Shiver My Timbers

"Shiver My Timbers" is another fine illustration of the Our Gangers' propensity for playing hooky. In this one, Billy Gilbert is luring them away from school, by telling them windjammer stories. Miss Crabtree is understandably peeved, telling them that they were playing truant for the last time. She first wanted to report their behavior to the Gang's parents, who would have punished them severely. However, there came a change in plans. The Gang that very night got an opportunity to sign on as pirates, and were treated to psychological brutalities by the crew, to make the whole thing scary, to get them to change their minds. It did not work out as the crew expected, thanks to the resourcefulness of the kids. Indeed, there was no evidence that the Gang repented and went back to school; nevertheless, their getting a taste of pirate life was a fitting punishment. Quite enjoyable, all in all.