The Island School — page 318: what you’re looking at

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

- the blacksmith. Close behind them, Terry, Felton, Dawscn, Rainstone, and others, supported by all the trade teachers. | “Bravo, Jim!” yelled a dozen voices from the ram- parts. “‘ Well done, Martin !” The enemy in the rear of the knot, kept behind by the crush, now got away, leaving the course clear, sand they began to retreat. From the ramparts a withering fire was poured upon them. Every fifth man rolled over dead or seriously. wounded. Nor did _ our friends escape scot-free. Martin had an ugly cut from a bullet that grazed his cheek, ripping open the skin. Jim had been stabbed in the -arm; and Pastern, the painter, and Waffle, the boot- maker, were down. Two or three of the boys had received minor wounds. But the enemy by this time were beaten back. The ‘two or three who remained desperately fighting were -eut down or shot, and the fight was over. Pursuit was impossible ; it would have been an act -of madness. So Jim checked the ardour of some of -his hot-headed followers, who would have gone down -and sacrificed their lives. “We have beaten them!” he cried. ‘They are driven off. There is no more to be done to-night. I wish those fellows on the ramparts would not make ‘such an awful row.” | The “awful row” was the enthusiastic cheering of ‘those within the castle ; and among other voices was “that of Miss Hlegantine Dibble, which rose above the roar of tue boys’ voices like the scream of a steam- -whistle in a thunderstorm. EKveline and her mother, the three niggers—all were ‘there; but Eveline was mute, and her mother, under ‘the influence of excitement, was shedding tears. CHAPTER CXLV. THE COST OF THE FIGHT.—REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE FOE. _ HEH fight was over, ff and all that now #5 =had to be done was to count the cost. Jim stood by the light that still burnt upon the ground and wiped the perspiration ' from his forehead. The tremendous _ exertion he had gone through caused it to run down a on! eg e ees ets oes ys ees - of! “in little streams. Martin and the other men were panting. All, more | '-or less,in that brief spell of fighting, had exerted . - .* * 4 od ioe ee, ed) ef THE COST OF THE FIGHT, Lt TS a ns SN a ag tg eh a ar Dt $$$ 265 themselves to the utmost, and were much in need. of that second wind which is so useful to athletes. There was a sound in the castle of the platform being drawn back, and then the gates opened, letting out a stream of exuberant humanity. Foremost was Morse, who had been waiting in the castle, with every fibre of his body quivering for Jim’s sake. : It was against his will that Jim had taken up the position he had, and it came about in this way. Fearing activity on the part of the foe—it was a kind of intuitive feeling—a close watch was kept that night, and preparations were madeto give the attacking party a warm reception. It was only acting up te Jim’s precept, “‘ Better be a week too soon than one minute too late.” Just about the time that Lucia was addressing her men, Martin, who was watching on the ramparts, heard a slight buzzing below. It was only the first sign of movement of the foe; but in the complete stillness of the night the sound floated upwards, was checked by the castle walls, and reached his ears. Without staying to analyse it, he hastened below to Sleery, who was on duty there, and bade him arouse Jim. Jn ten minutes Jim was on the ramparts, and became convinced that the foe was moving. Then, without any fuss, the whole of the inhabitants of the castle were aroused, including the women, in ease they should awake of themselves and say or do something to give the foe a clue to their being in readiness. A word of caution, sufficed for all. Arms and ammunition were served out, Miss Klegantine, with a woollen shawl over her head in place of a wrapper, armed herself with the kitchen chopper, and Jim rapidly gave his instructions. “We must rely, mostly on surprises,” he said. “When they come up to the front of the castle, let fly at them with the cannon. But as it is possible they may force their way in, after all, we must in that case take them in the rear. About a dozen of us will sutice. The moment thev find they are between two fires, a panic will lay hold of them. That, at least, is my opinion.” Morse wanted to go with him; but Jim said his place was in the castle, to defend it till the last moment. “The instant I hear the gates go down,” said Jim, “J shall rush upon them. Give them ‘ Betsy’ when they show up closely enough, and ‘ Bella’ when they force the gates. Now, let me out.” He selected the people he wanted from those who volunteered, and the gates being opened just wide enough, he slipped out with his followers and took up his position on the right side of the castle, where he lay close until the right moment came. com Cc 00 q55 (G0)