The Island School — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

~ SOME STRANGE “He will not do it,” said Lucia. “Bands of men are not to be had for the asking.” “But surely, Lucia, there are many who still burn to oust these strangers ?” “ Ay, they burn, but not sufficiently to lead them to desert their own homes and risk their lives here.” “The curs !” “Nay, be reasonable. They arenocurs. Think of the number that hath already fallen. Not one of Giuseppo’s crew remains.” Reonardo muttered something between his teeth and turned his face away. Looking along the shore, he saw Lorenzo with his five men behind him, running back with terror visible on their faces. “Santa Maria!” he eried; “what has scared the dogs? Excuse me, dearest, for a moment.” | He hastened to meet them, and Lucia followed, with a careless, swinging step. The fright of the coming men amused her. | 3 “ And yet they are our masters,” she said, with a dry smile. “I should like to see living thing that could thus scatter my wits.” The entire body of men had by this time seen their hastily-returning comrades, and all were on their feet. Lorenzo plunged in amongst them and threw up his arms in terror. “ Poor Ugolino!” he cried. “What ails him?” demanded Reonardo. “He is dead, lying by the ruins of the school- house.” “ Dead?” “Ay. He could never have got so far as the vine- yard, for his boots have not been soiled by richer ground than sand.” “Say, then,” said Reonardo, with a bitter oath, “how did he die?” “ He has been strangled.” “Ugolino strangled !” The exclamation was one of incredulity, but Lorenzo repeated the assurance. “Strangled,” he said, “ but first, as I take it, struck with a stone on the back of his head, for there is a deep wound at its base, and the blood-stained stone lies close by. Then the murderer, as he lay senseless on the ground, must have completed his work, for Ugolino is dead !” Lorenzo threw up his hands again. in a paroxysm of fear, and the men murmured among themselves, the blood fleemg from their cheeks and leaving them a pale olive colour. Hspardo Reonardo glanced from one to the other of the five men who had accompanied Lorenzo, and read nothing in their faces but a confirmation of his story. “Tt is not their way of fighting,” he said, presently. “They have not learnt the art of assassination. These _ . Englishmen are boys.” My hy . 4 EXPERIENCES. 18] Then he asked for’ the particulars—the exact spot, and so on, where they had found him. Close by where the door of the schoolhouse had been Ugolino lay dead, “‘ with his eyes well out of his head and staring blankly at the sky.” “ Of all men here,” said Reonardo, with a passionate outburst of rage and grief, “I could least spare him.” Then arose a hoarse ery from his band, and drawing their knives, they shook them in the air, swearing to avenge the fate of their comrade, who had been renowned for his strength and bravery. Lucia stood by, with her hands clasped before her, calmly surveying the furious men. When they had somewhat restored themselves to quietude, she said, in a dry, sarcastic way : “ Brave talking and howling, but what will you do for revenge ?” “Leave them to my guidance,” whispered Reonardo. “And what will you do?” she asked, almost as scornfully. “Exterminate them all!” “ Even her 2” “Ay, even her. All, I say-—all!” “Then I am here with you,” said Lucia, giving him her hand; “and as for the work, depend on me to do my share of it. When she is caught, leave her to me.” “Tt shall be done,” said Reonardo, but as he turned his face away his eyes gave the lie to his tongue. CHAPTER XCIX. LAL AND STIFF HAVE SOME STRANGE EXPERIENCES WITH AN OLD FRIEND. 'N fear, and, it may be said, trembling, lal Brodie and _ Stiff watched the approach- ing figure until it was within a hundred yards of them. Then a flash of light burst in upon the dark- | al a ness; they recognised him. It was Chorker! The old fraud was walking along in the way of one who is approaching a spot where he thinks an ambush may be prepared for him. He had his eyes on the stranded vessel, and drawing nearer to it, lessened his pace until he was within forty or fifty yards of the boys, and then he came to a dead stop. “Well,” said Lal, “if thisisn’t a tenth wonder of the world!” “You mean eighth,” suggested Stiff. oiems . foveal tou | @ Oye @) (E(0) nN cs (@( 0) mn