The Island School — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

- 196 “We ought to be among the first stirring, then,” said Jim. “‘T have pinned a paper to the gate, on which I have written in pencil, ‘Do not go outside. It is dangerous.’” As there was nothing more to be done that night, Jim suggested getting a little sleep; but ere they wont to bed, Morse went into the laboratory for a few minutes. When he came back, he said, serenely : “ Jim, if necessary, I could blow up the castle and | all in it to atoms. It might be better than some things—as a'last resource, I mean.” “Most certainly let it be as a last resource,’ Jim, more hurriedly than was his wont. Morse smiled faintly. But he knew that Jim was not a coward, and he was not surprised. Together ’ said _they went upstairs, and then the castle was still until the dawn. Morse, true to his promise, was down early before anyone, as he believed, was stirring. But on entering the big hall he discovered Mr. Farrell trying the door of the laboratory with a key. | “ Hxcuse mé, sir,” he said, “but that is a room I have recently devoted to study.” “Well, what of that ?” demanded the schoolmaster, with considerable asperity. He had been having a bad night, and his liver was out of order. Nothing,’ coolly replied Morse, “save that if you handle some of the things inside there with a rough hand, you will blow the castle and all in it half-way to the stars.” “Morse, you have no right to have such things here.” “T had them here, sir, before it became necessary to occupy the castle, and I have need of them. So long as only myself intrudes there, nothing will happen.” “And we are to be kept in a state of constant apprehension, are we?’ angrily demanded Mr. Farrell. “You need not be afraid, sir,” said Morse. “So long as the compounds are handled properly, an explosion is impossible.” This was so far comforting, but the schoolmaster did not exhibit in his face that he was satisfied. As Morse walked away to the gate, he followed, having prudently determined not to mspect the laboratory for a while. He came upclose behind Morse, and read the notice fixed upon the gate. He smiled sar- castically. You do your best to scare us in every way,” he said. “That is no scare, but the solemn truth,” said Morse. ‘ Outside I have prepared two mines, either of which will explode when an almost invisible peg is trodden on.” ? THE ISLAND SCHOOL. “TI should like to see those mines,” said Mr. Farrell, sarcastically. | ‘‘ Another time,” said Morse, as he began the ascent of the stairs leading to the ramparts. Again Mr. Farrell followed him, and as the boy surveyed the country round and the sea beyond, he took up a position by his side. At first they could see no signs of life, but eventually . Morse saw in the distance towards Silver Bay a number of mere spots moving on the sands. Judging by the height and the distance he viewed them from, he came to the conclusion they were human beings— Reonardo’s followers, in fact. They were moving to and fro with no apparent object at first, but in a little while got together and advanced in the direction of the ruins of the school. Morse promptly divined that the long-expected attack was about to take place, and without saying a word to the astounded schoolmaster, who had seen nothing, he sped away below, and hastened to where Jim was still sleeping in one of the old stone chambers that had been turned into dormitories. In five minutes all who were to act in the forts had been aroused with as little commotion as possible. Some of those not concerned were at the same tune awakened, and wanted to know what was the matter ; but they were bidden to go to sleep again, as the party was merely going out for morning drill. “Get hold of what you can to eat and drink,” was Morse’s advice, “ and make a rough breakfast outside.” ‘¢ And keep your peckers up,” said Jim. They wanted encouragement, naturally, for how many boys would have been awakened from sleep under similar circumstances and not felt a tremor of alarm? But as a body they bore themselves bravely, and may be registered as fair samples of British pluck. They spoke in whispers‘ as they assembled in the hall, while some of their number visited the larder and store-rooms to get a supply of provisions. They — brought it back, and Romeo into the bargain. ‘“Whateber am up, Massa Gordon,” said the negro, ‘me and Charley ought to be in it. Me not been ’sleep much to-night, for de purpose of habin’ a finger in de pie.” This appeal could not be resisted, and Romeo was despatched to release Charley, who had been shut up on the previous day in one of the back offices. When that sagacious beast appeared he demon- strated his delight by performing half a dozen of his special tricks unsolicited. He stood at attention, shouldered arms with a stick he took from a corner of the hall, strutted to and fro like a sentry, chal- lengec a supposed passer-by, and threatened to shoot him if he did not halt, and so on, to the manifest } delight of his friends. 900 ( @ 0 ) Aanie CS Co