6. Man, Woman and Baby Overboard!
The baby howled. “We’re all going to die, Mummikins!” cried Marmaduke.
“Don’t be silly. Give Minnie to me to look after.”
Patagonia cuddled the baby in her boat-pram.
Another crack of lightning hit the top mast and sent it crashing into the sea.
The teachers rushed about, shouting orders.
“Belay the dibbleding!”
“Taggle the wobblets!”
Ziggy frowned. “What are they going on about?”
“Don’t ask me,” shrugged Smudge. “I think they’ve gone potty.”
Far out at sea, a giant wave was gathering force. It rolled across the ocean, growing bigger and bigger, heaving along like some enormous monster. And then it came in sight of the little Pirate School sailing across the bay.
SHWOOOOSH!
A mountain of sea water smashed across the ship. It swept Patagonia
Clatterbottom, Little Minnie and the pram into the angry sea.
“My baby!” screamed Claribel. She raced to the edge of the boat and peered over. The pram was bobbing about on the churning water.
“Don’t worry, Minnie,” cried Marmaduke. “Mummy will save you!” And with that he pushed his wife overboard. “You can’t do that!” shouted Corkella.
“Well, I can’t swim,”
Then a second wave hit him on the chest and sent him toppling overboard too.
