliver off the Christmas goose. a Scrooge counted the Cratchitsa children. He had no idea that his clerkas family was so large. His eyes were drawn to the smallest of them all a a tiny, frail boy with his legs in illipg. This was Tiny Tim. Scrooge found it hard to stop looking at him. Every possible compliment that could be given to a meal was uttered by the family as they ate. No one suggested or even thought that it was sparse for Christmas Day, or small for such hungry people. aA Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!a cried Bob Cratchit, and all the family echoed his words. aGod bless us every one!a said Tiny Tim, his withered hand clasping his fatheras fingers tightly. aSpirit,a said Scrooge, with an interest that he had never felt before, atell me if Tiny Tim will live.a The spirit shook his head. aN0, N0!a wailed Scrooge. aIf he is to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population,a said the ghost in reply. Scrooge winced as his own words were repeated back to him. Then he hung his head and remained silent. But on hearing his own name, he looked up again. Bob Cratchit was proposing a toast to him. aTo Mr Scrooge, the founder of this feast!a aThe founder indeed!a cried Mrs Cratchit, angrily. aI wish I had him here. Iad give him a piece of my mind to feast upon.a aMy dear,a soothed Bob, ado not speak so harshly in front of the children on Christmas Day." aI will drink a toast to you and our family, but not to that hard, unfeeling brute,a she replied. As Mrs Cratchit said those words, the ghost whisked Scrooge away through the city. They journeyed through kitchens, parlours and dining rooms. Then they left the city and visited farms, mines and ships on the high seas. Everywhere they went, people were engaging in Christmas festivities. ventually, the ghost lecl Scrooge to his nephewas lodgings. There, a dozen guests were engaged in all sorts of party games and fun. The sound oflaughter echoed through the house. Scrooge saw his niece, then heard her husband's voice. aHonestly, Scrooge said that Christmas was a humbug!" The guests all laughed, but Scrooge smarted. aShame on him,a scolded Scrooge's niece. aBut I think heas the one who misses out, not us.a aTrue. His wealth does him and others no service,a said his nephew. A little later, Scroogeas nephew and niece gave a on piano and harp. Scrooge normally hated music, but this seemed enchanting even to his ears. He became completely lost in its sweet sounds. Scrooge applauded along with the guests when the recital finished. Without realising it, he had become so light of heart that he joined in all the parlour games they played afterwards. He was surprisingly good at charades, even though the guests could not hear any of his answers. At length, the ghost indicated that they had to leave. aCan we stay just one more half-hour?a Scrooge begged,just like a little boy. He was having so much fun. But the ghost shook its head and they left the house. azeba aC y time is nearly over," said the phantom, unveiling two wretched children, who had been hidden beneath his robe. They were miserable creatures, painfully thin, dirty and frightened. Scroogeas heart went out to them. aAre they yours, Spirit?a he found himself asking. aNo they are Manas,a replied the ghost. aThe boy is ignorance, the girl is want. Beware them both, especially ignorance. For if you donat pay attention to the lessons we have tried to teach you, (loom will follow aHave the boy and girl no refuge?" cried Scrooge. aAre there no prisons? Are the workhouses still in operation?" the ghost said, repeating Scroogeas earlier words. Then it disappeared. Scrooge immediately found himself back in his bed and began to think about everything he had just seen. Suddenlt. a chill ran down his spine and he looked up. There before him stood another solemn phantom. Like a mist, it started drifting slowly along the ground towards him. m.a 4:2) K ' " Chapter 3: The Ghost of Christmas To Com. a M 1...... l

0 [LI J Gena4 $9a? MAGICAL MERMAIDS "i!t Stories of mythical mermaids a half ., women, half fish a are , as popular today as they ever were. 1, .' Characters like a Disneyas aLittle Mermaid' have kept a ~- the story of these fishy * . beauties alive and . well. However, eyewitness accounts make it clear that many people in the past were convinced that mermaids and other seafolk were real. OLD STORIES Mermaid stories probably grew out of early beliefs in fish- ! tailed sea gods. But it was the early Christians who kept the mermaid myths alive. They believed that mermaids and mermen were fallen angels a not good enough for heaven. but not bad enough for hell! Carvings of mermaids and mermen can be found in medievel churches across Europe. A MERMAID TO THE RESCUE Not all mermaids were dangerous. They could warn of coming stems. guide fishermen to a good catch or save a drowning man. BEAUTY OR. BEAST? Mermaids were believed to be beautiful but dangerous a capable of luring sailors to their deaths! One of the earliest mermaid stories tells of the sea sirens - half birds, halt women a who sang to sailors. The Greek hero Ulysses become the only mortal to hear the wonderful song of the sirens a and survive! He instructed his crew to block their ears with wax and tie him to the most. The sirens' song had.driven many sailors to jump to their deaths on the dangerous rocks a but because Ulysses could not jump, and his crew could not hear them, he and his crew survived. Legends of the sea sirens have evolved over the years. In adapted stories, the half women, half birds acquired fish tails. THE JOKEaS ON YOU In the 16205, a vicar from Cornwall became so exasperated by his parishionersa belief in mermaids that he decided to see just how gullible they were. Wearing a wig made from plaited seaweed, with oilskins wrapped around his legs and naked from the waist up, he positioned himself by moonlight on a rock near the shore and sang a not very runefully a until word spread of the mermaid sighting. In front of a considerable audience, he finished with a raucous round of aGod Save The King' before plunging into the sea! D TAIL TALES a As well as mermaids, mermen >4 and even twinntailed menaolk ' featured in church carvings. MERMAID SIGHTINGS! Early sea explorers believed in mermaids because they claimed they actually saw them. Columbus reported coast of Guyana, in South America. The famous explorer of the Canadian coastline, 1' Henry Hudson, gave a 5 detailed account of a mermaid j sighting by his ship's crew in 1608. He described her as having the back and breasts of a woman, with white skin and long black hair, and the tail of a porpoise which was speckled like a mackerel. Now thatas a pretty detailed description! | sighting three mermaids off the a4 . _' " I I I BELIEVE IT OR NOT Some unscrupulous individuals decided to make money out of the popular belief in mermaids. In the 18005, Barnum's travelling show put a disgusting imitation of a mermaid on display and charged people to see it. They did, in their thousands! A TRICK IN THE TAIL People came in droves to see this 1825 monstrosity. The mermaid is made up of a dried monkey's head and body stitched on to a fish tail. A A GOOD YARN An illustration from a 17005 'chapbook', a book of popular stories. MISTAKEN IDENTITY So, if we agree thatmermaids do not, and have never existed, R'what is it that mode, otherwise rational, people convinced of their existence? What seems the most likely explanation is that sailors were tricked by the human-sounding cries A BUXOM BEAUTIES! Even though their habit of cradling their young looks spookin human a- it would be hard to mistake these dugongs for beautiful mermaids. of dugongs, manorees and seals 7 all perfectly normal sea creatures. What's more, brief glimpses of these mammals, seen from a distance. could have sparked soilors' imaginations. Dugongs, for example, have a habit of holding their young with the upper body our of the water e like a woman would hold a baby, Surely, though, sailors would never have described a dugong ~- or any such sea creature for that matter -A<< as beautiful?

0 [LI J Gena4 $9a? MAGICAL MERMAIDS "i!t Stories of mythical mermaids a half ., women, half fish a are , as popular today as they ever were. 1, .' Characters like a Disneyas aLittle Mermaid' have kept a ~- the story of these fishy * . beauties alive and . well. However, eyewitness accounts make it clear that many people in the past were convinced that mermaids and other seafolk were real. OLD STORIES Mermaid stories probably grew out of early beliefs in fish- ! tailed sea gods. But it was the early Christians who kept the mermaid myths alive. They believed that mermaids and mermen were fallen angels a not good enough for heaven. but not bad enough for hell! Carvings of mermaids and mermen can be found in medievel churches across Europe. A MERMAID TO THE RESCUE Not all mermaids were dangerous. They could warn of coming stems. guide fishermen to a good catch or save a drowning man. BEAUTY OR. BEAST? Mermaids were believed to be beautiful but dangerous a capable of luring sailors to their deaths! One of the earliest mermaid stories tells of the sea sirens - half birds, halt women a who sang to sailors. The Greek hero Ulysses become the only mortal to hear the wonderful song of the sirens a and survive! He instructed his crew to block their ears with wax and tie him to the most. The sirens' song had.driven many sailors to jump to their deaths on the dangerous rocks a but because Ulysses could not jump, and his crew could not hear them, he and his crew survived. Legends of the sea sirens have evolved over the years. In adapted stories, the half women, half birds acquired fish tails. THE JOKEaS ON YOU In the 16205, a vicar from Cornwall became so exasperated by his parishionersa belief in mermaids that he decided to see just how gullible they were. Wearing a wig made from plaited seaweed, with oilskins wrapped around his legs and naked from the waist up, he positioned himself by moonlight on a rock near the shore and sang a not very runefully a until word spread of the mermaid sighting. In front of a considerable audience, he finished with a raucous round of aGod Save The King' before plunging into the sea! D TAIL TALES a As well as mermaids, mermen >4 and even twinntailed menaolk ' featured in church carvings. MERMAID SIGHTINGS! Early sea explorers believed in mermaids because they claimed they actually saw them. Columbus reported coast of Guyana, in South America. The famous explorer of the Canadian coastline, 1' Henry Hudson, gave a 5 detailed account of a mermaid j sighting by his ship's crew in 1608. He described her as having the back and breasts of a woman, with white skin and long black hair, and the tail of a porpoise which was speckled like a mackerel. Now thatas a pretty detailed description! | sighting three mermaids off the a4 . _' " I I I BELIEVE IT OR NOT Some unscrupulous individuals decided to make money out of the popular belief in mermaids. In the 18005, Barnum's travelling show put a disgusting imitation of a mermaid on display and charged people to see it. They did, in their thousands! A TRICK IN THE TAIL People came in droves to see this 1825 monstrosity. The mermaid is made up of a dried monkey's head and body stitched on to a fish tail. A A GOOD YARN An illustration from a 17005 'chapbook', a book of popular stories. MISTAKEN IDENTITY So, if we agree thatmermaids do not, and have never existed, R'what is it that mode, otherwise rational, people convinced of their existence? What seems the most likely explanation is that sailors were tricked by the human-sounding cries A BUXOM BEAUTIES! Even though their habit of cradling their young looks spookin human a- it would be hard to mistake these dugongs for beautiful mermaids. of dugongs, manorees and seals 7 all perfectly normal sea creatures. What's more, brief glimpses of these mammals, seen from a distance. could have sparked soilors' imaginations. Dugongs, for example, have a habit of holding their young with the upper body our of the water e like a woman would hold a baby, Surely, though, sailors would never have described a dugong ~- or any such sea creature for that matter -A<< as beautiful?

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' / {lille *QaJLJ \ AS ' BAOBAB BAY ' BLACK WATTLE BO-TREE BOX COCONUT PALM ELM GUM HAZEL HOLM a IRONWOOD LARCH LIME MAPLE MAY OAK POPLAR REDWOOD SANDAL WOOD SAPODILLA SASSAFRAS SLOE TEA TEAK WALNUT WITCH HAZEL YEW on you find all these trees (left) hidden in the wicked web? They appear horizontally, vertically, diagonally and back to front. Letters can be used? \mdre t w once. a/ W L/l/f/t' All/a7?" ' t a v}???

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