The Island School — page 357: what you’re looking at

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

I Gia Oe aan CHAPTER CLXV. ss pRTAL AND SENTENCE OF CHORKER. thrown upon the bed: where he lay on his back like a_ log, utterly unable to “move. Jim’s light footstep, and, guessing who it was, prepared himself for cross - examination. He had arranged a line of defence—in fact, several, Bu | which was a mistake.When aman makes up his mind to tell a lhe he ought to fs ‘have a tolerably good one ready, but no more. In _ the multiplicity of falsehoods there is ruin. ee “Morning, Mister Gordon,” he said, “ hardiy _ ‘spected to see me here, did you ?” | a “No,” briefly replied Jim; “what have you been a fom: with yourself ?” a “T didn’t do it. Two furriners tied me up.” ee Ad don’t mean that, and you know it. Where have ‘ you been, and what have you been doing ?” “Well, I went away, as you heerd on, no doubt,” Chorker. ou had been away more than a aay aS me how you went.” By. “T hopes he ain’t been telling no lies,” said Chorker, with a virtuous air ; “ it is so easy. ne get a man into" se trouble.” a a more,’ ’ said Jim.. a “He may, now I’m come back, not stick to the ae truth.” _ “WHeis not in the castle, oma not likely to be for some time. He is gone away.” oo. Well, come back the way I went,” said Chorker, a ‘“by a kind of rope ladder hung from his winder. Having done with it I cuts it free, then comes on to ae ‘the kitchen to get ooo to eat, when them two ___ parties falls upon me.” e “And is‘that all?” _ a _ “All, Mr. Gordon, as I’m a sinner.” ____‘“ What have you done outside 2” A ‘“ Nuthin’ but wander about and lose myself.” “Then you don’t know there has been a terrible fight here, and some forty men slain! 2” 2 “Now I:come to think on it,” said Chorker, with Bean assumption of being candid, “ I did hear a bit of firing going on, but in course didn’t know the per- ticklers.” : THE ISLAND sc) | HORKER had been | pte ‘Yes, Romec told me you were gone, but not until. He did not tell eT pany knew from him that you were gone—no — es Pi ty ye tee in ae n. “tsa up pposey you oa like to getup??? a ‘ia ie pinot “— ““T should sir, unkimmonly.” iY CaN BN tia a b a Jim removed his bonds and oiled out ee he room Chorker sat up free, almost ‘overwhelmed with relief. ay, “Hain’t got the least wrinkling of what I done,” he. a muttered ! “Tam in luck. Now I'll jest go inter a ‘ kitchen and get a bit of wittles.” (eee Harac was there, and on seeing Charkoniaees hee was” He heard | much ‘surprised. His face showed that he felt he . had made a’ mistake. i ~ 6 a “Now, you worm,” said Chorker, Hanah prey her a seen the captain, and his orders are that I’m to have fet : #? something to eat. Arter breakfast I’ll see what. can be done in-the way of hauling you over the canes es What yer mean by dropping | on me as yer did larst might, eh?” 4... ie ah “J did my duty,” replied Hare with a oa OTE was late—you had been there the night before—you wi were a stranger, and you came to steal.” What !” “To steal, I say, both nights.” “Y warn’t there the Boe afore.” Ra T,': “ Tf you were not, who am it P” asked Harae. saa ni “ Gimme my breakfast,” said Chorker, turning aside — all discussion for the present. | Harac gave him some bread and meat, and oucel i him some coffee. He partook of all, ravenously, EN Ae Sated at last, he swaggered out to the courtyard, hi where the boys were strolling about. He expected nd aa to be chaffed, and, perhaps, bullied a bit, and he was prepared for either. Neither jokes nor insults break bones. But he was not prepared for being received without any sign of recognition. And that was the es, way he was treated. Ny ae The youngsters walked about in twos and threes, a chatting among themselvés, but not one so much as e looked at him, He stared in utter amazement, and, Nel finally, strolling as far as the platform by the gate,he found Martin on ay Here ioe there was no sign of recognition. | “ Wot’s the game ?” demanded Chorker. Martin turned slowly on his heel and walked to the courtyard entrance, where he stood watching the boys. # f “This is a nice sort of reception,” whined Chorker, i? “ after all I’ve gone through.” | Still not a word, and hot with anger and omnis he $3 ‘ » Pan ho’ i / with undefined fears he hastened to the ramparts. — ie There he found Dibble on guard.. a. Again that mysterious ignoring of his presence. (ar He gave Dibble good-morning, and for all the xs notice taken of him he might as well have addressed te the stone walls. OS ie ‘IT suppose it’s the latest game,” he sneered ; von) ae are a wonderful lot, sutbinby. i cis ual ne es ae ay tebe tata Mie ee ‘ioe don penne US NS A ns iets Cee Teka an Laie oe whee : tala Chaat ae he : IUC .