Lima Sekawan - Berkelana

Warning: the following entry contains coarse spoilers and due to its content it should not be read by anyone.

A caravan holiday! Nobby, the circus boy, and Pongo the chimp... War with Lou and Tiger Dan... Poisoned meat... The caravan moves... Tunnel to gold plate... Even Anne was sorry when it was all over.

The fifth book in the series and if I recall correctly, the only one depicting a gun on its cover. For a change, the children and dog are at the home of Julian, Dick, and Anne. They're in the middle of the summer holiday, which according to them always seems to crawl at first, only to pick up the pace and be over before they know it. That's totally how I always feel about a Jeffery Deaver's novel. In fact, I just returned one and am still trying to put the pieces together.

The kids are wondering what to do for the rest of the holiday when a circus procession goes by, complete with caravans, elephants, dogs, horses, monkeys, and a cart-wheeling boy. The boy approaches them, introducing his two dogs Barker and Growler -- what names -- but curiously not himself. We do learn that his name is Nobby, thanks to his uncle. Who's the best clown in the circus, yet can't look less like one. Nobby tells them -- the kids, not the dogs -- how the circus is going for their annual break "up in the hills, where there's a blue lake at the bottom."

This prompts George to announce her great idea: they should hire a caravan and go off in it by themselves! "Do let's! Oh, do let's!"

Turns out Julian's family owns a horse named Dobby. They think it would be super to have him pull the caravan to the hills where the circus is resting.

Well, gee, these rich kids can't be more spoiled, can they? Hmm, we have weeks of vacation. What to do, what to do... Oh, I know! Let's get a caravan and take off since, you know, we have a horse and all.

In any case, Julian's parents don't see a problem with the five holidaying alone in a caravan. In fact, they will get two caravans and another horse. The only condition they ask is that they get sent a postcard every single day, telling them where and how the kids are. Another testament to the British postal service efficiency.

The two caravans finally come. The girls will take the red one and the boys the green one. I don't know how big a typical caravan is, but if Trio Detektif is anything to go by -- theirs is 30 feet long, only they call it trailer, of course -- I'm guessing at least five meters long. Which is bigger than my room and definitely comfy. Enid describes how well equipped the two caravans are and everyone is very excited.

The other horse arrives as well. It's a black, male horse named Trotter, not clear if he's a yearling, colt, stallion, or gelding -- things you learn from Dick Francis. After packing and harnessing the horses, off they go. I suppose steering a horse-drawn caravan isn't too difficult, given that there's no mention of the kids getting trained for it and remember, they're only in their early teens.

The next two chapters deal with the caravan journey, prior to them reaching the circus site. In the true Blytonian fashion, every farmer is helpful and every farmer's wife is a good cook and they're readily available everywhere, so the kids really enjoy the trip. Ah, the forties... The nice, peaceful period where nothing much was happening. Except for the World War II, of course.

They manage to find the circus and Nobby, who introduces them to a mischievous chimp called Pongo. Pongo, much like Barker and Growler, quickly befriends Timmy, so that's one potential problem conveniently eliminated. Nobby tells the other kids about his uncle Tiger Dan and his -- Tiger Dan's -- only friend Lou the acrobat. Tiger Dan isn't around, but Lou is, and he briefly confronts Nobby's "posh" friends. He says they have no business here and they should leave immediately.

Frankly, I might have gotten irritated, too, had I been living in a dirty circus caravan all my life and suddenly these posh kids show up in their posh caravans, acting all's well and jolly. But that's just me.

After a day of great fun, picnicking with Nobby, Pongo, and the two dogs, the five get into their caravans and sleep fast. Only to be awaken later that night by Tiger Dan and Lou, who, upon learning where the kids' caravans are, threaten them to go away. Timmy gets involved and the two men quickly retreat.

In the morning, the kids decide that it may be wise to move their caravans. It's not so much to do with Dan and Lou's threat but with their initial plan to camp further up the hills. Dan and Lou, who have come to check, naturally assume their threat has worked, like it always does. Julian lets the men think they're really leaving and manages to secretly inform Nobby of their real intention.

On their way up the hills, they spot a stream flowing very swiftly. To their amazement, they discover that the stream doesn't start anywhere near the hills, but emerges right from a hole in the hillside. Now, if you know Enid, you know this will turn out important later in the story.

They find a farm nearby -- where the farmer is helpful and his wife is a good cook -- and Julian arranges for their regular supplies. No shortage there, for sure. The farmer also points them to a great camping spot -- a sheltered, cozy hollow with a magnificent view of the great lake below.

Having settled themselves nicely, the five laze around for the day, before deciding on a bath in the lake. They leave Timmy to guard the caravans. Which turns out to be wise, as they bump into Dan and Lou -- they going down the hills, the men going up the hills. They can't help wondering what the two bad guys -- at this point, we can safely presume they are -- are up to, for they're not the sort who enjoys magnificent views. Now, now, that's stereotyping, Kids. Just because someone is a bad guy and does bad things, that doesn't automatically mean he doesn't appreciate nature. I'll ask that your parents send you to The Death Camp of Tolerance.

Anne is concerned because she's all for "a nice ordinary, peaceful holiday" with no adventure. Dick scoffs at his sis, "Just because we meet two bad-tempered fellows from a circus camp, you think we're in for an adventure, Anne!" Obviously, dude never reads no Blytons.

Nobby joins them and they have fun swimming in the lake. The children come up with an idea for Nobby to go out in his boat and signal to them uphills when it's safe to visit him. They have a magnificent view of the lake below, remember? Then they learn that Tiger Dan is not really Nobby's uncle, which makes it easier for them to hate the man. What a relief, eh?

The kids invite Nobby and Pongo to their caravans. And when they reach the camping spot, who are there but Dan and Lou? Interestingly, however, the men act all nice and cutesy -- nah, I made up the cutesy part; they're not your typical Singaporean female TV hosts, you know -- this time. In fact, they now tell the kids to move their caravans back near the circus site.

I suppose with the men being nice, the kids can now imagine them as the sort who would enjoy views. But of course not. They're wondering instead: why the change of mind? Is something fishy here? What do the men really want? Who is Eric Cartman's father?

BTW, the helpful farmer's name is Mr. Mackie, m'kay?

Now that Dan and Lou are acting nice to them, they happily pay Nobby a visit at the circus site the next day. He shows them around and they have a blast with the elephant, the horses, the monkeys -- and of course, Pongo. At one time, they spot a small wagon with a lot of stuff in it. There's no reason whatsoever for them to take a particular interest in that particular wagon, given that there are plenty others about. So, our Blytonian sense should tell us that this has got to play into the story later on. And sure enough, Nobby says the wagon belongs to his uncle Dan. Aha!

At the end of the fun day, Julian, Dick, Anne, George, Nobby, Pongo, Barker, and Growler -- so who's missing? -- go up the hills to the kids' caravans, where they left Timmy -- that's who -- again on guard. Curiously, there's a piece of meat that Timmy won't touch and neither will Pongo. Barker and Growler have no reservations, however, and quickly devour the meat. Or at least, Barker does -- briefly, before he suddenly shivers and rolls over on his side.

The meat is poisoned!

And so the day ends with Nobby, crying, carrying Barker back to the circus camp, followed sadly by Pongo and Growler. I remember how as a kid I was so upset by this turn of events, all in one chapter -- aptly titled A Lovely Day -- with a Horrid End.

The children talk it over and deduce that Dan and Lou are for some unknown reasons very interested in that very spot their caravans are on. Julian comes up with a plan to hide himself nearby, while the rest would lead Dan and Lou to believe everyone will be gone for the whole day. They carry out the plan the next day, practically shouting all over the circus site how they will spend the rest of the day in town. Under the watchful eyes of Lou, the kids take a bus downtown, only for Julian to get off at the next stop and return to their camping site through another path.

After making himself some sandwiches -- good thinking, Ju -- Julian decides that the best hiding place would be on top of one of the caravans. Which, well, I dunno. A caravan's rooftop doesn't sound like a very comfortable place to lie flat on for an extended period of time. Then again, Enid is usually kind to her characters and won't allow them to wait long.

When the two bad guys finally show up, it's not clear how long Julian has been on the roof. Glad that the kids aren't around, the men do something under the caravans. They then decide to move one of the caravans -- where Julian is lying -- over, so that they can do whatever they're doing more easily. And then they're gone!

Not sure what to do, Julian eats his sandwiches while lying. That's, uh, not too healthy, is it? Soon, the boy finds himself asleep and shaken awake when the men at last show up again and move the caravan back to its original spot. Then they take a nap! Snoring some more -- as my Singaporean friends would say.

Julian sits up and peeps at the men. They now have two sacks with them. While Julian is trying to figure out what is going on, Pongo and Nobby show up and startle his uncle and Lou! The men are getting ready to beat the boy up when Pongo comes to his rescue. Well, if there's anything to learn from this book, it's not to mess up with an angry chimp. Pongo soundly defeats the two bad guys and sends them running downhills.

Order restored, Julian jumps off the roof and consoles Nobby. Not long after, the other three kids and Timmy return. They promptly have ginger-beer. Because ginger-beer heals any wound and resolves any problem, don't you forget that. Done exchanging stories and made all-powerful again by the ginger-beer elixir, they decide to investigate what Dan and Lou did underneath the caravans.

Show of hands now; who didn't see a secret entrance to an underground tunnel below the caravans? Right, just as I thought. While the kids are excited to finally find out what Dan and Lou are up to -- so that's why the change of mind -- they are unsure whether or not they should explore the tunnel right away. Pongo makes the decision for them by jumping down and disappearing quickly into the hole.

Nobby and Julian go after him, with only Julian's flashlight to provide the light. They find Pongo and discover that the tunnel leads to a series of underground caves. Well, pretty much like our typical Blytonian underground passages. To their horror, Julian's flashlight dims and the three of them quickly go back up to sunlight. The kids agree to get new flashlights and explore the caves as soon as possible.

Which is the next day. Nobby and Pongo have spent the night with the others, too scared to see his uncle at the circus camp. With Dick, Nobby, and Pongo staying behind to watch the caravans, the others go to town to shop. Again, Tiger Dan and Lou show up. Again, they're chased downhills by Pongo the Chimp. Which, to me, doesn't really add anything to the story other than to establish Chimp Superiority over men. Oh, and to show that Dick -- despite his name -- can be a loyal friend in the face of danger.

The others return with new flashlights and with that, begins the Famous Five Underground Adventure #5. In case you didn't know, underground passages have appeared without fail in each of the first five Famous Five books. Pongo, however, decides that one underground adventure is too many for him -- that's why The Famous Five is four kids and a dog, not four kids and a chimp -- and stays behind. The children think this is not a bad idea after all, since they'll need somebody -- or some beast -- to guard the caravans, anyway. So, they tie Pongo to a caravan wheel and disappear from the face of the earth. Well, sort of.

Nothing much takes place beneath the earth surface. The kids come up with this theory that the underground tunnels and caves were made ages ago by some kind of stream running wild deep in the hills. Then they find what Dan and Lou have been hiding -- gold appliances, precious pieces of china, jewelry. You know, the usual stuff.

Someone points out that Lou is the best acrobat in the circus, and it is therefore really easy for him to burglar manors, mansions, and castles. Somewhere, the creators of Mission: Impossible slap their foreheads: dang it, why didn't we think of that?! Just get a star acrobat in the team, no real needs for sophisticated technologies.

Someone else recalls the small wagon they took a particular interest in, back in the circus camp. Dan and Lou must be using it to stow away their loots, as they move with the circus from one town to another. Circus goes to Town A, robbery takes place in Town A. Circus performs in Town B, jewelry is missing from a castle in Town B. And you thought the police would've figured that one out long ago. Hell, Snubby did.

So, everything goes according to plan. Except when they try to get out, the entrance is securely shut. Noone can go out! They're now prisoners underground! They try to call Pongo, but the chimp doesn't come running as expected.

In a rare nonlinear way, Enid tells us that while the kids are underground, Tiger Dan and Lou come back and, with Pongo tied to the wheel and unable to move freely, neutralize the brave chimp easily, hitting his head with a rock. Now, still tied, he's lying on his side, head bleeding.

Underground, the kids eat the food they have so sensibly brought with them. After meal, they feel much better and decide to try to go the other way. Julian thinks it's possible that the passages are all interconnected and they may be able to find the hole where they saw the hillside stream come out of. See, told you it was important.

They find the stream, all right. Too bad, in the end it doesn't quite work out. The current is too strong. Julian tries to brave it out and swims his way out. The water torrent is simply too much and he has to give up, or else he will be slammed against the rocks. And Famous Five without Julian won't be Famous Five anymore, will it?

But wait! Here comes something big, strong, black, and hairy! It's Pongo, you perverted minds. He must've bitten off the rope he was tied with and somehow -- how? Exactly -- knew where the others were and somehow -- how? Exactly again -- swam his way against the stream current and into the underground cave. The kids notice his wound but the chimp refuses to let anyone touch it, so they leave him be.

Dick comes up with a good-sounding idea of writing a letter, tying it around Pongo's neck, and sending out the chimp to get help. This they do and after careful instructions from Nobby -- that could be a new hit from The Lows -- How Do You Talk to a Chimp -- Pongo disappears down the stream.

With nothing to do, the children sit in wait. They try to pass the time by playing some games I've never heard of. As a kid, I didn't care much about what the main characters did in capture or this kind of situation. I was only interested in the outcome. But now, I notice how well Enid describes what they must be going through. They have limited flashlights and batteries then weren't as strong as they are now, so they can have only one on at a time. Thanks to Mrs. Mackie, they have some food, m'kay, but it will run out eventually. It's damned cold underground and they know for sure the bad guys will ultimately return for their treasure. And these are very young kids we're talking about. So yeah, not a very appealing experience to go through. Presented with the choices, as a 11-12-year-old, I guess I would prefer reading about it to personally experiencing it.

Tiger Dan and Lou eventually show up, planning to take everything and skip once and for all, since now they have enough. They see the children and Timmy, but this time they have guns and hence, the upper hand. Lou, with help from his gun, has the kids and Timmy go back to the tunnel where the stream passes. While Dan works, putting everything into big sacks, Lou tells them that the men plan to leave the kids underground until they've cleared the area. Then perhaps he'll let someone know of their whereabouts. Such a mean man! Why don't you just shoot them here and now, you bastard!

It is at this moment that Pongo reappears, apparently having not tried to get help after all. The chimp attacks Dan and Lou viciously. Dick suggests that he should run to the entrance below the caravans and get help, while Dan and Lou are being preoccupied by Pongo. Julian agrees and tells everyone else to go deeper into the tunnel, so that the men won't notice Dick's disappearance. Dick slips out and does his best to secure the entrance, not to let anyone else out.

Dan and Lou eventually manage to subdue Pongo, the chimp not being as strong as he normally is because of his head wound. Luckily, he runs away before Lou can shoot him. Meanwhile, Julian has urged everyone to go up the stream, as opposed to down that they did earlier on. Pongo joins them. But Lou catches a glimpse of Julian -- the last in line -- and drags him out of the tunnel. Nobby is next to be dragged out. Theres' some confusion -- or rather, Enid makes Lou confused -- over whether there are two or one girl. In any case, Dan and Lou do not notice that Dick isn't there with the rest.

Somehow, Julian manages to kick hard and high enough to knock Lou's flashlight off his hand. In the dark, Timmy and Pongo both attack. Lou shoots blindly, but of course, in Blytonian world, noone gets killed, so that's all right. Dan runs away towards the entrance, but stops in his track upon seeing "four burly policemen" in the tunnel.

Aaand that's about it, really. Bad guys captured. In the morning, the police inspector explains what Dan and Lou have done over the years -- along the line of, we have been looking for these men for years and now thanks to you kids yada yada yada... Kinda like those Indonesian movies in the eighties. Nobby says he can't go back to the circus, the people won't be accepting him back after all he's done to their start clown and acrobat. But no worries, Mr. Mackie offers him a job to look after his horses -- earlier on, we learned that Nobby was fond of horses and trained them well. Pongo belongs to the circus, so Nobby can't keep him, but he can keep Barker -- who has recovered fully after the poisoned meat incident -- and Growler. Julian, Dick, George, and Anne are happy everything works out. They plan to stay longer in the area, in Nobby's company.

But a telegram arrives. It's from Julian's parents: "Amazed to get your letter about the extraordinary happenings you describe. They sound dangerous. Come home at once. Daddy." The wonder of British postal service yet again, considering this takes place only a day after Underground Adventure #5. Let's see, assuming Daddy is referring not to Underground Adventure #5 but to the events leading to that. Still, these events happen the earliest just a day before. Which means, the children can only send a postcard or telegram describing "the extraordinary happenings" in the morning of Underground Adventure #5. So, within a span of two mornings, a postcard has been sent, read by the parents, and the reply received. In the forties nonetheless!

Anyway, the telegram arrives. BTW, it's sent to Mr. Mackie's farm, so it's not like the postal guy knows exactly where the kids park their caravans and go all the way uphills to deliver it. Because that'll be a stretch, even in our Blytonian universe. Daddy says they're to come home at once, so they say goodbye to the farmer who is helpful and his wife who is a good cook. And to Nobby and Barker and Growler.

And off they go: a red caravan drawn by Trotter and a green caravan drawn by Dobby. Until the next adventure, Kids. In the meantime, stay away from drugs.

Next: The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat

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