Puzzle Picture Number 8

[Ann]

I've just come across a tiny line of print underneath the rules and conditions which says,

"In the third line the letters o p l have been left out between the y and the cask."

1. 'Twas Eastertide in 'ninety nine
2. The Stella danced upon the brine
3. With happy people full of smiles,
4. Seeking rest in the Channel Isles.
5. Through merry seas the ship doth go
6. But that was at the first -- for oh!
7. The ship goes now full speed through fog
8. To tarnish not the captain's log.
9. He laughs with a superior mien,
10. When cautious travellers intervene:
11. When hark! a crashing sound - a shock!
12. The ship with full force strikes a rock!
13. And with a mighty twisting lunge,
14. The engines shrieked prepared to plunge
15. Down roaring cataracts, mountains high;

Extracts from The Examiner's Report!

Once more, commas omitted or misplaced divide the perfect from the all but perfect solutions.

In line 10 "passengers" was often substitued for "travellers"; but whereas the latter word can be clipped in order to preserve the necessary rhythm, the former cannot and was therefore inadmissible.

In line 14, where the last two letters of "prepared" were frequently tacked on to "shriek". As far as the puzzle was concerned this could be justified, but the sense of the lines had to be considered as well. The idea of the engines shrieking out an admonition to those on board is too ridiculous to call for further comment.

[PAWS]

The Star-Crossed Latin Stewards Part II

3. With happy...
5. ...the ship doth go
11. When hark a crash . . . shock
12. the ship with full force strikes a rock
14. The engines. . .

There, I've done the easy bits. Somebody else's turn!

[Ann]

I've been looking at it off and on this afternoon and I have a feeling this is another stinker!

As Latin Star is mentioned in line 2, do you think the title is just "The Latin Star Stewards Part II"?

(I did try googling Latin Star to see if there was another real life story behind it, but I drew a blank this time.)

So that's an ARK in line 11!! I couldn't get past houseboat and junk!

Oh and 10,560 is 3 miles in feet, but having worked it out, I was no further forward!

[PAWS]

3 miles is a league, if that's any use, but why '-2' ?

line 4 - Seeking . . .?
14. . . . topsails . .
15. . . . acts . .

[PAWS]

1. 'Twas . . . ninety-nine
2. The Latin Star danced . . . Rhine (??)


*What does it say on the box in line 4?

[PAWS]

4. Something to do with 'channel isles'??
5. Merry overseas the ship doth go
13. . . . twisting . . .

[Ann]

Danced! Of course!

The box in line 4 is a tea chest. The writing says Orange Pekoe.

I've been trying to get 1899 out of line one, but so far I haven't succeeded!

You've just inspired me, I think perhaps line 2 is

The Latin Star danced over the brine??

[Ann]

It's amazing how someone else's comments can help. A friend came round this afternoon and we've managed to crack a bit more.

Could line one end ".....ride in ninety nine"?

And how about "Down roaring......" in the last line?

[PAWS]

You're right, they're luggers.

14. . . . prepare to Plunge

and it's a 'd' not an 'a' in the 9. Good going.

[Ann]

Oops, that was a typo. Thanks for picking it up.

I'm also wondering if the first line starts "'Twas a......
Just seems like it might be easier to come up with a middle bit that works. Something along the lines of "Twas a stormy ride in ninety nine" (except I can't make stormy out of the heiroglyphics).

I also keep wanting to make line 4 "reaches the Channel Isles", but then it would be a rea chest rather than a tea chest.

[PAWS]

1. 'Twas (at) Eastertide in '99
3. . . . miles or smiles?

It seems to end abruptly - only part way through the story.

[Ann]

I think you've cracked it!

Yes, it looks like there's another part to come, but I've just been right through and the next 2 are "The Stella Stewardess Part 3" and "The Stella Stewardess Part 4". I'm wondering if it's tied in with that as there doesn't appear to be a part 2.

[Ann]

Oh, of course, the latin for star is stella! Only thing is, now I've changed line 2, it no longer scans.

Now I've spotted the correction at the bottom of the page, is line 3 "With happy people........."

[PAWS]

The Stella sank off Casquets Reef - any use for line 3?

[PAWS]

3. . . . two miles off Casqets reef

(Don't know how, but it works)