old Leaf Pirates

aron Von Lodge was the head of a small country known as Lilliland near Switzerland. The time was the early 1900s.

Lilliland, like its neighbor, Switzerland, was a neutral country in that the people did not believe in going to war with any other country. Unfortunately, some criminals did not understand these peaceful ways and thought this made Lilliland a pushover for committing robbery. Lilliland did have a fine security force and caught nearly all the criminals.

The Baron wanted tourists to Lilliland to enjoy their visits and not be concerned about criminal activities.

Tourists came to visit the castle gardens, and tour the inside to see the oil paintings, tapestries, gold leaf furniture, and other works of art.

Some of the Baron’s staff felt that there was so much gold on the furniture that it should be under lock and key and be available only to be seen, not sat on.

Late one dark night, two strange boats docked at the Lilliland Castle pier. One boat was painted black and the other boat resembled a barge in tow, attached to the first boat. They had no markings and there was a large cannon pointed right at the castle. The boats must have come from a section of Castle Lake that was rarely traveled.

Three men pounded on the front door of the castle and said that this was a robbery. With guns drawn, they said the large cannon on the boat would blow up the castle if the door was not opened. They had come to steal all the gold leaf furniture from the castle. All the staff members and the Baron were escorted down into the cellar and locked away.

The Baron and Professor Hamblin, the Baron’s chief advisor, were taken completely by surprise. They had to come up with a plan quickly. The plan was to have the Baron escape through a secret passage known only to him. He would then go to find Lady Angela, his fiancée, at Alpine Castle, which was just three miles away from Lilliland Castle.

The Baron escaped and went to Lady Angela for help. The plan was to dress in black and row up the lake until they reached the pirates’ boats undetected. They first cut the barge loaded with stolen furniture loose and it floated away. Next they set fire to the black boat. Now the pirates were taken by surprise and ran into the Alpine Mountains. They next day, after a night without food and shelter, they were all captured and brought to justice.

The Baron was hailed as a hero but he said that Lady Angela was the real heroine who had saved the day. Everyone in Lilliland was happy again.