The Island School — page 224: what you’re looking at

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

A WELCOME way, all the occupants were outside sunning them- selves, excepting those who were in the wood behind, cutting more fuel. This party consisted of a dozen boys, under the command of Sam Whiffer and Macbeth. Hamlet and Romeo were engaged in the porterage of the wood they cut down into the courtyard of the castle. Lal doffed his cap to Mrs. Farrell and Eveline, who sat near the bridge engaged in the everlasting needle- work, and then turned to Jim, who, with Morse, had come forward to greet him. | Lal told the story of the finding of the “ Orsmi,” and all listened to him in breathless silence. For the present he confined the part of it concerning Chorker to the fact that he had seen him and supplied his wants. “Mr. Farrell,” said Lal, addressing Mrs. Farrell, ‘has, I am afraid, had a very rough time of it over there.” “Tt will do him no harm,’ was the complacent reply; “and I should say he is as safe there as he could be anywhere on the island.” Now came the question as to the stores in the stranded “ Orsini.” | “Tt would never do to leave any of them on board,” said Jim, “and at present we can only bring a portion up here. left to a more fitting time.” “You would suggest,’ said Morse, “that they be got ashore and hidden somewhere P” “Yes, all save what we can get up here. But it will entail a lot of us leaving here for a good two days.” “T was in hopes that you would be able to get everything here in a day,” said Lal. “Look at the distance,” said Jim, “and there is a lot of uphill work, and we may be attacked. if our presence over yonder is known. to remain here.” He cast a wistful glance at Eveline, who shook her head. ‘“ Well, if not myself, Morse must remain. experiments.” “As if it is likely there would be!” indignantly ex- claimed Terry, who was standing by. “There is no knowing what military genius may lead some of us to do,” said Jim, with mock gravity. “Well, the sooner we are gone the better. Work in the forts must be suspended, and, with a weakened force, Morse, you had better keep in the castle. I shall want the men with me to assist in the heavier portion of unloading.” _ Martin was summoned from the fort, and bidden to get the other men ready. All to be armed with rifles and a fair supply of ammunition. “Thirty of the strongest boys,” said Jim, “I must have. Terry, you will go with me, and I can pick up Ganthony as we go down. Fall in, there !” °7 | We cannot have any more artillery | All the heavy bales and packages must be | I think that Icught | MESSENGER. | 189 The boys near him fell in; and he rapidly picked out those he wanted. They were selected mainly for their physique. _ The next thing was to give them rations for one meal, which they would require on their way. This was seen to by Terry, and Morse looked to their arms. Then Jim had a few words with Morse, exchanged a whisper with Eveline, and he was ready. “Tf all goes well,” he said, “ you will see some of us back to-morrow afternoon. Keep the gates closed till we come.” | There-was no attempt at cheering, lest the noise should attract their enemies ; but with a quiet waving of caps the detachment set out for the “ Orsini.” The sentries, all but Ganthony, were soon in, and Morse was about to call in the wood-cutters, when the whole body came dashing down, with three niggers at their head yelling in alarm. ‘Get into the castle, Mrs. Farrell,’ said Morse, quickly. “‘ Now then, what is all this row about ?” ‘A wild man ob de woods,” gasped Macbeth. “ He do him Jebel best to eat Massa Dibble.” “All in!” cried Morse, suspecting a possible attack upon them. The boys poured over the bridge, through the gate- way,intothe castle. Morse waited to the last, keeping a watchful eye around, but no stranger appeared in sight. Still, there was some cause for the alarm, as Dibble, as he hastened into the castle, was holding his left | arm with his right hand, as boys do when they have received a blow or some form of injury. Morse closed the gates, bolted and barred them, and let down the portcullis. Then he walked into the courtyard, where there was a scene of confusion, all there, including Mrs. Farrell and Eveline, seemingly talking and nobody listening. As for Macbeth, Hamlet, and Romeo, they were rolling their eyes and gesticulating after the manner of their race when excited, while they were being | plied with questions by quite a mob of boys who had been at work in the forts. Morse could be very authoritative when he chose, and his stern demand for silence was soon complied with. “I wish,” he said, “that all of you, when any- thing unusual happens, would try to keep cool.” “We are not all of the Morse family,” pleaded Whiffer. “ Well,” said Morse, “ let me know what has trans- pired. Dibble, let me hear you first.” “T was cutting wood,” said Dibble, “ alittle outside the rest——” “ Dat you war, and me see you,” murmured Macbeth. “As I was picking up abundle of sticks I had put together——” “Tied wif a piece ob woodbine,” explained Macbeth. comicbooks.com } lj { 2 —