Dutchie and the Dill Duck III
Introduction
Anonymous. “Dutchie and the Dill Duck III.” The Infant’s Magazine. 54, 1 (1920): 85-86.
“Dutchie and the Dill Duck” is a particularly interesting story because it explores the idea of exploration, travel, and racism in Victorian England. Although this is a fairly simple children’s story, the progression being made in society and societal ideals in this regard are evident in the story. It seems noteworthy that the characters are fictional, a duck and a doll, which makes the story and the subject matter feel a little more removed because this was undoubtedly a taboo topic during this time period.
Transcription
Dutchie and the Dill Duck III
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What Dutchie saw when she looked up into the sunny sky, was an airship, and it was sailing nearer and nearer to the lonely island.
Dutchie ran down to the shore and raised her hands above her head.
“Come quick!” she cried. “Or the Golliwog Indians will be after me!”
It was quite true. At first the Indians had been afraid when they saw the airship, but presently the chief said, “Let every man get his spear and follow me!” This order was obeyed, but by the time they had reached the cliff-tops and could see Dutchie below them on the shore, the airship was very, very near.
“Begone!” cried the chief, waving his spear. “How dare you come to this island to take my captive away!”
“Poor Dutchie heard his voice and the thud, thud of his feet, followed by all the rest, and tears of fear rose to her eyes.
Would the airship reach her in time?
The Indians scrambled down the cliffs. The airship dropped lower and lower toward the spot where Dutchie was standing. The Indians reached the shore.
“Now we have her!” cried the chief, racing along at great speed. Poor Dutchie’s heart stood still. She heard his voice; she felt the earth tremble beneath his feet; his hand was stretched out to grasp her. But at that moment her arm was seized by someone in the airship, and she was lifted into the tiny car. Saved! Saved!
The Golliwog Indians gave a yell of anger. But what of that? They were answered by a voice that Dutchie had heard before—long ago, —and when she had turned to see who had spoken, there, in the car of the airship—think of her surprise to see—the Dill Duck.
“Ah, Dutchie,” said he, “did you think I ran away from the Indians because I was afraid? Not at all. It was because I knew that that was the only way of saving you. I went all the way home, got my friends, Mr. Bill and Ben Bunny to buy an airship—and—here we are again.”
It was all quite true, and I need not say that the journey home was one long delight to Dutchie. Her joy was great when she saw land once more, and trouble had made her so contented with Mistress Dora, that she was never, never known to run away from home again.
As to Yellow Down, the Dill Duck, whenever he passed the nursery window, when Dutchie was looking out, he would nod in a manner that said: “Ah, Dutchie, Dutchie, now you know that it is not always safe to have our way!”
Notes
Edited by: Roberts, Jordan Lee: section 1, Winter 2013
