Posted by John Wilson on July 10, 2000 at 14:01:03 from wn-d176.actrix.co.nz:
In Reply to: Peter Duck mystery posted by John Nicholson on July 04, 2000 at 20:37:06:
Peter Duck is explained when you read Swallowdale. “Peter Duck had grown up gradually to be one of the able-seaman’s most constant companions, shared now and then by the boy, but not taken very seriously by the others, though nobody laughed at him. He had been the most important character in the story they had made up during those winter evenings in the cabin of the wherry with Nancy and Peggy and Captain Flint. Peter Duck ..... the old sailor who had voyaged with them to the Carribbees in the story and, still in the story, had come back to Lowestoft with his pockets full of pirate gold” (actually pearls). He “was a great deal more useful than any doll ....” (SD ch 4 p 64).
Later Captain Flint said “he steered us home from the Caribbees when the waterspout came just in time and licked up the pirate ship”. Titty was not very pleased for a moment that he had mentioned Peter Duck but says “You know he’s only for a story” (SD ch 7 p 96).
Missee Lee, and (perhaps) Great Northern where “the children are shot at with real bullets” are also Peter Duck stories.