The Island School — page 242: what you’re looking at

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

GETTING THE CARGO HOME. _ anties of Charley, the bear, who was permitted to share in the revels. Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo were also permitted to join in the general mirth. Shamefaced in a corner, unheeded by all, the two undermasters stood sniggeringly looking on, Mr. Storeby varying the expression of his face by occasionally glancing in the direction of Jim and Eveline. They knew that they had acted a cowardly part, and, what was worse, were aware that the knowledge was common property. Henceforth how could they hope to be respected by the boys? The evening was getting late, when another summons was heard at the gate. This time it was a man shouting, and for a while it passed unheeded. But one of the boys, who had strolled into the court- yard “fora cooler” after a rough-and-tumble game of blindman’s-buff, heard it and reported the matter to Jim. “Tt sounds like Old Chorker with a cold,” said the boy. “And I daresay it is Chorker,” said Jim, with a smile. “ Let him in.” They had no fears of further attack, and Chorker indeed it was, woebegone and worn out, hungry and forlorn, and also scared, if his looks went for any- thing. — As he stood in the doorway of the hall he attracted the attention of all, and the noise of revelry ceased. “Looks like the ancient mariner,” said Terry. “T suppose,” said Chorker, in a hollow voice, “ that you won’t mind giving me a bit of wittles, seeing as I’ve nigh been made a meal on ?”’ “irsttell me who wants to make ameal of you,” said Jim, “and then go with Romeo and have what you want to eat.” - “Comin’ up to the castle jes’ now,” said Chorker, slancing apprehensively behind him, “about the most curious-looking party I ever see pops out and cries, ‘Here, youstop; ’mhungry. I’d lkeabit ofyou toasted.’ ” “That will do,” said Jim; more of that story.” “You don’t believe me ?” * Certainly not.” “Well, it’s true, anyway,” party was dressed in leaves. “we do not want any said Chorker, “and the But I didn’t stop to look at him closely, for I come along in a hurry, and | all the way up here J hears him a-hollerin’, ‘ Stop, will you? Tm hungry.” Muttering to himself, Chorker followed Romeo out of the room. Morse went up to Jim and spoke of the wild man who had bitten Dibble in the arm. “ There is more truth than you think in Chorker’s story,” he said. ‘ Whoever this extraordinary person may be, he certainly exists.” 201 “Well,” said Jim, “it appears that for once in a way Chorker has told the truth. By the way, where is Nap? I haven’tset eyes on him since the morning.” “No more have I,” admitted Morse; “indeed, I have not thought of him.” And it turned out, on making quiet inquiry, that nobody had seen the redoubtable Napoleon since the fighting began. At the first sound of firing he had vanished. Mrs. Farrell did not seem to be. concerned about him, and on that account Jim was of opinion that nobody else need bother about the schoolmaster. Nor did they. After an evening of rejoicing, prolonged until near midnight, they retired to rest, after Martin had seen that all was secure. | With the gates securely barred and the portcullis down, no man by ordinary means could obtain ad- mission. For additional security the inner doors of the great hall were also secured, and, satisfied that they might rest in peace, no sentry was posted. The wounded boys were in a room next to Mrs. Farrell’s, and she volunteered to look in upon them during the night. But they were doing well, and were sleeping peacefully when Jim looked in for the last time that night. Still nothing had been seen or heard of Mr. Farrell, and wondering at his continued non-appearance, Jim fell asleep. CHAPTER CIX. GETTING THE CARGO HOME.—SOMETHING LOST. mi OOD news of the patients in the morn- ing set Jim’s mind at 7 rest, and his next =r ft thoughts were of the a cargo of the “ Orsini,” hidden in the cave. for some ine, it would be as well to Loh |. cetin the supplies without any delay. As a ico of form, he proposed to consult Mr. _ Farrell, but on making inquiries concerning him, he | night before. _ that gentleman. received the same reply as had been given him ihe Nothing had been heard or seen of As a last resource he spoke to Mrs. Farrell, who was as ignorant of the whereabouts of her husband as the rest of people. “I daresay he has run away again,” she said, indifferently, ‘but we shall soon see him once more, when he feels it will be safe for him to return,” (@{ 0) aa Cc 00 cS (Ol 0)