The Island School — page 316: what you’re looking at

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

AN ASSAULT ON THE CASTLE. “© Where is it ?” : “ Half-buried in the sands yonder.” “There let it lie. Call the men together.” It was the evening hour, and as the band assembled before the tent in obedience to a quiet call from Vamos, their faces were heavy withgloom. They were cetting dispirited—not from their losses alone, but from a growing conviction that the task they were engaged upon would end in failure and disaster. Lucia was some minutes coming out, and when she did it was suddenly from the tent with two quick steps and then a halt. She did everything for effect, knowing that it was necessary to impress the men, and get them to rely upon her to lead them to victory. With her spare, graceful form erect, and eyes flash- ing, she was a fascinating figure. He beauty had an especial charm—no mean factor in the case—and instantly there was a change in the men. Their lassitude and depression fled, and, doffing their hats, they gave utterance toa series of cries that passed among them for cheering. “Senors,” she said, “ we came here for a purpose, and it must be fulfilled. On your courage, which I know is great, I rely.” Again they cried out, and waved their caps and hats, which were of a mixed nationality. “We have met with some minor impediments,” she resumed, “but what army does not? Itis well they have come at the outset. Is there not an old adage, ‘ Lose first, win last’ P ” ‘It is so, senorita !” they cried. “Why, then,” she demanded, “do I see gloomy faces’ Are you men to be easily disheartened, or is it for me you fear ?” No answer. They looked a bit hang-dog, and she changed her tone to one of cheerful rallying. ‘You must not be tender-hearted for my sake,” she said. “Tam proof against bullet and knife. I know that I shall lead you on to victory. Look at my tent— unharmed, untouched, while none other has escaped. I carry a charm that will help me and save you, if you will only be faithful to me.” “We will—we swear it!” they cried. *'To-night,” she resumed, “we must take a bold step. Though the path is blocked for cannon it is free to us. Surely you have courage enough to meet those children?” The bitter sarcasm conveyed in the tone of her voice had an exasperating effect upon the men. They drew their knives, and, with muttered imprecations, swore that they would give a good account of themselves that night. ‘ Senorita,” they cried, “command us,and we willdo your bidding.” “At midnight, then,” she said, “I will /ead you up yonder, and he who lags shall die. I swear it!” t 7 Piet s,, tae Vive, ene A yee hl ter “xd 268 It was her proud, imperious way of doing things—to: hold them with a threatening hand with as little soft speaking as possible. She knew the men. To pat them on the back, or to cry “ Well done,” would in their eyes be a sign of weakness, The only ruling they felt obliged to obey was that of the iron rod. But few of their number had any stomach for the work ahead of them. The rockets sent down by Morse upon the cliff and into the camp had exercised a terrifying effect upon their nerves. Living in the beggarly little island of Minorca, they saw but little of the late inventions of those who provide us with the material for war. In that sense they had not got beyond the gunpowder age. So it fell out that, though so very brave and bursting with promised valour in the presence of their woman leader, they were somewhat subdued as soon as she left them. | | “They are not boys,” they muttered ; “ she only tells. us so to give us heart. They are men up there, and devils to boot.” “Whatever they may be,” said Vamos, “you wilh have to fight. Do you think the senorita would take the trouble to lie to you, dogs that you are 2” “We may be dogs,” they answered, surlily, “ but a dog clings to life as well as the lion.” Vamos could not dispute this obvious truism, and merely bade them rest during the part of the day that was left to them, and they rested as such men do, lying about, smoking, gambling, and occasionally quarrelling. Lucia di Valo did not show herself again to her followers until the hour appomted was athand. Then she came out of her tent, ready armed for the pro- spective fight. The young moon had not set, but it was low in the sky, with a mist about it. The stars overhead were dimmed by the vapours. But still there was light enough for men to see their way. Vamos, as lieutenant, had mustered the men with the command for all to be silent, as the voice travelled a long way in the stillness of night. They were as quiet as so many mice, save for a slight clicking sound atintervals, originating in the chattering of teeth in the heads of a few of the more cowardly ones. They were well armed, but they had not rifles for all. About a third had to rely on the revolver and knife. “ Have we no hammers ?” asked Lucia, softly. The answer, given by Vamos, was in the negative. “We did not know there would be a use for them,” he explained. “Bah !” exclaimed Lucia, angrily, “it 1s little you know at any time. You must use the butts of your rifles to break down the gates of the castle.” She marched on ahead to the foot of the path that had been destroyed, and began the ascent. Itwas the only possible road to take, and it required all the skill @, 900) nN ES (G0) (@( @) mn