The Island School — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Woe Fic Gulee he me e aty work upon Po res it _apposred to him th oe was. already i in full trim. | naa He eee - Still the attempt to get more way on her sonar to A ; confirm his suspicions. — ~ He was now pretty nies cer- tain that the stranger meant mischief. : in The “ Swallow” responded to the hoisting of her sail to its limit with increased speed, but for all that it was evident the, stranger gained on them. The _ wind came from the north-east, about the best quarter when heading for the island, being well on n her quarter without being quite abeam. . a So the boats raced for a quarter of an athe the | he boys scarcely saying a word, but watching the seanee f close y- A | a So The Sifepne between cose nae by that time foes i shortened. by a third. +3 % My eye!” exclaimed Brodie, suddenly, ‘she’s got ¢ bated speed on her.” o tee “Built for it,” briefly Scplaineaili im Gordon ; “ she’ S coe a smuggler by trade, I’ll warrant, and ciearne, are | Don’t stare at her any Re- . not wanted in that line. _ longer, but just keep a side eye on her, Brodie. i "port when I ask you how she is getting along. Stiff, go forward, and - sham ‘coiling that rope. You had a better keep to windward still, as we have as: much ees canvas as we can carry in this breeze.” os x What’s your gamer gh asked Brodie in a whisper, as Stiff crept forward. a 8 Var The | crew must not question the captain,” an- | swered Gordon. “Is she still coming straight at us! 27) | is “ As straight as an arrow.” + pa ri ALL right. Don’t take any notice of her, but sham , taking things easy. Smile as you talk, and look as if. ce didn’t know she was within a hundred miles of AIS Ae es et en iety ae ; “How silent they are on board! As arule these nica are jabbering and singing all the time.” : “Well, you would not hear much of them at that - distance, but I daresay they are quiet.” AN She’s coming along,” i “minutes later ; “I can see the crew as clearly as if - thay were alongside.” “ How many ?” asked Gordon. “One, two, three—seven, and every one of the _ beggars staring straight at us.” | e “No doubt. How far away now ?” | ‘ Not: more than two furlongs—not so far, | furlong: and a half.” g * |“ Stiff, ” said Jim Gordon, “ obey orders, will | you? | You are staring at that boat.” | | Be “Beg pardon, Ai cap,” said Stiff, deferential, “ ~, ~ Say a as “couldn't help. PE ahs: NS ty ate ‘Stick to your job, and don’t « 60 “much as blink. _ Coming on, Broo? PW che AV Nik | Gab 4 } ever, in 18 fen to have got an one 4 rep ‘ muttered Brodie, a few Fahy Oop Ae ae He teh oe ees ; hy ia, ae \ oe F nei wc ne” tyes EDI AW wy Ne - Ce wrk Ry iy) bf Ss ae RATS “Mata t wy » 4 nee ‘te 4, . ‘ 7] ' : . “bit of ieee with Hees crew of dead men.” — LEER “ And staring hard at us?” | rea a Rina a vs «AS hard as they can. A black-muzzled lot. i | Jim Gordon said no more for the next few minutes, a but sat looking ahead at the island, which was now | well within sight. Objects of moderate size could be ‘seen on the shore. But there were no signs of living beings or of dwellings. The boat was making straight for a creek’ that was from that distance no se ae ne ‘a dent in the side of the island. Hy i fee simy, ’ whispered Brodie, who was biting his andes lip, and looked rather yee and anxious, “she’s” not — z half a furlong behind us.” ~ ia A ‘2 » © Tell me when she i is but a cable’s length ee us)” ei was the quiet reply. k “How she steals along! ‘Iean scarcely hear the 5 lappin g of water against her bows.” (gta ee Von can’t hear it at’all, Brodie, if i is. your fancy. ‘ee The native craft makes little or no sound whatever. | They are built for quiet voyaging. Don’t look be- P hiod you. Stiff, for the last. time, do as you are told, Sham being asleep, 1f you,can do nothing else.” Vier, mi ey “ All right,” muttered Stiff, 3: but rl be hanged if tn | can see yourgame.” | | a ee “ She’s coming right es, said Brodie, ss “at us, Gordon.” | ae ie Ps “Yes, I guessed as much.” 4} | ae A ; “Tt looks as if she means to run us down.” Pea this. “Tamsure she does,” said Gerdon, quietly. |“ When | she is within twenty feet of us rub your nose with mo your forefinger.” AE SS apt | As a i “What on earth for?” - s | Bate “Do as you are told, you duffer. It’s a ate ee J won't understand. Now, then, not another word. ic Lean back and look happy.” ie aba! Ae “T wish I could,” muttered Brodie. “ As far as ‘the eo i leaning back, goes I can do it to perfection, ite look happy when I may be swimming for my life m — two minutes or so, is more than J can do.” pi . ‘When it comes to swimming it will be all over with you,” said Gordon. “ Those blackguards will prevent that. i ie i ie Jim Gordon, still keeping one. hed on . the ‘alae stooped down, and thrusting his hand into one of the — bags of ballast—the mouth was not tied—fished out oa As ers almost as big as his fist. By: Holding it low and out of the sight of anyone noe ihe i within a few feet of the craft, he awaited the signal _ is from Brodie. Be ei Stealthily, : as some moneter fish in pursuit of prey, | Dy the stranger. boat bore down upon them. Brodie tried : to keep.cool and to appear at his ease, but it was difficult work. Sitting with his eyes half-closed, he — kept a sidelong watch upon one who may justly tat ieee di Be enemy. — Chibi Bel Aa ent Wiss Xi if ait ; ea i wea’) Aiay Atos) Wi he Ap ie ALLO AY are te i ae ws li Hs Se SA TRAY C ; bat A 4% Me hw ae - - i? By ’ x p by Ae Hy) ee COMI -boo < -O