The Island School — page 347: what you’re looking at

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

r t cae : e ¢ De ae ih" ret ae eh lai i rei soa Nes " Pi, hea! Fi) o, (' . Va ee" hi Wy t 1 mw ce j y es AON WE , Ge ; ‘ aiuls ge IE I ISL : Te affected to be quite at his ease, smiling when their yes met. But her response was a feeble one. a “The meal was almost over, when there was a blow . upon the door of the laboratory as fierce as 1t was sudden. _It made the hearts of the majority leap to their throats. Miss Elegantine uttered a loud scream, and Eveline clutched her mother by the arm. “Do not be agitated,” it ried Jim ; ‘ we have plenty of time yet.” a The blow was followed us a perfect storm of beat- ing upon the interior part of the door, ee Sis of avage ferocity and despairing men, “They know the worst so far,” said Morse, glee- | ‘Now, ladies, it is time for you to go. Change- ling, if you wish to take anything with you, get it f lly. . together.” van k We shall none of us want much,” said Mrs. Far- ) rell, “for if not rescued Derere darkness, we shall return to the shore and camp.” fines Camp on the rocks on the other side of the lagoon,” Be iod Jim; “ you will find some sort of shelter there.” aint Elaborate leave-taking there was no time for, but _ her hat and cloak, to say a few words of adieu. Weed Do not fear for us,” he said; “we shall come ‘through all right, i 3 egal pmpe so,” she answered ; } ‘less risks.” “ay | ah “Certainly not,” replied Jim, witha quiet smile. aor hands met in a warm clasp, and then he left a “ do not run any need- oy urdened. Miss Elegantine took an affectionate leave of her bi _amephew, who said “He was all right,” and looked _ rather sheepish. He had not got over the wig busi- a >. ness, but happily his aunt knew none of the truth. | ie ‘If anything happens to you,” said Miss Hlegan- tine, “I shall never forgive myself.” u, “Oh, yes! Certainly not! Walker!’ muttered ce Oscar, who had, perhaps, good reason to know the ' full measure of his aunt’s affection for him. __ the battering on the door, and just as they got out- _ side, the first shot was fired. : ae “Blaze away!” cried eeu “you will soon get ee ed “This was found out ere long the cooped-up men, - not half of whom could possibly get into the room. ns Some must perforce remain below, on the steps lead- : ing to the cave, or in the cave itself. Three shots only were fired, and then the battering was resumed. Relieved of the presence of the women, Jim set to a) a) SLAND much as if she were about to part ah fees eae ever. | been well oiled since the schoolboys. pes wt Jim snatched a moment as Eveline was putting on. Changeling, with several rugs and a parcel or | _ two for the ladies, was ready. So was Sleery, similarly | The party left the hall to the gruesome music of | i 00L. ue mh, hai Tho idoetn. eatin to pe ie ond 8 rooms were closed, and having strong locks Ne ay Sach wee MOF place, the keys were turned and taken out. “ As quiet as you can be, all ot you,” was Jim’ aa command. Be They were silent instantly, ro stood about await: ing the next order. | fi rs oe f: | “Rifles and ammunition.” —«s_—™” : Msi. The three negroes assisted in bringing them put ‘andl es Jim directed that they should be taken to the cout yard. That done, the kitchen door was also secured, — i and he motioned for all to get clear of the hall, rai a Morse was otherwise engaged, and when the boys poured out, they sawhimand Martin dragging “Betsy,” the small cannon, across the courtyard. “ a Bellas & had been posted under the arch on the opposite sid by the great gates, and facing inward. , Thus: BAS the plans made pretty clear to the lookers-on, and the wea of the boy leaders was much commended. — “T see,” said Terry. “ When those fellows break through they will hear the voice of ‘Betsy,’ and, — i“ cooped up in the hall, she will speak to some effect. Then, if obliged to, we shall retreat to the entrance — i way, and, as they come on,introduce them to ‘Bella” “ And after that ?” asked Trimmer. , (iy “The rifles, and a hand-to-hand fight perhaps with r. a the rest of them.” | It is not to be wondered at that the boys drew deep | breaths as they listened to a fair description of the on 3 probable course of action. It offered the elements e of a fierce excitement they could not have borne if they had not been gradually hardened to it by their previous experiences. pa if Morse personally loaded the cannon, and it was” placed in position just-within the doorway, and _ aimed at the point by which the men must force an e entrance. Ba But Jim had more in his mind’s eye. While Morse, — a kneeling, fired the cannon, he proposed for ee and half a score others, posted immediately behind — him, to pour on the enemy a withering fire. No. ) doubt it would be destructive, but with so many a brought against them, they could not hope to destroy more than a third. The rest would come'on because _ they had no choice in the matter. a0) 4 There was no way of retreat, and to remain where ~ a they were was to die like sheep in the shambles. AMA) this was in the mind of the keener intellects among | a the defenders, but one and all prepared to face it. 9 “Listen to them,” said Morse, as he rose to a lk feet. ‘They have done some execution, but are not ‘a yet through the woodwork.” NG oe | The battering on the door became acta oe ie sy" i 33 em ‘in addition, those not employed in the labour, a Ie, ss a work 1 in SES : ; couraged their ‘eo pa OUR with shouts and ce ie ies CLE hai Dy i tae ‘e Bo NTE: Ve wre ok cs ane DPE PEED iisae ie 4 ey) eed nisliot ae a By mie Meat Abin Ak a ue . ey eve @ ; mead aS wn etiy MT th, aX APEC ae preites YS GL Oy ata rhe bal ‘ Vos Breen ph? r Ee A ened ol . } ; SRILA HRI ete ee OAR eT I GROG Hic ance Aa ade on