MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

Bethlehem, Judea

Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus

"...while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." 

"...for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

Merry Christmas

The Innkeeper made room for Jesus. Please always make room for Jesus too.

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Closing Remarks

Ignatius Holy Bible Verses: Luke 2: 6-7, 2 and 14.

Figurines: King and Country The Life of Jesus 1:30 Scale

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A GENERAL PETTYGREE SHORT STORY

Mary and General Pettygree On Expedition

Chapter 2 of 2 --- The End

Date: Late 1930s
Location: Ruins of Gortyn, Island of Crete

Circumstances: Search For the "Mythological" Labyrinth

See Chapter 1 posted July 15, 2021 here:

https://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2021/07/nightmare-on-crete.html

PREVIOUSLY

When investigating the labyrinth entrance

at Gortyn on the Island of Crete

"Mary, on my mark fire two rounds into each of those undead skeletons. I'll put four into the beasty. Then run back to the horses and we'll gallop back to the ship."

"What are you waiting for?!"

"Ready, aim, FIRE!"

"What of Professor Basingstoke and his benefactor Sir Allan Catherwood?

"Dead surely, in the explosion. Now we must ride for our lives, Mary."

"More have been aroused. What the deuce have we awakened from hell?"

"At the gallop dear. --- Heeyahh!" 

 

"They are pursuing us. Nimble damnations they are. Don't look back Mary!"

"Yes dear. Onward to the safety of the ship. I see furious activity on deck, smoke starting from the stack and sailors going ashore at the double. The ship's horn is sounding."

And from behind....

"This way my dear."

"Right you are William. I see our rescuers."

"General, Lady Pettygree. Ride straight through to the ship. We'll see off that lot. "

"Thank you Lieutenant. Melville, isn't it?"

"Aye General. Off you go now Sir, if you please. --- Shore party, Load!"

"Ready."

"Steady. --- Let 'em come a mite closer."

"Sir!"

"Present"

"Fire!"

"Damnation. They broke through. Not a shot at point blank range dropped any of 'em!"

Back to the ship!

"Captain Braithwaite. Can you get underway, now?"

"The boilers are fired General. It will take a few minutes."

"No time then. We must make a stand here."

"Bob and Tiny. Stand to. Help Lady Pettygree aboard."

"Aye, Captink."

"Thank you Captain. Ouch! Thank you, Mr. Tiny."

"Beg'n yur pard'n, Mum."

"Up you go, m' Lady."

"Ship's Crew. Make every shot count! --- Stern battery!"

"Shoot!"

"Here the devils come lads."

Martini Henrys, revolvers, Thompson sub-machine guns, 1903 American Springfield rifles, shotguns, Mary's Luger and more poured lethal fire into the advancing horde. Parts and pieces flew off of the monsters.

"Mary, my dear."

"Yes, I know."

"Hey Mate. They're com'n aboard. Back up."

"Keep firing or we'll have to give 'em hand to hand or swim for it."

"Aim for the eyes, Mary."

"Right."

"Alright then, you infernal hideous demon."

 

"It's my sail knife you'll be feel'n. Not talk'n, eh?"

"Run!"

"Time to abandon ship. Everyone, into the water."

"Nothing stops them William."

"We're both out of ammunition."

"Just ignore it my love and look at me."

"Shouldn't we jump into the water?"

"No good Mary. Denizens are surfacing there attacking the sailors who did jump." 

"We'll be home soon."

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EPILOGUE

"Letter for you, Sir."

"Mrs. Gaytheringdust. Is Mrs. Pettygree ready for breakfast?"

"Yes Sir. Coming down now --- an' lovely as always."

"Mary. The post arrived with an extraordinary opportunity." 

"I'll be down in a flash. From whom?"

"It's from my old friend, Professor Basingstoke. He finally secured partial funding to continue his excavation from Sir Allan Catherwood. He wants us to join them because of our keen interest in antiquity."

"And surely for you to publish a story as well. Where dear?"

"The ruins at Gortyn on the Island of Crete. He believes recent clues strongly point to the hitherto thought mythological underground Labyrinth, the lair of the Minotaur. Would you consider going?"

"A profoundly disturbing dream vexed my sleep last night. Do you believe in premonitions, William?"

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. Mythologicals gathered and painted by Chuck L. (The Lucky). Ruins are mostly from pet retailer aquarium departments. The sailors are Perry Sudan 28mms. The ship was artistically scratch-built by the late Richard Houston. Civilian ship's crew are from the evocative range sculpted by Bob Murch, Pulp Figures.

2. Thank you sincerely for looking in. 

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NIGHTMARE ON CRETE

A GENERAL PETTYGREE SHORT STORY

Mary and General Pettygree On Expedition

Chapter 1 of 2

Date: Late 1930s
Location: Ruins of Gortyn, Island of Crete

Circumstances: Search For the "Mythological" Labyrinth

"There it is Mary. The ancient ruins of Gortyn.

"William, I did not expect it to be so large."

"Professor Basingstoke and his benefactor Sir Allan Catherwood should have seen us riding up from the ship by now."

"There they are dear."

"Here come the Pettygrees Basingstoke."

"Dare we hope what we are about to open for the first time in the modern era will enrapture the general's readers?"

"And bring in sizeable grants from the Royal Archaeological Society and perhaps some wealthy American to keep this dig active. --- Aye."

"Welcome to Gortyn Mr. and Mrs. Pettygree."

"No. Thank you indeed. Your message arrived in Alexandria just in time before we sailed for home. Your suggestion that my readers might find the hopeful discovery and first opening of the mythological labyrinth said to be here from antiquity is intriguing."

"Professor Basingstoke?"

"Yes, Mrs. Pettygree."

"Mary will be fine. Is the entrance to what you hope will be the labyrinth just ahead within those prodigious columns?"

"We thought so at first. But no. It is near but you need to dismount to get there." 

"Mykonis a local goat shepherd will guide us to it. There he is and he appears to be ready to take us down."

"Engleesch people, Yassou and Kalimera! Come come...."

(Hello and good morning)

"According to Basingstoke's map, this is only a minor temple edifice. It hardly seems likely that it shelters the cave entrance to the home of the mythological minotaur."

"Is it is safe? It is in a terrible state, William."

"No telling my dear, but it took more than two thousand years to crumble into this condition. We can only hope that probabilities are with us --- today at least --- we should be alright."

"Yes, I agree. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained. Let's enter, shall we?"

"Right you are Mary."

"Mykonis will lead with the torch followed by Catherwood and then us," said Basingstoke.

"Come come my friends. All is well say I, Mykonis."

"Goodness that torch has fantastic illumination, William."

As Mary turned to look back inside, Mykonis bellowed....

"Stamata!" (Stop!)

A great shaking ensued followed by crumbling stonework, horrendous noise and firery smoke concealing mortal injuries and screams from within the edifice. Basingstoke and the Pettygrees were thrown backwards off their feet by the earthquake.

"Oh William. Professor Basingstoke is dead, crushed by this fallen stone!"

"Mary! Something else is wrong. Listen. Unholster your revolver."

"What is it William?"

"I don't know but we may in a moment. Start backing up."

"What the deuce are those abominable --- impossible --- things?"

"Creatures from hell surely, Mary."

"What could be worse?"

"You had to ask! That my dear is the mythological Minotaur of Greek mythology."

"Mary, on my mark fire two rounds into each of those undead skeletons. I'll put four into the beasty. Then run back to the horses and gallop to the ship."

"What are you waiting for?!"

"Ready, aim, FIRE!"

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CLOSING REMARKS

Chuck The Lucky expertly painted the mythological creatures about to torment the Pettygrees further.

Most terrain items are decorative pieces sometimes useful in aquariums. All have been purchased from pet stores.

Thank you very much for looking in. Comments welcome below, if you please.

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