The Island School — page 229: what you’re looking at

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

190 The loss of the cargo had also been discovered, and the view taken of it by the Spaniards was that the eaptain of the “ Orsini” had plundered the vessel for — his own benefit, and was skulking somewhere ashore They threatened vengeance—“ after they had done with the little wolves in the castle”—and then began to talk in a jargon Jim could not understand—on other matters, he supposed. They had found some drink, having an unerring scent for anything in that line, and having lighted two more lamps, lay down upon the deck to gamble. Presently—it was a matter of a few minutes only— the voice of Lucia was heard upbraiding them. “You have nothing to keep you here,” “Mo your boats, and back again.’ They pleaded they were tired and needed rest, but promised to start in an hour or so. There was a gentle breeze blowing at the time, which Lucia told them would fall to nothing with the rising of the sun, and a calm of some hours might be expected. But they doggedly refused to stir. “You would not dare to disobey me,” she said, bitterly, “if Reonardo were here.” “Reonardo would let us rest,” they scant “and not give unreasonable commands,” “Hnough,” said Lucia, haughtily. you.” They laughed by way of reply, and a minute later Jim dimly saw her small craft slowly sailmg seaward. The men continued to play on, getting more boisterous each moment in their mirth. “ Now,” thought Jim, “if I leave these fellows they will lie until daylight, and Ishall have them prowling about the shore, which won’t quite suit my book. They must be cleared out at once.” He thought a moment, and his plans were laid. Back he glided to the cave, and awakening Martin, Ganthony, Terry, and a few more, told them of the discovery he had made. “Now,” he said, ‘‘ you boys get your rifles, and we will steal down and let fly at those fellows. Probably we shall do very little mischief at this time of the night, but if we don’t scare those ruffians out of the neighbourhood I’m mistaken.” Hight in all, with loaded rifies, crept out of the cave. Terry was left behind to allay any alarm among those who still slept, and who might be awakened by the firing. The Spaniards were still drinking and gambling, and were getting hilarious when the eight armed boys, with Martin, formed on the shore. Aim just above her hull,” whispered Jim. all ready. Fire!’ : The crash of arms on the stillness of the night was as of a resiment’s volley-firmg. The men ceased “T will leave “ Now their mirth, and with yells sprang to their feet, and — she said. THE ISLAND SCHOOL. they were heard tumbling into their two boats with — an utter regardlessness of possible broken limbs, ““One shout now,” said Jim, “all together. Make a good ferocious yell of it. Let it have a Spanish twang.” The yell they gave in concert would have seared an Indian, and the terrified Spaniards pushed off their boats and hoisted the felucca sails with an alacrity they rarely exhibited. “Shall we give them another volley ?” ee Martin. The rifles had all been reloaded while the Spaniards were hurriedly embarking. Jim reflected a moment, and then said: “‘ Yes, the sooner we wipe out those villains the better.” The boats had not got far away when the second volley was fired, but in the dim light they were not so discernible as when on the hull of the “Orsini.” But that some good work was done was testified by a shrieking that followed the firing. ‘Now they may go,” said Jim, “and I think they will be wary of coming this way again.” By this time all the boys, and the rest of the men, were awake and outside the cave. When the firmg party returned, and told the story of the success of their short expedition, a shout rang out that must have created additional terror in the breasts of the scared Spaniards. As there was not the slightest probability of their returning, the party went back to the cave, and all | sought rest to recruit their strength for the labours of the morrow. CHAPTER CLV. ON THE ROAD HOME,.—THE LOST SHEEP RETURNS TO THE FLOCK, wee LOUR, tea, cocoa, and. _§ tinned meat,” said Jim, “are the chief things wanted. Let each of you select as much as you can carry, and we will start at once. The flour had in the first instance been packed’ in bags of a the boys who thought they selected their burden. The sonnei size, and could carry one . others took what they believed they were capable of bearing, and the men did not shirk their share. Of course many halts by the way would be impera- tive, and they did not expect to reach the castle (@{ @) co mn CS 900)