One summer Pippi and Captain Longstocking went to the seashore for a vacation. They had a wonderful time swimming and walking on the beach.

"Then one day Pippi sighed a big sigh. We're having so much fun," she said, wish all my friends could be here.

"Why don't we invite them?" said Captain Longstocking. "Next week is the Fourth of July. Let's have a big party and ask everyone to come. We can have it on my boat, the Leapin' Lizard."

"Yippee!" shouted Pippi. She was soexcited that she fell on her sand castle "Arf!" barked Mr. Nilsson.

For the next few days Pippi was very busy calling all of her friends and decorating the Leapin' Lizard.

"I'm putting up red, white, and blue banners," she told Captain Longstocking.

Finally the big day, July 4th arrived. And so did all the food: lots of sandwichesand platter after platter of cakes, cookies, and ice cream.

When Pippi's friends came, they racedup the gang plank and hugged her. Captain Longstocking' friends came dressed in their fanciest clothes. The men wore tuxedos.

The women wore beautiful dresses and sparkling diamonds.

"Jumpin' juju beans! Just look at those diamonds!" whistled Pippi. "I hope there aren't any jewel thieves around!"

Soon the band started playing. Pippi and her friends danced and played games. Then they all swam in the pool on deck.

"The sun will be going- down soon," said Captain Longstocking. "Let's watch the sunset out on the ocean."

With that, he steered the Leapin' Lizardout to sea.

But the Leapin' Lizard was not alone! Therewas a boat following it—with two thieves aboard.

"Are you ready?" Kling asked Thunder-Karlsson.

"Of course I'm ready," sneered Thunder-Karlsson.

"I love stealing! And I can't wait to get myhands on all those diamonds!"

Their boat drew closer and closerto the Leapin' Lizard.

"Now!" whispered Kling, and they climbed aboard.

No one saw them. But somebody heard them, Mr. Nilsson!

"Arf! Grrrf!" he barked, racing over to Pippi.

"Golly, Mr. Nilsson," laughed Pippi, "you must be having a great time. I've never heard you bark so much."

"ARF!" Mr. Nilsson barked even louder.

"Wait a minute," said Pippi. "That's your ANGRY bark. What's the matter?"

Mr. Nilsson ran off and Pippi followed him. Heled her to a room near the swimming pool. Kling and Thunder-Karlsson were inside taking the diamonds from all of the women.

"Don't make a sound," said Kling.

"Your jewels or your life!" said Thunder-Karlsson.

Pippi thought fast. She grabbed a fire extinguisher and whispered to Mr. Nilsson, "I'llturn the lights off. Then we can take themby surprise."

The women screamed, "Help!"

The thieves yelled, "What's going on?" Mr. Nilsson barked, "Arf! Arf!" He leaped on Kling and knocked the gun out of hishand. Kling raced out the door. Then SPLASH! he fell right into the pool.

"Help!" Kling yelled. "I can't swim!"

The Asp, one of Captain Longstocking' bodyguards, threw Kling a life preserver. Then he hauled him out of the pool and tied him up.

Meanwhile, Thunder-Karlsson was running for hisboat. Suddenly he caught sight of Punjaband the great big ruby on Punjab's turban.

"I must have it!" he gasped.

He didn't see Pippi. She blocked his wayand sprayed him with the fire extinguisher.

He was covered with foam! Then Mr. Nilsson andPunjab cornered Thunder-Karlsson. His stealing dayswere over.

"Good work!" said Captain Longstocking." Pippi, you are a very brave girl!"

"And Mr. Nilsson is a great watchdog," said Pippi. Then she and her friends returned all the diamonds to the party guests.

"Now it's time for some fireworks," said Captain Longstocking. Everybody gathered deck to watch the red, white, and blue rockets bursting into the sky.

"Happy Fourth of July!" cheered Pippi and her friends. Then the good ship Leapin' Lizard sailed back home.