The Island School — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

JO Morse brought out of his pocket a small case about the size of a crown-piece. Opening it, he showed it contained a small mirror. “Tt is made of polished steel,” he explained, “ con- eave and highly polished. You may not think it, but there is no looking-glass that will show a reflec- tion of the size so clear as this will de. See here.” He held it up m front of them, and they saw in 1% a minute but most perfect picture of the scene behind them. All the details were there, limned with an accuracy that was perfectly marvellous. “As we walk along,’ said Morse, “I eas spot all that goes on in the rear. We need not apprehend being taken by surprise.” It was some hours, as we know, ere Giuseppe was on their track, accompanied by his men; but as soon as the smuggler saw Morse, Morse saw him. While Giuseppo, in happy ignorance of being observed, stood on the verge of the wood, Morse had his eye upon a miniature picture of him, and by his actions could almost interpret his words. Partaking of that meal by the flight of steps was a deliberate act on the part of Morse to further gull the smuggler, and as the day advanced the tent was pitched on this spot, and everything done to lead Giu- seppo to believe that there they would spend the night. But Morse had no intention of remaining there. Nor did he intend to remain in the city, although he was anxious to explore it. That was a pleasure he looked forward to in days to come, when Reonardo ceased from troubling and Giuseppo was at rest. It was within half an hour of sunset, and already the orb of day was sinking behind the wood. Romeo, acting under instructions, was boiling some coffee, the boys sat at the mouth of the tent, and Charley lay upon his side in the attitude of a tired dog enjoying the vicinity of the fire. ‘‘ Now all listen to me,” said Morse. you hear?” “Pufieckly,” replied Romeo. clear as Chris’mus.” “Crystal, I suppose you mean P” murmured Morse. “We ail hear,” said Terry. “ And just spot Charley’s left ear cocked up to catch every word.” “I believe the beggar understands,” said Ganthony. * Now to business,” resumed Morse. “ The original idea suggested by Jim was, if we were pursued, to take refuge here and defend ourselves until Jim has time to get back to the school and bring a party along to our assistance. To a certain extent, the notion was a good one, but there are certain points from which it must be viewed; and, on the whole, I de not think it will do.” “What athing it is to have a turn for mathe- matics!” said Terry. “ Hverything is reduced to a co1rect line of working by calculation.” “Your voles am as “Romeo, can | nr i te re te ee ee ~— VHE ISLAND SCHOOL. “Keep your compliments,” returned Morse, “ until I have conveyed you safely home. Ié is my intention. to do so without the loss of any one of us, and without a scratch. This we could not hope to do if we have to encounter a party of men that are really very formidable when arrayed against us.” ‘‘ Dere’s Charley, Massa Morse,” interposed Romeo. Well, yes, we have Charley; but it would be un-- wise to believe that he would be a match for six or seven men armed with revolvers and knives. It would be poor satisfaction to me to know that we had killed. them all, if in the struggle one here lost his life.” “Would you be dainty about killing any of the crew?” asked Felton. “Something must be done in self-defence,” said Morse, “and whatever it is will be of a nature not to disturb my conscience. We are not the ageressors,,. and the men we are dealing with are practically out- laws. To be tender in my treatment of them would be weakness.” , Dat sure,” murmured Romeo. “ An’ you’bout de strongest boy in de head I know ob.” Romeo meant it as a compliment, and Morse said, he was much obliged to him. Terry’s remark that the strongest head was presumably the thickest was. accepted as a jest. “As soon as it is dark,” Morse continued, “we retreat by yonder gate, the third one from that by which we entered this most dolorous city. The tent. and all the cooking-utensils must be left behind te call for another day.” | ‘‘ Dey not much trouble to carry,” Romeo said. “We must leave them, as we must move imme- diately after night has come upon us. There will be no difficulty in seeing your way. Having arrived at the gate IL have pointed out to you, you will there wait for me.” “ Are you going to stay behind °” exclaimed Gan- thony. . . “ Just long enough to receive our friends, who, I perceive, are already preparing to descend upon us Two of the men have left the wood ”—Morse sat with his back to it, consulting his ‘magic mirror’’—‘‘and are ereeping down from rock torock. They will all be on the move soon, and, naturally, they will make for the gate by which we entered. It is there I intend to receive them.” | : “ But why run the risk?” asked Terry—“ the risk of falling into their clutches? New that you have decided to leave the baggage behind, we can easily give them the slip.” “We cannot get far away,” said Morse, “ unless they receive a decided check. We cannot traverse the wood freely after dark, but must go along cautiously ; and I doubt if we shall get very far ere we are obliged to halt till dawn. Iam going to make sure our foes. m <S.co ( @ @ ) Cc 000