Chapter One

Nicholas Nosh, the littlest pirate in the world, woke up early. He was too excited to sleep. Today he was taking part in the irate Games. He'd been practicing for Weeks with his cannonballs.

He got dressed and ran downstairs. 'We'er waiting for your aunt and uncle,' said his mum. 'This is their first visit in ten years.' Nicholas heard a noise like someone blowing a rusty tin horn, and then the door bell rang. He opened the door. THere stood Uncle Wartly, Aunt Peanucle and a little

girl. The girl had curly brown hair, and she wore a pretty pink shoes."Hello,' she hooted. 'Youmust be my cousin. I'm Primrose. You're not very big, are you?'

How rude! Nicholas thought. and her voice Would frighten cows! He kissed Aunt Peanucke and shook Uncle

Wartle's hand. His uncle perred at him from underbushy black eyebrows and said, 'Hmph.'

'Are you going to the Games? Primrose bellowed. "What events are you in? Are you any good?'

Nicholas shuddered. it was going to be a very long day.

Chapter Two

The Pirate Games were held year. There were events like Heaving the Cannonball, Tossing the Pike, Cutlass Duelling and Axe Throwing. The prizes were large gold cups. "I suppose you're too

short to enter most events,' Primrose said. 'They'd be worried you'd get hurt.'

'I'm not short,' Nicholas said. 'Yes, you are.' The bell rang for Heaving the Cannonball to start. Nicholas chose a nice round cannonball. Ready, steady, go! He skipped forward and heaved the cannonball as far as he could.vit was an excellent throw, and everybody clapped.

Eight much bigger pirates took part in the event, but Nicholas Won!

That night, at dinner, Nicholas showed everyone his big shiny cup. Uncle Wartle inspected it to make sure it was real gold.Primrose stuffed a piece of plum pie into her mouth. 'One gold cup is nothing,' she said. 'That's not being a real pirates sail the high seas and steal treasure.' Primrose's voice ground

into Nicholas's head. He stuck his fingers in his ears, but he could still hear her.

"Listen!" he snapped. 'I have a ship. I have treasure. I am a real pirate.' 'No way,' she said. 'You're just too short.' Nicholas's face turned Bright red. 'Fine,' he said. 'Tomorrow we'll go out on my ship the GoldenPudding and attack somebody and steal their treasure. All right?'

Primrose stuffed another piece of plum pie into her mouth. 'Sounds like fun,' she said.

Chapter Three

In the morning Nicholas Wished he'd kept his mouth shut. As his pirate crew got the Golden pudding ready to sail, Gretta, who was chief cook and first mate, joined him on the deck.

'I don't want to attack

'Don't worry,' Gretta said.'Every body is still at the Pirate Games. No one will be out today.' 'Here I am,' Primrose said, bounding up the ganplank. Today she wore a sparkly blue dress and white shoes. Nothing like proper pirate gear. 'Let's go then,' Nicholas said crossly. The Golden Pudding

edged out of the harbour. 'Where are we going?'Primrose said. 'Have you got a map? Are there any islands with buried treasure? Have you got lots of cannonballs?" 'One the size of your mouth would be good,' Gretta grumbled under her breath as she went below to cook lunch.

Nicholas was left on deck

with Primrose. She talked non-stop. The other pirates stuck their fingers in their ears. They sailed all morning in search of a ship, but the Wide blue sea was empty. 'Let's go home,' Nicholas said at last.'Wait,' Primrose said. 'I can see a ship.'Nicholas looked through his spyglass. Yes, it was

a ship, but it looked old and shabby. There were holes in its sails. 'Let's attack!' Primrosesaid, hopping up and down the deck like a demented frog.

"I don't think that's a good idea,' Nicholas said. "It doesn't look like a treasure ship.'

'Are you a chicken?' Primrose asked. 'Short

people often are afraid.''I' not scared!' Nicholas

shouted. 'And I'm not short!' 'Fine, then,' said Primrose. 'Let's go!'

Chapter Four

Nicholas ordered his crew to get the cannons ready for firing. Gretta came up on deck, carrying a tray of meat pies. Primrose ate three. 'Do your pirates know what to do?' she asked.

'Of course,' Nicholas said. But wasn't sure he knew What to do. How did you attack

another ship? Did you fire a warning shot first?He used his spyglass again. Now they were closer, he could see the name Jolly Dodger painted on the ship's stern. The paint was peeling and the anchor was rusty. Two grubby sailors sat on the deck. 'Don't let them get away,'

said Primrose .She ran to the bow and shouted,

'Avast, me hearties. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!, Gretta raised her eyebrows. 'She's read too many pirate books.'

Nicholas sighed. 'Let's get this over with. Fire a cannon!'Boom! The cannonball sailed through the air and landed with a big splash

in front of the other ship. 'Surrender, you dogs!' Primrose shouted, waving

her arms. 'Show the white flag!' Suddeny everything changed. As Nicholas watched, lots of pirates rushed up from below the jolly Dodger's decks. They pulled the covers off the boxes to reveal a row of cannons.

BOOM! BOOM!

Cannonballs flew around the Golden pudding. One

landed on the foreddeck, making a big hole. Bits of wood flew everywhere. Primrose was knocked

over. Gretta helped up and brushed her down. She was unhurt, but at least she'd stopped talking.

Nicholas, standing at the ship's Wheel, was frozen with shock.

Chapter Five

A man dressed all in black stood at the rail of the jolly Dogger. He said, 'Actually, I want you to surrender, if

you would't mind, thank you very much.' Nicholas looked at Gretta. "Do I have to?' he asked.

'I'm afraid so,' she said. 'He has a bigger crew and more cannons. But he's very polite.'

Nicholas and his crew piled all their cutlasses in the deck. The captain of the jolly